The same dark carpet.
I stopped in the doorway.
Memories rushed back.
Brandon’s footsteps.
My trembling hands.
The desperate feeling of having nowhere to go.
Damien noticed immediately.
“We can meet somewhere else.”
I looked at him.
He didn’t move closer.
Didn’t touch me.
Simply waited.
I took a slow breath.
“No.”
Then I stepped inside.
“I want to do this.”
He nodded.
I placed the painting on a nearby table.
He studied it for several seconds.
Then he smiled.
“It’s beautiful.”
I felt my cheeks warm.
“Thank you.”
He looked at the narrow path I’d painted beside the lake.
“Why the path?”
I thought about my answer.
“Because I wanted somewhere for the person looking at the painting to go.”
Damien glanced at me.
“And where does it lead?”
I looked at the sunrise.
“Somewhere better.”
He smiled softly.
“Then I’ll keep it where I can see it.”
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
