Something about is so much more intimate than the photographs I take.
I think it’s the fact it’s taken me so long to create it. It didn’t appear in the blink of an eye.
My paintbrush strokes across the canvas, breathing life into it.
It’s cathartic and helped me a lot in the last six weeks since being home.
I’ve been working some with Joel too, and our clientele is building. Being in the city helps. There are more people who think outside the box like us.
I hear the key being put into the door so I set down my brush and scurry over to the couch, plopping onto it a second before the door opens.
“I got a few, so you could take more than one.”
He holds up the plastic bag and shakes it, closing the door behind him.
“I can’t believe you actually listened to me,” he says, nodding to me on the couch.
“I know, shocker, right?”
“Now go pee.” He hands me the bag.
“I don’t have to pee yet,” I joke.
He glares. “Then down a liter of soda and go.”
I shake my head, stifling a laugh, and take the bag from him. “On second thought, I think I do need to pee.”
“Mhmm.” He crosses his arms over his chest and follows me to the bathroom.
“Go.” I motion him away.
“Nuh-uh.” He forces his way inside. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I sigh. I know from his tone of voice he’s serious.
I set the bag on the counter and grab one of the boxes. I open it and read the directions before sitting down to pee.
I finish and set the test on top of the box. I wash my hands as Jace tries to peer around me.
“What’s it say?”
I push him away. “It takes a few minutes. Chill out.”
“Can you take another now?”
I glare at him. “I’m sorry but I don’t possess that much urine in my body. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Hey, there’s still my soda idea,” he suggests.
“Which is an awful idea,” I add.
“I’m nervous,” he admits, grabbing my hips and tugging me to him so our bodies are flush.
“Me too. It’s so soon.”
“It’ll be okay.”
“You can’t know that,” I remind him. “Besides, it might not even be positive,” I remind him, though in my gut I know it is. “It should be ready now,” I mumble. Looking up at him I add, “Can you look first?”