The Painter

This Week’s Theme: Have a character explain an odd hobby they practice

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He climbs up the hill with his materials clanging inside the bag on his back. A small canvass on his right hand and his changing clothes on his left. He is in a rush today as he has an appointment at half past six. He only has a few hours to finish his session today.

The house looms in the horizon as he reached the peak of the hill. Anticipation bringing a spring on his steps. Before he turned the doorknob, he took in a deep breath, as if preparing himself from any surprise within.

And there she is sitting beside the window and enjoying the view of the valley below. Her face has such a content look on it that he wanted there and then to paint that image. But that is not why he came in here today.

He settled himself on the other side of the room and waited for her to pose. She stood up and slowly took off her clothes and sat down in her naked glory.

His hands started to move and brought life to the empty canvas. And after a few hours his busy hands have captured her exact replica. He puts on his finishing touches and signed the canvas.

Fr Angelo Seeing his name on the canvas made him feel proud. And even as the feeling started to fill him, a feeling of guilt made him twitch on his seat. He cleaned up his materials and bundled them all into his bag. He then reached out to the girl and gave her the canvas.

“Thank you. This is a really good painting. Too bad you cannot own it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I hope you enjoy and treasure it.”

“I will. Don’t worry. I will. I don’t understand why you do this.”

“Do what?”

“Paint and then give it away.”

“I need to express myself but I cannot betray who I am. So I come here to paint and give it away every time.”

She nods as if she understood exactly how he feels. “Goodbye and thank you for the gift.”

The bells of the church started to toll, signifying the end of the day. He knew it is time for him to go back down to the valley.

Inside the church the choirboys are practicing, their angelic voices can be heard in every corner of the place.

There are a lot of people tonight, both familiar and new. And as he stand in front of them, he remembers again the vows he made in his youth. He vowed to make a difference and he wish to God he is doing that.

“In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. We are gathered here today….”