Chapter 53
Here I Am
"Now turn your brush like this, and watch out for your fingers. You don't want them to smear the page."
Constance watched as Antonio instructed her son with a new medium.
"First we'll do watercolors, Morgan, then we'll tackle acrylics."
The artist's studio was airy, full of windows lit by natural light, and various sketches thrown every which way. He had begged the young mother to take her child in as a student, happily providing the boy with a smock and art supplies of all kinds.
"I can't pay you back," she started, but he brushed aside her concerns.
"What kind of teacher would I be if I didn't provide everything for my student? Your boy has a gift. His simple drawing of a plant has inspired me. I'm going to do a whole series of paintings - 'Here I Am!'"
His manic energy made her smile. It was needed in the unsure days. Her doctor was proposing chemotherapy or surgery, all terrifying options. The moment Antonio heard about her health issues, he arranged a consult with the best cancer hospital in the area. Her diagnosis may not prove to be fatal.
If an artwork or two was generously auctioned off and proceeds donated to the hospital, it was another unlooked for blessing.
The soft laughter of her son and his mentor met Constance's ears.
"Here I am, indeed," she whispered softly.
TBAATBAATBAATBAATBAA
Bud, the retired security guard, sat down to lunch with the girl in the picture. No, make that Amanda Erickson, the older woman who posed for the picture.
"I was so young back then, and it took all my concentration not to fidget. I can't imagine my granddaughter staying still for that long."
"Her picture came out lovely though," he replied.
Amanda's granddaughter's photo and the portrait, when placed side-by-side, were identical. A recreation of the past through modern tools.
The old man looked like a shadow of his former cantankerous self, smiling and conversely warmly with his companion. He had peppered her with questions about the artist and her life from then to now. Laura was happy to oblige him with her tales.
"So what are you up to now, Bud? Sipping cold drinks by the pool?"
"I'm taking an art history class, actually, at the community college. The professor says with my time at the museum, I'll be sure to pass with flying colors."
The pair laughed jovially as the cool breeze danced among their table.
I remember this episode was the one where I thought, wow, what a great series. The appearance of the little girl was jaw dropping. Bud's story was heartbreaking. Yay for Giancarlo Esposito, Ed Asner, and the mother. Such fantastic acting.