She put the flute aside and stood up stretching her back and legs. “I’ve been having a full blown pity party. Roland left unexpectedly while I was out on the boat with you. I’ve been grieving like a school girl.”
Lucky’s eyes filled with compassion as he gave her a rueful smile. “Let me cook you something delicious. I bet you haven’t had a decent bite of food in days. My mama always said, ‘A good meal can cure much heartache.’”
Lilly nodded, “I don’t know if it will heal me, but since you mentioned it, I am hungry.”
She sat on the butter soft leather sofa and listened to Lucky in the kitchen. He was cooking and singing Neil Young’s Heart of Gold along with the radio.
Delicious smells drifted through the apartment. Lilly’s stomach gave a low rumble as she stood and walked around the living room examining the painting hanging on the wall. She stood in front of each painting for a few minutes amazed at the emotions a painting could evoke. They were mostly seascapes. One had rugged faces etched in rocky cliffs, watching tall ships list in a heaving sea.
She moved from one painting to the next and stopped. Ah, this was her favorite. A small wooden boat, its sails billowed slightly, moved through turquoise water headed for shore. Above the shoreline the sun shone on yellow stucco houses with bright red tiled roofs. They decorated the mountain side like strands of exquisite golden beads. Lilly spoke a gentle “ahhh” as she looked at the painting.
Lucky came up beside her and spoke softly, “You like this one?”
She nodded. “What do you see in it that pleases you?”
“It’s filled with hope and the promise of pleasure.”
He reached over and took the painting from the wall, “It’s yours.”
“No, no I couldn’t possibly take something from you. It must be valuable. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Lilly, I painted it, I can give it to whomever I please. I would love you to have it. Perhaps you can bring it to life with your magic flute.”
“You painted this?”
“Yes, you see my initials on the bottom of each one.” Lilly looked closely and her mouth fell open, “LSD?”
“Yea,” Lucky laughed as he responded, “Lucky Star Diamond. These are all my paintings. Well, this is not all of them, but these are the most recent.”
“I thought you worked on boats. You’re a painter?”
“Where better to paint the sea than on a boat?”
“Ah, right. But still I couldn’t possibly take your painting.” She went back to the piano stool and sat, picking out a tune with one hand. Lucky came over and sat next to her.
Keeping eye contact he spoke sincerely, “You can come by anytime. If you want to talk or play music or visit, I’m here. I will be here for a few more weeks.”
“Your leaving?”
“Only for a short trip. I’ll be gone a few weeks. This is my home. I always return.”
Topaz came sauntering into the room and jumped on top of the piano. Lucky laughed and began to run his hand down Topaz’s back, “I would miss my feline friend dropping in for a visit. All the people at Panthea’s are my family. I’ve been here a long time and this is where I want to stay. I belong here.”
Lilly stood beside him scratching Topaz behind the ears, “I am beginning to feel like my friends at Panthea’s are my family too. I am grateful to be here.”
“Gratitude is the best attitude,” Lucky said as he put his arm around Lilly’s shoulders and led her to the small alcove off the kitchen. They fell into a pattern of easy banter enjoying a simple meal of gulf shrimp sautéed in butter and garlic served over brown rice and vegetables.
After dinner, Lucky made her a cup of herbal tea. He swore the hot brew would restore her good vibes. His potion worked. Her body relaxed and she laughed and basked in Lucky’s encouraging attention.
When she stood to leave, they lingered in the doorway as Lilly said, “Goodnight.”
Lucky didn’t respond. He stood near her, keeping the intense eye contact she had come to expect. She held his gaze and, for once, his eyes closed.
Lilly leaned slightly toward him, felt his arms surround her gently pulling her close to his body. She tensed and moved back. Lucky smiled sadly, took her hand and drew her back into his apartment.
He took her in his arms and led her to the butter soft leather sofa. He kissed her deeply and she responded. He pulled her closer to him as his hands went under her shirt and rubbed her back. She drew away from him and started to cry. “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
“It’s okay,” Lucky said still holding her in his arms. “For no, we will be friends. You can trust me to be here for you and offer you all the support you need.
“Oh, Lucky, what have I done to deserve your friendship and support? What have I done to deserve my new family? I am thrilled to be here and terrified it will all go away. I don’t know how it all came to be and I am scared I don’t know how to make it stay.”
Lucky looked into her eyes, “There is nothing you did or did not do. You are here because you were drawn here. You belong here. We are an ancient coven coming together again to pave the way to the new millennium. You are a vital part of our family. Have no fear of losing what is so intimately and eternally yours.”
A huge sigh escaped from the depths of her being. She lay her head back on the sofa, all thoughts
