Epilogue
When James’s mom gave birth to him, sometime in the early-mid eighties, the new parents didn’t know what they were doing.
They cradled a mere two-week-old Jimmy in their small one-bedroom apartment in Carson, California, not yet established in their two-story, four-bedroom home minutes away from the San Diego beaches.
Much of their nights were spent with failed attempts to get their firstborn to sleep while bulging out of their small living quarters.
Eventually, James acclimated into his parents’ lives.
They maintained a routine that didn’t run off sleep deprivation and cramped apartments.
The subsequent notable series of events happened at lightning speed.
Not long after James was born, his parents, Jasper and Elizabeth, welcomed Joshua.
James was still in diapers, and the notion of having two children in diapers made the both of them squirm with anxiety.
As did the idea of bringing home a newborn with neighbors who made regular noise complaints about crying babies.
By the time the news of a third baby graced them, house hunting joined the picture.
As did the coastal views of Pacific Coast Highway.
It was a huge upgrade, and they couldn’t believe their real estate dreams were coming true.
They received the keys with a level of heed they later on realized was unnecessary.
The couple and their growing family welcomed the third baby Cohen not long after they unpacked the heirloom china from Jasper’s grandmother.
Christine was the bouncing baby girl they had been hoping and praying for.
She wasn’t stuffed into a small crib wedged between a dresser and a toddler bed.
Instead, she got a pretty, pink nursery with dust ruffles and a rocking chair.
And by the time school drop-off and basketball practice and weekend art classes joined the picture, another sweet surprise was thrown into the mix.
Andrew, the baby of the family and one they least expected, graced his family with his presence and turned their world off-kilter with a whole new baby routine to readapt to.
And now, as they watch their brood celebrate another milestone, they realize how much life has been breathed into their family. Through birthdays and weddings and grandchildren.
At the start of their relationship, when Jasper brought Beth home to meet his family, he grew nervous and a little apprehensive about Beth meeting his grandparents.
They did the very normal thing of embarrassing their offspring, but they did it with such fervor that he wondered if they did it on purpose.
Of course, there was always much to be proud of, and they never had the need to exaggerate.
Jasper knew that from an early age. His family was large, which gave many opportunities for his grandparents to brag.
At any mention of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, their eyes would light up, and they’d whip out a travel-size photo album to show off their beautiful family.
Jasper Cohen vowed never to do that. It’s just too embarrassing.
Until the day he went in search of his own plastic-lined photo album, thin enough to slip right into his jacket pocket, and filled it with pictures of his own family.
James with his wife Kendall, little Sophia a giggling mess in their arms in his backyard after a day spent in the pool.
Josh and Mina with her burgeoning belly, dressed in pink tulle for a set of maternity pictures he couldn’t stop looking at.
Christine with Everett, smiling proudly at Sadie’s graduation, her cap lopsided and a colorful lei draped around her neck.
Andrew and Grace in front of their new home, a SOLD sticker slapped over the FOR SALE sign hanging from a yard stake with their border collie sitting dutifully by their side.
It’s become an album he carries around like a badge of honor or a book of his accolades.
He may not have all the money in the world, a fancy yacht or a twelve-bedroom mansion sitting at the edge of a cliff, or even plaques of his life achievements mounted in his office wall, but he feels like the richest man alive.
“Dad,” Teeny calls. “You want some champagne?”
Jasper nods, noticing the fine lines forming at the corners of his daughter’s eyes. Similar to the ones he sees in the mirror. Only his are deeper and harder to ignore. “Teeny, we’re so proud of you,” he gushes, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Thanks, Dad,” she whispers. They both turn to look at the small art studio where all their immediate family has gathered.
It was a cold, empty space when Teeny decided to rent it out.
It took some time and care before she turned it into what it is now.
Large easels, folded and stacked against a wall.
Worktables with wooden stools. Glass jars by the sinks, fresh, unused paint brushes bunched in them like bouquets of flowers.
“You guys really made it happen,” he says with a whisper of disbelief.
“Didn’t think I had it in me, did ya?” she teases.
“No, of course I did,” he assures. “It’s just different for you to say it and to actually see it happen. I’m so proud you followed your dreams.”
She nods in agreement. “I just hope it all works out.”
“Of course it will.” It’s not a lie. It’s a vote of confidence.
There’s always the possibility of things not working out.
It would be irresponsible and na?ve to say otherwise.
Teeny set aside her contrived career aspirations and decided to open an art studio.
It’s a huge risk. But it doesn’t change the fact that she’s chasing her dreams. She’s facing the risks and fears to do what she wants, and he’s commending her for it.
A couple enters the studio, walking under the colorful arch of balloons at the entrance, and surveys the newly opened business. Their intrigued yet quizzical gaze gains Teeny’s attention.
“I’m going to…” Teeny says, her voice distracted.
“Go,” Jasper instructs. He takes the bottle of champagne gripped in her hands. “I’ll make sure people are drinking.”
Teeny smiles at her dad and hurries off to the potential customers. His eyes linger over the various paintings hanging on the wall, some he watched Teeny paint as a teenager and some he doesn’t recognize, but he sees his daughter’s work through the intricate lines and colors.
He watched his little girl turn a dream of opening an art studio and teaching art to people of all ages into a reality.
He watched as her husband did all he could to make it happen, standing by her side while she put a pause on her interior decorating career.
He watched as his wife sat by their daughter, helping her in all the ways she could.
Cleaning the studio the second Teeny was handed a set of keys.
Bringing her lunch as she painted the walls and erasing the various scuff marks left behind by the previous tenants.
Helping her unload supplies like tubes of acrylic paint and blank canvases.
In some way, he’s done the same for all of his children.
He offered his expertise in home ownership when Andrew called while he was in a gardening scuffle with the sprinkler heads and irrigation controller.
He sat in a bustling waiting room while he rocked on the balls of his feet, counting down the seconds for James to announce when their baby girl had finally arrived.
Something he did for Teeny, but it was different for James.
Because he was ready to pass on some words of wisdom as a new father.
Something that didn’t quite translate the same for Teeny.
He let her mom offer that kind of sage advice in his place.
Jasper stands off to the side next to a tool cabinet, surveying his life through the eyes of his family.
All the fruits of his sacrifices have come to this conclusion like a well-thought-out denouement at the end of an intricate novel.
Clinking glasses interrupts his moment of nostalgic reminiscing, and he brings his attention to Teeny and Everett where his daughter is tapping a metal fork against a flute of champagne.
“Thank you, everyone, for being here,” Teeny announces after the last chime. “I just wanted to take a moment to say a few words.
“This all could not have happened if it weren’t for all the people in this room. When I brought to Everett the idea of opening my own art studio where I could teach and open up the space for other artists, I didn’t know if he’d be open to it.”
“Hey,” Everett protests. “Have a little faith in me.”
Teeny smiles at Everett, running her hand down his arm with a reassuring smile.
“But of course, Everett being Everett, he jumped right into planning mode. And then all of you jumped in right behind him. This whole endeavor really took a village, and I’m so happy my village stood by my side.
So, what I’m trying to say is…thank you all.
” She finishes her words with bleary eyes and a rasp in her voice.
She lifts up her champagne flute, and everyone follows.
As the last of the guests trickle out of the art studio, James and Kendall remain.
Though the day started with a celebration, regular business hours commenced after the last of the champagne was consumed and the cheese platter that was picked at was tucked away for Teeny to take home after she closed up shop.
“Mom,” Sophia squeals. “Look!”
Kendall peers down at what was once a blank canvas, now smeared with paint colors leaning toward different shades of purple. Fuchsia, lavender, indigo, violet, lilac, all mixed to create the most beautiful arrangement of flowers.
“Sophia, that’s amazing,” Kendall gasps lightly.
It hadn’t occurred to her that her daughter’s request to take on an interest in her sister-in-law’s art classes would lead to an artistic prodigy in her own home.
Something along the lines of talent and hereditary traits swirl in her mind, right alongside the awe she can’t seem to conceal.
Sophia smiles proudly at her mom at the same time James sidles up to Kendall.
“Look at what Sophia made,” Kendall gushes at her husband.
James’s eyes nearly pop out of their sockets, and he high-fives their daughter. Such a dad response, Kendall thinks to herself.
Kendall sets the canvas back on the table, allowing Sophia to add the last finishing touches with Teeny there to guide her.
Kendall watches them, aunt and niece, bonding over their shared interest in the arts.
Another wave of familial kinship wisps past her, and she can’t help but admire their bond.
“I think she gets her talent from my side of the family,” James whispers, as if he’s reading her mind.
“I think so too,” she agrees. Her husband runs his hand up and down her back.
A soothing act, but at this moment, it feels anything but.
Because there isn’t anything to assuage.
No, this is more of a mutual understanding of how proud they are of their little girl.
A moment to let their pride sit between them.
When they casually brought up to Sophia the idea of art classes with her Aunt Teeny, they didn’t realize the passion that would naturally eke out of her.
It unlayered their daughter’s creative side.
And as they navigate this new development, it’s turning into another milestone in their marriage.
Their baby girl is growing up, becoming more independent and surer.
“She’s going to be about another hour,” Teeny informs the nostalgic couple. “You guys can go grab a cup of coffee and come back.”
“You sure?” James asks.
Their gaze lands on Sophia as she skillfully glides the paintbrush in one long sweep. Kendall can almost guess the answer to James’s question.
“Of course,” Teeny assures, nearly reading Kendall’s mind. “Look at her.”
“Okay,” James answers and then turns to face Kendall. “You want to grab some coffee?”
She dramatically taps her index finger on her chin. “Actually, I was thinking I’m in the mood for a chai latte.”
“Oh yeah?” James taunts, already leading her out the door.
“Yeah,” Kendall answers. “You know a place?”
“I might.”