| |
Walking down the hall at Port Provident High School felt a little strange. Eve loved everything about art, but this was the first time she’d ever been asked to paint a public mural. Covering the length of the main hallway, it was the largest project she’d ever worked on.
Months of time and effort had gone into this project. And now, at the start of the new school year, the entire project would be revealed to the school, education leaders, and others of note in the Port Provident community.
Eve had gotten to know many of the teachers at Port Provident High School while she’d worked on the project. Each area of the school was represented on the wall—from classic Shakespeare in the English department, to a scene depicting the stage in honor of the Theatre department, and even a nod to the district’s new science and technology-focused high school, which celebrated its grand opening last week.
Taking a step back, Eve looked at the full project and smiled.
“I love everything about this! Look how phenomenal our little Globe Theatre looks.” Amanda Marsh, Eve’s long-time friend and the high school’s English teacher, beamed at her section of the hallway art.
“The way you have the door to your classroom styled was a huge inspiration. You’re very artistic yourself.”
Amanda beamed. “It’s half the fun of teaching—making traditional ideas and things to be taught come alive for the kids in new and different ways.”
“I’d definitely say you’re winning in that area.” Eve stopped next to her new friend. She’d come to love Amanda’s passion for literature, teaching, and her students. “I would have loved to have learned in a classroom like yours.”
Amanda pointed at Eve’s bag of art supplies. “And I would love to spend time learning to paint in a studio like yours.”
Eve pulled out her phone and waved it at her friend. “You know where to find me. Maybe this fall we could do some sessions.”
“I would love that,” Amanda said, tucking the card inside of her rainbow-striped teacher’s planner. “I can’t believe we are already starting a new school year and celebrating our first pep rally. Things seem to be moving so fast already. Speaking of time—we need to get you to the gym for the ceremony.”
“Can’t wait to see what the kids think.”
“Me neither.” Amanda gestured, indicating that they were headed around the corner, toward the side wing of the school. “Let’s go see.”
Spencer couldn’t stop pacing back and forth by the bleachers in the high school gym. In just a few minutes, months of Eve’s hard work would come full circle and be turned over to the audience for which the art had been intended.
Full circle...Spencer paused and let his thoughts settle there.
This year certainly had been a loop.
It wasn’t that long ago that he’d stepped on the sand at Eve’s beach house, demand letter from Mark in hand.
But it hadn’t taken long to realize that linear path he’d been on wasn’t the path to take him to his future. And thanks to Eve, he had a future.
This was the year he’d mended both his physical heart and his emotional one. And he had Eve to thank for both.
“Spencer! Good to see you, man.” Dan Clark, the Port Provident High School head football coach, stopped and clapped Spencer on the shoulder. “I saw that Canley Investments signed on as a sponsor for the team this season. Really appreciate that.”
“Happy to support the kids, Coach. Now, are we going to win the championship?” The local paper had covered upcoming season in this morning’s edition and spoke highly of the Port Provident Pirates’ chances of winning the coveted Texas high school football championship in their division.
“That’s always the goal. This year’s team is special. We just need to avoid distractions and stay focused the next few months.”
“I’m sold. I’ll be out at the game this weekend.”
The coach smiled. “Glad to hear it. I’ll see you out there. I’ve got to get in for the pep rally—but thanks again for the support this season.”
“Anytime.”
Within seconds of Coach Clark’s departure, Spencer was back to pacing. He knew he needed to pick a spot up in the bleachers, sit down, and focus on the event and Eve.
But he couldn’t.
Today was too important.
So, as the cheerleaders began to jump and stunt and the band began to strike up the fight song, Spencer moved down one set of bleachers so he could see Eve more clearly...then went right back to pacing.
An hour later, the football team was fired up and the students poured into the hallway, abuzz with chatter and the occasional shout.
Spencer looked for Eve and saw her walking out of the gym with Amanda Marsh and Lisa Fleming, who taught English and theater, respectively. The two teachers had provided a lot of thoughts and inspiration as Eve worked on the mural and a friendship had grown over the summer.
It made Spencer smile to see how easily things had come together this year for Eve. She’d started the year with tears, but as the year began to draw to a close, she had a new business, art commissions, friends...and a future with Spencer.
Or at least he’d hoped.
It was time to find out the answer for sure.
“Evie!” Spencer raised his voice to be heard over the commotion all around.
Eve shifted her path to head in Spencer’s direction, and Amanda and Lisa followed behind. “I looked up in the bleachers, but I didn’t see you. I’m so glad you made it.”
Spencer shrugged at the recent memory of wearing a hole in the gymnasium floor. “I wasn’t able to find a suitable place to sit. But the presentation was great. It was exciting to see Mayor Ruiz giving you a key to the city.”
Eve’s smile would have brightened the darkest night sky. “I wasn’t expecting that! Such an honor. I love this town.”
“Me too.” Spencer placed a light kiss on Eve’s cheek. “It took me a while to get here, but I don’t plan to ever leave.”
“Me neither. I hope I captured that in the mural.”
Amanda chimed in. “I definitely think you did.”
“Agree,” said Lisa. “This is a special place and a special school—and anyone who sees this beautiful wall will know that just by looking at your art.”
The four of them stood in front of the wall, studying the details as the crowd continued to filter through the hallway.
“Something isn’t right.” Spencer took a step back and made a face as he studied the mural.
“What?” A note of panic crept into Eve’s voice. She looked back and forth. “Where, Spencer?
He pointed past the Shakespearean-style thatched roof that represented Amanda’s classroom. “There, near that tree about two-thirds of the way down. Do you see it?”
Eve squinted as she studied the design on the wall. It made her nose wrinkle in the most adorable way. Spencer wished he could freeze this moment in time.
But if he did, he wouldn’t be able to get to what would come next.
And although the nervous energy in his veins made him want to start pacing again, he wouldn’t miss what was coming next for anything.
“What is that? It looks like gum or something. Who would put gum on your brand-new wall, Eve?” Lisa took a step closer.
Eve beat her to the spot in question, then studied it for a split second.
“It’s not gum. It’s a ball of clear tape of some kind. Ugh.”
She began to pick at the edge of the tape with a fingernail. Spencer felt his own palms begin to sweat just a little bit.
“Wait a minute, there’s something in here. It’s not just trash.” Eve picked at the semi-circle of tape a bit more.
“That’s a ring,” Amanda said, looking over Eve’s shoulder.
Eve pulled it free of the tape and held it up. “It’s a diamond ring. What on earth?”
The ring wasn’t as big as the Kiss of Kiev or anything of historical significance.
But it had been bought with love and all the best of intentions.
Spencer took his cue and moved three steps forward, then sank to one knee in front of Eve. “This mural was missing something. You and me. And forever. Here. In our island, our town, our beach. The place we thought we’d use to get away from our problems—but instead turned out to be the key to our future. Eve Larson, this New Year’s Eve, I want to be back on the beach with you—and a minister. Will you marry me?”
He held his breath for a split second. Eve looked at the ring in her hand. Her lips parted gently.
“Of course, Spencer. The answer is yes.”
Amanda jumped up and down. “I just love love. It’s the poetry teacher in me...but it just doesn’t get any better than this.”
Spencer stood and slid the ring on Eve’s finger. “Actually, I plan to make every day to come better than the day before. I once told Eve that loving her was the best resolution I ever made. It’s the truth. And it’s a resolution I plan to make over and over again every single year.”
––––––––
