Chapter 11 A Leap of Faith
Chapter 11: A Leap of Faith
Emma
I sat in a corner of the store as I watched Jack. There was something totally off about him today. It was clear that he wasn’t happy; he looked bothered.
“Are you okay, babe?” I received just a nod each time I asked him.
Even the breakfast I had made for him earlier that day had been left sitting at the same spot on the dining table where I had put it, untouched. I had never seen him look this way before and wondered what the situation could be. Countless times, I tried starting up a conversation with him, but only got a cold response each time. The same nod and “I am fine” answer.
I began to feel uncomfortable. I tried to recall if I had done something that must have gotten him annoyed without me realizing it.
But I knew that Jack wasn’t the type to be annoyed and not let me know. He would always make sure issues were resolved immediately because he believed that delaying it could make things worse.
The sun gradually began to settle over the small town. Jack had begun to bring in some of the art pieces that were displayed outside. We were done for the day. Jack still had not said a word to me. The day had been long and exhausting, exacerbated by the fact that Jack had been so moody all through the day.
Without saying a word to each other, we drove back home in his old black jeep.
“Babe, what is it? Did I do something wrong to you today?” I asked, worried.
He gave a deep breath. “No, babe… You haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just worried.”
“What happened? What is the problem?”
”Emma, there”s something I need to tell you,” Jack said, his voice filled with a mixture of nervousness and determination.
Finally, he wanted to open up to me. I felt so relieved.
I immediately turned to look at him, my eyes filled with curiosity. ”What is it, Jack? You can tell me anything.”
Taking a deep breath, he said, “It’s about the antique shop, babe. You know it’s been years since I inherited and started running it from my parents… But I feel like it isn’t growing at all. I feel like the big picture I once had about it will not be achieved. Sometimes, I get so scared about it, and I begin to think whether I made a mistake.”
I sat there and listened intently. As he spoke about his fears of failure and his desire to make something of himself, my heart swelled with love and admiration for him. I admired his sense of commitment and the big vision he had.
”I want to take a leap of faith, Emma. I want to turn this store into something more than just a place to buy antiques. I want to turn it into a sightseeing location; a place that people from all over will come to visit,” Jack said, his eyes shining with determination.
For some reason, I was taken aback by Jack”s bold declaration, but I could see the passion burning in his eyes. I knew that this was his dream, and was determined to support him in any way I could.
”I believe in you, Jack. Let”s do this together,” I said with conviction as I brushed my hands gently over his gray-lined beard.
“Thank you, babe,” he said with a wide smile on his face.
I felt so happy to finally see that smile on his face again. If this was the only thing I needed to do to make him remain happy, then I was going to give him my full support, even if it meant leaving the clinic. All I wanted was for the man beside me to be happy.
Art had been the one thing that had interested me since I was a teen. I loved drawing and painting and had always wished to own an art gallery, but my parents had plans for me regarding the clinic. Maybe this was an opportunity for me to finally do what I had always wanted to do the most. Maybe it was time for me to pick up my pencils and paintbrush again. I doubted if I could still remember how to use them, but I was going to give it a try.
“I think I need to pick up some things at the mall,” I said to him.
“Have we finished the food we bought the other day already?” he asked, curiosity written all over his face.
“We’re not going to get groceries this time, sir,” I said, smiling as I left him to his curious mind.
I got out of the car while he waited there for me, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of amusement. I rushed into the arts and crafts store inside the mall as my heart pounded with excitement. This wasn”t just any ordinary visit to the store for me—it was one that would hopefully lead to a dream come true.
I quickly made my way to the art supplies section and my eyes scanned the shelves for the perfect paintbrushes, pencils, and canvas. As I picked out the items, I could feel a rush of inspiration coursing through me. This was it—I was finally going to pursue my passion for painting. The cashier packed the art supplies into a bag for me; a smile played on her lips as she sensed my excitement. I thanked her and hurried back to the car, eager to show Jack what I had bought.
As I settled back into the passenger seat, I could sense his eyes glaring curiously at me.
“What did you get?”
“It”s supposed to be a surprise. So, you”ll have to swallow your curiosity for a few more hours until I”m done.” With that said, I tucked the shopping bag beside my seat, hiding it from his view.
“This is not fair,” he said with a smirk on his face. I managed to laugh him off, changing the topic.
As we drove back home, I couldn”t contain my excitement. I was finally going to unleash my creativity and share it with him. I couldn”t wait to see the look on his face when he saw what I had created.
I made tacos for dinner when we arrived home. Jack was in the kitchen all the while, helping and at the same time creating the right amount of distraction that was needed. He was everywhere, passing veggies, cleaning the sink, and stealing my diced carrots. He grabbed my waist and tilted my head for a kiss at least three times before the meal was ready.
“This is delicious.” He smacked his lips childishly.
“I know, right? Your presence must have added some spice.”
“I thought you said I was a distraction?” He arched his brows.
“Yeah, you were a good kind of distraction.” I narrowed my eyes at him, biting my lower lip.
“How about I show you something upstairs when we are done here?” He clicked his fork on the ceramic bowl that lay half empty on the dining table.
“Okay, what”s this thing?”
“Let”s say it”s a surprise. But if you keep biting your lower lip like that, I might have to snatch you upstairs before your bowl is empty,” he threatened with a lustful smile.
“Fine.” I laughed in surrender, focusing more on my meal.
After dinner, he led me upstairs by covering my eyes with both his palms and guiding my feet.
“Can I open them now?” I asked as his palms left my face, and I was half-tempted to open my eyes.
“Not yet. One minute,” he called back. I could figure from his voice he was somewhere around his closet, searching for something.
I felt him at my back when he returned, then cold metal on my neckline. Guessing what it was already, I traced the object that was now resting around my neck.
“You can open your eyes now,” he commanded.
My lashes fluttered unsteadily, then focused on the piece of shining silver jewelry that glimmered around my neck. It was plain, without a pendant or locket, yet it was so adorable that I got lost in admiration.
“Do you like it?” His face held uncertainty. Perhaps my silence had made him think otherwise.
I flung my hands around his neck, hugging him tightly. “I love it, Jack.”
A breath of relief brushed around the nape of my neck. Had he really thought that there was something or anything from him that I wouldn”t love?
“It”s among the antique jewelry my grandfather purchased last. He gave this particular piece to my grandma, who in turn, gave it to my mom. And as her only child, I was opportune to own it, at least until I meet my missing rib.”
“You didn”t give it to Meg?” I asked.
“I did.” His face fell. “I did, and she said she loved it, but never wore it after I gave it to her. I guess it wasn’t really her kind of thing.” He shrugged.
“Umm… Okay, it”s time for my own surprise!” I changed the topic immediately, not wanting his mood to spiral downward.
“Yeah, so what”s this thing you bought?” His firm hands came around my waist, hugging me to himself.
“I still have to work on it. So, you’ll have to be a good boy and take a nap. By the time you”re awake, it should be ready.” I perched on my toes, dropping a brief kiss on his lips as if to convince him.
“I will be needing more of that to actually get bribed.” He lowered his head, stealing another kiss.
“Who would have thought that you could be this naughty behind closed doors.” I slowly pushed him towards the bed.
“You haven”t seen naughty,” he teased.
“I”m not ready to see that now; I have to work on your surprise, remember?” We were standing at the foot of the bed now.
“Can this surprise wait? ‘Cause I really want—” I jammed my lips against his, shutting him up.
My fingers curled into his not-so-full hair as I rocked my body against his. I could feel his want and desire at that moment, and I could feel mine building as well, but not now. I pulled my lips away slowly. A groan of disapproval escaped his throat as his hands fell to my buttocks, squeezing it lightly.
“We will pick this up later, okay?” I pushed him to the bed.
“Okay.” His voice came out with a spiral longing.
“Alright, you have to promise that you won”t barge in on me or sneak in until I call.”
“What should I be doing then?” he protested.
I bit my finger, thinking for a while. If I was to leave, then I had to leave him busy. Something to keep him occupied.
“I have an idea. How about you go through this magazine? Zain gave it to me. I was thinking of making clothes from one of the designs in it. So, help me pick one.” I reached for my bag in the closet, pulling out the magazine. “Here.”
“Perfect sleeping pill. I will be snoring before you know it, thanks.” He raised the colorful book in a mock salute.
I laughed my way out of the room, excitement settling deep in my belly. This was the life I wanted.
I wasted no time in setting up my makeshift studio in the living room. With a deep breath, I picked up a paintbrush and began to let my emotions flow onto the canvas. As I painted, I felt a sense of release and freedom wash over me. The colors swirled and danced on the canvas as each stroke became a reflection of my inner turmoil. Hours passed in a blur as I poured my heart and soul into the painting.
But as I stepped back to admire my work, a wave of disappointment washed over me. The painting felt incomplete, lacking the depth and emotion I had hoped to convey. Frustration bubbled up inside me, and before I knew it, I crumpled the canvas in my hands and tossed it to the floor.
Doubts began to flow through me.
Will I be able to help Jack make his dream come alive? I worried. But one thing was sure: I was not going to give up yet. I knew how much we needed something like this painting to jumpstart his plan, and I was determined to make it right.
I took a deep breath and picked up the crumpled canvas, smoothing out the wrinkles as best as I could. I sat back down at my easel and started again, this time with a renewed sense of determination.
Hours passed as I worked tirelessly, adding layers of color and texture to the canvas. I lost track of time as I became completely absorbed in my task. And finally, when I stepped back to admire my work once more, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. The painting was no longer incomplete. It now had the depth and emotion I had been striving to accomplish.
Jack
I had managed to look through two pages of the magazine before falling into a deep sleep. By the time I woke up, hours had passed and it was past midnight. Emma was nowhere in the room. My pulse reflexively picked up before remembering that she had ordered me to stay in the room and that she”d be in the living room.
I stretched out of bed, feeling a relaxation in my body and brain that I hadn”t felt in a long while.
“Emma,” I called out, not wanting to barge in as she”d said. “Babe, should I come out?”
“Wait one minute,” she returned my call. “Okay, now come in, sweetheart.”
I strolled in, oblivious to whatever this surprise that had kept her up until midnight could be. There was a drawing board and she stood with her back to it, blocking the view of the board.
“Babe, you still awake?” I moved closer.
“Yeah, had to finish this.” She backed away from the board, revealing the painting on it. I was struck in awe.
My lips hung loose for a moment as I took in the image that looked so real on the board. It was a picture of dusk setting on a hilltop, with the fading yellow of the sun and two silhouetted figures crouched on the grass, staring at the sky.
“Jack?” She called me out of my thoughts.
“Who are you?” I asked, advancing to scoop her into my arms.
“I”m Emma.” She giggled childishly as I swirled her around. “Jack! Put me down.” She laughed out loud.
“Wow!” I placed her on the ground and moved closer to study the painting.
“What do you think?” She came up beside me, staring at the image as well.
“This is beautiful, babe. Really beautiful. How did you do this in such a short while?”
“Well, let”s say I have always been drawn to art, especially painting. I had to bury my dreams to take up my parents’ clinic though, and honestly, I”m surprised I still have this in me.” She leaned on my shoulder.
“We can look at this better in the morning; it”s late, babe. You should come to bed.”
“Yeah. I should.” She yawned lazily.
“We could put this up at the front porch of the shop; I”m sure it would attract people.”
“Come here.” I pulled her in front of me, palming her face and gazing straight into her eyes.
“I love you, Emma.”
“Are you sure?” She smiled.
“Never been so sure of anything else in my life.”
Her blush was as radiant as the light from the chandelier that filled the room. “I love you too.”
“Now, let”s get you to bed.” I swept her off the floor in a bridal posture, leading her into the room.
“Am I so light that you can just pick me up so easily?” She laughed.
“You need a word that”s stronger than light,” I replied.
* * *
I spent the rest of the early hours of morning watching the gentle rise and fall of Emma’s breath as she slept. How could she feel so safe, so comfortable, beside me? She had given up her job and her luxurious life in the city, and probably had crossed a few hurdles with her parents just to be here with me.
For the first time since our reunion, I was asking myself if I really deserved this love she was offering. There was no doubt that I loved her with all the cells in my body, but what if I wasn”t healed enough? What if something happened and I hurt her? Would I ever be able to live with myself? What if she woke up one day to realize that this wasn”t the life she wanted?
I’m overthinking, I told myself. She rolled on her side, curling into a ball on the bed. Probably from the chill from the morning wind. I raised the thick duvet over her, striding towards the window to close the drapes and invite warmth.
I then left the bedroom and meandered to the living room. I opened the window drapes bidding in the rays of sunshine. Her painting came alive with the flashes of light that now filled the room.
I drew the stool closer to the board, placing my weight on it. I took my time to study each stroke of her brush, the wise choice of color combinations, and the emotions that flowed through the image. My chest swelled with pride at the thought that my woman had created this beauty.
I picked up a brush and dipped it into some of the paint that hadn’t completely dried yet, and filled in the gapped area I believed she”d been too exhausted to notice. Painting had been one of my hobbies, but now, I just preferred observing and picking out objects. It was a good thing that we shared a similar hobby, though I had no intentions of telling her that.
When I was done, I strolled into the kitchen, placed the kettle on the burner, brought out two coffee mugs, and whisked a few eggs for sandwiches. Since we were revisiting old hobbies, I figured I could come back to my initial love of making a home-cooked breakfast. I wasn”t so much of a terrible cook after all.
“What are you doing?” her quiet voice asked behind me.
“Hey, love, you”re awake?” I walked towards her and kissed her forehead.
“I didn”t see you in bed. What are you doing?” she repeated.
“Was planning on treating you to breakfast in bed, but since you”re out of bed already, why not wash up and wait at the table while I finish this up?”
“What are we having?”
“Making coffee and some sandwiches.”
“Smells delicious.”
“You bet; it will taste even better. It’ll be done in a jiffy.”
She was standing at the door when she called out. “Jack?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you do anything on the painting? I passed through the living room and it looks… modified.”
“Nah, I didn”t do anything, that was all you, babe. And I”m proud of you,” I assured her.
She smiled and muttered a “Thank you.” There was no need to feel guilty; she had actually done all the work, and what I did was barely noticeable.
“Let me wash up.” She turned through the door leading back to the room.