Terry and Gene 2

Terry gasped at the tone in his voice. "I'm sorry. It's a miserable, lonely picture. No one should have to feel that way." She stopped short of saying she felt sorry for him She wanted to lower her eyes, but she was caught up in his angry glare. She didn't breathe again until he turned away from her.

He pointed at the price tag. "How much of this do you get?" Still anger in his voice.

Here also, was a question that was always asked. "Twenty percent goes to me, twenty percent to the artist and sixty percent to the hospital."

Gene nodded, losing himself in the dark landscape once again.

"I'll take it." he said quietly.

Terry nodded. "Would you like to take it with you now or can I deliver it to you?"

Gene turned and looked at her. "You make the deliveries?"

Terry nodded. "If it's local. Otherwise, I'll have it shipped to wherever you like, but you pay the shipping costs."

"What's local?"

"No more than a two hour drive."

"OK. Deliver it then."

Terry turned and walked toward the front of the store. "OK. I make my deliveries on Tuesdays. Will there be someone there to accept it?"

"Yeah."

Terry took down the address, accepted the money, and thanked Gene for his donation. She filled out a receipt and gave it to him. She smiled up at him and got lost in his gaze again. Her heart beat so hard against her breast she was sure he would see it shaking.

The sound of another customer arriving interrupted their communion. Terry reached up and touched her cheek, flustered.

Gene looked down at her nametag. "Thanks, Terry." And he left.