Finding the Muse

[PogueMahone]

“God Damn It!” John Terrance exclaimed in frustration as he flung the half completed canvas across the studio. It bounced twice before coming to rest against a stack of similarly unfinished paintings. “Sorry, Leanne,” he apologized to the nude woman who had been reclining on the mound of pillows in the middle of the room. She watched him with a startled expression on her face as he walked across the studio and picked up the canvas, noting that its sudden trip across the floor hadn’t smeared the wet paint too much. It wasn’t that bad of a painting it just wasn’t what he needed; John thought to himself as he leaned it against the wall. The figure had come out just about perfectly but the emotion he’d been trying to instill in the painting was missing as it had been for all the other half completed works. “That’ll be all for tonight, Leanne,” John told the young woman who had been modeling for him, “thank you.” He said to her as she moved off of the pillows and disappeared into the bathroom to get dressed again.

Six weeks, six weeks he’d been working on this damned painting and now he was still no closer to completion. If he didn’t get it done soon he could kiss the commission goodbye, he’d already had to stall the decoration committee twice when they asked to see his preliminary sketches. It had seemed like a dream job when he’d taken it on, a commission to paint murals decorating the walls of a new library. He’d been surprised when his work was chosen from all the other artist submissions and had started working on it eagerly. That was before he started on the image for the earth mother as he called it, a seemingly simple composition of a woman reclining nude in a field of grass, flowers entwined in her hair. He now had four paintings of the same subject each done with a different model and each one falling short of what he wanted. He wanted to instill a desire for the earth mother, a sense of latent eroticism that as of yet had escaped him. All the models he’d used so far had been attractive but the smoldering passion wasn’t there in the paintings. Maybe he should just call the library and tell them they’d have to find another painter. There had to be a more experienced artist out there that could fulfill their needs better then him. He’d been amazed that they had selected him in the first place; he’d only been out of college for two years and was still relatively unknown in the art scene. The murals were supposed to have been his big break if he could ever get them done.

“John,” Leanne’s voice interrupted his thoughts as she came out of the bathroom, moving over to stand next to him as he looked down at the painting he’d done of her. “If we’re through for the night, I’ll be going. Do you want me to come back tomorrow at the same time?” She asked hopefully.

“Hmm, no I don’t think so, Leanne,” John told her as he moved over to his desk quickly writing out a check for her modeling fee. As he turned to hand her the check he saw disappointment in her eyes, “It’s nothing to do with you.” He assured her, “I’m just having trouble with this painting, something’s just missing from it and I need to work through it.” He told her as he escorted her to the door of his studio.

“Well, if you don’t want me to model for you anymore, would it be okay if we went out sometime?” Leanne asked him.

“I’d like that,” John told her with a smile as she left. It always seemed to happen that way, he thought to himself as he moved across the studio to start cleaning his brushes. Once they no longer were modeling for him they wanted to start dating him. Not that that was a bad thing, his last two girlfriends had started out as models for him although they quickly grew jealous when he started looking for new models.

Pushing his personal life aside John started cleaning up, his mind working over what was missing in the painting. His frustration level grew the more he thought about the incomplete work until he finally laid his brushes down and stepped out onto the fire escape, letting the cool night air blow across his face. Reaching back into the studio, he opened a cabinet and grabbed the crumpled pack of cigarettes there. He’d officially quit smoking two months ago but had kept the ‘emergency’ pack around for when he absolutely needed one. As he lit up one of the slightly stale cigarettes, John leaned out over the railing of the fire escape and watched the street below. The small restaurant across the street was doing a booming business even at this late hour, the noise and smoke of the customers spilling out into the street. Maybe that was what John needed, a night off, a night just to enjoy himself without thinking about the damned painting. The more he thought about it the more he liked the idea and with one final drag he flicked the cigarette out into space as he turned back into the studio.

He quickly washed up and changed his clothes, making sure to get rid of the oil paint the seemed to always be stuck under his fingernails. He let his long dark hair down from the ponytail he wore it in when he was painting as he glanced at himself in the mirror. At twenty four, he considered himself a good looking man. He was tall and slender, his long hair falling down around his shoulders, his brown eyes smiling back at himself as he surveyed himself in the mirror. Maybe he should shave the goatee off one of these days, John thought to himself as he grabbed his coat and wallet from the table by the door. With the long hair and goatee he looked more like a member of a heavy metal band then a painter, but then all artists wanted to be rock stars. Laughing at that thought, John locked up his studio and headed down the stairs to enjoy the rest of his evening.

[[[[[Closed for MaidofMarvels and PogueMahone]]]]]]]
But please feel free to read along and give us feedback through PM's. Thanks.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Julia Canale

At forty-two, Julia wasn't what she would consider beautiful, but she had a great smile and an outgoing personality; always ready to offer a friendly word or a shoulder to lean on. She had considered selling the restaurant when her husband died ten years ago, but their savings had been almost non-existent and she really didn't know how else to support herself. This wasn't exactly the business hub of the city and there weren't many jobs for women without a college education.

Looking around at the folks who had become friends as well as customers over time, she was glad that she hadn't. Canale's was busy for a Tuesday night and she had her hands full. "Night," she called out to a small group who were making their way to the door, parting to let someone pass between them.

She'd seen him in the neighborhood of course, but they had never met. An artist, someone had told her, he didn't usually come into Canale's. Painting wasn't always a lucrative venture career-wise. Well, if he was eating, she'd make sure this one had an extra big helping.

Julia smiled when she caught his eye. Tucking a menu into the fold of her arm, she walked up to him. "Table or bar?"

 

[PogueMahone]

John

John walked across the street, still trying to figure out what was blocking him from finishing the painting. He was so involved in his thoughts that he almost walked into a group of people leaving the restaurant. Mumbling his apologies he passed through the group of people and made his way into the restaurant. He smiled slightly as he saw a dark haired woman approaching him with a menu tucked under her arm. “Table or bar?”She asked him with a smile.

“Can I eat at the bar?” John asked, glancing around the crowded restaurant. It seemed like a really friendly atmosphere, most of the patrons seeming to talk amongst themselves even when they weren’t seated at the same table. He didn’t really want to take up a table just by himself and the bar was only sparsely populated. She nodded warmly and escorted him to the bar, placing a menu at his elbow as she moved off to greet another customer. John ordered a beer and appetizer from the bartender and began to slowly relax as he just enjoyed the warm, friendly atmosphere of the restaurant. He was quietly sipping his beer when he heard a voice beside him asking, “Enjoying yourself?”

Turning around he saw the hostess who had greeted him standing beside him, smiling at him warmly. “Uh, yeah, I just needed to unwind,” John said as his order of bruschetta arrived. “I’m stuck on a painting I’m working on so I decided to take the night off.” He said with a smile, “I’m sorry, I’m John by the way.” He said realizing he hadn’t introduced himself. “I’ve got a studio in the old Calder building across the street.” They talked for a few more minutes, just idle chit chat until the small bell over the door chimed and asking if he’d excuse her she moved off to greet the newest customers.

John turned back to his appetizer, idly sketching on a beverage napkin as he ate. He wasn’t even thinking about what he was drawing until his beer was almost gone. Glancing down he blushed in embarrassment as he saw that he’d just drawn the hostess in the seductive pose of the Earth Mother. Glancing around to make sure no one had seen the sketch, he slipped the napkin into his pocket wondering what had prompted him to draw that subject. His mind had been occupied with the painting for a while but he’d never just idly sketched it out, and he’d never actually made the model resemble someone that he didn’t really know. Turning around on his barstool John watched the hostess, Julia she’d said her name, was as she seated another couple. She was older then any model he’d ever used but there was something about the way she moved, the way she interacted with people that seemed to draw his eye to her. She was perfect for the Earth Mother, John thought to himself as he watched her move around the restaurant easily. The easy grace of her movement coupled with her very expressive face made her a natural for modeling. She probably wouldn’t agree to it, John thought wryly as he turned back to his meal. Most women he’d ask to model for him thought it was a pick up line which was why he had started using modeling agencies.

“So how’re you enjoying your night off?” Julia asked him as she moved up to the bar, stepping around behind it to grab herself a bottled water. “Would you like something else?” She asked seeing that he’d finished both his drink and appetizer.

“I’ll have the special,” John said, glancing only briefly at his menu as he tried to work up courage to ask Julia if she’d model for him. “uh, Julia,” John started to say as she began to move off, “I’ve got a question I’d like to ask you. It’s going to sound a little strange but believe me when I say I’m completely serious. I’m not joking around. Would you consider posing for a painting for me?” He asked in a rush. “I’ll pay you the standard modeling fee or anything you want. I think you’d be the perfect model for my painting,” He stated simply as he waited for her reaction to his strange request.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

His request came as more than a surprise to Julia, but it was a refreshing change from the usual pickup lines she'd heard before. "I'll be right back," she replied as she made her way into the kitchen.

Her brother Rocco, who had been Canale's chef ever since Sam had passed, wiped his hands on his apron and walked over. Lifting her chin, he looked into his sister's eyes making her blush.

"Whut???"

"Whadya mean whut... I saw the way that young man was looking at you. His eyes hardly left you when you walked away," he challenged. "Well?"

"Shut up, Rocco," she said, jerking her face from his hand. "I need a Special... and load the plate, will you?"

Her brother arched an eyebrow. "Uh huh. So? What's he want?"

"Nothing. He wants to... paint me," she snapped, expecting her brother to burst out laughing.

"I see. And what did you say?"

"Nunya. I haven't answered him yet. I'm not exactly the model type now, am I? Besides... Oh, never mind. Just load the plate. I'll be outside."

"Say yes, cara. You've been too long alone," Rocco's voice trailed after her.

"Basta! You don't get paid for advice. You get paid to cook."

Her face was even more flushed as she emerged from the kitchen again. If the boy wanted to play... she could play, too.

"So... John," Julia began as she leaned on her elbows across from him. "You want to paint me, you said. Doing a series on senior citizens... " Her voice trailed off as she looked into his face and noticed the hurt in the artist's eyes. "I'm sorry. Please... "

She stood up abruptly. "This isn't like me. I... Look. There must be hundreds of women for you to... paint. Models. Girls your own age. I have to say I'm flattered, but... "

The sound of Rocco clearing his throat startled her. She hadn't even heard him approach. "What??" she snapped.

"The Special, cara mia. Put your claws away," he replied and turned his face to the young man sitting opposite where Julia stood. "So... you want to paint her, yes?" Setting the plate down, he wiped his hands before extending one. "Rocco Storino," he said. "Julia's... brother."

"Go away," she hissed. "Don't you have cooking to do... or something?"

"No. I think I have a few minutes to spare," Rocco replied as John took his hand. "Maybe you have something other to do?" He nodded toward the door where a couple had just entered.

Not wanting to cause a scene, Julia combed her fingers through her chestnut curls and grabbed two menus before walking out from behind the bar.

 

[PogueMahone]

John

John smiled at Julia as she came back out of the kitchen, his smile fading quickly as she quipped about him wanting to paint her. He hadn’t really expected her to take him seriously when he’d asked her to model but having her joke about it only made it worse for him. His emotions must have been plain on his face when she suddenly apologized. “I’m sorry. Please…”

“Its okay, Julia.” John said trying to wave off her apology and forcing a smile again. “Forget I asked, I just thought you’d be perfect for this painting I’m working on. I know it sounded like a bad pick up line but that wasn’t my intention. I’m sorry, Julia.” He told her as he saw a rather imposing man come out of the kitchen, glancing around the restaurant until he spotted Julia and him talking. As the man approached, John thought that he’d made a horrible mistake. This man was probably her husband and he was coming out to warn John away. John was about to get up and leave to avoid the scene when the man stopped behind Julia, clearing his throat.

"The special, cara mia. Put your claws away." The man said as he turned to face John. “So… you want to paint her, yes?” He asked as he placed the heaping plate in front of the startled artist as he extended his hand, [COLOR=2288aa] “Rocco Storino, Julia’s… brother.” [/COLOR] He introduced himself as John took his proffered hand.

“John Terrance,” John replied, breathing a slight sigh of relief as he learned he wasn’t her husband. Although an over protective brother would be almost as bad, John thought to himself. “And yes, I’d like to paint your sister. I think she’d be a natural for modeling, especially for this one painting I’m working on right now.” John smiled at the small interchange between brother and sister as Julia stalked off to greet another pair of customers.

[COLOR=2288aa] “So you’re serious about this modeling thing?” [/COLOR] Rocco asked after Julia had gone. [COLOR=2288aa] “I thought it was just a pick up line you were using on my sister.” [/COLOR]

“No, I’m serious, besides I’ve never had any luck using that as a pick up line.” John admitted truthfully. “I don’t think she’s going to do it though.” He said regretfully as he turned to watch Julia escort the couple to a table in the rear. She moved with an easy grace, smiling warmly at the couple as she placed the menus on the table.

[COLOR=2288aa] “She’s been alone for far too long,” [/COLOR] Rocco told John as Julia made her way back to them. [COLOR=2288aa] “She’s forgotten that she’s an attractive woman. I’ll try to convince her that you’re serious, I think it’d do her good to get away from the restaurant and out into the real world again.” [/COLOR] Rocco said with a smile as he shook John’s hand again. [COLOR=2288aa] “It was nice to meet you, John. I’d better get back work before she gets mad at me.” [/COLOR] He said laughingly as he headed back into the kitchen.

John smiled at Julia as she came to stand by the bar again, engaging her in casual conversation as he continued to eat his dinner. Both of them carefully avoided any mention of his earlier proposal and soon they were laughing at each other’s jokes. John couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such an enjoyable evening as he finished his meal. “Well, Julia, I’d better get back to the studio. I enjoyed dinner,” John said as he paid the check. “I’ll have to come back.” He told her as he started for the door, “Oh, if you ever want to why don’t you come over to the studio, I’d love to show you some of my paintings. You can bring Rocco along,” John offered as he waved good-bye to her, jogging across the street to his building.

As he entered his studio, he took the napkin out of his pocket and pinned it next to his easel. She’d have been perfect for the painting, John thought ruefully as he began to enlarge the sketch, drawing Julia’s face almost perfectly from memory although the emotion didn’t seem to be there. After redrawing it four times, John gave up in disgust, he just couldn’t capture her essence not from a hasty sketch on a beverage napkin. Calling it a night, he shut off all the lights and heading off to his apartment.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Julia watched John leave, a bemused expression on her face that Rocco didn't fail to notice. "He seems pleasant enough, cara" her brother said. "I say you should do it."

"Shut up, Rocco! I'm not going to pose for anything."

"Well, we could go over to the studio and look at his work. We've been invited."

"You seem mighty interested," she blurted. "Why don't you go over and see what his work is like then? Besides, I don't need anyone to hold my hand if I decide to."

Rocco snorted and turned back toward the kitchen chuckling. "You go look, cara, then decide." He threw his arms up in the air as to say he surrendered, but Julia knew her brother better than that. He wouldn't lay off until she did something one way or another.

A couple of hours later, Canale's was officially closed for the night. Rocco had gone home and the cleaning woman had arrived. "I'm not going to hang around tonight, Marge" she said. "I'm really beat. You know how to set the alarm before you go, right?"

The older woman nodded. She'd been working for Julia Canale for almost six years now and understood her concern. "I do. Now off with you. I have linens to wash and floors to vacuum. Shoo!"

Chuckling, Julia grabbed a bottle of Drambuie from behind the bar and let herself out, ignoring Marge's raised eyebrow. She couldn't wait to hear what the older woman would have to say about... the artist... when Rocco filled her in -- and he most certainly would. They had a thing going on, those two; even if they thought no one else knew about it.

The drive home didn't take very long; Julia seemed to miss just about every light for a change. It was all good, she thought. What she needed now was to relax and unwind... and think.

Kicking off her shoes immediately as she let herself into the empty house, Julia flicked on the light and headed to the kitchen for a highball glass. Filling it with ice, she poured a couple fingers of Drambuie into it and padded back toward the living room.

Julia turned on the CD player before flopping down on the sofa and tucking her legs up under herself. She grabbed the book she'd been reading off the end table and opened it as she did every night, placing the bookmark beside her as she began to read. Tonight though, the words were a blur, replaced by the face of the young man who had asked her to model for him. John, he'd said. John Terrance.

She found herself wondering what kind of things he painted... if he was any good. Not that it mattered, she wasn't the modelling type -- but even so. Maybe she'd go over tomorrow before work. Just to see some of his work. Without Rocco. Maybe she'd even find something she liked -- and buy it. Starving artists and all that.

Taking another sip, Julia chuckled when she realized the glass was empty. How long had she been sitting here? "Oh, well... " she said aloud to herself as she closed her book. "Time for a shower and bed." It certainly had been an interesting day, and perhaps the beginning of an even more interesting time.

 

[PogueMahone]

John

John had spent the night in frustration. He’d tried to get to sleep early in the evening but the image of the painting wouldn’t leave him. Julia was the perfect model for the Earth Mother painting now if only she’d agree to pose for him. After several hours of sleeplessness he’d given up on getting any rest and decided to head back to the studio. He had always enjoyed spending late nights and early mornings in his studio, even if he didn’t get anything done there was something restful about being the only person in the building.

He’d gotten to the studio and started working on a couple of sketches although he didn’t really accomplish much. Every time he’d start working on something else John would start thinking about Julia and soon all his sketches resembled her. Finally he gave up and stepped out onto the fire escape, grabbing the emergency pack of cigarettes. If he didn’t get this painting finished soon he’d have to drop the pretense of quitting smoking, John thought to himself as he lit up his second cigarette in two days. It was the quiet time after dawn before the city began to get going for the day; the streets were empty except for the occasional taxi cab. John had always loved this time of day, it seemed to relax him as he stood there watching the few cars moving on the street below. He started thinking about Julia, of the way she’d smiled and laughed with him the night before. He became so engulfed in his thoughts that he forgot completely about his cigarette until it burned his fingers. Cursing he flicked the butt over the railing and went back into the studio, determined to get some work done today.

Hours later, the floor of the studio was littered with crumpled sketches and the emergency pack of cigarettes was down to one butt left. John hadn’t been able to do anything satisfactory all morning, nothing had worked out the way he wanted it to and his frustration just kept rising with every discarded sketch. He’d just determined to give up for the day and head home when he heard the buzzer for the door begin to ring. “Who is it?” He asked a bit curtly, his frustration causing him to be more abrupt then he normally would be.

[COLOR=2288aa] “It’s Julia, Julia Canale, from the restaurant last night,” [/COLOR] The voice came through the speaker, [COLOR=2288aa] “If this is a bad time I can come back later.” [/COLOR]

“No,” John said, as he glanced around the messy studio. Wouldn’t you know it, she picks the one time the place is trashed to stop by, John thought ruefully to himself as he spoke into the intercom again. “I’ll buzz you in, come on up. It’s the last door on the left, top floor.” He told her as he smiled to himself, maybe after she saw his work she’d agree to model for him. He took the few minutes it took her to get to his floor to hurriedly gather up most of the discarded sketches and pile them around the already overflowing wastebasket. He pondered trying to clean the place further but was interrupted by a faint knocking on his studio door. “Hello, Julia,” John said smiling as he opened the door to let her in. “I’m glad you came by for a visit.”

 

[Maid of Marvels]

Julia closed her eyes and took a deep breath, pressing the button for his floor. Maybe she shouldn't have come. Maybe... Too late. Okay, but she wouldn't stay long. Just a quick peek is all. She leaned against the wall of the ancient elevator as its gears creaked and groaned a kachung of protest at having been disturbed.

After what seemed centuries the car came to a bouncing halt and she steadied herself, struggling to slide the gate open so that she could step out. Maybe this is an omen, she thought as she tugged. If it doesn't open, I'll just go back down. Decision (or was it easy out) made the gate suddenly gave way and sent her stumbling backward.

"Oh, brother," she groused aloud, relieved to know that no one was about to see her antics. "Okay, girlie. Get on with it."

Looking to the right, Julia turned left and walked to the end of the hall; she counted every step until she stood hesitantly before the door to John's studio. "Twenty six. Twenty seven." She took a deep breath and knocked.

She barely heard his words, suddenly self-conscious of the way she looked, her age, the fact that she was there in the first place. What was she doing here -- really? Julia returned his smile nervously, mumbling some unintelligible excuse for her invasion of his personal space.

It wasn't what she'd expected -- a modern day atelier similar to Rodolfo's in La Bohème? For one thing, Julia had thought it would be cold. Weren't artists' studios always cold? Grateful that he couldn't read her thoughts, Julia's eyes darted around the room, needing something to focus on instead of John. The way he looked at her made her feel as though he was memorizing her and it made her feel more than a little uncomfortable.

"I've never been in an artist's studio before," she said, immediately feeling more than silly for the utterance and was relieved when she finally spotted a few canvasses propped against the far wall. "May I?" she asked, already halfway across the room.

Julia moved them, one by one until they were set in a row. She wanted to look at each in turn, not shuffle through them the way you did with pages in a book. Standing back, she noted most were nudes. Women. Shapely, fit, beautiful women. Young women. She needed to get out of here... and quick.

She turned abruptly, a reason for her leaving as abruptly as she had arrived forming on her lips when it caught her eye. A canvas propped on an easel. Julia blinked. And blinked again. It couldn't be. Could it?

Her head spun toward John and back again as she struggled to keep her mouth shut. It was her! But she didn't look like that. Did she? No. Of course she didn't. This woman was... "Not me."

"From memory," he said. "No, it's not very good. It lacks... "

"How did you know what my body... " Julia left the sentence unfinished as a warm flush flooded her face. "I... I should go."

"No. Please stay."

Julia's heart was pounding. He had drawn her. Nude. There was no mistaking that it was her. No mistaking. And despite her denial, it was good. It was very good, in fact. "I don't understand," she stammered, unsure of why she was still standing there. "How... "

 

[PogueMahone]

John

John shuffled on his feet nervously as Julia spotted his canvases, eagerly beginning to look through them. Having people look through his private paintings always made him uneasy for some reason. He painted these for himself, no one else; they weren’t done like his public paintings were. He’d never shown anyone some of the paintings Julia was looking over. He was about to ask her what she thought of his work when she turned and saw the half finished painting he’d tried to do of her. As her head spun around to face him, John was beginning to worry that he had angered her by painting her without permission.

[COLOR=2288aa] “Not me.” [/COLOR] She said simply as she looked at the painting.

“From memory, it’s not very good. It lacks…” John tried to explain, his voice trailing off as he looked from the painting to Julia and back again. He was trying to figure out what the painting lacked by comparing it to the inspiration for it.

[COLOR=2288aa] “How did you know what my body…? I… I should go.” [/COLOR] Julia said, blushing as she continued to look at the painting.
“Please stay,” John almost pleaded with her, afraid that he’d blown his chance to get this beautiful woman to model for him.

[COLOR=2288aa] “I don’t understand. How…” [/COLOR] Julia started to ask still confused by the sight of the painting.

“I’m sorry Julia,” John said softly, “I shouldn’t have painted you without your permission. If you want me to I’ll destroy the painting.” John told her reluctantly. “I just thought you were so perfect for this painting that I couldn’t resist.”

[COLOR=2288aa] “What’s the painting of? Besides me…” [/COLOR] Julia asked him hesitantly, still trying to deal with the half painted nude of her against the far wall.

“It’s supposed to be the Earth Mother. It‘s part of a series of murals I‘ve been commissioned for the new Library downtown. I can show you the sketches I’ve done for it, if you’d like?”

[COLOR=2288aa] “I’d like that.” [/COLOR]

“Would you like to have a seat?” John offered motioning to a pile of cushions stacked in the corner, “Sorry, I don’t really have any chairs here. The cushions work pretty good as a chair. I’ll go grab the sketches.” He said as he dashed out of the room. He cursed himself silently as he entered the small kitchen space of his studio where he kept his many sketchbooks. How could he have been so stupid to leave a painting he’d done of her out on display like that? It was a wonder she hadn’t slapped his face and rushed out when she’d seen it. It was even more amazing to him that she was still there and still interested in his work. Grabbing the sketchbook he’d dedicated to the Library project he hurried back out into the main room. “Julia?” He asked not seeing her anywhere in the room. She’d left. He couldn’t blame her but he felt a sting of bitter disappointment at the fact that she’d just ran out like that.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

She didn't take his offer to sit on the pile of cushions when he offered, though John had no way of knowing as he'd left the room. Julia needed to think, and fresh air always seemed to help. Like drinking a glass of water when she was upset. Okay, she knew it was mind over matter, but even so, old habits die hard and when she'd spotted the fire escape...

On the surface, she thought to herself, John seemed on the level. But was he? Rocco seemed to think so, but what did she think? Well, she'd taken the first step and come to take a look, hadn't she? Even if she'd seen more than she had expected.

Julia had always been self-conscious about her looks, particularly about her body. She wasn't overweight exactly, but she had a few extra pounds and well... His work was good -- mostly nudes, and all women. Younger, beautiful, thin women. She wondered if he expected her to pose nude. Well, of course he did, you moron! she chided herself and sighed.

Her mind went back to the paintings of the others and she wondered if they'd been intimate. People always said that the artists and their models... Of course there was a snowball's chance in hell that anything would happen between them, but... Bottom line, Julia. Is that what you're really worried about?

"Julia?"

Hearing John's voice, Julia didn't have a chance to answer that question, though it begged for one. He expected an answer though and she would have to at least consider it. Hell, wasn't that what had brought her here in the first place?

"I'm out here," she called. "I just wanted some air."