AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Dave strode through the door and stopped to stare. “Wow. This is a dramatic change, but I really like it. Luke told me he had to leave. Do you mind if I give you a hand?”
He was dressed in khaki shorts and a gray Bob’s Dog Otis T-shirt imprinted with their intriguing spiral logo. Perhaps it was merely the name of the rock group, but Dave reminded her of a big, eager puppy, and anything less than a warm welcome struck her as cruel.
“Would you please?” she responded. “I’d love to have it finished today.”
“No problem, consider it done.” Dave picked up the roller and continued where Luke had left off. “You can tell me it’s none of my business, but do you and Luke have something going? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’d think it was great if you do. I’m just curious.”
Catherine fought to keep regret from coloring her reply. “Quite frankly, the thought of starting all over again and dating simply terrifies me. I’ve no idea what Luke’s feelings are on the subject.”
“Well, I sure wouldn’t invite a beautiful woman to spend a sunny Saturday morning painting my office,” Dave muttered under his breath.
He was teasing her too, but she caught herself before leaping to Luke’s defense
and promptly changed the subject. “Driving here, I pass several buildings that might be good candidates for murals, but if gangs are responsible for the graffiti, would they hassle the kids who paint it over?”
“Good question.” He paused to run his roller through the paint tray; then he tackled the wall with brisk strokes. “We’d have to pick a subject they’d respect.”
“Hold a contest maybe?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Luke’s a man who likes to have all his ducks in a row, so he’ll insist upon getting an owner’s permission before we get the kids all excited about an art contest.”
“That’s undoubtedly wise, but wouldn’t an owner be more likely to agree if he or she had an idea what the artwork would be?”
“Makes sense to me, but I’m going to suggest angels, and not only to honor Lost Angel itself, but as a strong antiviolence message. No one opposes brotherhood, at least not openly.”
“Yes, that’s a beautiful thought.”
“Thank you. I used to be paid quite handsomely for my thoughts. It’s nice to know I haven’t lost the knack.”
Catherine added the last few strokes to the door and stood back to admire her handiwork. The expanse of white brought clouds to mind, and she began to imagine angels, some dipping toward the earth, while others gazed skyward. Their robes would be tinged with gold, and their smiles would offer a glimpse of paradise.
“I do love your angel theme. Do you suppose a space could be left open in the mural’s design, not for graffiti, but for people to add names of those they’d lost?” she mused aloud. “That way, it wouldn’t only be an inspiring mural, but a memorial wall, as well.”
“That’s a great idea. That way, the mural would belong to everyone who added a name. That’s exactly how it ought to be. Luke will be blown away by your idea.”
She doubted it. “He might see it as merely morbid.”
Dave gestured with the roller. “No, it’s positively transcendent.”
“You’re the one who suggested angels in the first place,” she reminded him. “You deserve the credit.” She wiped her brush on the edge of the paint can. “There, that’s it for me. Looks like you’ll be finished soon too.”
“I’ll let it dry and check for holidays, or missed spots, before I clean up. Why don’t you go on home and enjoy what’s left of the day.”
“I hate to leave you with this mess.”
“It’s my job to keep the place neat. Besides, I like being busy.”
“Yes, so do I.” Catherine put the lid on the enamel, then entered the outer office restroom to clean her brush and rinse out the sink. She pulled off her gloves, washed a spot of paint from her cheek and removed her apron. Ready to go, she was still reluctant to leave and looked forward to a mural project which could well provide a need for a great many volunteer hours.
She couldn’t fault Luke for attempting to do whatever he could for Rafael, but damn it all, she wished the day could have ended differently. She retrieved her purse and, carrying her apron and paint smeared gloves, reentered Luke’s office to place the brush atop the can of white paint.
“Thank you again, Dave. Good-bye.”
“Bye. See you again soon, I hope.”
Dave was always so hugely complimentary that it was difficult not to feel encouraged, and she stopped off on the way home to rent a couple of DVDs. She asked the clerk to recommend something hilarious so that night she and Smoky could munch popcorn and have a rollicking good time.
Luke had lost count of how many trips he’d made to the LA County Jail, but this was certainly the most ill-timed. Of course, until recently he hadn’t cared where he was or with whom. That day, however, he was deeply frustrated to have to leave Catherine, but at least Rafael had saved them from having to face an awkward good-bye later.
