and he looked down. Away from her. “King, baby, listen to me…” She reached for his chin, her fingers sinking into the hair, and turned his face back to her. “I knew that you were hurting. Everyone hurts. You weren’t so much upset that your mother had contemplated ending her pregnancy with you. You were upset that you never felt truly wanted! It’s clear, can’t you see?
“Here you were, a little boy, practically fresh out of diapers, and your parents split. You were too young to understand it, but what you did know was that your father was gone! Then, a couple years went past and boom. Mom got married to another guy – a nice guy, but he ain’t your daddy! You feel like a third wheel. Then, before you could even come up for air, boom! A little brother, then another, back to back. Everyone was focusing on them. Mom had a new man and two new kids; she wasn’t giving you the same amount of attention as before, your father was in and out of your life due to him tryna get himself together, fighting his own demons, and you were living in a neighborhood that is rich with culture and beauty – yet not reflective very much of your culture.
“You were trying to find your identity, but thankfully, you met some great friends who thought you were dope. Still, that didn’t make you feel complete. We’re all just semi-circles, tryna be spheres. We want to be whole. Here you are, this kid with this amazing, out of this world talent. Too much for one person, it’s downright scary, and you’re getting recognition from all over the country. Things are looking up, but you’re still feeling like the odd man out. You are still trying to escape your feelings, deny them, shoo them away. But you can’t, baby! You can’t draw ’em away, paint ’em away, fuck ’em away! I know all too well. They ain’t going nowhere! You gotta work through that shit and own it, tear out its heart and say: you happened, but I’ve conquered you. Let that pain be felt, King! Kings cry, too!”
They grabbed one another and held each other tight, both wracked with emotion. He was in love with his new best friend. He’d found his other half. In this crazy, fucked up world, come to find out, Suri was right.
Shit wasn’t so bad all the time, after all.
“You are proof that the world isn’t terrible all the time. You proved me wrong. You can see things I can’t, Suri. You are the eyes of a blind artist. Me. All this time, I thought I was creating art. I hadn’t created shit until I found you…”
CHAPTER TWENTY
The Naked Truth
It had been a few years since he’d last shown his ass. Well, in this capacity.
King entered the room smelling of fresh paint, eraser remnants, ointments and finishing sprays. He stepped into the bright space full of color and smiles where soft instrumental music played and college freshmen students huddled around a long wooden table with easels before them, sitting upright in chairs, talking amongst themselves. This was a detour from King’s regularly scheduled programming, but one worth the disruption all the same.
He’d been leaving work one day, on his way out the door when he’d received a call from an art friend of his who was pals with an art professor in desperate need of a favor at the eleventh hour that Friday. They needed an experienced art model to fill in for their human form class. The other guy had something urgent come up last minute, and this drawing session counted as part of a test. So, King obliged. Besides, he’d been allowed to leave early since Ricky was there handling some other affairs. He’d planned to go home, rest, then go out to a bar with Shane and his brother Lucas, but that could wait until later in the day. I haven’t been to Pratt in a minute. I bet it’s changed a lot.
King had done art modeling many times in the past with no issue, and had attended his share of similar assignments during his classes as well. Besides, it was a quick hundred and fifty dollars, a little extra pocket change. He figured he could use all the income he could muster, though his finances were far more stable as of late. He wanted to build his savings back up, and every little bit counted. Additionally, things would