Fallen Artist

By Valerie Lee J.

Ellie finds that she wants to continue to focus her time on her art career. Her parents died from complications with a virus before she could finish school. She is introduced to Lin who becomes her husband. Like Ellie he has his law career that he spends time with. Lin uses his parents knowledge of art to stay a part of Ellie's life even after their separation. He convinces her to remain married. After a boating accident they eventually are able to continue to spend with one another again. They begin to combine their careers together. They decided to have a second wedding that Mimi and two small children Leah and Tolliver are able to attend.

Ellie never thought that she would be married at the age of twenty one. With the guidance of Mimi she eventually begins to adjust.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 23, 2008
• ISBN: 9781467867962

Valerie Lee J.

Valerie Lee J. lives in Florida. She has been writing since graduating from college at Cleveland State University. Her biggest joy in life is talking about families. She uses her books to highlight things that may be of similar issues in the lives of many families. She will be published in a new issue of a rising magazine. She has one brother and sister. Her brother was an artist at one point himself. He would spend hours at a time completing drawings. This was the way things had been growing up for her. She continues to write and publish spending time talking also about romance. She has a website that is titled Valerieleej.com.

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Contents

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About the Author

To Celeste and Ronald and many other parents-VLJ

1 

Ellie had been finishing her shift at the restaurant a few miles away from the apartment she rented. She had decided to rent the apartment about three years ago after she finished high school at Belina High. She could remember all the faces of her peers although she rarely spoke to them. There were several times throughout her senior year that she had spoke to the class treasurer to collect dues for all the events that were going on that year. Ellie had briefly been a part of the yearbook staff two years before her graduation. For some reason she seemed to enjoy pictures. She always enjoyed her seat in the last row at the few meetings she attended and listened to everyone argue over photos. Ellie personally did not like her own photos but she was elected a few times to take pictures of some of her senior class. She had been staying with Susan and her parents starting the two years upon graduation. Her parents had become ill with a rare case of pneumonia. Ellie’s mom Lorna had been taking care of her dad when he had became sick. Shortly after her dad died in the hospital her mom became ill. Ellie had tried to take care of her mom for a while before she also became ill and died.

Ellie had been glad when she had been able to save enough money from serving at the restaurant to live on her own. Ellie had turned twenty a few months before and celebrated with the owner Sara. They had made a small bean salad and lighted a single candle. Ellie had taken the local transit to do grocery shopping for herself and even for Sara on a few occasions. Ellie was proud that she recently paid for a haircut and had her hair dyed a soft brown color. The restaurant was supposed to close within a half hour. She noticed a man that seemed to be dressed well studying from a book and had several lying on the bench next to him. He had noticed Ellie and she could tell that he must have been a student and she became curious as to what he may be studying. He looked up and looked passed Ellie and had asked her co-worker behind the small bar area to prepare him another drink. He had bought the drink over to the table several minutes later.

Ellie was a bit surprised because she thought that normally men did not order sweet drinks. She had already begun to put the dishes away from her previous customer. She had come back out the side door and the man began to stare at her. He continued to stare for what seemed to be several minutes. As he focused on her she felt the swinging doors close behind her. The man broke the silence by motioning for her to come him. My name is Stan, he told her as he put out his hand. She shook his hand with her available hand because she had still been clearing the dishes. I tried not to stare at you since I noticed you thirty minutes ago when I arrived here. You seem to be focused on your work. I do like your haircut. Ellie began to smile in acknowledgement and thanked him.

Ellie I occasionally come here after my law classes. I study at he main University not far from here Ellie had actually been used to seeing some of the students because she had not lived far from the University. You seem preoccupied, Is there something bothering you?"

No, not too much. We were finishing up a shift. As you can see there is plenty of cleaning that needs to be done. She had not wanted to tell Stan that she had been disappointed that she had not been able to start a few art classes. She had heard that an artist that had done quite a bit of work in the city taught a few of the classes there. They were quite expensive and she had no one to help her pay for them. She knew that there were several grants that Ellie had qualified for but never enough to cover all the expenses.

Ellie I have several meetings that I have to attend to in the morning but I would enjoy speaking with you further. He had invited Ellie to have a final drink with him before he would go back to his apartment. They both ordered a scotch. She knew that Stan had not known of her age and thought that was best. Ellie had been glad to finally have someone to speak to because it had been a while since she had made any friends. She had lost contact with her friend Susan after they had spent the last few years apart. Susan had decided to attend a private college in another city. Ellie you seem to be the type of person that would enjoy the study of law. I would like for you to come and look through my collection of books. Maybe I could convince you to study. She agreed to stop by silently wanting him to not leave her alone then. She was going to go back home to an empty apartment.

Ellie worked at the restaurant but spent half of most shifts starving because there was little for her to choose from to eat at work from the menu. The restaurant had been owned by Sara and her husband. They were an Amish family with two boys that they raised. The two boys would often come to the restaurant to help their parents and watched themselves during the week at home after school. There were a small group of Amish families that lived outside the city where Richard and Sara owned their land.

Every morning Richard and Sara came to open their restaurant. They came by train most days and dressed in traditional clothes as everyone else around them. Ellie felt that had it not been for certain foods on the menu and the conversations she would sometimes have with Sara, she would have never known that the family was Amish. The whole family seemed to be quiet about their background and in a lot of ways made them seem peaceful. When Ellie had first met the family Sara would occasionally speak to her about her life. She told Ellie that her and her husband preferred the city because they were able to have more freedom with the types of foods on their menu. They had not wanted to insult their culture by advertising certain foods because their menu did not consist of all Hebrew foods. Ellie had come to the restaurant at the time which had been ten years old and asked Sara about work. She had invited Ellie to start the next day.

Ellie enjoyed her walk home that night as she thought of Stan. She had no idea if he had been since about showing some of his law books and wondered where he lived. She arrived at the small building she lived in and noticed her neighbor starring out his window. He stayed on the third floor alone as she had. She knew that Estelle the landlords wife had been by to work in the garden that she kept maintained. For the most part since that three years that Ellie lived in the building the tenants had done a good job at keeping the property clean. The building appeared old but the community was safe. The building had no elevators but a narrow stairwell. When she arrived to her door she noticed that her door and front entry way had been decorated with a banner and a few balloons wishing her a happy birthday. She pulled out a card in between the banner that had been signed by her landlord and a few of her neighbors. There was another small envelope from her landlord apologizing that she had forgotten to give Ellie a discount on her rent the previous month. She had actually been grateful because she had not made much money with her tips that past few weeks. Ellie had a phone with an answering machine and looked as the red light never blinked as she went to sleep that night. Her eyes twitched as she dreamt.

That next morning she starred at her blank walls and thought about her previos intimate relationship. They had met a years after graduation and had dated nearly a year before they stopped seeing each other. They were living in a tiny one bedroom apartment not far from where Ellie lived at this time. He had worked also at a local restaurant about twenty minutes away. His shift always seemed to end and Daniel would call her before he left work. Sometimes if the time had not been to late he would let her know before he left work that he would was coming to visit her at the restaurant. They would often talk about their days and eat from the left over food. He had no problem eating the starches but she usually ate the salad. Richard or Sara never seemed to mind . They enjoyed that Daniel kept Ellie company.

Susan called Ellie shortly later and asked her to come to work as she needed someone to feel a shift. She needed the assistance and promised Ellie that a few people would be coming later. Ellie continued to get dressed and decided on a pair if jeans and a white tee shirt. As she was leaving the building Stan was nearly to her building and noticed Ellie leaving. I wanted to stop by and see if you wanted company and your way to work he told her. She sighed and was fine with the company.

I was on my way to the restaurant .

That is fine with me Ellie. I will walk you and maybe order a beer. I am still surprised that there are Amish people that own a restaurant in the middle if the city and sell some of the things they do. Ellie laughed because she had never met anyone like Richard and Sara. As promised Stan ordered an omelet with a beer. He found the paper at the end of the bar counter and began to scan the contents. The restaurant was to open in a few minutes so there were no customers. Ellie has been surprised herself at how modern the restaurant appeared to be. There were tables and booths and the tiny bar area that Stan seemed to enjoy sitting at when he visited.

Stan continued to read as Ellie set up the last of the tables and cleared the last of the dishes from the night before. They were alone as Sara told her she would when she arrived later that morning. Stan stayed at the restaurant for a while as he began reading through the case that he had been given by his instructor. He remained seated at a stool on the far end of the area. She has been hard at work and had noticed Stan leave. She only saw a message on the napkin he used telling her that he would talk with her later. He has recently moved and had written down his new contact number. Ellie slipped the napkin into her apron. Stan was the only close friend Stan had met within the past two years. After they became friends she was glad that she finally had someone that she could talk with outside of work. She continued to wait in tables and towards the end of her shift she had collected enough in tips to pay her rent. She promised herself that she would save some of the rest of the money she collected. The area of town Ellie lived was surrounded by the college students at the local University but she ever ran into anyone that she knew.

By the end of her shift Ellie sat quietly in a booth in the back of the restaurant drinking from a cup of coffee and began to balance out the commissions for the day. She let the last of the kitchen staff go home for the evening. Ellie had the day off from work the next day and had no reason to immediately go home.

Sometimes Ellie wondered what having a sibling would be like because she never had one. Sometimes not having a sibling tended to make her fell a bit lonely at times. Ellie began to think about her parents. They had eventually both been buried several miles away in a small private site. She tried to visit them at least once a month. She had made a few extra dollars and had decided that night would be a great opportunity to take a cab to where they were. The city stopped running the local transportation a few hours ago. She found her jacket and as she put the jacket on she could smell the familiar smell of restaurant. Ellie was careful to turn off the small backlight as she locked the door behind her. She began to hum a tune to a song that she could remember Lorna singing to her when she was younger.

She continued to wait out front for a cab. Ellie began to wonder if she should have called for one before leaving work. It was Wednesday and she starred at the city around her as everything passed by her way to visit her parents. Ellie thanked the cab driver as she paid him and he nodded his head as he waved to her. He could see her starring out his review mirror. She walked over to her parents and was on her knees as she spoke with them. Ellie had bought a beautiful bouquet of flowers with her. She began to tell them about her job and all that she had learned from the Amish family she worked for. She began to tell them about her recent painting she had been working on. She has described that painting she had done months before of them. Ellie began to tell them that she had still not been able to take art classes at the local University. Lorna, Mark I have met a nice man who is a law student and he seems to enjoy talking with me. We have continued to remain friends over the past year. Who knows maybe I will learn about law through him. He is a law student at the local University. I only wish I had the money to take classes. Ellie waited almost as if she expected them to respond to her. The only money her parents truly had was the small amount that they had built in their life insurance. The money was used on their burial.

When they did not respond she continued to talk to them. At the time she was not allowed to live on her own and she had lived with the parents of her friend Susan.

Before Ellie knew what the time had been an hour had gone by. She began to walk towards the end of the long drive when she noticed a cab riding around in the circle of the cemetery. The driver was the same man that had bought her there. I was concerned when I dropped you off alone. The time had already been late and I know difficult finding a driver this time of night can be. I am surprised that you can over in such a deserted place alone.

He opened her door as she got into the backseat. Ellie was quiet as they drove the several miles back to her apartment. She paid him and stepped out and toward the building. As she walked into her apartment she had looked at the recent painting she had been working on and a few of the sketches she had recreated of the painting she had done of her parents. They had modeled on several occasions in the past on sketches she had done. Ellie had even a year ago had been able to create a painting from a nude photo of her parents together kissing. She had enjoyed that painting out of all the others she had done of them. She finally decided to store the piece away. She had spent a while sorting through the colors. She went to her closet and found the painting. She starred at the work for while before she finally decided she would find her supplies and add to the piece. Ellie found several soft brown shades and began to create a rough texture. She worked and had spent two hours painting. She remained focused until she noticed that there was soft rustling outside her door. The room was small and she could often hear her neighbors in the hallway. She went towards the door and noticed an envelope that had been slipped under her door. She opened the envelope and there was cash inside. She read the note and realized that Stan had stopped by. I was wondering if we could meet for breakfast. I know that the time I late and I did not want to wake you. Stan signed the letter and added that he had given her money toward her rent. I know being a waitress does not pay a lot of money. He reminded her of his new address and told her that she should stop by anytime that morning. Ellie smiled and then began to feel awkward that he had given her money. Ellie knew that she could use the money towards her rent. Ellie put the card and money inside her purse and knew that she would thank Stan later. She went back to work a while longer.

Ellie had fallen asleep and when she woke she realized that paint had gotten in her hair as she laid across the floor. She knew the paint would take a while to wash out. She put away all her supplies and took a long warm shower. Ellie managed to get most of the paint from her hair. Her hair color had still changed and had a tint of light brown.

Later Ellie felt weird as she scanned the room for Stan. She was sure he would notice. He smiled and gave Ellie a kiss on the cheek as he spoke. I see that you changed your hair color. The color seems to suit you and it is sort of unique. She could tell that Stan had a sense of humor about her accident.

I apologize I was working and paint got into my hair. I tried to rinse the pint out but there was still some left. I might spend a few more days washing out the paint.

I am sure that you will finish rinsing out the paint soon. I am glad that you were still able to make our breakfast date.

As I promised you I have several books that I would like for you to take a look at. He smiled as he went into the other room and pulled several books from his collection. This is a class that I took my first year into my law program. The book explains the ethics of law. This class went through my whole first year into my program and I have to admit that I learned quite a bit. Ellie was unsure what she when she would complete in school but she enjoyed art. Lorna had paid for Ellie to take several art courses when she had been younger. She had taken classes for several years and enjoyed the work.

Actually she told Stan I do enjoy painting. I have worked quite hard on the work I have done.

Ellie promise me you will submit your work to a few galleries. I am sure there would be quite a few people that would purchase your work. There are quite a bit of people that study law, but even fewer people that are artists. Ellie promised to keep the book and read through the contents.

One day I am sure you will own your own firm she told Stan.

Ellie I would like to practice family law. There are quite a bit of broken families that need support. Often the parents refuse to go to counseling to solve family disputes. The children are put into the middle of a huge mess between the parents. Ellie continued to listen and agreed with what he was saying. Ellie I do not know how or why you began paining. I know that apparently you have been working for quite a few years. Sometimes when I paint I find that concentrating can be a bit difficult but after a few years you begin to picture the images as our hands create a realistic version of that image.

The time had began to become late in the afternoon and they both cleaned up from the pile of things that were laying around them. Stan had even went into his bedroom and given Ellie a new set of charcoal for her painting. She thanked Stan for buying the charcoal. These days she had not wanted to turn down any new means of supplies. She rarely had a chance to buy anything new.

Stan had classes the next day and she left him to his work. She wanted to spend more time with him but she did not have classes that she was paying for at the time an thought that she should abide by his wishes.

Ellie walked to the restaurant and collected her paycheck from Sara. She always came to work the whole day on the days that she had to pay her staff. She noticed Ellie as she came through the door. Ellie I think we must both be trying new things. I had a friend cut my hair last night. She turned around so Ellie could see. Ellie was surprised that Sara had decided to go into a short haircut. Ellie stayed long enough to have a cup of hot tea as she reflected on her morning with Stan. Sara was too busy to see her starring out the window. She waited another few minutes and left.

She went home and continued to work. She began to finish a painting of a horse. The horse had been a three quarter with beautiful brown fur. She began to create a ring with a crowd. She began to put more realistic detail into the painting before she took a break. She opened up the law book Stan had given her and had small smudge spots on them and could understand why he enjoyed his work. He seemed to have turned every page. She was in the middle of scanning through a few of the middle chapter when she heard a knock at her door.

I called my parents at home and finished some of the work on some of my classes and I was wondering if you wanted a coffee break Stan asked her. I figured you were hard at work. He handed her a cup of coffee as he sat on her futon. She used the soft cushion as a sofa because the futon was all she could afford at the time. He looked at what Ellie had been working on. Ellie you seem to have a great technique with your work. Your creative imagination shows. Do you know anything about horses he asked her?

Not as much as I want to. My boss Sara has mentioned to me about the two horses she owns. She lives in rural area with other Amish neighbors and uses the horses when she does work around her home. She does not seem to be that interested in them accept that fact that she uses them to do her work. I enjoy them and think that one day I should own one.

I grew up in the city Ellie so I do not know as much about horses. They continued to drink their coffee as they starred at the work she began.

Maybe one day I could paint a picture of you.

I am unsure if you would want to do that Ellie. I look ordinary.

I do not think so. Besides anyone could have a picture done of themselves.

With your technique Ellie you could probably enhance anyone’s features. She thought Stan was being modest. He ate certain foods that seemed to enhance his features. He however seemed to enjoy alcohol from time to time. He had a soft set of features that seemed to be unnoticeable at times,

They starred at the time together and realized that the time was starting to turn dust. He continued to watch Ellie for a while as he began his own work. Stan finally left Ellie a while later as she continued to work. On his way home he stopped at the restaurant she worked at and ordered a beer. Everyone around him seemed to be in excitement but the only thing he could think of was Ellie and how lonely she must feel at times living on her own. The noise around him continued as he heard people laughing about work or other things they may have had going on in their lives. He continued to sit. He noticed Richard awhile later and looked at him. He then remembered that the man was Amish and lived a different lifestyle than he. Richard approached Stan and they spoke for a while. Mainly about his law degree and what he would do next year once he graduated. Richard had a business background before he opened the restaurant. Honestly Stan I feel as if I only went to school too run the business. I spent a few extra years in school mainly because my first child was born. I am glad that we had Steven because he seems to be a good child. At least for now he helps us with the restaurant.

One day Stan I am sure you will have a family once you graduate he told him. They spoke a while longer and Stan sat and looked at all the unfamiliar faces around him. He noticed there were young women dressed in evening wear ready to spend a night out in the city. They looked pretty in their makeup but Stan still found himself thinking of Ellie. He had wanted to learn more about her. For some reason the people there did not seem of any interest to him. He began to spend a lot of time in his own thoughts thinking of Ellie.

Stan went to his apartment and took his shirt off. And spent the rest of the evening starring at the ceiling thinking of the past year or more that he has spent with Ellie. They had become close and met a while after she had become friendly with him. When he woke the sky had still been dark and he called Ellie at home and she woke and picked up after several rings. I am not sure exactly of the time but I was wondering if you still wanted to paint a portrait of me.

Of course but I still have to wake up in the morning and go to the restaurant. After work we can start if you like. I am unsure what you would do with a self portrait of yourself. The idea of keeping the painting of yourself would seem a bit vain. Stan I know that your intention was not to appear vain.

Maybe I could even keep the painting as a gift from you she said. She fell back to sleep quickly. She had not been used to getting phone calls that time in the evening. The time had been close to two in the morning.

As promised Stan stopped by the restaurant late in the afternoon to tell her what time he would be able to meet her at her apartment. They were supposed to begin work. The restaurant seemed quiet to her that day. There had been several students that stopped by. Also there were a few other people. She had been up too late the night before and had to drink several cups of coffee to stay awake. Her natural dark hair color had come back. She had worked the morning shift along side Sara’s son. He was nearly fourteen but whenever he worked he became a busboy or a waiter and picked up the shift as if the work were a normal routine. Another waitress who had been an older lady called Sara that next morning and told her she was unable to work due to a family emergency. By the end of the shift she split her tips with him and watched him leave with a friend that must have been a year or two older than he. Ellie did not know their son as well as his parents but guessed he and his friend both attended the same private high school together. Ellie had to admit that he seemed to be a responsible person. She guessed that since he was Amish his parents were probably strict with him at home. She figured that since she had a few hours before Stan was to meet her at her apartment to work she thought she would catch the city transportation.

The restaurant had been slow that night and she had not made enough in tips to take a cab home that night. She waited outside with a warm cup of coffee and as the city transportation arrived about an hour later. She rode for several miles and walked about another mile or so to her apartment building. There were no residents wandering around outside. She continued to work after she had come home and changed clothes.

Stan arrived later with a bottle of wine and a carton of rice from the local Chinese restaurant. I think we should toast Ellie. This is a mile stone. We are finally able to work on a project together. Ellie drank from her glass as they sat on the sofa and began to eat. Ellie had found some vegetables and they added them to the rice as they usually sometimes did. After a while they finally began to work. Stan had changed into a pair of old faded khakis. He sat on the only chair that she owned motionless as she noticed all his soft features. The chair sat beside the sofa.

I hope that you realize that we will probably spend a while at work. I may spend nearly a month to finish your painting. Ellie could see through his eyes. They appeared confident and intelligent as if he had spent years in school. In between resting they continued to eat from the rice. They eventually began eating the left over salad` she had bought home from the restaurant. She and Lin were used to each other by this time. Ellie began to feel at ease working around him. Ellie enjoyed their strong connection and believed they would work well together. However she believed that most girls would enjoy his strong aura.

When she woke from a nap Ellie noticed Stan was gone. He left a note and explained that he left a few hours before and had gone home to take a nap and would be at the school library with a few other law students later that day. She realized they must have fallen asleep on her futon.

She went to work in good spirits and was anxious to come home and finish the painting. She knew that the work would take a while. Maybe even several weeks. She felt they had plenty of time to work. That night she waited the last few minutes of her shift sipping from a cup of hot coffee. She had finished cleaning a table and no one else had come in. Sara kept herself busy by cleaning. She thought about the image she was completing of Stan and what she had planned on working on next. That morning before her shift she finished the picture of the horse. Ellie blended all the colors together as Stan watched her. I want to display this painting.

You worked hard to create the work.

Stan I rather keep the painting in the corner where I had the work displayed. He followed her instructions. She watched his eyes scan the room.

Where is the other work? You have been paining for quite sometime.

I have some more of my work stored in the garage.

I wish you would show me Ellie because I still have not seen a lot of your work.

If you insist Stan. Please follow me.

They left the small room and went into the night air and into the back of the building. There was a small shed with her apartment number. Ellie this is not a garage. A car could not fit in this small space. Where do people park there cars?

Usually along the other side of the building. I am unsure why these sheds are here. Some residents may be unhappy with the space.

Since I do not own a car I have not inquired. The size of the shed makes no difference to me now at this point. She turned her key and when she opened the door inside the space were about thirty paintings she had done.

Ellie these are all beautiful.

I am glad that you seem to enjoy them.

Ellie you have appeared to have put enough work into them.

Lin after my parents died I was a bit depressed for a while and spent time working. I think they are safe here. I keep the door locked. I had no idea what I would do with them. I guess for a while I sort of wanted them for myself so I hesitated selling them. I had thought possibly selling them to a gallery.

Ellie I do have a colleague that has parents that own a gallery of the other side of town. We went there a couple of times before I met you. He began talking about his colleague’s parents. They have spent years as artists and went to a local school together. He had given me their business card and that is how we became friends. He told me about the work they have done as artists. Their business had taken them a while to start up. In some ways I think practicing law is easier. They have supported his schooling through his career. Although there was a time when he said that his parents had a difficult time paying for his school when he first began.

Ellie continued to listen because she knew that everything he was saying was true. That art was difficult to learn. There were quite a bit of techniques and styles that artists often used when they painted. A lot of art revolved around patience. Stan seemed to appreciate her work and Ellie thought that his interest was thoughtful. "Ellie what if someone steals some of your paintings?

I rather keep my work out here in the shed because then that way I will have more space in the inside. Besides I am unable to afford to live anywhere more than what I am paying for right now. I have no choice but to keep my work outside. I rather for you not to worry about me displaying my work. It suits me for now and I have been able to use it to relieve the sadness of my parents but I am not sure what I plan to do with it yet Stan.

I will let you do as you please but I enjoy your work. I am not sure if I have enough money on my own to afford it. Do you have any paintings inside?

I have one painting and it is actually of my parents. I put it inside of the closet. I will show you when we get inside of the apartment.

Stan was shown the painting of her parents. Ellie I think this is the most beautiful piece I have seen of your work. I can concentrate on the painting and can see you through their eyes. She sighed heavily.

The work was the first painting I did after they died. The painting nearly took me a year to finish. Stan had given her a hug. When she created the piece she tried hard to concentrate on the actual work and not the thoughts of her parents death. She grabbed two glasses and they both began to drink glasses of the white wine as she continued to paint him. He changed back into his khakis. This time Ellie could see a different look in his eyes. This happened often as an artist and you have to see past the difference. She noticed he seemed panicked in some way.

Ellie I do not want to ever loose you as a friend. I think you have become quite an influence and in some small way you are helping me to get through my studies.

Stan do you know that it has been a while since I have had such close friends. They had never spoken of their previous relationships before. She knew they eventually would one day.

After an hour she managed to finish painting his whole torso. She had trouble deciding on the background for the painting, but knew that it would probably have to be something that would accent his features. She wanted something that would remind everyone of the summer. She finished his whole face and admitted that it seemed to be in proportion with the rest of his body. She could tell that he had probably not even known his potential. He had been a nice looking man. He had appeared to be in his early thirties. He had not discussed his age with Ellie. She continued anyway and every so often became distracted by his image. She looked past his eyes as she continued to work. I have to admit Ellie he mentioned later as he was beginning to leave. Out of all of my girl friends there has never been any like you. When we first met, I considered wanting to ask you out on a date, but somehow I do not think that would have been a good choice. I think we are much better as friends. She agreed as she looked out the window as he began walking home. He had not drove because he decided he would walk to the library afterwards to meet with a group of colleagues to study. The library had only been about a mile and a half from where she lived. His apartment was probably about seven miles from her apartment.

Ellie knew when she dated someone again that she would want to date someone similar to Stan. She agreed with him that they were better as friends. He continued down the street and she was no longer able to see him. He continued down the street and she was no longer able to see him. She worked for a while longer before she realized that the time was getting late. She continued to work going in and out of her thoughts. She starred at her blank walls several times that night. She began to create the background for the painting. She asked him to stand propped against a wooden deck. His eyes eventually began to relax and looked calm and cool as water. She had worked long and knew how to include backgrounds. She could hear his voice speaking to her.

She found the recent painting she was working on of the horse and took the work down from the wall. Stan had tacked two nails, in which is where the painting hung from. She had not finished the work and wanted to complete some final touches. She created the correct combinations of color to create the body. There was a soft darkening sky. She could even smell the night air.

She went to bed that night content at the work she had done. She continued to picture Stan in her mind. That morning she woke before sunrise and turned on a small lamp in the corner of her room. She moved her hand against the canvas. She did not know where Stan was but she left him a message and told him that she may be done with his painting by the end of the next week. She drank a glass of wine and went to the restaurant that day and worked a few extra hours. Sara told her that a girl she had hired several weeks before decided to quit because she was a student and wanted time to study. Ellie agreed to work because she needed the money.

Richard stopped by the restaurant a few hours before her shift was to end. She could hear him giving orders to the kitchen staff as they finished the last of their orders. She could smell the food and admitted to Stan that some of the things she has seen people eat sometimes made her noxious. She had her salad for dinner as she decided to take the public bus again that night. She stopped by the house of the landlord, but she had lived up the street from his building. She slipped cash into an envelope and put the money into his mailbox. He had not been home at the time. She walked down the long narrow street to her building. She found a note from Stan telling her that he could not come over because he had to give a presentation for his class that next morning. He told her afterwards that he planned to stop by the office of Davidson. He had wanted to work on a case. She reread the note to make sure that she understood what he had written correctly. She drank a cup of coffee and she stayed up an continued to work after she finally finished the painting of the horse she hung the painting back up. The painting was the only piece of her work that was displayed in her apartment.

The next day was her day off from the restaurant and she was to meet Stan. They had agreed to meet and work on his painting. Later he had come by as promised and he had bought another carton of plain rice from the same Chinese restaurant. Ellie when I am in a rush sometimes I still will order a bit of rice. He ate from the carton as Ellie continued to set up. Did you work on your painting he asked"?

I had not quite finished with the painting before , but I did hang the work back up. She waited till he was done eating the rice before they began back to work. She pulled her hair back and stretched her finger muscles.

Ellie I guess we have a few more days to work together.

I am hoping that we can finish in a few days. She starred at him as she told him that his eyes seemed tired. Good thing we are not taking any photos she told him.

After being inside for a few hours they took a small walk around her community. They had taken an hour to tour but they both enjoyed the walk. They noticed the main campus building to the local University not far in the distance. Ellie I hope that everything is going fine with you.

I am fine she told him. I wish I could take classes at the University but they are too expensive for me to pay now. I graduated from a college and received an art degree. I guess I wanted to further my schooling. Next year I will probably sign up for more art classes. They continued to walk along the darkening streets. She paused as she noticed a flyer with an art show. She knew that she would not be able to attend but scanned the details. The flyer listed a few artists she had heard of.

Ellie I thought that you were only able to paint in between work. You created a number of pieces. You also seem to know an awful lot and are really into your work.

I have spent quite a bit more time after my parents deaths painting as I mentioned to you before. I took some time off from going to work.

They walked up the long narrow stair case back to her apartment. They had not noticed the quiet halls. They opened her door and the smell of the oils from the work that she did inside was overwhelming, but she had cracked a small window and knew that they would be fine with the fumes. She continued to work and had been surprised at the patience Stan had. She drank a glass of alcohol and was happy with the progress of the work. They took a small break and he told Ellie about his parents. He then continued to speak of his past relationships. "I have never dated anyone that was an artist before. I have had my share of relationships.