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SAY SOMETHING

Chapter 2

I was finally living my dream. I could paint 24/7 and not have a care in the world. And what made it even better is that I could share my work with people and maybe add something happy to their mornings. It's difficult to let go of some of my paintings as some of them hold a lot of personal meaning to me. The painting of a single rose the salt and pepper mustache man bought for example holds large meaning to me and it was surreal to see it leave the shop earlier that day.

I walked into the grocery store as a bell rung above my head to let the store clerks know someone had just arrived.

"Ms. Richards! It's always a pleasure to see your shining face here. If you need any help just let me know!" Mr. Tom Vandercamp said enthusiastically.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Call me Annie." I laughed as I walked over to the cooler filled with an assortment of milks.

"Once more my dear. How's the gallery? I've been meaning to pop by there and buy another painting."

"You're too kind Tom," I chuckled as I grabbed a loaf of bread, "and business is as fine as it's going to get I suppose. I'm selling them and I guess that's all that matters."

"You're so dedicated Annie and that's what I love about you." He pointed his index finger at me as the wrinkles on his forehead became even more pronounced as he raised his eyebrows. "What do you do besides paint?" He chuckled.

I squeezed an avocado in my hand and put it back because it was too hard. I picked up another one and put it in a plastic bag satisfied. I looked up at him with an eyebrow raised. "I have a very exciting life Tom." I laughed.

"Oh?" He smiled as I walked up to the counter and spilled my food onto the counter so he could ring them up for me.

"I'll make this easy. If I'm not painting, I’m eating, watching TV, or talking on the phone with my boyfriend, but even that doesn't happen very often. Like tonight, I'm gonna go home and paint then watch the next episode of The Bachelor. My hopeless romantic side is calling" I winked as he handed me a plastic bag with all of my items in it.

"Well you enjoy yourself Ms. Richards! I'll try to stop by sometime next week!" He called and I waved my reply as I stepped out of the small store.

I always left that little shop with a smile. Tom has always been such a sweet man. I glanced at the small street tables selling magazines and knockoff merchandise from Prada and Coach. My smile was immediately wiped off of my face as I looked at one particular cover of US magazine. There he was... Staring back at me with a mocking dimpled grin. I frowned at the ground as I past it like he was actually standing there. I fished my phone out of my pocket as it started to ring. I clumsily handled unlocking the gallery door, holding onto my groceries and answering the phone.

"Hello?" I managed.

"There she is! How are you babe? I haven't spoken to you all day and I really miss you. Can I come over? Or maybe do you want to come over to my place?" My boyfriend said flirtatiously.

"Hello Peter," I chuckled, "Which question do you want me to answer first?"

"Mmm the--"

"Peter, that was a rhetorical question." I huffed as I lugged all of my things up the stairs.

"What in the world are you doing Annie?" I heard his angelic laughter through the phone.

"I'm walking through my studio right now. Hey, I'll call you later Peter. I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Sure thing babe. I love you." He pressed for the hundredth time to get me to say it.

"Goodbye Peter." I said a little annoyed. I ended the call and shoved my phone back into my pocket and continued to climb the stairs.

I threw my bag onto the counter when I walked into my apartment and quickly put my groceries away. I shut the refrigerator door and then I just stopped and stood there with my hand fisted on the counter next to the fridge. I squinted my eyes shut in an attempt to get his picture out of my mind.

"Ugh." I grumbled and ran my fingers through my hair to get my curls out of my face. "Why?" I breathed as I walked over to the living room. I plopped on my couch and leaned forward so I could put my face in my hands. I felt my eyes rim with tears as I tried desperately to hold them back. "Don't cry. Don't cry. He's not worth it." I mumbled into my hands.

Why? Why did everything have to change when everything was so perfect? I just wanted what was best for him. I just wanted him to live the life he had always dreamed about. I loved him..... Love him..... But how could he be so blunt and cruel to me? How could he say those things after everything we had been through? I still remember the day he told me when his life would change and nothing would be the same again...