The Painting

It was time. Time to move past the bitterness, anger and feeling like a failure. A year was long enough to get over her divorce from a habitual cheating husband. Rebecca picked up the community college flyer and thumb through looking for something to take her mind off and get her out of the house at least a couple nights a week, work was no longer enough of a distraction. “Aha” she exclaimed “this is perfect.” She went online and submitted the form with payment for the oil painting class 2 nights a week.

Two years later Rebecca was still finding joy in painting, so much so that she was becoming a prolific and successful painter. She even won a few awards at local contests, the county fair, etc., and sold a few enough to give her confidence to let her friend, Alice, talk her into going out with some of her friends to a new supper club.

The night of the supper club, Rebecca showered, fixed her hair and makeup then stared at the clothes hanging in her closet. She realized she hadn’t bought anything dressy in years and started to feel insecure, depressed and thought about cancelling. She flopped backward on the bed trying to think of a good excuse to cancel. Then she saw the first-place ribbon hanging on the wall and told herself “I can do this! It’s just a party.” She searched her wardrobe and found a little black dress she had forgotten. It fit perfectly, showing off her still trim figure. She hadn’t realized it, but she had lost some weight and looked great. “This will do nicely.”

Walking into the restaurant she spotted Alice right away, who waved to Rebecca to come over. “I want you to meet some people”. Alice said. She introduced her to several couples and made small talk for a while then they went to the bar for a drink. Rebecca spotted a handsome man across the room and nudged Alice. “Who is that guy?” Alice turned to see who Rebecca was looking at. “Oh, that’s Roy. He’s nice enough, but not the type to settle down. He has a new girl every month or so. They say he has so many girls he keeps their info in a little black book, maybe more than one.” Alice giggled and took a sip of her drink.

A couple days later, Alice call Rebecca “you’ll never guess?”

“What?” Rebecca asked.

“Roy was asking about you. After you left, he came over and asked your name and if you were available”.

“Wow, and no thanks. I was married to a “player” and am definitely not interested in doing that again. I’d rather be single the rest of my life surrounded by my paintings and a dozen cats then go through that again.”

“Ok, I totally understand. Good to know you have standards” Alice said.

Rebecca couldn’t help but run into Roy at different events because they now had the same friends. She was polite, but always said no thanks whenever he’d ask her out on a date. She even saw him at an art supply when she needed new sketch books and paint. He didn’t see her, so she watched him from behind some shelves. When the cashier told a little girl she didn’t have enough money to pay for her items Roy said he’d cover them. Rebecca was impressed by his kindness.

At Thanksgiving Alice had dinner for a group of friends and Roy was there. He moved a place setting card so he could sit next to Rebecca. Even though she saw the switch she decided not to say anything. Surprisingly she found they had a lot in common, and didn’t have a big ego most good-looking guys have. He was not at all what she had come to expect from all the gossip.

“No girlfriend tonight?” Rebecca asked between bites.

“No, not for some time now. I met some one I think could be the one, but she says she’s not interested, and I’m not interested in anyone else.” Roy said smiling at her.

Later, as people mingled with drinks, she overheard a conversation, they were talking about Roy not having any interest in women. “Nonsense, that can’t be Roy you’re talking about?” one said. “Absolutely. I’m Roy’s best friend and every time I try to set him up he declines. I think the poor boy is in love with someone. Maybe she’s married, but he won’t say who.” Another replied.

“Just face it, the guy likes to use women. Someone said.

Rebecca didn't want to hear anymore and move to where Alice was cleaning up. "Can I help?" Rebecca asked.

"Of course, if you can wash some glasses, we're running out. By the way how is your Mom doing?" Alice asked

"Oh, I forgot to tell you! Remember I told you about an experimental treatment that cost $20,000 and how I was trying to raise the money...well, somebody bought five of my paintings hanging in the Gallery downtown for $20,000! Way over the asking price, but apparently some rich guy insisted he wouldn't pay a penny less." Rebecca said.

When it was time to say good night and people were putting their coats on, Roy came up behind Rebecca with her coat and whispered in her ear “please meet me for lunch on Saturday”.

She turned around and looked into his eyes and saw he was sincere, and something soften in her resolve, so she agreed. Afterall, it’s just lunch.

Lunch on Saturday was very pleasant, Rebecca found Roy easy to talk to and before they knew it lunch turned into dinner and a late-night stroll around town to see the Christmas lights. It was about midnight when they got back to their cars and shared a kiss.

“There’s something I need to tell you before you leave.” Roy said.

Bracing herself for the worst “What?” she asked searching his face for a clue.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors and gossip about my love life and the many women in my life, and probably most of what they say is true. I have dated a lot of women, but that’s because I was searching for the right woman. Someone I can spend the rest of my life with, grow old together. Someone I can sit on the front porch with and watch the sunset in our golden years. I think that woman is you.” Roy said.

Rebecca thought about what Roy had said to her and it sounded so romantic, but after being married to a chronic cheater for 10 years, she had heard too many empty promises and was reluctant to let her guard down completely. Afterall, She had witnessed firsthand all the women he dated.

“Soooo, what are you going to do about Roy?” Alice asked over lunch.

“I’ve decided to take it one day at a time and see where it goes. We have plans for Valentine’s day, which will be nice for the first time in over a dozen years. Wish me luck.” Rebecca said.

Roy arrived on time 7 PM Valentine’s Day. Rebecca opened the door and almost swoon to see Roy in a tux, so handsome and behind him at the curb was a limo.

“Wow, a limo. I’m impressed, I feel so special. We have time for drink before we go, want to come in?” She found she couldn’t stop smiling at him.

Roy stepped in and presented a dozen roses from behind his back. “They’re beautiful.” Rebecca said take a deep whiff of fragrance and then put them in water. After a quick glass of wine, they went to dinner, food was good, candlelight, music and even a couple slow dances and back to Rebecca’s house for a nightcap.

Roy poured them each a glass of Champagne. They sat in front of the fire and clinked glasses.

“I have something for you.” Roy said reaching in his coat pocket and pulling out a small package.

“Well, it’s too big for a ring.” She winked and unwrapping found a little black book. “What’s this?” she asked opening it and she suddenly realized it was his little black book of names of woman.

“I want to prove to you that I’m not interested in any other woman, but you.” Roy said. “Through it in the fire, burn it.” Rebecca did as he suggested and for a few seconds they watched the book burn. Then Rebecca got up and walked into another room. Roy’s face fell and he slumped back crestfallen, wondering if he’d lost her.

Rebecca came back carry a large package. “And this is for you. Happy Valentine’s Day.” She said handing him the package. He quickly unwrapped it and she saw a tear when he looked at it and then at her.

“When? When do you want to get married?” Roy asked, gently set the painting down of an old man and woman sitting on a porch watching the sunset across a lake.

End