Chapter 10: The Art of Starting Over
"Whoa, hey where do you both think you're going?" asked Jordan, his hands on his hips, looking at how Virgil and Fran seemed like they were about to go somewhere.
"Aw, I'm sorry Jord, I forgot to give you a hug," said Fran, walking over to Jordan and grabbing him into a big bear hug. "I'll miss you!"
You could tell Jordan enjoyed the quick token of gratitude, but his intense dark eyes showed that he had something on his mind that was bothering him.
"Virge... we had a deal," said Jordan, pretending to act annoyed, but still serious about it. "Does painting ring a bell?"
"Aw, I plum forgot!" Virgil rubbed his forehead in frustration.
"Plum forgot?" asked Fran, trying to keep a straight face, but giggled all the same.
"Hey, hey... you don't see me making fun of how you talk and don't even get me started on that road!" teased Virgil.
Fran didn't say anything, but stood there gawking as if she couldn't believe what he had just said.
"Hmmph!" She pretended to be mad and went over to the couch and plopped down on it, her arms folded in front of her chest. She sat there pouting.
"As I was saying," continued Jordan. "A deals a deal and I need a picture! There is an art show in England and I really wanna show my work there. I just really need the painting!"
"I guess that's where I come in," said Fran.
"Yes, indeed," replied Jordan.
"So what do I have to do?"
"Pose for me, while I paint you."
"What should I wear?"
"Well since I so conveniently did your laundry Fran, you could wear that purple dress that you had on when you came here," suggested Jordan.
"All right," agreed Fran.
"And you don't need any shoes, barefoot is fine!" added Jordan before she exited into the bedroom.
A few moments later, Fran emerged sporting the same violet, nurse-like dress she had worn when she was kidnapped.
"Okay Nurse Betty, I want you to sit over there," said Jack pointing towards a shady, secluded corner in the small living room.
She sat down, her legs folded towards her side. Virgil came over to her and tousled her hair.
"Hey, what are you doing?" asked Fran irritated, grabbing her hair.
"It has to be a little messy. Makes it look more natural. Just trust me, it's good for the picture," said Virgil.
"Perfect..." commented Jordan. "Now give me a look of what you are really feeling right now... give me some emotion!"
Jordan sat on a stool behind a canvas and went to work.
It had been a few days now and Jordan had called Fran in a couple times so that he could perfect his picture. Jordan was always quick at getting a piece done. He asked Fran what she thought of it and she said he was truly an artist. Virgil took a liking to it too, after all he was always supportive of his best friend Jordan. Jordan, of course, had always been there for him and knew the truth about who Virgil Shelton really was and who he wasn't.
After Virgil and Fran had helped Jordan pack everything into a truck that he had "borrowed," they exchanged goodbyes.
Fran stood there by the front door shivering a little, with her gloved hands shoved inside the front pockets of her leather jacket. Her long hair whipped around violently in the strong wind.
"I hope I don't have to come back to the states to see you behind bars Virge," said Jordan, hugging his buddy.
"Me to Jord, me too. But at least this time it will be for the right reasons."
Jordan handed Virgil a piece of paper with a cell phone number scribbled on it.
"Call me anytime you need me Virge. I mean that."
"Come 'ere lil' lady!" said Jordan, in a funny southern accent.
Fran chuckled as she shared a hug with him.
"I hope you have success in London!" Fran wished for him.
"Me too," said Virgil.
"Me three!" joined in Jordan.
They laughed and Virgil started walking towards the truck.
"See you later!" yelled Virgil. "Good luck Jordan! Until we meet again!"
"Bye Jordan! It was nice meeting you!" shouted Fran. "And take good care of me!" she said, referring to the painting.
"I will!" promised Jordan and he waved a last goodbye. Fran and Virgil watched as Jordan road away in his fully loaded truck off to the airport.
"It's a good thing he never got caught up in all of this. I definitely don't want people thinking that he's the bad guy. At least he can go out into public, I can't! This is a great start though. I get to come out from the dark and face the law and Jordan gets to live his dream!" said Virgil.
"Yes it is, well are you ready to go?" asked Fran picking up a suitcase of a few clothes she had taken from the house.
"I am," answered Virgil, grabbing two suitcases.
One of his was filled with some clothes and the other one was filled with some money and some other necessities. Virgil had kept some of the money and had given half to Jordan so that he would be able to make a good trip to England. He was proud of Jordan and really believed that he could have success as an artist.
Jordan and Fran put the suitcases in the trunk and hopped into the black Camaro, leaving the house back to the old man when he returned.
As they road away from the house, Fran looked out the window at the colorful trees that lined the edge of the road. They were so beautiful. The fall was a wonderful time of year. It was when the weather changed into a refreshing, cold air that tickled the hair on your skin, but made you feel so alive at the same time. There was quite an awkward silence for sometime before Fran spoke.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Fran, hesitantly.
She was wondering if Virgil was making the right decision.
"I know that this might not turn out so well and that I might get put in jail. But I want people to know that it was not me who killed those people. I want them to know that it was my brother. I want to stop hiding from the world. I have to do this. It's now or never!" proclaimed Virgil.
"I understand Virgil and I'm willing to help you. I want the truth revealed as much as you do," said Fran.
"I'm ready for a new beginning," said Virgil, determined. "I'd rather give up my freedom than my dignity!"