Chapter 14
September
[Stone]
“Uncle Stone, you got a postcard.”
“A postcard?” Stepping over to where Hudson stands by the kitchen island, I take the piece of mail from his hand and scan the picture on the front, then flip to the back.
My latest commission is complete. Thought you might like to see what little ol’ me can do with the side of a building.
Also heard you and your brother re-roofed Aunt Trudy’s house.
Thank you.
—Delilah
Flipping the postcard over again, I observe the image on the front a bit longer.
The side of a two-story brick building has been used as a large canvas and transformed into a giant mural.
One covered with sharp angles and dramatic edges, representing a community in Philadelphia.
The mural holds symbols of America along with blue-collar icons and pieces of history not as openly shared.
It’s striking and beautiful and all Taxi.
I hear her laughter in the faces of the people she painted and better understand her style.
Bold colors. Graphic but rich. I note the name of the organization that sponsored the project at the bottom of the card and plan to look into it.
“Who’s Delilah?” Hudson asks, breaking into my thoughts. Nosy little man has apparently already read the postcard.
“Private joke,” I mutter, continuing to stare at the mural.
But was this a joke to her? Why send me something when she could hardly look at me back in July?
Her gratitude for fixing her aunt’s roof wasn’t necessary. My family would do anything for Trudy Wallace.
“Pretty.”
I lift my head, finding Vale standing at my elbow, staring down at the picture.
“Yeah,” I whisper, my throat suddenly thick.
Then I slip the postcard into my back pocket like I’m not affected by it and search blindly through the remainder of the mail like I give two shits about the electric bill.
After what I surmise is a reasonable time to pretend to check out the mail, I turn for my office off the kitchen. Once inside, I prop the postcard against the base of a lamp, torturing myself while silently pleased that Taxi is still pursuing her dreams.
Living adventures. The kind of her own making.