Terry and Gene 12

Gene was standing next to her bed, looking at a painting on the wall. It was a nude. Or, a partial one since there was a sheet covering most of the torso.

"That's you," Gene said flatly.

"Yes."

"And Jason painted it."

"Yes."

"No wonder you're his favorite customer," Gene said, crossing his arms and turning an icy stare on her.

Terry pressed her lips together. "I was his favorite customer. That was over a year ago." She saw him relax a little. "I met Jason at the hospital while he was drying out. I was picking up art for the gallery and saw his work. So, I went to meet him and things went forward from there. We were only together for nine months but he was sober the entire time. Everyone thought he had finally gotten control over it." Gene looked down at her. He must have seen the hurt in her eyes because his melted. "Then one day he finally told me that he loved me," she laughed. "I thought he was going to ask me to marry him. Instead he told me that he loved alcohol more and that he felt empty without it. I told him that I couldn't play second fiddle to his addiction. So... that was that."

"Do you still see him?"

Terry gave him a wry half smile. "You mean, am I still sleeping with him."

Gene looked at her in silence.

"I'm not. In fact, he hasn't even been at the hospital in the last four or five months."

"You can tell he loved you by the way he painted you."

Terry felt tears sting her eyes. She blinked them quickly away.

"Come on, let me show you my garden," she said and took his hand. She pulled him into the hallway and reached up to open the hideaway stairs. She led him up to the roof.

The sun was just setting, so there was still plenty of light. She had a cactus garden and a little herb garden and she showed him her plants. She also had a two seated glider and this is where they ended up sitting, holding hands.

"I'm sorry for getting angry," Gene said.

"Understandable. That picture is a little shocking. Though I'm not exactly sure how you ended up in my bedroom," she teased and saw him turn his face away.

"Would you get rid of that picture if I asked you to?" Gene asked.

"If our relationship warranted it, yes, I would. If you're asking me to get rid of it today, the answer is no."

Gene nodded, seeming to accept that answer.

"It's awesome up here."

"Yeah. You can see the whole town and the City is off in the distance behind us. Once it gets dark, you can see the lights.

Gene stared ahead. Terry turned and looked out at the horizon with him.

"I've been dry for a year and a half so far this time," Gene said quietly.

"One day at a time, right?" Terry said.

"Right." Gene sighed. He released her hand and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him and rested her head on his chest. Now it was her turn to sigh. They stayed there until well after dark.

"I'd better get going," Gene said finally.

"OK," Terry sighed and slowly got out of the glider with Gene following her just as hesitantly.
She held the screen door open for him and watched him climb down the stairs. She followed, making sure everything was securely closed. They walked to the front door, holding hands. She opened it for him and he stepped down onto the stairs. She stood in the doorway. He turned to her. "Thank you," he said, quietly.

"Thank you for coming," she said, her heart pounding wildly.

Gene took her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the mouth. Terry had never felt so cherished in her entire life. She shivered when he released her.

"Good night," he said and walked down the stairs.