Thanks to everyone who continues to read.
Chapter 17: Art
Wednesday and Thursday, Lizzy spent time finalizing her portfolio as she had finished her masterpiece Tuesday night. The hardest part of it had been drawing Kenny as she had spent years drawing Fulton and had drawn a lot of Portman over the months of dating him. Thursday afternoon she handed in her portfolio and all that was left to do was wait for Saturday and study for her other tests. Friday, Lizzy had her fill of studying and wanted something different. She wandered around the school for a while until she spotted some trucks around the baseball field. She watched for a bit then realized that it was the construction company. They were putting up fences and cones around the field. Lizzy smiled. It was good to see the board holding up their end. Then it hit her, a great way to waste some time and keep her mind off the art show.
Soon Lizzy was dressed in a hockey jersey, track pants, and ice skates and was standing in front of the goal on the hockey rink. She pulled her helmet on then tipped a bucket of hockey pucks over and began making shots on the goal. When she got down to her last puck, a black blur zoomed past her and blocked her shot. Lizzy's head whipped around to find out who had stolen her puck and interrupted her game. There at the other end of the rink stood Portman and he was smirking. "Really?" Lizzy asked.
"Can't take little heat?" Portman asked.
"You know I can. I just didn't expect you. After hockey season and so close to exams ..."
"Could say the same about you."
"You ever play three bar?"
"Known more for my enforcer skills."
"Doesn't mean you can't shoot."
"Ok, but don't take it easy on me."
"Never," Lizzy answered. It took a while but she eventually beat him 3-1. "Thanks for this, Goose. Now, I'm not as worried about the show and I feel better about Dwayne."
"Sure, anytime," Portman said.
The following day, Lizzy was freaking out a little bit about the upcoming show but she put it out of mind by studying. When she arrived at the show, she saw tables of books around the floor and one wall had a sign that read masterpieces. Under that sign were several pieces of art to include Lizzy's drawing. She stopped to look at a painting of a varsity hockey player and noticed that there was no signature on it. The other ones she looked also didn't have names. Instead they all had numbers. Lizzy figured that must be how they were impartially judged. Then Lizzy noticed that there weren't any judges, just a voting booth in the corner. She continued around the room noticing that there were some easels off to one side so she walked over observing her painting called Easier than Roping Hogs. It was a painting of Dwayne playing hockey.
If you tilted your head to the side and looked just right, it looked like he was actually moving down the ice. Just as she leaned in to get a better look, someone came up behind her and dug a finger into her side causing her to squeak and jump, startled.
"Truly inspiring, the way the artist makes it look like he's moving," a voice said behind her. She spun around and spotted Jeff Portman.
"Hi, Jeff. What are you doing here?" she asked.
"Dean called. Told us about the art show. We decided to come support the arts."
"Yeah, whatever." She didn't believe him for a second.
"Did you draw this?"
"If I did, that would totally give it away." She had noticed the same number was on this painting as had been on her masterpiece when she stopped to look at it.
"Well, I'm sure Lissy and Star would know better than I would how amazing this painting is but from my point of view, it's extremely good."
"I'm sure the artist would appreciate that."
"How is my favorite sister-in-law?"
Lizzy stared up at him and shook her head. "Well, considering Tony and Goose aren't married to me and all I have are brothers, unless of course you swing that way, and you're already married to Krista, I'm not your sister-in-law."
"Don't give upon Dean, he's a good guy."
"Yeah, I know," Lizzy sighed.
"Who is this handsome man you're talking to, Cara?" Lizzy turned a bit and smiled at her grandmother.
"Nonna, this is Jeff Portman. Jeff, this is my Nonna, Tonia Jacobs," Lizzy answered.
"I thought his name was Dean Portman," Mrs. Jacobs said.
"Dean's my younger brother. From what I gathered from that sentence, you're Italian but your name is not," Jeff answered.
"Actually I'm full blooded Italian. Jacobs is my married name. His father was English. He moved to Italy and met my husband's mother there." Jeff said something in what Lizzy surmised was Italian and Lizzy's grandmother blushed. "Thank you. Are you fluent?" Mrs. Jacobs asked.
"Not as much as I should be. My granddad is British and my Nonna is full blood Italian. Pappy moved to Italy when he was 14 and then he and Nonna moved over here when she was pregnant with my uncle. Dean's better than I am."
"What are you doing here, Nonna?" Lizzy asked.
"It's an art show, what else would I be doing here? Only one of my grandkids who can draw and she thinks I wouldn't show up." Mrs. Jacobs shook her head speaking more to Jeff than Lizzy. He smirked.
"Yeah, well my father did bother coming so ..."
Mrs. Jacobs took her granddaughter's chin in her hand and turned her head so she'd look at the other side of the room. "He's right over there, talking to your aunt and your cousin. And yes, your brothers are here too."
"But Matt—"
"His game is tomorrow against Dallas. There was no way he was going to miss this. Jeff, why don't you and I leave Lizzy to contemplate that and we can go look at some of the other works," Mrs. Jacobs said.
"I'm not telling you which one my masterpiece is."
"Okay, darling," her grandmother answered, taking Jeff's arm and walking away. Lizzy sighed and continued to walk around the gym looking at all the art. She stopped in front of a colored pencil colored picture entitled Boy on Trike.
"The Three Bash Brothers. I'm glad you found some inspiration," Portman said, walking up behind her.
"Thank you. How'd you know it was mine?" Lizzy asked.
"I've seen the picture before. You drew it of me two weeks after we started dating. You just added to it for this piece. You drew this one too." Lizzy looked back at him and he motioned to the drawing she had been looking at. "I think I've seen think this picture before."
"It's of Seth. He was three years old."
"He looks so happy," a female voice said. Lizzy looked back and saw Portman's sister, Lissy, so she turned slightly to see both of them and her drawing.
"My dad had taken Matt, Chris, and Ben to see my grandparents so it was just him and Mom. She was pregnant with me. Seth had just gotten over the flu and Mom wasn't sure he was up for the trip."
"It's well done. Really looks like a photo," Lissy said.
"Thank you."
"And the picture you drew of my brother ... have you thought of making this a career?" Lissy asked.
"Haven't thought much past the end of this year," Lizzy answered.
"You two look relatively friendlier than the last time I saw you two together, have you worked things out?"
"Yes, but we've agreed that getting back together is not a good idea."
"Why not?"
"It just isn't, Lissy. Let it go," Portman answered, speaking for the first time since his sister had walked up.
"So, which one's your favorite?" Lizzy asked.
"That would probably have to be ... Easier than Roping Hogs. Granted, I've seen the sketches and drawings of my brother and they are really good, but there's just something about that painting that blows me away," Lissy said.
"Mine is Super Diner Mom, she looks like a real superhero," Portman said. They talked for a bit longer then Portman and his sister waked away and Fulton walked up.
Slowly the pair walked around the gym observing the artwork until Lizzy pulled him into the hall. "Bubba, can I ask you something?" Lizzy asked softly.
"You haven't called me "Bubba" in years. Not since we were little," Fulton smirked, "but sure, you can ask me anything. You know that."
"I know that I'm like a sister to you—"
"You are my sister," he interrupted.
"And Goose is your best friend. Was it ever—?"
"Beyond awkward at first," Fulton answered, knowing what Lizzy was thinking. "I knew the kind of guy Port was to girls, I saw it all last year, but as bad as I wanted to fight it, I knew that you were different. I wanted to tell him 'that's my kid sister, you stay far away from her,' but I knew even though you were my sister and he was my best friend, you two were meant to be. Those feelings were real. I could see it in your eyes. What kind of brother or best friend would I be if I stood in the way of that?"
"Pretty crappy, especially if you expected me to support your relationship. Don't you—shouldn't you always be supportive of your family?"
"Yes, but at the same time protective, even if it's from a distance. That's why I'll always support you no matter which Duck you date."
"Thank you," Lizzy said. "I don't think I'll date another Duck, but thank you."
"I think they mentioned it was time for awards," Fulton said.
"Do me a favor, look in there and see who Goose is talking to. I know at least two of my brothers are here, and don't want them getting on him."
Fulton looked around the door frame and searched the gym for Portman. "He is talking to Aly and his sister. I don't see any of your brothers."
They walked back into the gym and saw people gathering at one end. Fulton and Lizzy joined them and found Lizzy's father and all four brothers. Portman's siblings were there also as well as the Reeds, Star, and Charlie and Casey. The art teacher was talking about all the work that went into the show and thanking everyone involved. Finally she got to the part Lizzy really cared about: the awards for best masterpiece and best overall portfolio.
"Okay, okay, the part you've all been waiting for. The awards. Best masterpiece and best overall portfolio. As well as best senior portfolio. The best senior portfolio will win a $2000 scholarship to the school of their choice. The best overall will win a $100 gift certificate, second place a $50 gift certificate, and third place a $25 gift certificate. As for best masterpiece, the top three will relieve gift certificates to the Mall of America in the same amounts. Now, next year's art club president will read the results for best masterpiece," their art teacher said.
A tall, dark haired, girl stepped up to the mic. "Hi everyone, I'm Shelby Jones. Thanks to everyone for voting for me to be your art club president next year. Without further ado, third place. The third place best masterpiece goes to The Speedster by Anna Sanders," Shelby said. Anna had finally finished her portrait of Luis and had decided to make it her masterpiece. She had been working on it for longer than she had been dating Luis. After collecting her prize she went back to Luis who hugged her tight then kissed her soundly. Lizzy rolled her eyes. "Second place goes to Ice Skaters on a Pond by Jim Tanner." Jim got his prize. "And first place, the winner of $100 and whose portrait will hang in the school display case, The Three Bash Brothers by Lizzy Jacobs." The crowd cheered and Lizzy collected her prize, shaking hands with the art teacher before going back to her family.
"Thank you Ms. Jones," the art teacher said, stepping back up to the mic. "Now, the president of the school board has agreed to help me with the next four awards, starting with the best senior portfolio. Best overall senior portfolio, Ms. Jordan Sparks." Jordan collected her prize and thanked Mr. Riley and the art teacher. "Now, top three portfolios. In third place with pieces like Boy on Trike, Woman and Child, Music, Easier than Roping Hogs, and her award winning masterpiece: The Three Bash Brothers, Ms. Lizzy Jacobs." Lizzy's jaw dropped and she went up to collect her prize. A $25 gift certificate to the Mall of America. She couldn't believe she had beaten out more than 25 other students for third place. She knew that her art was good but she hadn't realized how good. She thought this all over as she walked back to her family and friends and almost missed Emma winning second and Jordan taking home the grand prize. Lizzy had seen some of Jordan's art and was very impressed. Her work was more abstract and landscapes than people but it was good. The art show wound down and Lizzy collected her artwork. She was talking to Luis and Anna when her family walked up.
"We'll see you later, Lizzy," Luis said.
"Yeah, and congrats again," Anna added.
"You too." Lizzy answered. "Hey, Dad," Lizzy said, turning to face her dad after Anna and Luis walked off. "Brothers, Portmans, Star, Conways, and Nonna."
"Your mom would have been very proud of you. I never knew you could draw like that," Mr. Jacobs said.
"Thanks. Nora, Frank, thank you. It means a lot to me that you would come all this way for your son's—"
"Best friend? We'd do it for Fulton too," Nora said
"Of course. Kids, we'll be by the car," Frank added. They both shook hands with Lizzy.
Though it hadn't been what Lizzy meant to say, she supposed best friend would work. After they walked off, Lizzy turned to her grandmother. "Your art is just so amazing. I don't know why you don't focus on it more than you do sports, but I'm proud of you either way," Mrs. Jacobs said.
"Thanks, Nonna," Lizzy said.
"Can I have that?" Mrs. Jacobs asked.
"Have what?" Lizzy asked.
"The sketch of Super Diner Mom?" Mrs. Jacobs said.
Lizzy swallowed but pulled out the sketch. "You really want this?" Lizzy asked. Mrs. Jacobs nodded. Lizzy handed it over then they said goodbye. After the Conways left she turned to Portman. "Goose, you didn't have to invite your family, but thanks."
"Sure, you're my best friend. Besides, I didn't really. I mentioned it to Mom and they decided to come. I'm glad you won, you're like amazing. I'm glad I was here to see that," Portman told her. Lizzy stepped up to him and gave him a one-armed hug.
"20 bucks says we're related before either of us has a kid," Jeff said softly to Matt, hoping Lizzy couldn't hear.
"You really think that will happen?" Matt asked.
"Look at them, there's still a spark. He'll win her over and they'll be married before you know it."
"You're on," Matt said.
"What are you two whispering about?" Lizzy asked, narrowing her eyes at her brother as she stepped back from Portman.
"Nothing," he said. "Star and I have to get back on the road. Still have a game tomorrow."
"Me too," Chris said.
"Good luck, both of you," Lizzy said. They said their goodbyes, Matt insisted on taking her picture of Boy on Trike and her dad insisted on Woman and Child, and soon everyone was on their way to bed.
Sunday was a day spent studying until finally Lizzy couldn't take it anymore. She stood up and stretched out her back hearing it pop in a few places, then she headed for the rink. She found her way into the locker room and pulled on her skates and a long sleeve jersey then headed out to the ice. The team would all be in the following day to empty their lockers.
She skated around the rink, lost in her thoughts not even noticing the time passing; not until a hand slipped into hers. Lizzy flinched but kept skating. They skated in silence for a while then Lizzy finally looked up at Adam. "So what brings you to this majestic ice at this time of day?" Lizzy asked curiously.
"Thought I'd come see a friend," Adam answered.
"Thanks. I know we haven't been spending much time together but—"
"But nothing, you're still my best friend and it's me and you against the world."
"You truly are a great guy."
"Thank you. What are you planning this summer?"
"Don't know yet. Maybe I'll find out more about my mom; see if her parents are still alive. Maybe visit them. Definitely coming to Minnesota. Spend time with the Ducks and Matt."
"Sounds like fun."
"What about you?"
"My birthday so we'll probably do something for that, but a lot of hockey and a lot of studying."
"That sounds like the most boring summer on the planet. Have some fun. Ditch the books, get into some trouble. Do you know what I was doing when I was almost 16?"
"You mean last summer?" Adam asked smirking.
"Yes, last summer. Baseball every day, video games, hanging out with friends, and coming home at two in the morning."
"Didn't say I wouldn't hang out with friends; you just asked for my specific plans."
"Semantics." Adam laughed then pulled her to a stop. Lizzy turned to look at him. "Yeah?" she asked.
"Are you and Port ever getting back together?" he asked softly.
"I don't know," she answered just as softly. "I'd like to but I don't want it ending the same way."
"You think it will?"
"Do you think I should take that chance?"
"I can't tell you that. I know you two are good together and that you still have feelings for each other," Adam said slowly.
She knew there was more he wasn't saying. "But you'd rather I not?" Lizzy asked softly.
"I didn't say that. I just ... I don't want either of you getting hurt."
"Thanks for being so honest."
"Always. We should go. It's getting late."
"Yeah." Lizzy nodded and they went back to their dorms. Lizzy sighed as she plopped down on her bed. Maybe Adam was right. Maybe getting back together with Portman wasn't a good idea. Not that Portman would ever be open to the idea but if he ever was it was best to avoid that. Things were finally good between them, she shouldn't mess that up.