The Game - Part 6

I was standing at the large window in the living room, staring out into the darkness, when inspiration hit.  I flipped on lights and ran to change quickly. Exiting the bedroom in paint stained jeans and t-shirt, I set up the piece I was working on earlier. I took out my paint and utensils then placed the poem from Marcus in a safe spot where I could read it as I worked.  It took hours, but I finally finished and left the painting to dry.

Again, it was the letter that took longer.  I wanted the wording to be just right, so it took me a day or so to write.  It was when I finally thought I had it right that something happened.

I was at reception and a couple of the girls were talking about something or other, I can’t remember what.  My mind had drifted to Marcus, wondering about him – who he was, what he was like, why he was so interested in my sketches, and a million other things. 

Chelsea noticed the expression on my face and asked me about it.  I just knew I started blushing and tried to brush her off, but she persisted.   Bien merci she had to go before she could get very far.  I breathed a sigh of relief, but she threatened that we would talk about it later as she walked out the door.

The next day, I was still putting the final touches on my letter to Marcus while sitting again at reception.  Chelsea came in and immediately bombarded me with questions.  I did my best to deflect her, but she is a persistent little lady and figured out that it not only had to do with a man, but who that man was!

She then insisted that I was in love with him!  With Marcus!  Why I never would have thought such a thing before she said it, but now…*sighs*…I don’t know what to think.  I barely know him.  We’ve only exchanged a few notes and I’ve never even met the man.  I do know what he looks like thanks to Lydia.  She was exclaiming about Master Aro one night and showed me pictures of the Masters. 

I’ve asked around about him, as discreetly as I could.  Although I suspect I’m about as discreet as a drunken tourist on Bourbon Street.  The most I can get out of people is that he’s quiet and kind.  Lydia mentioned that he seems sad at times and I remembered the poem.  Is that why he was so sad?  The loss of whomever it was that he had loved so much?

I had the painting tucked securely in a scroll case.  I grabbed it, the letter, and the small map I had drawn and went to the library where I left the letter and map in the tome.  A trip to the garden was next to hide the scroll case.  

While I hoped Marcus enjoyed his painting, I was agonizing more about how upset he would be that Chelsea had discovered part of our secret.  I was also still processing her exclamation of love.

Dear Master Marcus,

I can’t say how much that poem moved me, cher.  And I’m sorry for whoever it was you lost to make the poem so personal for you.  I know what that can be like. 

I lost Mamere last year and it still hurts knowing I can’t just call or visit whenever.  But she taught me something, a lot of things really, she was a smart vielle (old woman) with a lot of fire and I loved her for that.  If I can be half the woman she was, I will die happy.

But listen to me ramble…  One of the best things she taught me was in the form of a Cajun proverb:

You can still find the joy of life no matter how hard your life may be.

I tell myself this every day and it helps keep the smile on my face, even when the sadness comes with my memories.  I cherish the time I had with her and I know she’s up in heaven giving the angels hell in her own special way.  Someday, I’ll join her, at least I hope.

So to help you commemorate whoever you’ve lost, I’ve tried to show you the beauty in the sadness, so to speak.  I do hope you like it.

And since this gift won’t fit here, my dear elusive Master, it’s your turn to go on a treasure hunt.  (Map enclosed.)

Love,

Sera

PS – I know we wanted to ‘keep this between just us’, but Chelsea started asking questions and she guessed something is up.  I think she knows it’s you.  She didn’t say your name, but she’s pretty sure, it seems. 

I’m so sorry.  I hope you aren’t upset and still wanna continue our game.  I’d miss you if you didn’t, cher.