Circles Fan Fiction

Time Marches On

Series 02: A New Crossroad

Book 3

Chapter One: Arthur becomes an art teacher [Autumn 2014]

Music:

My Dearest Phillip,

Today is the big day for Arthur, he is going to go and teach the Introduction To Oil Painting Class. He seems nervous, but you were a lot more, at least he knows what he is doing.

I am sorry, but I had to throw that in.

You though are doing a great job this year. I know you lost the first game, but I have a good feeling about this year.

Feebi is starting the 6th grade with mixed feeling. This is her last year before the goes to Junior High, so this makes the last year she will be going to the same school as Linda teaches at. She did spend a lot of time over the summer hanging with Randy and I think they will continue to be good friends this year.

Uwain is also exited to be going back to his classes. Thanks to Taye he added some theater classes this semester. It is nice to see Taye Marty and Uwain hanging out together.

Well I am going to sign off, you are back from your run and Feebi is making breakfast this morning.

Your Loving, Douglas

Arthur sat at he desk and kept rearranging it. He wanted it to look professional, but at the same time it kept looking too professional with everything in strait lines. He wore a polo shirt with a tie under his riding leathers and now they hung on a coat-rack, the same one that Mr. Stabler had when was taking the class. Also hanging from it was his painting smock.

He stopped fussing with his desk as his students started to enter the class room. They all found seats until it was time to start the class when Arthur stood up in front of them.

"Morning Class I am Mr. Arthur Korsky your instructor for this class 'Introduction To Oil Painting'." Arthur started trying to act like a professional. "I want to let you know this is a Pass Fail type of class."

Arthur looked over the class. They were all impressionable young artist. He could see those who were taking the class because it was easy, then there were the ones who wanted to make a living. Then there were those who were here just because they loved art.

Now they were all looking at him to teach them all about how to paint. He remembered Mr. Stabler from when Arthur took this class, it was the first time for both of them. He looked once more at everyone sitting there and realized it was his class. He could teach them how he thought the class should be done.

In his moment of clarity he pushed one corner of his desk clear and sat on it taking off his tie.

"Ok everyone I am going to make this simple." Arthur for once used his booming voice to get their attention. "First just call me Arthur, that is what everyone calls me. This is oil painting, it is about art and expressing yourself. Technically there is no way to screw this class up as long as you show up and try your best. I will judge you on your improvement not the content of your work, so any questions?"

They all looked at Arthur for a moment before one young man raised his hand. "Mr...Arthur, will you be teaching us any specific styles?"

Arthur thought for a moment. "I could show you some things about some of the masters, but most of my true experience is with the art of the 70s, 80s and the 90s that popped up here in Boston and New York."

Another student raised her hand. "So you know about expressionism and those who did that kind of painting?"

Arthur let out a smirk. "Well I did meet some of them, but I mostly do portraits and am getting back into landscapes." His smirk turned into a genuine smile. "I do have some example I could bring in, though I do need to check with Administration about a few of them...My favorite subject is the male nude."

Arthur looked as some in the class looked a little uneasy.

"I should tell you a few things." Arthur started wondering if he should talk about such things. "This is just to get some things out of the way and we can get to painting. I am gay, I am good friends with Coach Johnson, I did a lot of things I am proud of and not proud of during the 80s and 90s."

The class looked at him for a few moments taking it all in.

"So...Arthur." one student asked. "Is that your work on the side of Triangle Books, I saw it the last time I was there and I liked it."

Ken looked at his watch and saw that it was 5:15 am and still no Phillip yet. Thinking something was wrong he headed upstairs and knocked lightly on the door. Not getting a reply he opened the door and looked into the kitchen to see Phillip sitting at the table sorting through his meds.

"Hey buddy." Ken said as he sat down at the table. "You ok?"

Phillip looked at Ken with a half smile. "Yes, I just got lost in my morning ritual."

Ken raised an eyebrow as Phillip was taking pills and putting all of them int a shot-glass. "That is a lot of meds."

Phillip just nodded. "Well I got these little red ones from my blood pressure, the big blue ones are for my eyes, this little white ones are just aspirin to act as a blood thinner, the red and white ones are to promote cartilage regrowth and these green and yellow ones are to help with my heart."

"And what are the big white ones?" Ken asked looking at the bottle.

"Pain Killers." Phillip said as he rolled his eyes. "I seem to need those some days more than others, don't get old...it sucks."

Ken gave Phillip a hard look. "I am already there, I am just not a train wreck like you."

Phillip let out a chuckle. "Thanks you know how to cheer someone up."

Ken let out a grin. "Just doing my job, speaking of jobs, the gym is thinking of putting on a MMA style event, me and Gus are thinking of getting involved, you want in?"

Phillip thought about if for a moment. "No I am good, but if you need a ref or something I might consider it."

Ken nodded "I will them know."

Phillip downed his 'Shot' of pills. "Ok let me put my drugs away and then we can get started."

When Phillip got back from his run he just went and sat down on the edge of the bed looking out the window.

"You ok dear?" asked Doug as he woke up and rolled over.

"I really don't know...I think I am having one of my low days again." Phillip said looking over at Doug.

Doug got up and moved behind Phillip and put his arms around him. "So anything I can do?"

"I don't know...it is a lot of things going on I think." Phillip leaned back against Doug. "The mixture of the stress at work, my mom being sick and me...being a physical wreck. Some days it just all comes crashing around me."

Doug gave him a few belly rubs, but could see that was not having the desired effect. "You are having a bad day."

Phillip just nodded. "I think I need to blow off some steam somehow. You know do something stupid."

With a raised eyebrow laid he head on Phillip's back. "I hope not too stupid?"

"I think I might have something, how about a trip to the amusement park, we can take Feebi, Taye and Marty." Phillip said leaning back a little. "Sort of like our first date."

"That does not sound that bad." Doug said hesitantly.

"Well I saw that someone had come up with Battered-Deep-Fried-Gummy-Bears." Phillip said with a light chuckle.

"So someone came up with a way to make semi-liquid sugar more unhealthy?" Doug said not sure if he wanted to know.

"Ye-up." Phillip said with a louder chuckle.

The five of them were now looking at the Deep-Fried-Gummy-Bear-On-A-Stick.

"So you are sure it is safe?" joked Taye.

"Have I ever led you astray with my food choices?" Phillip said with a chuckle.

Taye looked at Phillip. "Every Camping Trip So far!"

"Well we are not camping are we?" Phillip came back with.

"How bad could it be?" asked Marty.

"It is a large Gummy Bear with a stick shoved up it rear end, covered it batter and then tossed into a deep frier." Phillip said. "God Bless America!"

"Let me have that!" said Feebi as she took it and bit off its head causing the red gooey inside ooze out. "Cool, it bleeds!"

The four of them looked at Feebi and then Taye at Doug.

"Why Do You Keep Letting Him Near Food!" Taye said to Doug.

My Dearest Phillip,

I am glad we went to the amusement park. It was nice to just do nothing but have a little fun. I am now looking at the giant stuffed unicorn that you won me, you still have not lost your touch.

The...gummy bear was different, though I still think the fried cheese curds you put away were more healthy for you. It was nice to be with you on the Ferris-Wheel once again, especially when it got stuck with us on top.

Everyone else had fun to, so we do have to do this again sometime.

Your Loving, Douglas

Notes:

After the last few chapters I just wanted something light.

Mr. Stabler was sort of a tribute to Ken Stabler who had passed away while I was writing this.

I still have not tried the Gummy-Bear on a Stick yet...