Painting

Chapter 61

My head is laying on Tyler's shoulder and he keeps kissing the top of my head.

-My shoulder hurts.

-I'm so sorry.

He chuckles a little bit.

-It's alright, don't worry. Look outside there is a snow storm.

I get up and walk to the window. I love snow storms. I lean on the window's frame. I glance at the snow flakes flying around. I blow on the window, it creates a small fogged section. With my finger, I draw a peace sign. I turn my head to look at Tyler.

-You're beautiful. Every feature and every smile. Your skin is simply the softest thing, I've ever felt in my life. Victor is lucky.

-You don't understand, do you?

-Understand what?

-I love both of you.

-Both? How do you? Are you?

-Polyamorous, yes.

I look at the ground.

-I know, it's kind of weird.

-No, absolutely not.

I get closer to the bed.

-Are you sure?

-Yes and if anyone says otherwise, they can go to hell.

I glance at the floor, once again.

-I almost forgot! Your gift! Stay here and keep being the way you are.

He takes a blanket and wraps it around him. He heads out of the room. I hear him from the living room.

-Close your eyes.

I close my eyes. He comes back and says:

-Are your eyes closed?

-They are.

-Good.

He sits back on the bed.

-You can open them.

I see two packages wrapped in Christmas theme wrapper.

-You should start with the smallest.

I take the small one and unwrap it. A book. It's pink. I look inside. Poetry.

-It's a poetry book, thank you.

-Take a look at the first page.

I open the cover.

June,

May this book ever remind you of what you are and always will be. In best and worst, you are the guiding star of this galaxy. Or at least, my galaxy.

Victor

June,

I was the luckiest man on Earth that morning, to be the first to glance at your unforgettable face. Your eyes were a presage of the true masterpiece, you are.

Tyler

I glimpse back at him.

-You guys wrote this...

-Yes.

-Thank you.

I slowly put the book back on the bed.

-Before you thank me more, here.

He gives me the second package. I rip the paper off. It's another book. It's blue and the title, My story, is carved with golden ink. Just like the one I've seen at the store. I open it. The pages are empty. Now, I understand the title.

-Again look at the first page.

I open the cover.

June,

As I've learned while spending time with you, writing your own story may be strewn with deceptions, but one day, one faithful day, you find that person that inspires you. Wakes up every sense in your body.

You do that to me every day. I hope, I can, one day, do the same thing.

Tyler

Tears come running down my cheeks. I jump in his arms. He hugs me tight.

-I love you, if you couldn't already tell.

-I love you too.

I lay back down on the bed and open the pink book to the first poem. I read it out loud.

What is it with you and the sun

It gives life

Like it slowly kills

-I like your voice, can you read the next one?

-Of course.

I turn the page.

In my fantasies

Boys are always rough with me

But then we find our rhythm

Our pace

And we melt

-It got published not long ago.

-It's good, I'll finish it tomorrow.

He looks at the corner of the room.

-Does anyone know?

-About what?

-Your gift.

-My gift?

-Yes, I think it's a gift to able to love more than one person at a time.

-You have an interesting point of view.

-I know.

- So does anyone know? Victor and you. My parents don't know, well that's what I think, but my mom always ends up knowing everything, one way or another. My ex-boyfriend doesn't know either and that's perfect, because if he knew, I would be in much more trouble than I already am.

He looks surprised.

-You've seen him again?

I realize what I just said.

-Actually...

-No...

He closes his eyes.

-I... He...

-He did what?

-When you dropped me off, he was hiding in my apartment.

-He broke in?

-Yes, well no.

-What do you mean?

-He had a key.

-A key?

-Yes, the owner of the building, they talked and somehow he got a double of the key.

-Weird.

-I know.

-So what does he do? Has he done anything to you, yet?

-He tried to lock me up in my room once. That's why you received an odd text.

-What?!

-Please don't tell Victor. It'll make things worse.

-That guy is dangerous, June. You need to tell someone.

-I will, I need time.