Let Me Love You Again

Chapter 4: The Painting

She was right, by at least one hundred and thirty percent. I was a far better painter than I was at drawing. After that afternoon in her bedroom, I couldn't put the paintbrush down. In fact, after a year or two, I began to take private painting classes. When high school began, Jessy would come with me to the art museums in L.A. Sometimes, I wondered why she'd even go, considering the fact that every time she got home she'd be yelled at by her parents. Mainly because she'd skip her classes to come with mine.

"Deanney?" I heard someone call me. I shook my thoughts out of my head as I noticed a painting being shoved into my face. I leaned back to take a better look at it and smiled as I noticed who must have painted it.

"This is very good, Jacob." I said as I grabbed the painting to stare at it. I looked over it to see the small black haired boy smiling widely at his accomplishments. He had painted a picture of a typical big house with trees and a sun. It was cliche for little kids to paint, but nonetheless he was pretty damn good for a 6 year old.

"Is it really that good?" He asked with a hopeful obvious answer from me. I smiled as I gave the picture back to him.

"Would I lie to you?" He laughed and ran off back to his table. I sighed as felt my chest tear apart.

As seven came around, I clocked out and said goodbye to my co-workers. I got into my car and noticed I had a text from Alexis saying she couldn't pick up Joel from Coldie's house because of late hours she had to work. The first thing that came to my mind was 'Bullshit...' I smiled as I thought about the real reason she couldn't pick him up. Her and Coldie wanted time to themselves. So I did what a good sister would do.

Alexis;

No problem, I just got off work anyway so I'll pick him up. I'll probably take him out to get ice cream. See ya when you get home.

-Deanney

As I drove to Coldie's house I felt myself smile every once and a while. Why? I really don't know nor do I understand. But, who gives a fuck, right? Oh well, maybe I'm losing my mind. I shook my head as I caught myself talking to myself in my head. When I pulled up to Coldie's house I saw the two boys waiting outside for me. They said their goodbyes and Joel ran over to me, jumping into my car and slamming the door.

"Hey now, watch the merchandise buddy." I said as I frowned at him. He just rolled his eyes and smiled.

"I thought Alexis was going to pick me up sis?" He asked as he bounced around in his seat.

"Put your seat belt on, and she was. But you know how mean her boss is. She made her work extra hours. Do you not wanna hang out with your older sister hm?" I asked as I teased him. I poked him in the side and enjoyed his silly laugh.

"I want to!" He laughed as I continued to tickle him. I smiled as I put the car in drive and drove to downtown. "Where are we going?" He asked as he looked out the window, noticing we weren't taking the direction to go home.

"I figured we'd get some ice cream. Or do you-." Before I even finish that sentence I was interrupted.

"Yay! I love ice cream!" I smiled as I turned into a coldstones creamery. Joel picked out some crazy signature cone while I got my old time favourite; simple chocolate chip ice cream. It was mine and Jessy's favourite as we were growing up together.

As Joel and I sat in the booth, eating our ice cream cones, I couldn't help but remember when we'd take Alexis here almost every day back when we had first gotten our licenses. I shook the memory out of my head. 'I need to stop letting my thoughts be consumed by her again as if we had just broken up... it was three years ago. I need to stop torturing myself...' I thought to myself. I can't seem to help it though... whenever I see Coldie and Alexis I'm reminded of the two us, how alike we are to those two. How we share the same interests, but yet, so different at the same time.

"Deanney?" I looked over to Joel to see him pointing to my cell phone. "Your phone just rang." I picked it up to see it was Alexis. So, I called her back with a confused thought.

"Hey, you should come home right now. What's taking you so long?" She asked with a hurried voice. I felt my eyebrows brows raise as I looked at Joel chomping on his cone now. 'God, that looks weird...' I was never one to bite ice cream...

"I'm at Coldstones. I bought Joel some ice cream. I thought you had to work late?" I questioned her with a motherly tone.

"Uh... just forget about that." She said with a slight laugh in her voice. I could hear Coldie snickering in the background. I rolled my eyes and smiled down at the mess Joel had made. "There's something you have to see. So get home!" With that, she hung up on me. I gawked at my cell phone as I laughed along with Joel.

"Well, I guess we better go, eh little man?" I asked as we threw the trash away.

It didn't take long to get home. Joel grabbed his day bag and hopped out before I could even say anything. I rolled my eyes and rolled my neck a few times before turning off the car and getting out. I noticed the two girls right away, cuddling on the front porch.

"Uh... don't you care if mom sees you guys...?" I asked them uneasily. Before they answered though, mom stepped out of the house, leaning against the door frame. My body stiffened so hard, I wouldn't be surprised if I ever moved again.

Note: I'd also really love to hear your thoughts on my writing and what you'd like to see more plot-wise.

I know , it's hanging... but my kickboxing class is about 2 start... —- so, before my Coach kicks my ass, u know.... brb for now——