The Pain Of Love

THE TREE

“This is nice” Hope said.

“It’s just the stomp for now after I get your metal and work men ship of branches hanging out, while I’m doing that you guys can work on your thing, I finished mine two days before you guys came. I just need to finish up the crystals for the tree then I will be done” Skylar said.

“Okay the rooms are nice by the way thank you” Gloria said.

“You’re welcome, the restroom is fully occupied and so is the restroom for you” Skylar said.

“Alright let’s get to work” Greg said.

“Yeah let’s” Robert said.

They all began working, Skylar showed them where everything was at so they would know she worked on the welding while Hope did pottery, Gloria did some heat glass, and the two men did paint. The four came that morning they just put their luggage in the room and went into the garage as Skylar showed them around and they set up their work in their own small station, Skylar started from the top doing Hopes, she wanted to add some place where the pottery would go. By noon Jacob came by and Skylar introduce them to Jacob, he stayed because he had to help with the welding since the two guys were busy and he held some of the pieces for Skylar by evening they finished up mostly Skylar did since she could not over work.

“Alright guys, I’ll go make some dinner” Skylar said.

They did not say anything they just kept working, so her and Jacob went into the house.

“Man feels crazy in there” Jacob said.

“Yeah, what should we make?” Skylar said.

“We can make some steaks; I’ll go to the store get some steaks and dinner rolls.” Jacob said.

“Okay, I will start on the mash potatoes and gravy with some salad” Skylar said.

“Alright” Jacob said.

Skylar went into the kitchen and shaved some potatoes and boiled some water and added the potatoes she then began making the salad for the side cutting up some veggies adding it once she was finished, she made some juice on the side since she could not drink. Skylar took her phone out and text Jacob about getting beers for them as well. A while later she went out and cleaned the grill and turn it on getting it warm for Jacob when he comes back, she went back inside, and Jacob came through the door.

“Still working?” Skylar asked.

“Yup, here are the drinks” Jacob said.

“Okay, I will get the season for the steaks” Skylar said.

Skylar went to get the season, while Jacob opens the steaks, they both season it and took it out and placing it on the grill.

“I have to check on my potatoes” Skylar said.

“Okay, I should be finish in fifteen” Jacob said.

“Well done for me” Skylar said.

“Okay” Jacob said.

Skylar went back into the house and drain the potatoes, she grabs the milk and butter added a few then began mashing the potatoes up and place it aside as she began on the gravy, a few moments later Jacob came back in with the steaks.

“All finished” Jacob said.

“Great same here, let’s set the table up” Skylar said.

They both set up the table, and Jacob went to get Skylar’s mother while Skylar went towards the garage.

“Guys!” Skylar yell out.

They all stop working and looked at her.

“Foods done” Skylar said.

“Okay” Gloria said.

Skylar went back into the house her mother and Jacob were already sitting at the table, so Skylar sat down in front of Jacob, the rest soon followed into the house they had paint over their clothes but, they had clean hands they each took their seats, Gloria took a beer and stood up.

“Before we begin, I would like to thank Mrs. Williams for her hospitality and Skylar for setting up the rooms for us. And may we all make bank with this collage” Gloria said.

“Hear, hear” they all said.

They each raised their glasses and click it and began to dig into the food, an hour later Lily went to her room as it was the others sat there talking.

“Wait your telling me your gay and dating our boss but you knocked up the hottest model on the plant” Greg said.

Jacob chuckled.

“Was it good?” Gloria said.

Skylar laughed.

“That’s the thing we don’t remember we went out party that night when I came home, I don’t remember much but next morning we were naked in a tree house” Skylar said.

“A tree house” Hope laughed.

“My dude what’s wrong with a bed” Robert said.

“She wanted to see if the tree house was still there” Jacob said.

“So, your dating Ethan?” Gloria said.

“No, I was just his plus one to the gallery party. We never discuss that” Jacob said.

“I didn’t know Ethan was gay” Robert said.

“I could tell, I mean- “Hope was saying but stop.

“Did you try to do a move on him” Gloria said.

“Big mistake” Hope said.

“Man, crazy” Greg said.

“How far along are you?” Robert said.

“Just a few weeks, I have appointment on Friday to check on the baby” Skylar said.

“Have you guys decided on baby names” Gloria said.

“Not yet, have to wait we want to know the s*x first” Skylar said.

“Man, you got your hands full bro. When I babysit my nephew, it was exhausting but I love the little guy” Greg said.

“None of you guys have kids?” Jacob asked.

“I have a daughter, but her mother took full custody from me. I do pay child support also I’m seeing if I can since I can get full custody again” Robert said.

“Oh, no what happened?” Hope said.

“Well, my ex, she been leaving her at her mother’s place and keeps running off” Robert said.

“Jacob can help you with that he’s my lawyer, but I don’t know” Skylar said she looked at Jacob.

“For sure man but you’re working now so probably weekends when you guys aren’t working” Jacob said.

“Thanks man” Robert said.

“What about you ladies any kids yet?” Greg said.

“No, none yet” Hope said.

“I have a little girl she’s six right now had her in high school, teen mom. Right now, she is with the nanny.” Gloria said.

“What’s her name?” Skylar said.

“Lena, if it’s okay with you and your mom I want her to visit next weekend” Gloria said.

“That’s fine with me, and I’m sure my mom would like to have company while we work” Skylar said.

“Okay” Gloria said.

“We should get back to work” Greg said.

“You guys go ahead; I need my sleep” Skylar said.

“Okay” Gloria said.

“My mom usual makes breakfast earlier” Skylar said.

They nodded their heads as they went back into the garage, Jacob helped Skylar clean up the kitchen and finished quickly.

“Tomorrow I’ll have Jake help you with the welding, so you don’t have to hold it” Jacob said.

“Okay, night Pooh-Bear” Skylar said.

“Night Sky-Bear” Jacob said.

Jacob kissed her head and went back home; Skylar went up to her room taking a shower she got out and lotion her body before putting on her PJ’s drying her hair and went to grab her pregnancy pillow and finally went to sleep. The rest of the group went on most of the night, Gloria was the first to go to sleep at midnight, Hope went to sleep at one then both guys went back to their rooms at three in the morning. When Skylar woke up it was seven, she can smell food, so she got up put her hair in a high ponytail, washed her face brushing her teeth, she then went to closet taking her overalls and a crop top and went downstairs.

“This is really good.” Gloria said.

“Thank you” Skylar’s mother said.

Skylar came into the kitchen and saw Hope and Gloria eating at the table.

“Morning ladies” Skylar said.

“Morning baby” her mother said.

“Morning Sky” Gloria said.

“Morning” Hope said.

Skylar sat down and her mother gave her a plate, the front door open Hope and Gloria looked towards the door as Jake came in.

“Hello” Jake said.

“Jake, this is Hope and Gloria. Girls this is Jake, Jacob’s younger brother” Skylar said.

“Nice to meet you both. Sky morning, morning pea” Jake as he rubs her belly.

“Morning Jake” Skylar said.

Jake sat down and grab some food and drinks.

“So, weren’t there suppose to be four of you?” Jake said.

“The guys are sleeping came in earlier I think” Gloria said.

“I see cool” Jake said.

They all finished eating breakfast and went into the garage opening the doors.

“This is sweet, I can see why Jacob told me to help you” Jake said.

“Yeah, don’t worry you’ll get paid and no not in beer sorry” Skylar said.

“It’s fine, I want to save up for a ride” Jake said.

“Okay, well put those brown jackets on and make sure you cover up well, the gloves are right there and helmet” Skylar said.

“Okay” Jake said.

“Just watch me” Skylar said.

Skylar was putting the jacket on making sure everything was all to the neck and strap the gloves on.

“Got it?” Skylar said.

“Yeah” Jake said.

Skylar watched him put it on and she nodded her head and place the helmet on, Skylar showed him where to hold the metal and she began the welding they were starting on the middle top the other half, by lunch they were about to start on the next section.

“Let’s take a break need water and food” Skylar said.

“Okay, I’ll get everybody some subway.” Jake said.

“Use my card, and here is a pen a paper have them write what they want” Skylar said.

“Okay” Jake said.

Skylar wrote down what she wanted and went back inside, she saw the boys up.

“After noon boys” Skylar said.

“Hey” Greg said.

“Jacob’s younger brother Jake is going to get subway; he’ll be in soon and just order what you want on me” Skylar said.

“Okay, but first some coffee” Robert said.

Skylar pointed towards the kitchen.

“You, okay?” Greg asked.

“Yeah, got hot and need water break” Skylar said.

“Okay sit down, and I will get you some water” Greg said.

Skylar nodded her head and took a seat on the couch and Greg came back with some water for her.

“Your really good at this” Skylar said.

“Yeah, my sister’s boyfriend left her when he found out she was pregnant, so my nephew has me as his only male figure” Greg said.

“That’s nice” Skylar said.

“Yeah, we should have a big dinner when were finished with the collage invite our families” Greg said.

“Yeah, like a celebration” Skylar said.

Jake came into the house with pen and paper in his hand.

“Greg this is Jake” Skylar said.

“Hey man” Jake said.

“What’s up” Greg said.

“Your order” Jake said.

Greg took the paper and pen writing down what he wanted, Robert came into the kitchen.

“And that’s Robert” Skylar said.

“What’s up man Jake” Jake said.

“Hey” Robert said.

“Your order” Jake said.

Robert took the pen and paper, then gave it back to Jake.

“Alright see you in a few” Jake said.

“And we should get to work, you get some more water and something to snack on” Greg said.

“I will” Skylar said.

The two went into the garage, as Skylar went towards the fridge and grab some yogurt with fruits and some more water. Thirty minutes later Jake came back with the food and they all ate before going back to work.

“The tree is turning out good” Robert said.

“Yeah, just waiting on Gloria’s bottom piece, but since she is taking her time, I can start adding on you guys work then I will add the crystal’s” Skylar said.

“Okay, so you need my work now?” Hope said.

“Yeah, and we can both decided on where to put them” Skylar said.

“Okay” Hope said.

Jake stood on the side as Hope gave her work to Skylar and they decided on where they wanted to put the pottery first, once Skylar welded in, she went on to the painting.

“You think we should add like photo frames just the glass so that way when it rains the painting itself” Greg said coming over to them.

“You know what your right, Jake can you go buy some photo frames of all different sizes” Skylar said.

“Okay” Jake said.

“Hope can you help look for some wires that will keep the painting still” Skylar said.

“Sure” Hope said.

Skylar and Hope went around the garage up and downstairs looking for some thin wires to hold the painting in place so it would not move around when they move it.

“You think we should add two painting together so we can have it spin around in the glass” Skylar said.

“Yeah, like some of the paintings are supposed to be together and I was worried about separate them, but we can do that” Hope said.

“Okay, give me the two that are supposed to go together, and I will start putting it together” Skylar said.

“Okay” Hope said.

Skylar began working on the first two painting that Hope gave her, she had the wire down the middle and had to use wood glue and held it together.

“You think we should weld some metal in those cracks so it wouldn’t be just the wood glue holding together?” Hope said.

“I was thinking about that, but we also have to think about the fabric not burning, I mean we can test it out now, paint the edge of a frame and I will do the same and try it out” Skylar said.

“Okay” Hope said.

Skylar painted the edge of a small canvases as Hope did the same as well, they began to test it out and the fabric burn.

“Okay, let me try on lowest heat will take longer for the metal to heat but it should do the trick” Skylar said.

Hope stood back, Skylar place the helmet on and turn the heat way down and she began going took a while, but the metal melted and did not burn the fabric when she was finished it came out okay.

“Okay, much better but we just need to paint the metal so that way it can blend in” Skylar said.

“So, what are we doing?” Gloria said.

“We decided that to add glass around the painting so any weather it would ruin placing it together like this. The melting of the metal is longer, but it does stick so you would have to repaint over the metal to blend it in and it well also does a little spin” Skylar said.

“Okay so what will the glass be hold by” Gloria said.

“That’s where the heat glass come in” Skylar said.

“That would be tricky because the photo frames will be thin” Gloria said.

“I know, but if we keep everything low heat it would work” Skylar said.

“We have to wait till Jake comes back” Greg said.

“Why couldn’t we just do the heat glass around the painting?” Robert said.

“That can work but how are going to close the bottom we would have to reheat, and have you ever reheated a glass before it’s messy” Hope said.

“So, stick with the frames” Greg said.

“Pretty much” Skylar said.

“You can show me first and I will help since I am finish” Hope said.

“Okay” Skylar said.

An hour later Jake came back the five stood around Skylar as she did the heat glass on the photo frame the first one was broke, so she had to lower the heat more to also like if you breath on it, it will blow out. So, Skylar had to wear a face mask to not breath on it and finally was able to stick.

“Better?” Skylar said.

“Woah it’s like you can’t see it sticking only if you really look close to it” Greg said.

“I know right” Gloria said.

“Now, if your finish with your work you can do the glass. Hope can you do the paintings, and I will do the photo frames” Skylar said.

“I’m good with that” Hope said.

“I can glue them together for you” Robert said.

“Just remember to add the metal. Greg, can you try to straighten the metal for Robert?” Skylar asked.

“Yeah” Greg said.

“I still have a few more work than I’m done, and I will help you with the photo frames” Gloria said.

“Okay, let’s get to work” Skylar said.

Hope started on the painting and Greg began straightening the metal while Robert was gluing the paint with the metal together and Gloria went back to her work and Skylar was doing the photo frames, while Jake cleans the finish photo frames for Skylar.

“Wait how are we going to close the top?” Hope asked.

“Give me the examples” Skylar said.

Hope gave it to her, Skylar found a square tub filled with water, she then heated the end of the thin metal and push the metal threw as the water gave off steam once it stops, she picked up the glass photo frame. Skylar wipe the water off and went to the three piece and place it down she slowly moved the thin metal around as it did a slow-moving spin.

“It works” Greg said.

“Yeah, we just can’t have the painting hit the bottom and top of the glass” Skylar said.

“Now that’s figure out let’s get back to work” Robert said.

They began going back to the station and working on what they were doing by evening Jacob had to come and get Skylar.

“Come on Sky-Bear don’t over work baby Pea” Jacob said.

“Fine” Skylar said.

“Let’s get you some food, you rest while Jake and I cook” Jacob said.

Skylar nodded her head, they both went into the house and sat down by her mom and rub her belly it was a small bump can hardly tell only when she sat down.

“Would you look at that you have a belly” her mother said.

“I know, little Pea is growing” Skylar said.

“Are you drinking your water?” her mother said.

“Yeah, but have to pee every hour” Skylar said.

“Just stay hydrated baby no matter what” her mother said.

“I will” Skylar said.

An hour later they were called to have dinner the rest came into the house they sat around the table and began to eat their dinner.

“Skylar and I were talking about after were finished with the collage, we should have a cookout celebration and invite our family” Greg said.

“That is nice to do, like when will you all work together again” Lily said.

“Sound great” Gloria said.

“Oh, right Gloria is your daughter still coming next weekend?” Skylar said.

“Your daughter is coming” Lily said.

“Yeah, for the weekend” Gloria said.

“Why not have her stay, I could use some company. I miss when Skylar was small” Lily said.

“You don’t mind?” Gloria said.

“Not at all, she can help me in the green house planting flowers.” Lily said.

“Okay” Gloria said.

The rest of dinner they talked about the green house and the cook-out, Jacob and Jake cleaned up while Skylar went upstairs and just got into bed she was tried from the day and she fell asleep quick.