A Portrait on the Passage of Time
(First of all, I'd like to dedicate this to my mom who passed away last year. She was the one who told me to follow my dreams. I'd also like to dedicate this to my muse, Ashley, who is a great person.)
Prologue
1998, United States
Maria Sanders was cleaning out her mom and dad's house. Dad had just passed and the doctors said Mom's condition was worsening. She cleaned out different rooms of the house. She was checking out box after box with old photos and different items, when her eye caught on a strange envelope. It looked like a manila folder but this had string and a seal. Maria broke the seal and began to read the note inside. It began as such.
Chapter 1
Florence, 1528
The clip-clop of the horse's hooves meant it was a busy time. Many people were hustling to their businesses and Michel Torelli was one of them. He was headed for his studio in a hurry with a small sack in both hands. He reached the door and let himself into his studio. The studio was very monk like in appearance, except for a chair and an easel. On one table, lay several unfinished prints and his palette. On another, a jar of coins was put on a balance. This balance was set at a specific point. Michel emptied the contents of his bag into the jar. For one moment, the balance seemed to be in favor of the heavier side, but then the balance was equalized. Michel let out a low breath, but did not relax. At that moment, a banging on the door came like a harsh wind. Michel emptied the contents of the jar into a bag marked Rent and opened the door.
The Rentmaster came in like a bad storm in the afternoon. He had a tight face and a scowl always marked it. It would have been comical, had he not brought his companion. The companion was not bright in the mental area, but he was big and very strong. Michel had no doubt why he was called The Tosser. Those who failed to pay the Rentmaster on time were tossed out on the street with little or no possessions. Michel had seen some of his friends become poor souls after being tossed out. The Rentmaster broke his reverie with a "Well?" Realizing what was going on, he gave the bag of money to the Rentmaster. He opened the bag and looked inside. Michel had heard storied of people trying to cheat the Rentmaster. Those who did paid a severe penalty thanks to the Tosser. After checking the bag twice, the Rentmaster held up his hand. It was demeaning to go through this, but it was policy. A thumbs up meant another month, a thumbs down and you had until sunset to clean out the studio. After what seemed to be a long while, the thumbs up was given. "Thank You" said the Rentmaster and he and the Tosser left. However, Michel was in no mood to celebrate.
The drawings Michel made were just still life and some nudes. Yet, the price was shrinking and the rent still stayed the same. Even the buyers were saying to Michel "Can't you do something else?" After a while, even he was questioning himself. He had enough to buy bread that would last him all day and the rest would go to the rent. However, he knew the day would come. After being a disciple of Leonardo, he felt he could be just as famous, but most painters had their patrons by now and he had none. He made up his mind that if he did not get half of the rent by mid-month, by the time the moon showed its' face, he would be gone and he would ask Dona Alicia to be the gardener again.
Yet, little did Michel know that a surprise was in store for him.