Chapter 4
Spinelli POV
Filling in the years
And so that was what I did. I'll never now what strings Muriel pulled to get me into that school but starting at the beginning of the year I was in.
I no longer went by the name Ashley or Spinelli but instead went by Elli. The only person who ever called me Ashley now was Hank. Muriel tried to call me Elli but when ever she was mad or frustrated with me she slipped and called me Spinelli; which meant she called me Spinelli a lot.
For the next 6 years I became one of the best known artists in my school with several art magazines doing articles about me and my work. I had even had a few of my paintings sell for quite a bit of money and had been offered a few jobs. I had a knack for all types of art including pottery, photography and carving. But I was best known for my paintings and sculptures which I truly loved making.
Every family holiday Muriel and I would go somewhere, few years later Hank began joining us and we became a family. Muriel and Hank had a world wind romance and ended up eloping three years ago in Vegas and I couldn't be any happier for them.
I still heard from Vitto occasionally. In the beginning he sent me several letters every couple of months then slowly those stopped and I would only receive a card every once and awhile on my birthday and Christmas. The cards always came with stamps from different parts of the country.
If I was very lucky he would call. I had only gotten a handful of calls from him and they were normally on the anniversary of the accident. The calls were never that long, he would remain quiet for the most part and I did all the talking, always trying to get him tell me where he was.
For the most part he had disappeared from my life, but I still long for him to come back for me. The hope for him to come get me however is fading; this Christmas had pasted and for the first time Vitto didn't send me a card.
It had been winter break of my grade 11th year and for the first time I wasn't spending it on the road with Muriel and Hank but using my time to get ready for my first exclusive up coming show.
I had been in the studio when Hank called with the bad news; Muriel had had a heart attack. For the second time in my life I felt like my world was falling apart. Even after he had reassured me that she was fineonly needing to be taking it easy for awhile; I couldn't help but want to be home with them.
For the first time since the accident I was home sick and I knew that I was ready to stop running and go home. So I began to make arrangements with my teachers in order to return home and still have my show and be able to participate in the art program the continuing year. I next got a hold of the high school that was closes to Muriel's house and transferred forging her name were I had to, whoever said art had no purpose?
And now I stood in front of Muriel in my home town for the first time in years.
Present time
"Hi Muriel" I say with a grin.
"Spinelli what are you doing here?" She looks at me so confused trying to fit the pieces together. The confusion clears from her face and she turns her head and glares at Hank "I told you not to call her! She's much to busy"
"Muriel you know she had a right to know" Hank says now trying to calm her down since the beep of the heart monitor is going a little faster now. Of course his trying to calm her down doesn't work. When is he going to learn that if she wants to fight then she's going to fight?
Taking pity on Hank I put on an angelic face that I know without doubt pisses her off. "Don't worry Muriel I'm here to take care of you now"
I watch as the glare falls of her face and the confusion returns. "What the hell are you talking about Spinelli?"
"Why just that Muriel, I've come home" With that I walk to the bed and lean down and hug her. "I'm ready to stop running" I whisper into her ear.
She looks deathly pale now…hm I think for the hundredth time that maybe this wasn't such a good idea.
"What the Hell do you mean! You have that show coming up and you sure as hell aren't throwing away your future to take care of me. I'm fine" I can't help but laugh as she gets louder and louder and the beep on the heart rate monitor gets faster and faster.
"Well I don't know about that, you like awfull. Don't worry I've taken care of everything" with that I turn and leave the room to wait for Hank to give me a ride home.
As I shut the door I hear Muriel scream "Get back her you little hooligan" I can't help but grin. It's good to be home.