Chapter Was She?

As he stared tiredly out the window he sighed. Phil was not looking forward to spending his summer in Union City New Jersey. Colt had called him asking him to help him with a summer job he landed and he reluctantly said yes. He needed the money and the pay seemed pretty good so he agreed for the cash. As the GreyHound drew near to the bus station he began collecting all his things. Colt had promised to meet him at the station to take him to his place so the sooner he was off the bus the better. After grabbing his bag and helping an old woman with hers he pushed through all the people to find Colt standing there with a sign that said "Punk".

"Is the sign really necessary cabana boy?" he asked with a huge happy smile.

"Of corse Punkers. How else would you find me in the midst of all these travelers?"

"Dude your 6'1 and bulky as hell I think I could have found you."

Colt grabbed his bag and lead him to his car parked outside. Phil was more than happy to throw all his stuff in Colts car. He was sick of lugging it around.

" So punk how was your long dreadful trip to Jersey."

"It was just that. Dreadful. I'm only here for the job. I'm not even here for you." he jokingly said motioning towards Colt.

"If I didn't think you could use the cash, or the vacation away from Maria then I wouldn't have called your sorry ass. Speaking of loony people, how is crazy pants."

Phil only sighed loudly and ran a hand through his slicked back hair.

"That bad huh?" Colt ask seeing his reaction.

"Man shes something wacky. Shes a jigsaw puzzle with a ton of missing pieces. Just a few hours ago she called me crying. After about five minutes of her historical sobs I finally got her to shut up long enough to tell me what was wrong. She ended up telling me she couldn't live through the summer knowing I wasnt right down the street."

"Um she's a wackadoodle." Colt said shaking his head at the thought of her. "Are you still dating her?"

"Oh god no. I left her six months ago but she doesn't get it. She claims to be desperately in love with me. I'm thanking god in heaven that she's leaving next month."

"Leaving? Where is she going? Someone finally ball up and put her in a loony ben?"

"No" Phil said laughing "She was accepted into a program where she will be spending a year in France. I don't know what for but im happy she's going."

"Well good for you Romeo. I think a break from Chicago will do you some good."

"Yea I guess your right." he said staring out the window.

"Who knows. You may never want to leave."

Phil just laughed and went back to the window. Jersey wasnt great but it wasnt awful. Colt was right he needed a break. He had been cooped up in Chicago for so long. It did feel pretty good to get out-of-town.

When they finally made it to Colts small apartment, Phil was ready to crash. He didn't even bother to get all of his things out of the car. He just got some shorts and a t-shirt and headed to the shower. It was quick but effective at getting him clean. When he finally crawled into the guest bed his whole body intensely relaxed. It was no time before he was dead asleep.

As one a.m rolled around Aj found herself getting pretty sleepy. She had been in the attic for hours working on her painting. It was starting to come along beautifully. All the lines and colors were starting to blend and the beautiful peace lily could be seen in the center of the canvas. Her mothers birthday was just a few days away so she wanted to paint her something with meaning. Her mothers name was Lilith so she figured Lillis would do. It was close enough in Aj's eyes. She began putting away all her oils and brushes and she stepped back for a moment to admire her work. She was pleased with herself. All she ever wanted to do was paint so she took great pride in her work. Letting down the stairs she flipped off the light and climbed down ready to run off to bed. Her father was coordinating an Art show tomorrow and she wanted to be fresh so she could attend without bags under her eyes. Every event he booked she made sure she was there. She loved meeting the artists and looking at the paintings. It was her playground and she simply couldn't wait until her paintings hung right along with all the bests.

"Get up you lazy jerk. It's almost two. You've slept all day."

Phil pulled his pillow over his head to block the light and just groaned.

"Come on Dude we have to go get your uniform and meet . We punch in at 4:30 and he wants to meet you before we clock in so get out of the damn bed."

Admitting defeat Phil drug his self out of bed. He wasnt ready for work. He was still to tired. Work was the last thing he wanted to think about. Colt rushed him out the door and into the car. He barely had time to brush his teeth.

Once they got to the museum. They hurried inside to find . When they finally spotted him he was in the gallery giving orders to a few guys in tuxes.

" this is Phil. The friend of mine I had told you about."

"Ah yes. so glad to see you came. I really needed the extra help and Colt tells me you can do pretty much any job given."

"Yes sir I do whatever im ask to the best of my ability."

"Well that's wonderful. Has colt explained the job to you yet?"

"No sir." he replied following the older man.

"Well I'll need you to pretty much be a server tonight. It's not really a hard job. You just walk around offering wine and asking if they need refills. You get a thirty minute break to eat and rest up and you're welcome to keep any tips you receive. The only thing I ask is you don't touch any of the art work and keep the socializing to a minimum. Come eleven o'clock your free to go home. Sound easy enough?"

"Yes Sir." he replied and shook the mans hand.

When seven o'clock finally hit all the guests had arrived. There were rich people in fancy clothes everywhere. Older women kept winking at him and slipping him big bills while their husbands carried on about something that board them. He only smiled a dashing smile and went on offering people more wine. Every once in a while he would stop for a moment and try to understand a piece. But to him they all looked like a kindergartener art work. He found himself staring at one piece in particular of a women in a white dress lying on some steps. He didn't get how that was major art but he would admit it was beautiful.

"Its called Tears of the Widow." A sweet small voice came from behind him. He turned around to find a breathtaking young women in a brown and gold dress smiling back at him. He must have looked dumbfounded because she quickly began to giggle at him.

"Is that what it's called? I thought she had lost a puppy or something."

"Oh no." She giggled again. "This picture tells the story of a women who has lost her husband. She wears her wedding dress on the anniversary of their wedding as a way to signify that she still belongs to her husband dead or alive. Or at least that's what the artist said it ment." she said laughing again.

He got lost watching her talk. The way her lips moved when she spoke was almost angelic. Her eyes were a deep chocolate color that matched her long beautiful hair. She was a goddess. She was so beautiful she put Aphrodite to shame.

"Oh my gosh am I talking to much? I'm so sorry you probably don't want to hear any of this." She said lowering her eyes.

"Oh no sweetie your fine. The story you told was a lot better than my theory. Now I know it wasnt a puppy it was her love."

Aj blushed slightly and smiled. "Well im glad I could clarify that for you." She smiled brightly at him and turned and walked away. His eyes followed her as she made her way to another painting and concentrated deeply.

"Hey colt" he said as he approached the bar. "Do you know that girl? The one in the brown and gold gown."

"Yes." he said smirking at his friend. "That's Aj. Her father is our boss."

"Well damn." He said sighing.

"Dont get bummed just yet. You still got a chance. Shes like my little sister. doesn't minder her hanging around me so im sure he wont mind you." Colt reassured him as he wiped out a glass.

"Good." he said smiling at her. "Iv got to get to know her."