* V A N I T Y

SOUNDS.

TINKLING  OF  PIANO  KEYS  /  the  click  of  a  lock.  /  an  engine  starting,  stalling  /  sinful  whispers  /  STIFFLED  SOBBING  /  the  rattle  of  death  /  alarm  blaring  /  a  siren  call  /  spanish  guitar  strumming  /  LOUD  LAUGHTER  AT  MIDNIGHT  /  banshee  screeching  /  drunk  hiccuping  /  THE  GIGGLE  OF  A  CHILD  /  rolling  thunder  /  DISDAINFUL  CHUCKLING  /  bones  creaking  /  carefree  whistling  /  SINGING  OFF-KEY  /  flesh  hitting  concrete  /  white  noise  /  A  MIRROR  CRACKING  /  laboured  breathing  /  a  groan  of  pain  /  waves  lapping  at  the  shore  /  the  roar  of  a  lion  /  PAGES  TURNING  /  swords  clashing  /  deep  humming  /  BIRDS  CHIRPING  /  dial  tone  /  tongue  popping  /  FINGERS  TAPPING  A  SURFACE  /  crystals  breaking  /  music  turned  up  to  the  limit  /  raindrops  on  a  roof  /  angry  yelling  /  yawning  at  noon  /  horns  going  off  /  ravens  talking  /  BUBBLEGUM  BURSTING  /  splashing  water  /  teakettle  squeal  /  militia  drums  /  wolves  howling  /  slow,  sarcastic  clapping  /  soprano  notes  /  whispering  pleas  /  gregorian  chants  /  mournful  cries

VISUALS.

FILLED  NOTEBOOKS  /  dogeared  books  /  clean  shaves  /  empty  stares  /  sleeping  at  a  desk  /  the  witching  hour  /  driving  all  night  /  RESTLESS  TIDES  /  broken  windows  /  COFFEE  ANY  TIME  /  FRESHLY  BAKED  GOODS  /  bonfires  /  lounging  felines  /  circles  under  your  eyes  /  bedhead  /  tangling  in  the  sheets  /  leather  jackets  /  PAINT  STAINS  /  MUSIC  SHEETS  /  too  many  tabs  to  find  the  music  /  weary  brows  /  card  games  /  messy  ponytails  /  STRAINED  SMILES  /  UNSENT  TEXTS  /  heart  on  your  sleeve  /  SLOW  DANCING  IN  THE  RAIN  /  star  gazing  /  torn  jeans  /  PILES  OF  CLOTHES  /  filled  bookshelves  /  hurricanes  /  chapped  lips  /  cliff  diving  /  THE  LIGHTS  IN  VENICE  /  STOLEN  KISSES  /  poet  shirts  /  HALF  MELTED  CANDLES  /  EMPTY  COFFEE  MUGS  /  HOT  TEA  /  unlaced  boots  /  shameless  flirting  /  TOO  YOUNG  TO  BE  SO  OLD  /  laced  fingers  /  eyes  in  the  trees  /  bloody  knuckles  /  FRENCH  LETTERS  /  neon  lights  /  IVY  COVERED  BALCONIES

SCENTS.

burnt  leaves  /  TURKISH  COFFEE  /  spiced  rum  /  moss  /  VANILLA  BEANS  /  freshly  cut  grass  /  decay  /  sea  salt  /  STRAWBERRIES  AND  CREAM  /  CINNAMON  /  HONEY  /  copper  /  pineapple  /  wet  dog  /  pine  needles  /  wood  shavings  /  rainsoaked  bark  /  something  sharp,  indefinable  /  RUSSIAN  TEA  /  DANDELIONS  /  SQUEEZED  LIMES  /  ITALIAN  WINE  /  FRESHLY  LAUNDERED  CLOTHES  /  coming  rain  /  hardtack  and  gruel  /  roasting  flesh  /  something  cloying  in  the  chest  /  ichor  /  LILIES  IN  SPRING  /  pollen  /  damp  clothes  /  meatpies  /  greasy  coins  /  curdled  milk  /  leather  /  bone  marrow  /  wet  cement  /  ricecakes  /  OPEN  PAINT  CANS  /  cocoa  leaves  /  tar  /  apples  /  sandlewood  cologne  /  orchids  /  molded  onions  /  CHEAP  PERFUME  /  MISTLETOE  /  rubber  on  fire  /  grave  dirt  /  OLD  BOOKS  /  NEW  BOOKS  /  melting  plastic  /  ROSES  /  poison  oak  /  seacucumbers  /  PEPPERMINT  HANDCREAM

“Magnificent, surely,” Laurie concurs, though his tone is underpinned by the dismissive nature of a man who had been exposed to masterpieces and grandeur from a time before he had been taught to appreciate them. He can see the merit and where the lauding stems from – but he much preferred to look over Amy’s sketches rather than these pieces hung on display in frames.

( The latter meant something to him. )

His thumb strokes against the edge of the ring he never took off, a gift from another March sister that was ever present wherever he went, like a reminder to not let his spirits get too high or to enjoy himself too freely. Heartbreak was grounding, rejection a vehicle that had taxied him from idyllic notions to an adult adjacent existence.

Of course, if he were to ask present company, he’s sure she would have some remarks to share about how careless he was with both his time and his resources.

When he side-steps to observe another work, he finds his mind racing with thoughts that didn’t pertain to the piece at all. Where critiques of technique and praise for appeal should reside, the only occupancy is thoughts of Amy – which made for a somewhat pleasant change than the convoluted examinations of days gone that play like a stage production that’s had too long a run.

“What great new works have you been toiling over?” He asks, his attention drifting from the painting before him to Amy, his interest no longer feigned for the first time that afternoon.

IF  AMY  IS  AWARE  OF  THE  OBJECT  OF  LAURIE’S  ATTENTION ,  that,  perhaps,  the  display  of  artistry  is  not  what  occupies  his  thoughts —  she  plays  the  part  of  willful  ignorance.  the  child  in  her  who  made  countless  sketches  and  daydreamed  about  being  in  the  presence  of  such  beauty  doesn’t  seem  to  tire  of  any  of  it  still,  even  in  her  travels.  she  has  not  yet  lost  her  sense  of  wonder,  for  all  of  her  newfound  humility.

amy  does  not  pretend  to  ignore  laurie’s  apparent  disinterest,  however.  even  if  she  refuses  to  acknowledge  what  does  hold  his  attention.  

upon  turning,  amy  finds  her  thoughts  of  artists  technique  suddenly  set  aside  for  the  young  man  before  her.  paying  attention  to  her.

(  a  different  kind  of  attention  than  what  her  childhood  self  was  used  to,  and  maybe  her  heart  skips  a  little . maybe she isn’t used to it just yet .  )

her  lips  purse,  a  glance  at  the  art  before  her  before  meeting  laurie’s  gaze.  “  nothing  bearing  any  particular  stroke  of  genius  ,  i’m  afraid  .  “  accompanied  by  a  sigh.  the  tone  a  bit  genuinely  despondent  for  such  a  proud  statement,  but  it  is  amy,  after  all.    she  swallows  her  doubt,  straightens  her  posture  a  little.  “  do  i  bore  you  ?  i  apologize  if  you  have  already  had  the  privilege  of  sightseeing  in  such  places  .  “  irony  laces  her  tone,  but  there  is  a  glint  in  her  eye  and  the  beginnings  of  a  smile  upon  her  face.