17. Chapter 17
I look up at the clock and realize it’s almost two-thirty. The last three hours were the most hectic I’ve had since opening the studio. The bridal group showed up with five extra women. Thankfully, we were able to accommodate all of them.
We’re picking up the last few painted pieces to dry in the back room. The messages written on the cups are funny, personal, and touching. There’s the “Bride’s Mama” mug with dainty flowers framing the words, the simple “Maid of Honor” cup, and the large plate that reads “Luke Anna, A True Love Story” framed with interlaced hearts and the date of the wedding underneath.
I reach for my rings and gently squeeze them, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and sorrow as I recall my own love story. Our wedding favors were small mason jar candles with our names and wedding date on the lid. All eighty of them sat in my parents’ garage for over a year after Justin died. When I finally got the courage to get rid of them, Laura and I took them to a church thrift store here in town.
This morning, I promised myself I would not cry today or allow sadness to overwhelm me. I try to focus my attention on the banter between Laila and Sam, which is a sight to behold. Sam is not only brilliant, but he’s funny. He’s holding his own against my sister’s clever quips. I can hear her boisterous laughter filling the air, bringing me a sense of solace.
When the door chimes, we all look up to see Christina, Peter, and Holly walk in carrying a large pizza. I’m so grateful for the distraction and the food that I almost break my promise not to cry and give in to the emotion rising in my throat.
As soon as Holly sees me, she runs towards me, and I pick her up for a hug. Before I have a chance to think about it, I gently rub her nose with mine, instantly remembering my conversation with Aaron. The special moment Holly once shared with her mom, she’s now sharing with me. I feel guilt for a split second and immediately brush it aside.
“Oh my goodness, I’m so happy to see all of you,” I say, putting Holly down and reaching over to hug the Baldwins.
“I spoke to your mom this morning,” Christina begins as Peter puts the pizza on a table. “She told me about the bridal group you had coming in today. We figured you’d be super busy and wouldn’t have any time to eat. Holly wanted to see you, so we decided to bring you a late lunch. You and your crew can eat while the three of us paint.”
I glance over at Laila, who’s already opening the pizza box. Standing next to her, Sam reaches in and pulls out a slice. “Hmm, this looks good,” he says before taking a big bite.
“I’ll go get some plates and water from the fridge,” Laila says, smiling and giving Sam a little nudge with her elbow.
“Stop, I’m ticklish,” he says, smiling down at her. “I’ll give you a hand.” They both turn around and disappear down the hallway. I make note of the fact that this is one of the few times I’ve seen my sister with a man who’s much taller than her.
I look over at Peter, who’s doing some exercises with his hands, fisting and extending his fingers.
“Are you all ready to be impressed by my artistic prowess?” he asks before laughing out loud.
“What would you like to paint?” I ask, walking over to the shelves to pull some pieces for them to look at. “There are small dishes, large mugs, dainty cups, and large plates. Peter, you said you wanted something big.” I pull out a flat twelve-inch plate. “How about this one?” I ask him.
“Perfect!” he says, smiling.
“Grandpa, that’s big!” Holly chimes in.
“Peter, you might be biting off more than you can chew, Sweetheart,” Christina adds, “I’ll stick to the dainty cup. Just enough for me to say I’ve actually created something.”
I see Laila and Sam walking back from the kitchen with their arms locked together like they’re the best of friends. They put everything down on the table and proceed to serve themselves.
“Who wants some pizza?” Sam asks.
“I’ll take a slice,” I say before asking Holly if she wants to paint a cup this time.
” I want to paint another plate,” she says.
I find a small dish to match the last one she made and bring it over to her.
After serving me a slice of pizza, Sam walks over to the paint cabinet and begins pulling out some jars of paint, containers, and brushes for the Baldwins.
He walks over to a clean table and covers it with a drop cloth before setting up three stations with the selected pieces, brushes, paint pens, several containers filled with paints, and a few paper towels for clean-up.
Holly grabs Peter’s hand and pulls him over to the table. “This is where you sit, Grandpa,” she says, pointing at the station with the biggest piece.
“I don’t know,” he says, eyeing his piece. “I’m a little intimidated by this large plate.”
“You can do it, Grandpa.” Holly assures him, “Just put the brush in the paint and put it on the plate. Make it pretty, ok?” She sits on the chair next to him and starts showing him how to do it.
Christina joins them. After sitting down, she picks up the small cup and assesses it for a full minute before taking a paint pen in the color yellow and drawing a small flower on it.
I sit next to her, holding my plate with a slice of pizza and a bottled water.
“Does anyone want some pizza or something to drink?” I ask them. Peter and Holly shake their heads.
“We had lunch at the pizza parlor before we came,” says Christina. “But I will take a water.” Sam immediately picks up a bottle and brings it over to her.
They spend the next hour painting, laughing, joking, and talking about everything from the weather to Aaron’s trip to Boston. When the conversation lands on Julie, I take the opportunity to ask about her.
“What was she like?” I ask before looking over at Holly, whose attention is now fully centered on the Baldwins, to see which one of them will answer my question.
“Aaron and Julie met in college,” Christina begins, “Aaron called me one day and told me he’d met the woman he was going to marry. He described her physical beauty first. She was tall, had a strong, slender body, blonde hair, and blue eyes, the color of the ocean.”
I smile, nod in understanding, and realize she was the opposite of me.
“But then he described what she was like on the inside,” she continues, “He thought she was completely out of his league. He said she was intelligent, with a quiet wit that surfaced at the most appropriate times. She was funny without trying and couldn’t tell a joke to save her life. She was close to her parents and had a good relationship with each of her siblings. She made him feel loved. An unconditional, giving, understanding, and never-ending love. That’s when I knew she was the one for him.”
Christina’s eyes welled up with tears. She picks up a paper towel and quickly blots them away.
“I’m so sorry.” I say, instinctively reaching over and giving her hand a gentle squeeze, “I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s ok,” she says, placing her other hand over mine, “I know you understand, having gone through something very similar yourself.” I look down and nod in agreement. Aaron and I have this in common. The one thing that makes us so similar might also be the one thing that neither one of us can ever overcome.
“Holly has a picture of Julie in her room,” I say, attempting to change the subject.” She looks just like her, especially her eyes.” I look over at Holly, who’s still listening intently. I smile at her and give her a little wink. She smiles big before going back to her project.
I then look over at my sister, who’s sitting with Sam. They appear to be engrossed in a conversation. Something about her having long piano fingers, but her eyes are giving me a silent warning to be careful.
“Aaron and Julie had several losses before welcoming Holly.” Peter says, “That was tough on them, but they had each other. When he lost Julie, he found himself alone with a young daughter and far from his family and friends. It’s by far the hardest thing our son has ever faced.”
Peter is usually quiet and reserved, so I’m surprised by his honesty.
“I didn’t think he’d ever recover,” he continues. “But the last few times we’ve seen him recently, we’ve noticed a shift in his attitude.” He looks over at Christina, who’s nodding in agreement.
“What do you mean?” I ask, instantly regretful for prying about something that is none of my business.
“He seems happy and optimistic,” Christina adds.
I glance over at my sister one more time for what I’m sure will be a look of reproach, but she’s laughing at something Sam said, oblivious to my overt interest in hearing about Aaron’s demeanor.
“What do you all think?” Peter asks, holding up his plate. He painted lush green pine trees lining an expansive lazy river with snow-capped mountains in the background and clear blue skies above. I think I even spot a few birds flying in the sky.
“I’m thoroughly impressed,” I say. “That looks amazing!”
Christina holds up her little teacup painted in a light blue hue with yellow and white flowers visible from all sides and the words “Grandma Loves You” written in cursive around the bottom.
“It’s beautiful,” I say. “You’re all so talented.”
I look over at Holly, who’s been drawing and painting what appears to be a picture of her and Julie, but when I look down at it one last time, I see that she’s painted the woman’s hair black. The scene depicts a grown woman holding a little girl’s hand with trees and flowers in the background. A blue sky full of sunshine and clouds above.
“This is us,” she tells me in her sweet little voice. “I can’t wait to show Daddy.” She hands me the plate before adding,” Here, so you can bake it.”
“I will let you know when it’s ready to pick up,” I tell her before looking over at the Baldwins, who are both smiling at me. Is that approval I see in their eyes?
Before anyone can say anything more, Laila comes over. “I have some studying to do this weekend,” she says. “So I’m heading out. It was nice seeing all of you.” She looks at everyone’s projects and decides Peter’s is her favorite. “I wish I was there.” She hugs everyone and waves goodbye to Sam before walking out the door.
I glance at Sam, who has an abandoned puppy look on his face before he catches himself and says, “There’s some leftover pizza. Do you want me to put it in the fridge?”
“I won’t be back here until Monday,” I say, “Do you want to take it home?”.
“Sure,” He says, “This will be my dinner tonight. I’ll pick up the tables and clean up before heading home.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, “I’ll take care of it. You can call it a day and go home.”
“Are you sure?” He asks, “I don’t mind staying.”
“Yes,” I assure him, “It’s been a long day. You deserve a long evening off. Go home. I’ll see you Monday.”
After Sam leaves, the Baldwins insist on staying to help me clean up and put things away. We sweep and mop the floors, wipe all the tables, empty the trash cans, wash and dry brushes and containers, and put all the paints away.
“I need to put all three of you on my payroll,” I joke. “I would’ve been here for at least another hour without your help. Thank you so much!”
“This is the most exercise I’ve had all week,” says Peter. “Maybe I should find a part-time job so I can stay active.”
“No way,” says Christina, “Your job now is to keep up with Holly and take me out to eat and away on weekend trips.” She puts her hand on Peter’s back and looks up at him for a second before he leans down and kisses her.
We leave the studio together, and they walk me to my car, where we make plans to meet for lunch tomorrow after church. I pick up Holly and kiss her on the cheek, “See you tomorrow, Sweetie.”
All three of them wave at me as I drive away. I smile and wave back, thinking about just how truly blessed I am.