How to Save A Life (Anthony Rizzo)

12- Isn't It Obvious?

Anthony

She is so stunningly beautiful. I was addicted to the way her plump pink lips hold so many dark secrets, yet they're always set in the shape of a smile. I loved how her beautiful turquoise eyes have seen the greatest evils, yet they still shine so bright. I was obsessed with the way her soft and brittle hands have held on for her life, yet they create the most amazing things with some paint and a canvas. How they hold on to everything good that has ever happened to her. And I digged the shorter blonder hair even if it made her look completely different now, but it's no longer a connection to her dark haired past.

She looked amazing, but that's not what made her amazing, not in the least. The reason why she looks the way she does, that's what makes her amazing. All the stuff that she overcame to get to this point in her life, it's things that the toughest guys in the MLB wouldn't be able to handle if they were in her situation. All the really successful guys in this league have good girls beside them who support them and are strong for them, and although we aren't together she still stands with me no matter what and in return, that makes me feel amazing.

"Why are you staring at me? I feel like there's food on my face" she insists as we eat breakfast at the island like we do every morning.

"There is" I say taking my thumb and wiping some ketchup off her bottom lip.

"Oh" she giggles and I smile at her.

"But I was still staring at you" I admit and she just shakes her head.

"You're the worst" she insists making me laugh. I loved the way she made me feel.

We finish up our breakfast and clean up the kitchen. Claire goes off to her bedroom to paint and I sit in the living room by myself. I watch some tv before my phone starts to ring on the endtable. I see it was Bethany's Dad and answer it.

"Hello David" I start.

"Hey Tony! How are you" he asks.

"I'm fine. How are you" I wonder.

"Pretty good" he admits. "I wanted to talk to you about this incredible painting your lovely friend made for our little girl" he says.

"Oh, okay. What about it" I wonder.

"How much do we owe you guys for it" he wonders and I almost laugh at him. If only he knew.

"Not a thing. That was something she really wanted to do and she doesn't like to be paid for her art she does for people. It was a gift from her heart and all she asks for in return was to see Bethany happy, and trust me, she was" I explain.

"That painting is worth so much to us. We have to give her something for it" he insists.

"I can ask her but I assure you she won't accept anything" I warn.

"Okay" he agrees.

I knock on her door and walk into her room. I walk over to her in her little corner and she turns to me.

"Hey! I have Bethany's Dad on the phone and he wants to know if he could give you anything for the painting you did for her" I tell her.

"Nope" she says and I laugh.

"Yeah I thought so" I admit.

"She said no" David asks.

"Yeah, she said no" I tell him.

"Art like this is worth so much. In both material and sentimental value. And seeing my daughter so happy and so excited about something again, I have to find some way to thank her" he insists.

"She doesn't ask for much" I admit as she makes a face at me.

"Sounds familiar" he teases and we laugh.

"Well I'm sure we will be back some time. She's been begging to meet more kids and hang out with Beth again so we will give her a visit" I promise.

"Alright. Can you give Clara all the thanks in the world from us" he asks.

"Of course, it will be my pleasure."

I hang up the phone and see that she had gone back to painting. I sit on the edge of her bed and watch her for a while. Classical music plays like it does every time she paints as she goes at it. Her movements were so graceful and her art so meaningful. I wasn't sure what she was making. It looked like the city of Chicago but unlike her other paintings that were bright and colorful, this one was all black and white. Well, the part she was working on. There was a part in the middle that was empty waiting for her to create whatever it is she wanted.

"I can practically feel you staring at me" she insists and I laugh.

"Can you blame me" I ask.

"Yes" she jokes and I roll my eyes.

"I just really enjoy looking at you. Is that such a bad thing" I question.

"Well when you put it that way..." she trails off.

"That's not what I meant" I insist.

"Then what do you mean Anthony" she asks.

"I mean that when I look at you, it's not like how I see other people. When I look at you I see hope for a better future, I see love in places where most people can't find love, I see kindness where life has been nothing but cruel to you. I see in you things that I wish I saw in myself, in everyone around us.

So when I look at you I'm admiring why you always look so amazing. I'm taking in something that is better than anything I could ever dream up. I'm trying not to cross the line but still get my fix, like I'm addicted to being around you and this is the only way to aid my cravings" I explain.

She stops painting to set her paint brush in the dirty water and stirs it around. She leaves it be before turning to me.

"Why are you so kind to me" she asks.

"Because you're special, unlike anyone I've ever met. I don't quite understand you, I know there's so much that goes into being who you are. But there isn't a thing you could tell me that would change my mind about you. I can just look at you and feel so inspired, that's so special" I insist.

"I just want to know why you're so great" she claims and I smile.

"Isn't it obvious" I ask. "I'm going to fall totally and absolutely in love with you."