Things I Wrote at One Time or Another

The Luminaries; "Love with all the Trimmings"

        Barbara Streisand played on in the background, her velvetly dream of a voice flowing through the empty sitting room--Jude's designated spot for painting. He stood by the main window, his canvas in front of him as he captured his Italian friend on the couch. Romano sat in the sunlight, lounging with his legs crossed as he read the same page of Shakespaere's Twelfth Night over and over. He propped his face up with his knuckles, trying not to fall asleep as Jude did his best to finish most of it before the sun disappeared behind another set of clouds. Barbara's voice wavered through, the sunlight bathing him in warmth as he tried to focus on the words on the page. 

        "Can I speak?" He asked, finally.

               Jude took a moment to look away from his canvas, he looked frustrated. "Sure, go ahead."

        "How's it going?" 

             Jude glared at the canvas, "Different subject."

        Romano pressed his lips together, "Why do you paint?"

              Jude chuckled, "Nope, try another one." 

      "Gesu, can we take a break?"

            Jude sighed, setting his paintbrush down. Romano grinned, jumping up from the couch and stretching. Jude sat by the window, staring contemplatively at his work. The Italian made his way over, following his gaze.

            "Wow," He said, leaning in close to the canvas. 'Careful." Jude reminded him, Romano stepped back a bit. He was staring at himself, perfectly sculptured in oil, surrounded by colors he hadn't noticed. "It looks amazing . . ."

                "Thank you, it's almost done, Just a few details left, and I have to fix your foot."

       "What's wrong with my foot?"

               "It's a leftie."

        "How'd you do that?"

             "I have no idea," Jude smiled, tired. 

        Romano stared back at the canvas, "I love it anyway." Jude rubbed his palms against his face and let it trail down to his collarbone, "a bit Dorian Gray, arent you?"

              "You're a genius," Romano said, turning to him. "I don't know how you can't see it."

          Jude gazed at him, "Beauty's in the eye of the beholder, and beauty is to each his own."

               Romano looked away, wandering off for a moment. "Well, I am fucking attractive, I know that." Jude laughed.

      "Why don't you paint yourself?" Romano asked, "Have you?"

            "I have."

        "Can I see?"

              Jude stared up at him.

 .. . . .

 "Why do you look so sad?" Romano asked, gesturing towards the canvas. It sat on the floor, leaning against his closet door. Jude sat down on the rug across from it, stretching his legs as he sat back, observing it. "I look sad?" Romano sat down beside him, observing it still. "Yes, your lips and your eyes, you look like you just finished crying but you've still got more." Jude was silent, he looked disappointed. 

         "Is that what I have to look forward to?" he asked Romano, tilting his head towards him.