(About 17 years ago...)

Nick hopped off the bus and made his way through Central Park till he found the spot he was looking for. He pulled out a well used sketch pad and some pencils and started to draw. He had been doing this for the past year after school. He would take the bus to the park and find a quiet spot and draw. He would observe the people and try to guess what they were up to. Sometimes someone would see what he had drawn and be in awe and pay him for his drawings. Those days were good. He could go home and feel like he helped his mother if only a little. She knew about his habit but made sure he kept in touch. He would call her from the nearest pay phone when he arrived and when he left.

On holidays and weekends his mother, Angela, would join him. She wasn't much of an artist but she had a voice. She could sing and she would accompany him in the park, humming a tune or two while he painted with his watercolors or sketched. His mother worked in theatre so she couldn't always be with him but they had learned to find time to get together and go to the museums or roam the city. The park was their favorite area though. There were always things to see and people to watch. That's how they met him.

Nick was drawing as he normally did when he felt someone looking over his shoulder. He turned and saw a well dressed man standing there. The man was impressive looking with dark brown hair and sea green eyes when he pulled his sunglasses off. Another man stood nearby at attention, always looking around as if on guard. The first man smiled at him looking at his sketch admirably.

"You have a great talent there. I'd think I was looking at a photograph." Nick smiled shyly at the man, unsure of what to say other than a mumbled thanks. The man patted him on the shoulder with a wide grin.

"Nick!" A woman's voice could be heard calling from nearby. A young woman in her early 30s, long dark wavy hair and sparkling blue eyes was walking quickly towards him. Nick stood up, sketchbook in hand and walked over to meet her.

"Mom? I thought you had rehearsals today." Nick felt her arm move around him in a half hug, her warm lips touching his forehead. He blushed slightly.

"Sorry, didn't mean to embarrass you but I have tickets to that exhibit you wanted to see. Took off early to find you." She hadn't noticed the other man and his "partner" yet, her attention on Nick. She looked up at the sound of footsteps and her eyes blinked in surprise.

"You left your backpack, young man." The man who had admired his sketch walked up and handed Nick his bag. Nick took the bag with a shy smile as the man offered his hand to his mother.

"I'm sorry, we haven't been introduced. I was admiring your son's sketching ability. My name is Darrian Halden." The man's voice was soft and kind, Angela smiled back at the man, her arm still around her son as she held out her free hand.

"Angela Garner. Thank you for the compliment. Nick has always been a natural at drawing. I'm not quite sure where he gets it." She smiled proudly, arm around her son. Darrian smiled warmly.

"I was on my way to get some coffee, would you like to join me?" Darrian's voice was kindly, friendly and open. Angela nodded, looking at Nick who also nodded with a smile.

()()()

It became a regular habit of meeting up with Darrian in the park. He treated Angela and Nick very well, taking them to plays and fancy restaurants at times or just doing casual events like coffee or just hanging out in the park having a picnic. Darrian was a wonderful person, Nick taking an immediate liking to the man who pushed him to excel at his art. He even gave the young man an all purpose pass to most of the museums in town. Angela seemed happy as well. Nick helped her to prepare for her dates, whistling in awe at the dresses and gifts Darrian showered her with. She felt like she had found her prince.

"Mom, are you sure you'll be there? Darrian said the show was at 6:30. He can send a car." Nick was worried she was going to miss his art exhibit. Darrian had been kind enough to set it up with a friend of his at a local gallery. She answered back over the roar of an audience in the background.

"You know I will, Honey. I'm nearly done here and I'll run out for a cab. Tell Darrian Hi for me. Love you." She made a kissing sound over the phone and Nick smiled before he repeated the same and hung up. He turned and saw Tony the bodyguard standing there looking at him. The man rarely smiled but Nick always tried to see how he could surprise the man but nothing ever worked. He saw the man give a slight smile this time.

"Your mother need a ride to the show?" Tony's voice was low but amused. Nick shook his head.

"She's stuck in rehearsals for a bit longer." Nick sounded disappointed, Tony walking over to muss his hair a bit. Nick made a face but dealt with it since he finally saw the man smile.

"If we have to, I'm sure Darrian will make sure she gets here. He's a very convincing person." Nick didn't understand the tone at the time but he nodded.

()()()

Nick smiled and nodded, shaking hands with people in nice clothes who were drinking free wine and food as Darrian introduced him. The event was well received, his artwork popular with a few pieces selling and some commissions in the works but it felt empty without his mother there. Darrian seemed to notice, putting a hand on his shoulder and smiling kindly.

"Nicholaus, you know she meant to be here. I'm sure rehearsals just ran... over." He paused as his cell rang and excused himself a moment, Nick being approached by an older couple who wanted to meet the young artist. He smiled at them like Darrian had taught him, turning his eyes off and on to the side as he saw his mentor looking rather animated on the phone. The couple left after shaking his hand and Nick walked over to Darrian with a curious look.

"Darrian... what's wrong?" Nick could see the man was obviously in pain, wiping at his eyes and looking at him after a moment. Halden still held himself calmly with a coolness about him but his face showed sadness.

"I... Nick... that was Tony. I sent him to find your mother. I knew you were feeling badly that she wasn't here." He paused, putting hands on both of Nick's shoulders as if to prepare him for something. Nick felt a chill wash over him.

"She's been in an accident. I'm so sorry." Darrian's words hit him like a brick. Nick didn't know what to think, his mind trying to figure out what happened.

"Accident? Is she ok? I want to see her." He made a move to leave but Darrian pulled him close and hugged him.

"She's gone. It was a hit and run. Tony showed up and found the police still out there investigating the scene. It happened a few hours ago. Angela..." He hugged the boy close, Nick burying his face into the man's shoulder as he started to cry.

()()()

Nick stayed with Darrian, moving out of the small apartment he had shared for so long with his mother. Halden was a good friend and mentor, giving him his space and allowing him his freedom. It had always been just his mother and he, his grandparents long dead and his mother an only child. They had little contact with any other relations and his father, his real one, had been someone his mother had met briefly; Someone who had meant to marry her but died tragically before they could make their plans. It had been a car accident she told him once when he asked. She had lived but his father also named Nicholaus had died a few days later. It was around the same time the doctors let her know she was pregnant with Nick. It had been a sad surprise but one that kept her going.

Nick thought of all these things as his foster father Darrian showed him what he had planned for his mother's burial plot. Angela had been not only his mother but his best friend. Nick knew what she would want and told his new guardian. He saw the man's face almost redden slightly as if talking to an unappreciative business partner but then he mussed the boy's hair and smiled.

He was kept busy after the funeral and his mourning period had ended. Darrian had him taken from school and private tutors taught him about art, antiquities and he had full reign to roam the city and study architecture, visit museums and take in cultural events. At first it felt strangely wrong like he was playing hooky but he was learning. He picked up skills of fitting in, wearing the right clothes, picking the right way of charming someone who would otherwise say no to say yes. Darrian was a good teacher as were the people that were put in charge of his education. Nick learned quickly. He still missed his mother and visited her at least once a week with flowers when he could escape from his tutors. He told her of his life and opportunities and how it was so empty without her. He'd cry but then put on his face for Darrian who insisted on facades. Nick would fit in and learn and do his mother proud.