The Earth Painter

by Melissa Turner Lee

  Theo shook his head. “I’m not sure. He hasn’t summoned me yet.” He reached out and started stroking my cheek. “I saw Fritz today at school. He was whispering to Shelby.”

  Theo stopped and looked at me. I couldn’t read his expression. “I had no idea this is what he was planning with her.”

  I sat up, feeling a bit of hope spring up. “So it wasn’t her fault. She was being whispered to by Fritz.”

  Theo shook his head. “It’s still her fault, no matter what Fritz whispered to her. Whispers only work if the person is listening and open to the idea. Shelby seems to think violence is normal. Why else would she make excuses for a boy who beats her? She was open to violence, and she ran with a violent suggestion given to her.”

  I looked at him. How was it that he could look at me like that—like he could see me through and through and say he had no capacity to love? He had just risked himself by going against the Sculptor’s orders. Honestly, he seemed better at it than my very human mother. I reached up and took his hand from my face and held it.

  “Thank you for getting help. I know you risked a lot doing that.”

  Theo didn’t answer at first, but when he did, I wasn’t expecting what he had to say. “I don’t want you to speak to the school board. Fritz is fighting to win. It’s become too dangerous for you.”

  I sat up, uncomfortable or not. I felt my forehead wrinkle as I processed what he was saying. “But what about the blessing? I thought you wanted to help people find their purpose.”

  Theo moved away and paced by the bed. “The blessing is not the only way people can find their purpose in life. People around the world figure it out all the time.”

  I sat there and thought about it. “Then why have you cared so much if it doesn’t really matter?”

  Theo acted like he might punch the wall before he turned back to look at me. “I know what it’s like to know your exact purpose—to know what you were made for. It’s incredible. Glorious, even!” His face beamed as he spoke. “You get the biggest high when you are doing the thing you were put on this planet to do. When you are busy with work you’re just made for and excel at—there’s no feeling like it.”

  Theo looked away for a second, and his countenance changed. “I also know what it feels like to drift along trying to entertain yourself, because you don’t know why you’re still here or what you’re supposed to be doing. You can only hang out with friends and play cards for so long. Eventually, you don’t even care about that really. That’s been my existence since the sciences took over. It’s hell. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. At least old people can look forward to death. Until then, their minds wander back in time until it’s over.”

  He looked at me and came closer. “Look at you. You’ve had the water. When you got to Chesnee, you wanted nothing to do with drama or speaking in front of people. All that talent would’ve been hidden away and wasted. Maybe you would have stumbled onto it in college. Or maybe you would have majored in the wrong thing, taken the wrong job and been miserable for years without knowing why.”

  “Daily, I see a world that’s not exactly what I had in mind. Life is eat or be eaten—the strong lords it over the weak. I’ve been sitting in that high school all these years, because there I could see life a little closer to how it should be. Doesn’t life seem hard enough? Why not make this one area a little easier? The way it was supposed to be before Fritz hid the Mia-Dae. That’s why I asked you to help me.”

  I looked at him. Life wasn’t all perfect in Chesnee, even with the enhanced water. “Look at Shelby and her mom. The water hasn’t made life all sweet and easy. They drank the water. My mom did, too.”

  Theo shook his head. “It’s still not perfect, even when people drink the water. I know that. Girls get pregnant and never get to go after their dreams. Guys go off to war instead, or maybe their parents don’t support them with their dream. Kids don’t have the money for college. But, at least if a person knows where they belong, they can try to do something about it. And when they see that talent in others, they can nourish it in a way that didn’t happen for them.”

  “That doesn’t sound like a reason to give up.”

  Theo sat in front of me on Mom’s stool. “I don’t want you to get hurt. Fritz hates me, but he can’t hurt me. He hates humans even more. And I think he hates you most of all because you notice me. Why give him more reason to come after you?”

  I looked at Theo. Years of being beaten down had made me come out swinging. I don’t know if it was the water or just the need to have a say, “Because I don’t want him to win. Especially after tonight.”

  Chapter 20

  I felt sorry for Mom’s old friend Maggie. Shelby was gone. The police were looking for her—calling her a person of interest. Everyone thought she’d skipped town with Brad. And if that wasn’t enough, it was all over the news that some train cars carrying highly explosive chemicals were taken from a train yard in Spartanburg, just a town away.

  At least Mom was back to speaking to me and Dad. We sat at the breakfast table, me in my pajamas instead of school clothes. The doctor wanted me to take it easy and stay home.

  “Mom, you should call Maggie and check on her. She’s going through so much. I bet it would mean the world to her right now.”

  Mom dropped her fork in her plate with a loud clank. “Are you serious? After what her daughter did? Shelby could have killed you.”

  “It wasn’t Maggie’s fault.”

  Mom got up and started cleaning the kitchen. “Children are a reflection on their parents.” Mom waved the yellow rubber glove in my direction before she put it on to wash dishes. “If Shelby is like that, it’s due to something Maggie failed at.”

  “Children are separate people from their parents, Mom.”

  Mom let it go and got busy working to make the house perfect. Better it, than me.

  ***

  I was at my computer catching up on homework that afternoon when I heard the doorbell ring. Soon, my mom was knocking on my door. Wayne, Anthony, and his mom were with her. Wayne was holding flowers.

  “Sweetie, you’ve got visitors.”

  “Hey, you guys.” I turned around in my swivel chair. Then I looked at Anthony’s mom. “Nice to see you again Mrs. Strickland.”

  “And it’s very, very nice to see you again, dear.” Mrs. Strickland looked at my mom, and then me. And I didn’t realize until I got here that Heather and Randall were your parents. I was a freshman the year they were seniors, but I still remember them.”

  Mom looked at Anthony’s mom and smiled the way she did when someone knew her, but she didn’t have a clue who they were. “Well aren’t you sweet. Holly, why don’t you move to sit on your bed and let Mrs. Strickland have your chair. I’ll bring refreshments.”

  Anthony’s mom stepped toward me with a folder. “No, please don’t move. We’re not staying that long. The guys and I just wanted to check on you, and I wanted to let you know Holly, that I am so impressed with your research for the board meeting. You have an excellent mind for research and speech writing. Your words were truly compelling. I’m glad you emailed me a copy.

  I sat up and smiled. “Thanks. I enjoyed it. I learned a lot about water treatment and health. I was pretty nervous, at first, but now I’m actually excited about it.”

  It was true. I actually wanted to have my say at the meeting – finally, to do something for Theo.

  Mrs. Strickland let out a loud sigh. “That’s also why I’m here. You can still deliver your speech if you wish, but unfortunately, there’s no need for it now.”

  I stood up, Khai-Ree, who was leaning against the wall, placed there by Theo’s orders, sat up to listen.

  “But, why not? What’s happened to change things?”

  “Mr. Ezell has secured a grant to build a new high school. It will be clean of asbestos, energy efficient and too far from the well to make keeping it feasible. I have to vote yes for it. It’s the best thing for the students. They’re starting construction on
the empty lot beside the current school building in about a month. It’s going to have a state-of-the-art auditorium. Plus solar lighting to cut the energy use.”

  I plopped back in my chair, looking at the floor. I could feel my cheeks flush. I’d lost. The one thing I could do for Theo was gone. Mrs. Strickland must have noticed my disappointment because she quickly added some happy news.

  “But I am so impressed with your research skills, I’ve come to offer you a job working as a runner and general assistant at my tiny law office I run from my home.”

  My mom who was still standing in the doorway lit up. “Oh, sweetie, what a fantastic opportunity for you. And so much nicer than flipping burgers at the Bantam Chef.”

  Mrs. Strickland turned to leave, “She’s a smart girl. I know you must be proud.”

  Mom smiled as she walked her out. “Of course. What mother wouldn’t be proud?”

  Anthony and Wayne stayed behind for a few minutes. Anthony walked along my walls touching the mural. “Your room is awesome. Did you do this? I remember your backdrop was fantastic.”

  I smiled thinking about painting both with Theo. “No, not really. A friend helped me.”

  Anthony looked out the door to our moms in the kitchen. “Your mom’s getting out cookies.” Then he walked on out to join them. But Wayne stood staring at me like usual before a cloudburst of words came pouring out of his mouth.

  “These are for you.” He handed me the flowers.

  “Thanks. They’re lovely.”

  He sat and looked at me. His eyes were so wide I was sure he was about to tell me some new thing he’d learned about the universe. “I was thinking that I could come and rehearse for the play with you…after track practice. That way some of the more… intimate scenes can be perfected in private.”

  Oh my gosh, NO! I almost shouted. I’m glad I only thought it. Wayne was a sweet guy. There was nothing wrong with him, except he wasn’t the guy. As that thought came to me, I genuinely felt for him. We both had the same problem—the one each of us wanted didn’t return the feelings for us.

  “We’ll see. I don’t know how late I’ll be working for Mrs. Strickland. Besides, I’d hate to rehearse something one way only to find out it’s not the way Ms. Jones wants it. It’s probably best just to practice together at school.” With lots of people around, I wanted to add.

  His head hung just a little. Not in an overly dramatic way, but enough that my heart felt heavy when I saw his shoulders slump. But what could I do? I wasn’t looking forward to our kissing scenes the way he was.

  I turned around in my little desk chair, about to tell Khai-Ree there was no point in staying with me. I was no threat to Fritz’s plans. He had won. But Khai-Ree wasn’t there. I assumed he’d already left for the same reason.

  I stood and began pacing back and forth in my little room. My flip-flops smacked against the hardwood floor. All that work was for nothing. I sat back down, but the nervous energy had my legs bouncing so I got up and paced again. What a waste all that time had been. All that work. All the research. I got locked in a freezer and almost died over the stupid well, for crying out loud. All for nothing—for no purpose.

  I picked up the first thing I could get my hands on. Unfortunately, it was Wayne’s little bouquet. I grabbed the tissue wrapped stems and started beating my desk with the flowers. Bits of pink and purple petals flew everywhere.

  “All for nothing! NOTHING! I should have just kept my mouth shut at that stupid board meeting for all the good it’s done.”

  Finally, I slung the bare stems wrapped in shredded tissue across the room with a grunt.

  “Do you feel better?”

  I spun around to see Theo, standing in the corner watching me. I stood there panting, still too angry to calm down.

  “Is this what it’s like when the humans go and ruin all your hard work? Like it was all just wasting time? You paint a cute little furry thing only to have a science decide it’s food for a bigger thing.”

  Tears were in my eyes, but I wasn’t crying. They were angry tears. “You paint a forest, and humans go cut it down.” I turned from him and walked to the wall with the ocean painted on it. “Or you paint a girl’s bedroom only to have her mom paint over it.” I slammed my fist against the wall so hard, I immediately drew it back and shook it in pain.

  Theo came to me and looked at my hand. The skin on my knuckles was broken and bloody. I looked at him and pulled away. “I know that was stupid.” I stomped to my bed and sat down. “But I don’t care.”

  Theo watched me from where we had been together, his arms crossed in front of him. “I paint a furry creature who feeds another. That’s pretty important to the hungry animal. And the people who cut down a tree to build a home or to keep their children warm with a fire or cook a furry creature to eat, they appreciate that tree. It wasn’t a waste. It just wasn’t what I had planned.”

  Theo walked along my walls, tracing the paintings with his fingers. “And painting a beautiful girl’s room to make her feel better about living in a different house, in a town that doesn’t feel like home…” he came and sat down beside me. “That made the beautiful girl feel special—I hope and was not a waste of time.” Then he put his arms around me and held me.

  Beautiful girl. I leaned my head on his shoulder and let the words echo in my mind.

  Theo smiled at me. It had been a while since I had seen the dimples.

  “I’ve had an idea, and I want to try it.”

  “OK. What?”

  Theo walked over to me, bent down, grabbed me by the legs and tossed me over his shoulder.

  “What are you doing?” I gasped, and he lifted me.

  Within half a second, we weren’t in my room but in a bamboo jungle. Theo put me down, and I stood looking around. “What is this?” I looked at Theo, realizing what had happened. “How? I thought I couldn’t enter the door?”

  Theo grinned back. “You couldn’t, but I could and it occurred to me that if I could carry my paints and things with me that I might be able to carry you through it.” Theo shrugged, “Too bad I didn’t think of it when you were locked in the freezer. I could have gotten you out sooner and with less hoopla.”

  I looked around at the tall bamboo. “Where are we?”

  “China. I wanted you to see something.” Theo took my hand and led me to a clearing. Giant pandas were there pulling down stalks of bamboo and chewing them. Suddenly, the bears looked up at us alarmed.”

  Theo stopped. “That’s strange. They don’t usually…” Then he looked at me. “It’s because you’re human. Go stand over there and be quiet.”

  I walked over to a tree and hid behind it to watch. Theo walked into the middle of the family of pandas. One by one, they came to him. Theo scratched their heads and rubbed their bellies. They were enormous. They had to weigh a ton each. But they all noticed him. Not only noticed him, they frolicked with him, nudging closer to him, knocking each other out of the way to be the next petted.

  I’m not sure how long I watched it. It was like nothing I’d ever seen in a zoo. When Theo and the pandas were finished playing, Theo came over to me. “You ready?”

  I nodded, and he picked me up like a sack of potatoes again, and we were back in my room.

  Theo put me down and smiled. “What’d you think?”

  I felt like jumping up and down. “That was amazing. And you tell Bio I agree with you. The pandas are perfect just the way they are. They wouldn’t be nearly as adorable ripping and tearing at other creatures to eat.”

  Theo grinned. “I will tell him you said so.”

  I took a seat in my chair, and Theo plopped on my bed and started twirling a throw pillow by the tassel.

  “So how come the pandas notice you?”

  Theo shrugged, “Because they’re my design. All the land creatures notice me…except for humans.”

  “Why is it exactly that you are fond of humans when Fritz disliked us from the start?”

  “I find humans amazing. They are so
much more than the animals I made. So much more than painters or sciences. Painting is flat. One dimensional. Painted things have limited emotions. But sculpting is three dimensional. It’s full and thick, there’s something all the way through. People are sculpted like painters and sciences but still they are more. I think it was the breath from the Sculptor. It gave them something of the fullness of the Sculptor. His creativity makes mine look like human art” He looked at me apologetic, “Sorry, no offense.”

  I shook my head that I wasn’t offended. Theo finally left, and I looked at my script. Somewhere in all that an idea started to form.

  Chapter 21

  I got up and got dressed for school. I stopped and looked in the mirror and thought of Theo. The way he made me feel—it was too much—it overwhelmed me. I smiled without at the thought of seeing him at school.

  I looked over at the packet Mrs. Strickland had given me the day before and thought about the well. I had to find some way to save it. It was too important to Theo. I owed him so much. I couldn’t give up yet. But I would keep it a secret. That way he wouldn’t get his hopes up only to have me fail him again. Also, the less Fritz knew about it, the better. Let him think he’d won.

  In the car, on the way to school, I brought up the need for a car of my own to my dad.

  “Sweetie, I’m doing pretty decent at selling cars, but we just aren’t to a place where I can take on another payment. I don’t want what happened in Charleston to happen here.”

  “No, Dad. It would be my payment. I have a job and those diamond earrings you and mom gave me for my sweet sixteen. I could use a car more than those earrings.”

  “Maybe.”

  “I can wait a few months, but I’ll have to have one by the time I start college.”

  Dad nodded in agreement as we pulled up to the school. “But let me bring it up to your mom. We have to make her think it’s her idea, or she’ll hate it.”

  I shook my head in disgust. “It’s a car for me. I’m going to make the payments. How can any of that be a problem for her?”