Just after I finished talking with Busker, I exited off the stage and collected the sum of money that I was given. After collecting the money from the guitar case, and putting my guitar away, Uncle Rad and Grandpa Bob came over to see.
"Well done, mate!" Grandpa Bob complemented me.
"Thanks! I'm surprised to see you two here." I thanked him.
"We have so much to discuss, but at the same time, we wanted to come here and give you support." Uncle Rad added.
Gratefully, it was appreciated that they came to see me perform. "I'm glad and thank you."
"Have you got anything to eat yet, mate?" Grandpa Bob asked me.
In time, I pulled out my voucher for a free food at The Markets. "Well, I'll be able to use this for a free food here."
"Some sausages would do?"
"Way ahead." I smiled.
We decided to stay here for a bit and treated ourselves with some German sausages. After retrieving our lunches, we sat at one of the tables where they sat earlier. While we ate our hot dogs, we watched Busker perform on stage.
"So that's what you've been doing recently?" Grandpa Bob questioned.
"I only just started yesterday." I answered. "But it starts somewhere for now." He nodded.
"You rocked the staged though." Uncle Rad complimented.
"Thanks." I thanked him. "At the same time... I don't see it as my future work. However, it's fun to sing to a crowd for entertainment or earn something on the side."
"Did you consider search for part time work?" Uncle Rad suggested.
"Oil rig, where you used to work?" I felt out of place.
He shook his head. "Nope, now I work with the Tradies. Remember, after marrying your Auntie Frisky, I moved down here." Memory came back and recalled about his job changed, when we first met. "Perhaps, after we return, you could actually earn a living, if possible."
"If I could work with my hands, I'm willing to try."
"Now that's more like!" Grandpa Bob agreed. "Because unless you fix yourself to be a singer, you won't be going anywhere."
In reality, it was hard for me to find my future on what I'm hoping to be or what I'm doing on my livelihood. It's never a bad idea to go further and work to earn extra money, if any means to save money for myself.
"Now Andy... we actually came to meet with you regarding about an upcoming trip back to California."
I nodded. "I heard you guys going to travel with me."
They nodded. "Yes and just to make sure you won't be too alone, when you go back." Grandpa Bob added.
"Your Uncle Bandit and Auntie Chilli would want to be there with you, but you know how their kids are." Uncle Rad stated.
Clearly, I knew. "They told me. I just don't want anyone bad mouthing about my parents at the funeral or even around that time."
"What do you mean?!" Grandpa Bob questioned.
"About your brother?" Uncle Rad knew.
"Yes." I nodded.
"Look kid, that's between your parents and your brother. Your brother ought to seek help now more than ever, since your guys parents passed away."
"It's not easy said than done. He resented them and wouldn't feel any significant change, after they died." I object.
"Than perhaps you and your brother should not start anything, between you two until the funeral is over. If only you felt like you wanted to express yourself about how you feel." he suggested.
I wasn't sure what to do. While I started to listen to my uncle's advice... something caught in my eye. It was the same German Shepard that I spotted days ago, when I was heading to pick up my cousins. It appears that she was setting up shop of her own.
Andy? Anndy?
The voice brought me back to the conversation that I was having with Uncle Rad and Grandpa Bob. "Andy, are you listening?" Uncle Rad asked.
"No- I'm sorry. Someone just-" they turned to look at the young German Shepard. They smirked, as they turned their heads towards me. "What?"
"Mate, you're finding a fancy for her." Uncle Rad smirked.
"N-No... that's not it!" I protested.
"There's no shame in it, mate." Grandpa Bob spoke. "It seems like you seen her more often."
"I only caught a glimpse of her, days back while driving to pick up my cousins. She almost looked familiar... I just can't put a paw on it." she looked like somewhat I might have known. "Who knows, she might just be coming out of high school." She set up what it might be paintings. I could only think she done those paintings and sells them at The Markets.
"In that case, we already set up for our departure. We'll pick you up, in two days, arrive at the airport, go through a six day trip, and finally returning back to Brisbane." Grandpa Bob layout the plan. "Don't worry, Andy. It'll turn out right."
"Now how about you could show us that you could talk to that girl." Uncle Rad elbowed me playfully.
I gulped. However, I started to hear a song Busker started strumming on the guitar. Although, I couldn't think it was a set up. However, I knew it was As She's Walking Away from Zac Brown Band ft. Alan Jackson. Just as soon, I started to hear the chorus of the song echoing in my ear. With bravery, I decided to shake myself and put on my cowboy hat. When I arrived at her shop, she was helping with a customer. I took the advantage to browse at her shop, in hopes to get her attention. One of her paintings caught my eye, it was a painting of the water. An ocean having an opening from a lightening. The view was from the shore featuring two sets of footprints. Eventually, one of the sets disappeared once it hits the water, while the other stays on shore. As I watched the painting, it felt it was starting to come alive to me.
Oi! A young girl's voice brought me back to reality. I turned to see it was the German Shepard. "I see you're taking a liking to my artwork."
"Oh... yes. I'm... I'm often drawn into ocean paintings. They're beautiful." I complimented her painting.
She chuckled. "Thank you."
"Did you paint them, while you were there or took pictures first than do it?" I asked.
"For this one, I painted on the water, but the painting itself was by my imagination." she answered.
I looked around to see more of her artwork on stands. "Which artist inspired to you to paint?"
"Van Gogh."
It came to my surprise that he's my favorite painter too. "No kidding?! Really?"
"Of course."
"I always loved his colors and his landscapes. Starry Night is my favorite." I told her my favorite painting.
"Me too. And the Starry Night Over the Rhone." she told me her favorites.
I nodded on her choices and I looked around at her paintings. "How long have you been doing this?"
"I've been doing this since the Pandemic." she answered. "I never liked seeing myself being secluded for so long that I intend to find a new hobby."
"I see." I replied back. "Do you go anywhere around here?"
"Are you planning-"
Felt embarrassed, as she thought I was going to ask her out. "Oh goodness, I meant like what do you around here, after. It's because I've just been living here for short while of days now and... uh... I'm always curious of spots around. I've been at the park and where people caravan."
She was bit intrigued. "Oh, well... there's a mall downtown, you been out there yet?"
I shook my head. "I'm afraid not. Not yet anyway."
"Well, if you want, I can show you around." she offered. "It seems like you're not around here at all."
"Yes, please. I'll like that." I agreed. "Would tomorrow be alright?"
"Well... I actually have something coming up. How about Tuesday?"
"I'm actually will be gone for a few days. I have family matters..."
"Oh, I see... will how about this, I'll provide you my number and you gave me yours." she than suggested.
I looked back at her, as she gave me a warm smile of assurance. I agreed to provide her my number, as she provided me with hers. "I'm Andy."
"Claire. I'm Claire." we gave each other a greeting shake.
"It's nice to meet you Claire... and I do hope I could purchase that particular painting, if it's a available." I than went further to wanting to purchase one of her artwork. She than nodded and grabbed the painting that I was gazing at. I gave her enough dollar bucks to acquire the purchase. "Hoped to see you soon."
"Yes... we might. And thank you." she smiled back.