The Pain Of Love

SAN ANTONIO PT. 2

Skylar and Jacob spent the next morning shopping and getting clothes well mainly Skylar got clothes for Jacob and her mother.

“Girl is this how you shop in Milan” Jacob said.

“Yeah, sometimes for myself sometime for my mom and just have it send back to her, but I do want to go shopping with her someday. I love spoiling the people I love” Skylar said.

“Well spoil the s**t out me till your mom gets better” Jacob said.

“What do you think I’m doing now” Skylar said.

“I love you Sky-Bear” Jacob said.

“Love you too Pooh-Bear, now let’s go get some shoes for you and hats for my mom” Skylar said.

“Indeed, we shall” Jacob said.

They went shopping for another hour before they put their things in the car before driving to the hospital, when they got there, they park the car and got down.

“That was so good, we have to take my mom there” Skylar said.

“They did have great chocolate cake” Jacob said.

“I know, I need to get back into palatize be for I get fat” Skylar said.

“Please, you been eating since you came back, and I haven’t even seen a fat on you” Jacob said.

 “That is because it goes to my ass if you haven’t notice” Skylar said.

“Oh, I notice” Jacob said.

“Hey!” Skylar said.

“I’m kidding but seriously where does it go?” Jacob said.

“We shall never know” Skylar said.

Jacob rolled his eyes as Skylar press the button to the floor where her mother was staying at.

“You think she will like the flowers?” Skylar asked.

“Of course, she will” Jacob said.

“Good, I like it too” Skylar said.

The elevator ding as they got down from the floor, she walked towards her mother’s room and did a small knock as she went in her mother was laying in the bed, she looked pale and weak, Skylar set the flowers down for her and sat down as she held her mother’s hand.

“Hey momma” Skylar said.

“Hey baby” her mother said weakly.

“The surgery went will” Skylar said.

“I was told” her mother said.

“Well, I brought you some flowers to cheer you up” Skylar said.

“Thanks baby” her mother said.

“How are you feeling Mrs. Williams?” Jacob asked.

“Like a million bucks” her mother said.

“Yeah, I bet, looks like they took some fat from you, we need to feed you” Jacob teased.

“Jacob Ackerman” her mother chuckled out.

Skylar and Jacob laughed.

“Don’t worry mom he said the food all went to my ass” Skylar laughed.

“I think he’s right” her mother teased.

Jacob laughed out loud.

“Mom” Skylar said.

They all chuckled, Skylar told her mother all about the interview and that she and Jacob would be going back on Monday to sign the contract.

“Did you bring the paintings?” her mother asked.

“Yeah, well pictures of it, I had to leave the paintings at the gallery” Skylar said.

“Show me” her mother said.

Skylar nodded her head, and grab her portfolio out, her mother looked through it while Jacob steps out to take a call that he received, Skylar smiled as her mother was looking at the picture’s when she got to the last one, she stops. Her mother was looking at the last one she looked at it for a long time and then place it down and sigh out as she reached for Skylar’s hand and patted it.

“How deep in love were you?” her mother asked.

Skylar looked at her mom with wide eyes.

“I’m your mother Skylar, mother knows these things” her mother said.

Skylar had tears in her eyes, she quickly wipes a tear away.

“I was imagining my life with him” Skylar said.

“Awe baby” her mother said.

Skylar lean her head on her mother’s bed as she ran her fingers through her hair.

“You know when I met your father, I fell in love first sight, but I was with my boyfriend at the time, and he was with a girl. But, one night just one night we connected and then morning came we kept running into each other at the campus and it hurt me seeing him with that girl and I know he hurt too when he looked in my directions” her mother said.

“Why didn’t you break up with your boy/girl friend?” Skylar asked.

“I couldn’t do that, well I should’ve when I caught him making out with another girl” her mother said.

“I’m sorry mom” Skylar said.

“I’m not, I didn’t even cry I felt like I was set free. And a three months later your father and I got together and a year later I was pushing you out” her mother said.

“You both sure did move fast” Skylar chuckled.

“We sure did, and the rest went history” her mother said.

Skylar raised her head and wipe her tears and smiled at her mother and she did the same.

“Your strong baby, if I could get through it so can you” her mother said.

“We can be strong together” Skylar said.

“Yes, we can time will heal everything” her mother said.

 “I know mom” Skylar said.

“I like the paintings you have a gift Skylar” her mother said.

“You do, I can’t wait to show you my other works” Skylar said.

“I can’t wait to see them” her mother said.

A few moments later Jacob came back into the room, they laughed and talked some more before a nurse came in and told them that visiting hours were almost over so Skylar and Jacob said their goodnights to her before saying they would be back tomorrow. Skylar and Jacob went out of the hospital and drove back to the hotel, there they were tired from shopping so they both took showers and got ready for bed since they had a long day tomorrow. The next morning Skylar yawn as she stretches in bed and looked at the clock showed seven am, she was going into the gallery at ten, so she turns in her bed.

“Get up you take forever getting ready” Jacob said.

He came in with two cups of coffee in his hand, Skylar groan out slowly sitting up from bed yawning again and Jacob sat beside her lean against the wall and handed her the coffee as Skylar took a sip of it.

“Why do you do this to me?” Skylar asked.

“Because, if I don’t who will now get that ass up and join me for breakfast which should be here in 5…4…3…2…” Jacob was saying.

The bell ring and Jacob looked at her and smiled as he got up from the bed, Skylar giggled and got up from the bed she places the coffee down and put on her robe taking her coffee she went out of the room and saw that the waiter was setting the food outside. Skylar took out money from her purse as the waiter was coming back in.

“Thank you” Skylar said.

She handed him tip money.

“Yes ma’am” the waiter said.

Skylar went out to the patio, looking at the food.

“Are you trying to get me fat?” Skylar said.

“Yes, trying to see where it goes” Jacob said.

“Such a dork, but this looks good” Skylar said.

There were waffles, scramble eggs, sausage, bacon, ham, toast, oatmeal with fruits, orange juice, and hash browns. They began eating the breakfast that was in front of them after they finished eating, they went to go shower and get ready, Skylar put on grey skirt with white tank top that looked like cream color, on her nude slacks with some white heels.

“Sky-Bear fix my tie” Jacob said coming in.

“Whose been fixing it for you?” Skylar said.

“Me but I like the way you did it the other week” Jacob said.

“Okay” Skylar said.

Jacob sat down, Skylar went forward and began fixing his tie for him and finished.

“Perfect” Skylar said

“Thanks, what you going to do about your hair, we have to leave soon” Jacob said.

“High ponytail” Skylar said.

“Okay, I’m go put my shoes on” Jacob said.

Skylar nodded her head and went to grab her brush and bent over and started gathering all her hair together began to brush through it until it was smooth and tie it up, she grabs a piece out and wrap it around her hair tie covering it. Skylar then spray a bit of hairspray in her hair putting her baby hair down once she finished, she grabs her purse, and the contact and Jacob was sitting on the couch typing away on his phone.

“Ready” Skylar said.

“Yeah, driving” Jacob said.

Skylar threw her keys at him, and they went down and got their car and went towards the gallery.

“So, who is he?” Jacob asked.

“Ethan Becker” Skylar said.

Jacob press on the brakes hard and Skylar went forward.

“Jacob!” Skylar scream.

“Sorry, Sorry” Jacob said.

Skylar looked at him and could tell he was composing himself.

“You know him?” Skylar asked.

“Yeah, ex” Jacob said.

“I thought you saw the name on the contract” Skylar said.

“I was busy looking at the actual contract instead” Jacob said.

“Will you be fine; I mean you can just chill in the ride” Skylar said.

“No, I will be fine” Jacob said.

“You sure” Skylar said.

“Yeah, I will be fine” Jacob said.

Jacob began driving again and it was quite Skylar looked at Jacob then back out the window.

“So, who broke up with who?” Skylar said.

“Me” Jacob said.

“Can I ask why?” Skylar asked.

“He wanted to meet my parents and at the time I was new to this so, I couldn’t commit to the relationship, and I broke it off” Jacob said.

“How long ago was this?” Skylar said.

“Two years ago,” Jacob said.

“Wow” Skylar said.

Jacob parked the car at the gallery, and Skylar had her things ready and held Jacob’s hand.

“Just breath Jacob deep breath” Skylar said.

Jacob did as Skylar said and took about two deep breaths and nodded his head, they began walking towards the gallery, Skylar saw his hands shake a bit, so she took his hand and gave him a small smile and squeeze his hand. Jacob gave her a reassuring smile as they went inside.

“Hello, Mr. Becker will be here in a moment” the woman said.

“Thank you” Skylar said.

Skylar and Jacob began walking around the gallery and showing the paintings.

“I like this one” Skylar said.

“It has no colors” Jacob said.

“You imagine the colors you like with it; it may show grey and different shades of color but just imagine your favorite colors. Says so on the card right there” Skylar said.

“Oh, yeah” Jacob said.

They head footsteps behind them so they both turn around as Ethan was walking towards them.

“Ethan hello” Skylar said.

“Skylar. Hello Jacob” Ethan said.

Skylar looked between the two of them, Ethan saw Skylar look between the two of them.

“Ja- “Ethan was saying.

“I know lovers and broke up, I’m not his girlfriend we just grew up together” Skylar said.

“Oh, so your Sky-Bear” Ethan said.

“Awe, Pooh-Bear you talked about me” Skylar said.

“Your best friend Sky” Jacob said.

Skylar smiled at him; Ethan cleared his throat a bit.

“Oh, right. Jacob looked over the contract for me and I agree with it but you did leave some stuff out” Skylar said.

“Let’s talk in my office” Ethan said.

They made there way to the office and took a seat as Skylar took out her contract out from her purse and gave it to him as he looked through it.

“So, you mix heat glass with welding sometimes?” Ethan asked.

“Yes, I will start it next two weeks right now I am still setting up the equipment the art studio is finished so is the photograph room right now is the heat room and the potter stove along with the welding machine will be ship in this week along with the rest of the others” Skylar said.

“Okay, let me give this to Shirley and have her draw up a new one and Jacob can be our witness” Ethan said.

“Okay” Skylar said.

Ethan left the room, and Skylar looked at him, she felt her palms were sweating.

“Are you okay?” Skylar asked.

“Yeah, never better” Jacob said.

“You know if you two want some time to talk, I can always see my mom” Skylar said.

“No, it’s fine” Jacob said.

“Okay” Skylar said.

Ethan came back into the office and sat down.

“Now about these paintings we have here, since you don’t do duplicates how much do you sell them for?” Ethan said.

“I usually sell them for half a million but sometimes when I tell people I don’t do duplicates they do a bidding war for it” Skylar said.

“Okay, next month we have a gallery auction that we do every three months you would need to attend” Ethan said.

“Do I have a plus one?” Skylar said.

“Yes, you can bring anybody.” Ethan said.

“Sorry Jacob, I will take mom” Skylar said.

“Fine with me” Jacob said.

“Next, we do go around Texas to other galleries that have gatherings as well which they invite us, and other many other investors or buyers. Next month I would like to introduce you as a new member, so you have to make a wow piece to impress the buyers and investors” Ethan said.

“Do you also get investor’s outside of Texas?” Skylar asked.

“We do, right now we have five from different states, that collaborated with the gallery and open some in their city as well” Jacob said.

“Do I also have to go to those places as well?” Skylar said.

“Only if they invite us which is a lot of times but if you are too busy with work you don’t need to go” Ethan said.

“How many do you employ now?” Jacob asked.

“Skylar would be the fifth person” Ethan said.

“Will I be meeting the other four at the party?” Skylar said.

“Yes, I will introduce you to them” Ethan said.

There was knock on the door, as Shirley came in with papers and handed them to Ethan which he looked over and gave it to Skylar and Jacob to look at it and Skylar raised her brows to him, and Jacob nodded his head. Skylar smiled and signed her name at the end of the page along with her initials on the other pages and gave it to Ethan who then signed his name as well and handed it to Jacob who signed his name as the witness then gave it back to Ethan.

“Welcome to the family Skylar” Ethan said.

“Thank you” Skylar said.

“Why don’t I treat you both to lunch” Ethan said.

“Okay” Skylar said.

They all got up from their seats and went out of the gallery and went to a fancy restaurant that Ethan drove them too.

“Order whatever you like” Ethan said.

“Thank you” Skylar and Jacob said.

They talked and ate and an hour later Ethan drove them back to the gallery.

“Your section will be in the front since that is the only space that’s empty, do you have a flat bed for your welding you would need to pull up in the back if not call me and I will have some of our peoples pick it up. I saw that you live in Marble Falls” Ethan said.

“Yes, I don’t mind making the trip and I do have a flatbed, and my dad’s old truck” Skylar said.

“Okay, here is my number and office number with my other information if you have questions” Ethan said.

“Okay, thank you” Skylar said.

“I will send you the invitations in a few weeks” Ethan said.

“Okay, thank you” Skylar said.

“Until then get some work done and I will see you next month” Ethan said.

“I will goodbye Ethan” Skylar said.

“You as well, Jacob” Ethan said.

“Take care Ethan” Jacob said.

Ethan nodded and shook his hand then Skylar as they walked out of the gallery towards Skylar’s ride and they drove to the hospital they already checked out of the hotel, then needed to go back today since Jacob still had work.

“My dad called earlier seems like your stuff came in earlier he started on it, and I told him where the spare keys were at and your blueprints” Jacob said.

“Oh, thank god” Skylar said.

“Yeah, he’s working on it now” Jacob said.

“I still have to garden but waiting on mom to feel better” Skylar said.

“The place would look nice with flowers” Jacob said.

“It sure will” Skylar said.

“Seems like you will be busy from now on” Jacob said.

“I take breaks on weekend too like it’s a job only when I have a deadline, I will work the whole seven days” Skylar said.

“Good to know, I still have a drinking buddy” Jacob said.

“Yes, you do” Skylar said.

“Alright let’s go inside your mom is probably waiting for us” Jacob said.

Skylar nodded her head as they went into the hospital, her mother was watching tv as usual they stayed with her for about two more hours and asked the doctor when she would be discharge which would be in two weeks beginning of early next month. Skylar and Jacob then said their goodbyes since they could not take the long way home, they just went the shorter way, but they slowly drove as they were not in a rush getting home.

“You think you’ll two ever get back together?” Skylar asked.

“Don’t know and since when did my relationship become yours?” Jacob said.

“Since forever” Skylar said.

“What about you when will you be going in a relationship?” Jacob said.

“Who would I date? Your co-workers are married, Ethan’s gay which leads me to a mistress or mistress to a gay man” Skylar said.

“What about Avery?” Jacob said.

“I don’t know isn’t he with Donna?” Skylar said.

“She wishes she was still with him” Jacob said.

“Well see” Skylar said.

Jacob nodded his head they began listening to music and drove on talking about other stuff and singing along to different songs.