The Moment of Letting Go - J. A. Redmerski Page 0,49
to mention the particulars of his two part-time jobs, and we’d already know where he lives and what brand of toilet paper he uses in his bathroom.
The community center is very spacious, with white-painted brick-like walls and a ceiling of average height, made up of popcorn tiles and long fluorescent lights—it reminds me of the library back at my high school, minus the books.
There are few people here and there, setting up paintings and sketch art and even beautiful photography on prints as tall as me. Dozens of tall display easels—most of them empty—are set amid giant portable partitions that separate one artist’s section from another.
Several black-and-white photographs of an old woman’s weathered hands catch my eye instantly, and I want nothing more than to get closer and check out the sharp detail and the gray and black tones that make up the shadows. But the next thing I know, Luke is leading me away from the display floor and in the opposite direction.
“You’ll like Melinda,” he says, pulling me along gently beside him with his fingers collapsed around my hand. I feel like I have feathers in my stomach and a tiny fire burning behind my pelvic bone.
We approach a set of wide steps that lead not onto a second floor, but a platform floor of sorts that overlooks the art display area. As we make our way up the carpeted steps, a woman with curly black and gray hair, and wearing a pair of black slacks and a pretty white blouse, sees Luke and her eyes light up.
She makes her way over without hesitation.
“I’m so glad you came,” she says sweetly, taking him into a hug with her thin, frail arms. She pulls away and smiles over at me and instantly I like her; there’s warmth and honesty in her that reminds me of my mother.
Luke introduces us and she shakes my hand.
“Looks like things are coming along,” Melinda says, glancing out at the display room. “I didn’t expect the artists to start bringing in their pieces this soon, but if you need space to set up, you can have it all moved into the room down the hall.”
“Yeah,” Luke says. “I told a few they could go ahead and start bringing it in if they needed a place to store it—especially the larger pieces.”
Melinda nods and looks between us both, beaming; her hands are clasped together down in front of her like a little basket.
A few more people ascend the stairs, and Melinda makes note of them right away, as if preparing to have to mingle with them next.
“Are you going to hang around for a while today?” she asks Luke.
“Not for too long,” Luke says, and I feel his eyes on me briefly. “I’ve got a day planned with Sienna. She’s only here for two weeks and there’s a lot to show her.”
“Oh, well, that’s wonderful,” Melinda says sweetly. “Where are you vacationing from?”
“San Diego,” I answer.
“I’ve been there,” she says. “Nice place.”
“Nothing like Hawaii,” I say.
She purses her lips and nods. “Yes, I guess I have to agree with you on that one.” She smiles softly.
“Too bad you can’t be here for the event,” she says, looking between me and Luke.
“Yeah, I go back home on the twenty-first,” I say, beaming at them both, “but I’d love to stick around and help set up.”
Luke squeezes my hand. “Hey now, remember what I said—”
“Yeah, I know,” I interrupt, squeezing his hand back.
Melinda’s face brightens.
“Perfect,” she says. “I think it’s really going to be our biggest event yet—I do it every year, but this year I decided to hand over the reins to my two favorite people.” She looks at Luke, indicating he’s one of them. “Luke is a special young man,” she says, and instantly I notice his face flush under his tanned skin.
“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” Luke cuts in respectfully, a blushing smile covering his whole face. He looks at me with a grin and says, “Melinda is just biased because she’s practically adopted me.”
“Hey, if I could really adopt you, I certainly would,” Melinda says.
“Well, maybe you and my mom can work something out,” Luke jests.
I find their kind banter adorable, especially the way Luke is with her.
Melinda smiles.
The people who had just come up the stairs approach us, and Melinda’s attention begins to split between us and them. Luke decides it’s our cue and then he says, “I’m going to show Sienna around for a few before we head out.”