A Welcome Burden

Chapter 16: Another Hidden Talent

I woke up this morning with the sun's rays beaming down on my face through the small window inside the loft of the camper. Last night was an incredible night for me. Just hearing the endless compliments from Logan made my heart flutter. On the outside, he looks like this rugged man that no one in their right mind would dare to fuck with but on the inside...the inside is so much different. I think that's what I love most about him. He's got the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. It always brings a smile to my face.

Rolling out of bed, my feet planted themselves on the floor. My second skeleton popped and cracked as I stretched. I climbed down the ladder hoping to see Logan but he wasn't inside. I didn't hear the shower running so I know he's not in the bathroom. Maybe he's outside? My feet guided me to the door and I opened it but he wasn't there either. I closed the camper door and turned towards the table. A piece of paper sat there. I picked it up immediately recognizing Logan's somewhat sloppy handwriting.

Chey,

Gone to get some more firewood from down the road. I'll be back in a few minutes darlin'. Don't wonder to far.

I smiled and threw away his note. I didn't plan on leaving the campsite anyways. I grabbed my duffle bag from beside the couch and unzipped it. There's another talent I have that Logan doesn't know about. Well maybe I wouldn't call it a talent. I'm not really good at drawing but I like to do it.

I took my sketch pad and a few pencils outside and sat down in one of his folding chairs. My eyes scanned over the different pieces I had done. Some were pretty old and some were slightly new. I haven't been able to actually sit down and draw anything since I left that...place. Stryker never liked the fact that I loved to draw. He always said it was a disruption from the tasks at hand.

I turned the page of my sketch book and began to draw. Even though I don't consider myself to be a good artist, I do like my drawings to be perfect so I took my time as I drew a picture of Logan. I've drawn my different forms but I have yet to draw Logan until now. My hand guided the pencil on the paper. I made sure to get ever little detail. As I finished my drawing, I heard the unmistakable sound of Logan's truck. I looked up just in time to see him back into the small space. A smile appeared on my face as he got out of the truck with a cigar tucked between his lips.

"Hey sweetheart. What are you working on?"

"Oh I'm just drawing." I said putting a few finishing touches on the page.

"Can I see?" I nodded my head and Logan leaned over my shoulder looking down at the drawing.

"Wow Chey...that is amazing!" Logan commented making me blush.

"I'm not that good Logan."

"Are you kidding? You do better than I can. I can barely draw a stick figure." He said making me chuckle. Logan's hand reached over and turned back to the previous page where I had drawn a picture of one of my forms.

"Wow." He said before turning another page backwards. He continued to look back at the drawings I had done before stopping on the one I had drawn of my mother.

"Is this your mom?" I couldn't bring myself speak. All I did was nod my head sadly as I stared at the picture. I miss her so much.

"She's a very beautiful woman."

"Thanks Logan. I miss her." I said. I felt his arm go around my shoulders and squeeze. I guess he sensed my discomfort.