How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

6- Blank Canvas

Clara

"Your room is finished, if you would like to see it" Anthony says as I sit at the island eating breakfast.

We have been getting into a pretty good rhythm around here. I wake up early and make breakfast, he joins me and we just talk about the plans for the day. I go work out in the gym downstairs and he either hangs out with friends or watches tv. Then if it's a day game I have his stuff set out for him to take to the park, if not I make us a healthy lunch. Then he usually takes a nap before the night games and goes to the park early. I usually watch him play on tv then get ready for bed and that's about all that happens around here. I could really go for a simple home life for a change.

"I would love to see the room" I smile as I head to wash our dishes.

He helps me clean up before I turn to him. He suddenly grabs my hand and I flinch at first, not because I didn't want to hold his hand but it was a habit at this point. But he laces his fingers through mine and assures me that he's not going to hurt me. I squeeze his hand so he knows that I trust him and he gives me a kind smile.

He pulls me down the hallway to the spare room where my things have been stored. I don't really go in there much, when I sleep I steal one of his shirts before heading to the couch and I don't leave the house all too often so I usually just stay in one of his shirts and watch TV all day. But I would imagine that soon enough I would get the courage to leave the house and that would require me to wear actual clothes.

He smiles at me again before opening the door. His fingers still laced with mine as he makes sure I'm right behind him. We finally get in the room and my eyes grow big. The room was now all white, not a spec of color on the walls. There was a queen sized bed with beautiful baby blue sheets on them with a navy blue embroidery. The closet was organized with a bunch of clothes, many I've never seen before. But all of them looked like something I would wear given the circumstances. The blinds were open showing off the city in all it's beauty. The view from here was a lot different than the one from Wrigleyville. This one was a lot brighter, with a lot more things to look forward to than to be afraid of.

And in the corner was a canvas and a bunch of paints, every color imaginable. There was a bunch of brushes and a smock and anything else you needed to be a painter. Endless possibilities sat in the corner waiting for me to bring them to life, and I couldn't wait.

"Anthony, I don't know what to say" I whisper as I turn to him. "This... everything... it's more kindness than what I've been shown in years up until these past few weeks. I'm speechless" I admit.

"You don't have to say it with your mouth" he says pulling me to the paint supplies. "There's other ways to say what you need to say" he insists and I smile up at him.

"Thank you" I say softly as I wrap my arms around his sides.

He was taken aback at first, I mean I could barley hold his hand a few minutes ago let alone hug him. But I couldn't stop myself, I was so thankful for him and what he's done. I wouldn't dare ask for any of this but he was always finding ways to help me out.

I knew he liked me, I know that's part of the reason he was doing all of this. But he also knew as well as I did that I needed time to heal. For my head to stop hurting from where I was hit with a brick and for my heart to stop hurting where I was hit with emotional abuse and betrayal for so many years. But he's shown me that he is willing to wait for me, and that gives me time to show him that I am thankful for everything he's done.

"Here" he says pulling the stool out so I could sit down. I sit in front of the canvas and stare at it, it's been so long. I have so much I wanted to do, I wasn't sure where to start.

"Anthony-" I start but he puts a hand up.

"I know Claire, I know" he assures me and I nod. "I have a Day game so I have to go now, but I'll bring home some dinner for us. How does pizza sound" he asks.

"That sounds lovely" I admit and he nods.

"Perfect. I'll see you around 5" he says.

"Okay" I smile.

"Okay" he smiles back.

He eventually leaves my room then the apartment leaving me alone with the blank canvas. I look around and realized the white walls was now my blank canvas too. And since he painted the walls I assumed I was able to do so also, so I did.

I move everything away from the walls and take a step back to see what I was working with. I smile at all the possibilities I am capable of making with my own two hands.

Hours pass and never a second did my eyes leave the wall. Brush stroke after brush stroke I was able to make my vision in my head a reality on the walls. White turned into colors and the colors turned into pictures. Soon enough I was able to paint about half of the walls with a image that's been in my head for a while. I finally step back for a second to look at it and it turned out better than I thought it would.

"Holy shit" a voice says and I look at the door. I see Anthony standing there with his mouth wide open as he looks around. I didn't even hear him come in but I was blasting classical music so I could clear my mind.

"I guess I got a little carried away" I admit as I check out what I was able to accomplish so far. "I hope you don't mind that I did this, but I couldn't help it."

"Clara, you are so very talented, I don't mind this at all. This is incredible. I've never seen anything so beautiful and so lifelike. I feel like I'm outside right now" he insists.

"Art is so powerful. It gives the feeling that something that's seemingly impossible is possible. Like a waterfall in the heart of Chicago" I say.

"You are so fucking amazing. You did all of this in a little over six hours" he asks.

"Yeah. Something just takes over me and I can do some pretty incredible things with a paint brush and some paint" I shrug.

"To say the least" he whispers as he studies the painting. I was able to get the main tree and some flowers in the grass along with some stones and water. Only part of the waterfall was done but I assumed I had time to figure it out seeing how I was basically on house arrest.

"Is there still pizza? Because I've been in here all day and I could go for some pizza" I admit and he laughs.

"Yeah, it's in the kitchen" he assures me.

I follow him out and he hands me a plate. I fill it with pizza and he looks at me weird.

"I really don't get how you're so small. I feel like all I've seen you do since you've been here is cook and eat" he insists.

"You are not wrong" I giggle.