As he stepped in front of his last painting, Hope Eternal, he smiled brightly. This was his life now, his future. The images represented in it reflected all the people that meant so much to him. It reminded him of all that was not only good in the world itself but also what could come to him if he opened his heart to others. He turned around and watched as his friends and family, the people who meant so much to him, hovered around the paintings, talking amongst themselves. Sometimes it amazed him how happy he was.
“Harrison,” a familiar voice said.
Andrew turned abruptly and laughed. “Reeves.”
“I couldn’t believe it when Sky showed me the brochure and it had your name in it,” he said, shaking Andrew’s hand.
“How did you hear about this?” Andrew asked astonished.
“Sky donates every year so we get advance notice of all new exhibits. There was no way I was missing this one.”
“It was the first time I didn’t have to drag him to one of these functions.”
“I’m glad you could make it,” Andrew said, and glanced at Connor staring in their direction. “Sky would you mind taking some pictures with us.”
“Of course not,” she said with a smile.
Andrew waved over his family and friends as they took pictures with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He visited with Skylar and Logan for a while and then they left to see the other paintings in the exhibit. For the next several hours, Andrew talked and talked with the people who came by his paintings. In fact, many came back a second or third time to visit with him. As the night progressed, he felt more at ease and was excited along with everyone else. To his surprise, his family and friends stayed around him most of the night. They did visit other exhibits, but ended up talking with patrons about what Andrew had done with his art work.
“He really deserves all the accolades,” Liam said to Elias as they watched Andrew point out various pieces within his work.
“He does,” Elias replied as they walked to the center of the room.
“I’m not happy with the Bowers situation,” Liam said, returning a smile to one of the patrons. He turned his eyes back to Elias. “I don’t trust him.”
“I don’t either, but I have it under good authority that Martine is turning over evidence in New York, probably as we speak.”
Liam’s brows furrowed slightly and then he plastered on a smile as a man approached them. The man looked harried and seemed familiar to him. Suddenly it hit him. His name was Johnson, but he couldn’t remember his first name. He was another attorney. Someone Elias had worked with before.
“Elias, do you have a moment?” Johnson asked urgently.
“Can’t this wait until Monday? I’m with my family.”
“I’m afraid it can’t.”
Elias sighed and started to say something to Liam, to let him know he would only be a minute, but he was already shaking hands with other patrons and talking animatedly. Elias watched him for a moment and Liam glanced his way, giving him a small smile that told him he understood. Elias turned back to Chad Johnson, a prosecutor for Los Angeles County. Elias had spoken to him earlier in the day which is how he had been informed about Martine. He couldn’t imagine what was so urgent now.
“Elias, he’s dead,” Johnson stated with a sense of panic and dread.
“Who is?”
“Martine, I just found out. He was in a car accident.”
Elias ran his hand up the back of his neck and looked around, trying to hide the panic he was feeling at the moment. He knew in his gut that Bowers had done it. That he had somehow found out that Martine was going to turn over evidence against him and arranged for his death. Elias licked his lips, trying to focus, trying to salvage this. He swallowed and restored his sense of calm.
“Did he give his testimony?”
“I don’t know,” Johnson replied defeated. “I don’t think so.”
Elias looked around again, trying to determine where everyone was. He knew that Andrew and Madison were still with his exhibit. He stepped toward the pillar to be sure and could see them happily talking to a couple of people, but where were Jayden and Callie? His eyes darted around. He also couldn’t find Connor and Jewel. He found Aaron, Olivia, and Madison’s grandmother sitting and visiting with one another. Okay, calm, down, Elias, problem solve this. He caught Liam’s eyes and based on the look on his face he knew that Liam suspected that something wasn’t right.
“Elias,” Johnson called him.
Elias turned back to him quickly. “What!”
“Bowers is dangerous. Please, let it go before he does something to your family,” Johnson said before walking away.
Johnson’s words pierced his heart. He swallowed thickly as he tried to come to terms with everything. He had fought with the devil and the devil was winning. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He knew that Bowers’ anger was now effectively on him. He had shifted Bowers’ entire wrath to himself, thinking he could manage it, but obviously he underestimated the lengths that Bowers would go to. As he thought about it, it became clear that Bowers was losing touch with reality, things were unraveling for him and he was going to take down as many people as possible before he went out.
“What’s going on?” Liam grabbed his arm and snapping him out of it.
“We need to find the kids and leave.”
“Why?”
“Martine is dead.”
Liam stared for a long moment as Elias’s words and their meaning wrapped around his mind. He immediately started looking around; trying to remember the last time he had seen Jayden and Callie. Since Connor and Jewel were not around either, he assumed they were all together, but where exactly were they?
“I’ll go tell Madison and Andrew that we have to leave. I’ll say I need to get back to the office. I won’t ruin his night, their night, because of this.”
“Are they safe here?”
“Yes, I believe so. Bowers doesn’t want them. He wants me.” He let out a heavy sigh and turned to Liam with sad eyes. “If anything, you and Jayden are the ones in danger. He knows that’s how to hurt me.”
~*~
“Shhh,” Callie said to Jewel who had a bad case of the giggles.
“Okay, okay,” she stated, muffling her mouth.
Both girls tiptoed out into the aisle and carefully moved down, trying to steer clear of Jayden and Connor. They had all wanted some fresh air and decided to hang around the Urban Light exhibit out front, at least for a little bit. The next thing they knew, the girls had kicked off their heels and they were all chasing one another through the exhibit and now Connor and Jayden were hiding, somewhere.
“Got ya,” Connor yelled, jumping out and grabbing Jewel’s waist.
Jewel screamed and dropped her shoes, while Connor laughed and proceeded to tickle her. Callie grinned and tried to sneak around another light post but ran right into Jayden. He picked her up and kissed her on the cheek.
“Where are you going?” he said with a smirk.
Callie laughed and held him tightly. They had had a wonderful evening so far. She smiled and nestled her head in the crook of his neck, thinking how this would be perfect if Andrew and Madison were with them at that very moment.
“I think we should go back inside and check on Andrew and Madison,” Jayden suggested as he set her down.
“Did you see how many people kept going back to his paintings?” Callie asked. “They loved them.” She smiled. She was extremely proud of her friend.
Connor and Jewel walked up to them, hand in hand. “That’s 'cause everyone knows that Andrew’s badass with some serious talent,” Connor stated assuredly, dropping Jewel’s hand so she could put her shoes back on.
“Looks like you kids are having fun?” a voice said, coming up to them.
Jayden turned abruptly, recognizing the voice. “Why are you here?”
Bowers smirked. “I heard this was the place to be tonight.”
“No one wants you here. Just leave,” Callie stated, sl
ipping on her heels.
“I do believe I am free to do as I please.”
“Not for long,” Jayden said and Bowers shifted his gaze to him. “I hear you’re going to be locked up for a long time.” Jayden smiled, feeling very self-assured. “Hey, maybe they can give you a cell next to your screwed-up son.”
Bowers stepped up to him, full of anger and malice, but before he could say or do anything to Jayden, Liam was there and pushed Bowers out of the way. Bowers stumbled back. His lip curled up at Elias and then settled on Liam, who looked like he was about to kill someone.
“Stay away from my son,” Liam hissed.
Bowers smirked evilly before he smoothed out his jacket. “And here I thought Elias was the man between the two of you. Guess I was wrong,” Bowers remarked with a loud laugh.
Liam’s lip twitched, and suddenly, he had Bowers on the ground. Liam had enough of this man that had taken so much from so many. Liam dropped down beside him, pressing his knee against the senator’s neck, cutting off his air supply. Bowers’ legs began flailing, trying to break free, which only made Liam apply more pressure.
“Liam, let him go,” Elias yelled as he pulled him off.
“Leave my family alone, you piece of shit!” Liam shouted at Bowers as Elias released his hold on him.
Bowers started coughing but rose to his feet. “You just made a very big mistake, faggot.”
Liam didn’t hesitate and launched at the senator, throwing a couple of punches and knocking Bowers back with each one. Bowers swung sloppily, but Liam easily ducked out of the way and hit him several more times. Bowers, unable to really defend himself against a man who had martial arts training, tried to charge at Liam, but Liam once again knocked his legs out from under him and he fell to his knees. Liam went in again, ready to continue the fight Bowers had started long ago, but was stopped by Elias, who was forcefully pulling him away. Bowers coughed several times, spitting blood onto the concrete.
“Come on,” Elias yelled towards Connor.
Startled, Connor grabbed Jewel’s trembling hand as they started following Jayden and Callie toward the limousine. He had no idea what was going on but he knew it wasn’t good. He picked up speed and finally they caught up to Jayden and Callie.
“What about Andrew and Madison?” Connor asked Jayden, concerned.
“My dad is calling Aaron right now to tell them what happened so they can head out as well.”
“Okay,” Connor replied nervously as he turned back to see that the senator was now on his feet again.
“This isn’t done,” Bowers shouted towards them. “Not by a long shot,” he muttered to himself as he watched Elias usher everyone into a waiting limousine.
~*~
Aaron hung up the phone and immediately started looking around. He was trying to ascertain a few things. One, if there was another way to get out of the building without going passed Bowers, and two, how was he going to disrupt Andrew’s perfect evening with this negative situation. He slipped his phone back into his coat pocket and finally caught sight of Olivia, who had a worrisome expression on her face.
“That was Elias. James is here. He and Liam got into it out front. Elias is suggesting we leave as well, to avoid any unnecessary conflict.”
“Oh no,” Olivia whispered, covering her mouth.
“It’s going to be fine, but we should probably go. I don’t want any problems for Andrew and Madison,” Aaron stated reassuringly.
“Why can’t that man leave them alone?” Olivia asked frustrated.
“Because he’s...” Aaron looked up slightly, hoping the meaning would come to him. It didn’t, though, because there was no meaning in all of this.
“I should have let Marty shoot that man when he attacked my Jacqueline,” Grans said, looking down angrily. “The world wouldn’t have missed him.”
“But I’m sure the world would have missed Marty. James’ family would have intervened, sent him to jail for life. That wouldn’t have been good for any of you.”
Grans looked away angrily. “He ruins everything he touches.”
“Yes, he does,” Aaron turned his gaze toward the exhibit hall where Andrew and Madison were. “Stay here, ladies. I’ll be right back.”
Aaron tapped both hands on his legs, trying to give himself the strength to do what needed to be done. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he stood and walked toward the exhibit. He stopped at the pillar, leaning against it for a moment as he watched Andrew and Madison. He was holding her closely. Andrew suddenly looked in his direction and his brows furrowed. Andrew had a keen sense of his environment and knew something was wrong. Aaron steadied his resolve and started walking over to him.
“Andrew, I’m sorry, but we need to leave.”
“What’s going on, Aaron?” Andrew asked impatiently. “First, Elias comes and tells us they have to leave due to a work issue, and now, not even twenty minutes later, you’re telling us we need to leave. What happened?”
“Senator Bowers is here. Apparently, he and Liam had an altercation out front. Elias is suggesting we leave as well.”
“Can’t we call the police?” Madison asked. “They could escort him off the premises.”
“Madison, they won’t make him leave. He hasn’t done anything to us. Well, he has, but we have nothing on paper. No court order saying anything. Technically, he can go wherever he pleases,” Aaron told her sadly.
“But it’s not fair, Andrew...”
“Madison, let’s go,” Andrew stopped her. “Stress is not good for you right now. The first 12 weeks are critical. I won’t let that man harm you or our child.”
Madison looked at him, feeling her eyes moisten with tears. Andrew had already read everything under the sun related to pregnancy. He was leaving nothing to chance. And, of course, he was right. Stress was bad for her; even her doctor had told her so. She just hated that Bowers was interfering with Andrew’s perfect night.
“I think I’ve stayed longer than any of the other artists,” he said, touching under her eyes and wiping an errant tear away.
“Okay,” she said softly.
He kissed her forehead tenderly and then took her hand in his as they started to follow Aaron. He glanced back one last time before exiting the exhibit hall and smiled. No matter what Bowers attempted to do tonight, he couldn’t take away this evening from him. Tonight, he, Andrew Harrison, a former homeless drug addict, had his paintings on the wall of a museum, just like the famous artists he and Madison had seen in New York. That was something he never thought could happen. It was so out of the realm of possibilities that he had never considered it, but it did happen, and now he could truly call himself an artist.
36Karma Is A …
“Madison, you okay, baby?” Andrew asked at the bathroom door.
“Give me a sec,” Madison responded.
He heard the water go on in the sink and stepped back, leaning against the wall. It was the same routine almost every morning. Her pregnancy was going fine, but the morning sickness was almost overwhelming. It was difficult for him to watch, but at least it was the weekend so they didn’t need to be anywhere right away. She stepped out of the bathroom and immediately went up to him. His arms wrapped around her as she rested her head against his chest.
“How can I possibly be hungry when I just threw up?” Madison groaned.
Andrew chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “Because the baby is hungry. What do you guys want?”
“Scrambled eggs with cheese, southern potatoes, two Eggos with Nutella and sliced mangos.”
“I don’t think we have mangos, will peaches do?”
“I guess,” she replied disappointed.
“Do you want me to go get some mangos?”
“Would you?” she asked, looking up happily.
“I’ll be right back,” he said with a smile.
“Thank you, Helios,” Madison responded as she leaned up and kissed him.
He took her hand and led her to the kitchen where he handed her a c
up of Cranberry Apple Herbal Tea. He pecked her lips once more and grabbed his keys from the countertop. Madison took a sip of her tea and hummed around the brim. She bobbed her head a few times, taking another sip before heading into the living room. She plopped down on the couch and looked toward the door with a smile when she heard the roar of his Harley.
She used to feel bad about sending Andrew out for her, but it was now the norm. Sometimes she didn’t know what she wanted until that moment. The people at the local Safemart knew him very well as she often sent him out for random items she had a craving for. They even helped him pick out the various fruits she would often decide she wanted. She glanced at the television, which was on one of the news channels. Andrew was obsessed with the news and watched it all the time. He had even gotten Jayden watching it. She knew this because Callie complained that she hated the news and now it was on all the time. Madison tilted her head towards the door and smiled. Well, he’s not here, she thought triumphantly as she picked up the remote. Just as she started to change the channel, a picture of Senator Bowers popped up on the screen.
“Now what did he do?” Madison asked aloud.
“We have just received confirmation that Senator James Bowers is dead. Unconfirmed reports began trickling in late last night that the car that had caught on fire at a remote location near Lake Isabella was indeed registered to Senator Bowers. Two bodies were inside the vehicle, charred beyond recognition. Authorities stated that no one had been alerted to the fire as teenagers often have bonfires in that location. It was not reported to them until the following evening. Amy Shea is at the Bakersfield Police Station. Amy, what can you tells us?”
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