The Proverbial Mr. Universe

by Maria La Serra

  She shrugged her shoulders. “It was gifted to my mom, from my ex.”

  “Ah ...”

  “So what usually inspires you, Montgomery?”

  “To be honest, I haven’t painted much the last couple of years, but it all depends. There is always a suggestion in my work, an emotional tie. I go through cycles. Some of the things I’m going through presents itself in my work … not the literal way, more like an obscure metaphor.”

  “So you’re inspired by sentiment only?” Olivia asked.

  “No, not necessarily. It could also be an expression of what I see. I could be inspired by nature, the city, even people.” You especially, he wanted to say.

  “I guess it also reflects my attitude about my life, at the moment I’m creating a piece.” He played with his fork between his fingers. “Art feeds me emotionally.”

  He glanced back at her, her beautiful, expressive eyes looking back at him. How were those eyes making him feel so vulnerable?

  If she continued to see him like that, he was going to tell her that from the moment he laid eyes on her, he was inspired by her beauty, the way she laughed, the way she placed her silken strands of her hair behind her ear when she was self-conscious. Nick wished he could tell her that if she were his muse, he would paint nothing but her. He knew he could not, especially when her father was sitting so close.

  “Nick?” Olivia blinked.

  “Umm … what?” Nick had lost his train of thought. Sitting so close, it seems her intoxicating perfume had an effect on him. Get it together.

  “So what are you working on right now?” she asked.

  “What?”

  “The collection that you’re working on?”

  He looked down and laughed at himself, shaking his head as if to clear his mind. “Well, right now… nothing.” He glanced back to her. “I seem to have hit a creative block.”

  “So what inspired you in the past?”

  “I’m inspired by …” He looked at the ceiling, thinking of something else to say other than the truth. After all, it had been Olivia inspiring him lately, but not in his art. Then a thought came to mind. He looked back at her and smiled. “Well, the universe,” he said.

  Olivia’s face lights up. “The universe?”

  “Yeah, the universe.” He quirked a brow. “Did I say something wrong?”

  “It’s funny you said that.” She took another sip of her wine.

  “Why?”

  “I have been mysteriously receiving little notes from someone who’s been signing them as Mr. Universe.” She gave him a sideways glance. “You wouldn’t know anything about that?”

  He looked around the room to see if anyone was listening to their conversation. Lucky for him, little Anthony was making such a commotion that no one was paying attention.

  He looked back into her bright eyes. “No … I wouldn’t know anything about that.” He shook his head.

  He felt her observe him for a quick second. “I guess not. No, it couldn’t be you.” A disappointed look shadowed her face.

  “I wish I would have thought of it.” He looked back on his plate. He could still feel her eyes on him.

  “So you’re telling me there is someone out there sending you handwritten love notes?” He frowned.

  “No … not love notes, more like inspiring words. I’ve been finding them tucked away in places I usually show up.”

  “You should be careful. You might have some stalker on your hands.”

  “Well, I hope not. It would be very disappointing if it were the case.”

  “How so?”

  “I think it’s incredibly sweet that some stranger is going out of their way, surprising me with these notes. I am going through a tough time right now and the words are incredibly uplifting.” Nick couldn’t look at her because now he caught the attention of James Montiano, who was now watching them from the head of the table.

  “So what exactly about the universe inspires you?”

  “Ah … well …” He paused to find the right words. “The universe defines everything that exists, does it not? All that did exist, all that will exist. The possibilities are endless. But what actually inspires me is when you look up at the night sky, it’s so wondrous. It takes you in, and you can’t help to be so captivated by her beauty.” He gazed at her, making her blush because he wasn’t talking about the universe anymore

  “Well, Mr. Montgomery, perhaps when you complete some of your work, I might be interested in seeing it. I am always in search of new art,” Mr. Montiano said from across the table.

  “My dad is somewhat of an art collector …” Olivia said.

  Nick shifted in his seat. He felt intimidated by James Montiano. For one, he now knew who he was. Second, Nick already sensed that James wasn’t fond of him. He got that impression the moment he met him the night at the hospital. It wasn’t difficult to see that James Montano disliked Nick without even knowing him, because right now those brown eyes looked through a pair of silver-framed glasses and burned his skin, as if her father had known Nick’s intentions and he didn’t like it.

  James was in his mid-sixties, with traces of gray in his hair. His facial expression was always subdued and serious, which made Nick believe that was just his demeanor and not because he wasn’t happy that he was there, talking to his daughter.

  “I am what you call a corporate art collector, and I am in the works of purchasing a property. Once it’s renovated, it will eventually need some artwork for it,” James replied.

  “Of course, Mr. Montiano. I will be glad for you to see them when I am done. I’ll leave you my business card before I go.”

  “Does it actually pay well to be an artist, Nick? I mean, it is probably hard to make a living out of it,” Paul asked from across the table. Olivia’s eyes widened, and Nina kicked him from under the table.

  “Some are lucky enough that they can. As for myself, I work at a bar at night, so during the day I am free to create.”

  Everyone nodded and continued to eat. He looked back at Olivia, hoping to pick up where they left off, but now she was playing with her food on her plate with her fork, trying to avoid any more small talk with him. He was disappointed to have their conversation cut so short just as she started to open up. He couldn’t understand what just happened.

  “Olivia is also an artist,” James added.

  “No, not really, Dad.” Olivia blushed.

  “She’s very talented.” James wiped his mouth on his napkin.

  “I don’t doubt that.” He looked back at Olivia, whose face went to a darker shade of pink.

  “Olivia, you should show him some of your work.” James leaned in his chair.

  Nick turned to Olivia. “Yes, I would like to see them.”

  “Don’t listen to my father,” She placed her hair behind her ear.

  Nick liked it when she was bashful.

  “It’s something I used to do for fun. Believe me, I’m not very good at it.” She took another sip of her wine, avoiding his gaze.

  “I’ll be the judge of that.”

  “You can’t. I threw them out long ago. Dario believed I had no talent.” She shrugged.

  It all started to make some sense to him now. Nick had been putting the pieces together like a puzzle. Not all the pieces were in the box, but he had enough to understand what was going on. She intrigued him. The little he learned about her, it was so fascinating he wanted to know more. Nick knew too well Olivia was the type of girl who would leave a mark on his mind long after they met. He just had to find a way around those walls that she built. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it would certainly be worth any trouble.

  Paul arrived at Olivia’s apartment Sunday morning. He had offered to help her unload some boxes from her place and move them into her parents’ basement for the time being, at least until she could sort out her living arrangements. Though there was no necessity since there were only a few visits with no offers, she was in the rush to start the process of getting on with
her life. It had been quite some time since the apartment felt like a home. Come to think of it, perhaps it never did.

  “Shit, Olivia, I don’t remember you having these many boxes when you moved in last year.”

  Olivia looked around the room. “I’m ashamed to say this is not even half of it. There’s still more stuff to pack.” She smiled shyly.

  “You’re kidding me?”

  Olivia shrugged her shoulders. “Does it look like I’m joking?”

  Paul sighed and took off his baseball cap, tossing it on top of the boxes and reaching for his phone from his back pocket. “We are going to need more manpower, or else we’ll be here all day.”

  “Who are you texting?”

  “Peter. He needs to get his ass over here and help us out.”

  “Hercules?” Olivia gasped. “I love him, but Peter didn’t much help the last time. Strength isn’t his forte. I guess we could give him the lighter boxes to carry.”

  Paul laughed. “I’m going to tell him you said that.”

  “What? It’s no secret. Anyhow, there’s no rush. I didn’t say we needed to bring all of them today.”

  “Well, I’m here now. We could load both cars, at least that way we could get this shit out before noon.” He pressed send and looked up at Olivia. “But first I need an espresso,” Paul said as he walked toward the kitchen.

  “Paul, I …”

  “Oh man, don’t tell me you already packed the espresso machine?”

  “No.”

  He gave her a dumbfound look. “You let Dario keep the espresso machine?”

  “I get to live here until we sell this place. It’s the least I can do.”

  “He fuckin’ cheated on you. He shouldn’t be entitled to anything,” Paul said, irritably reaching for his phone once more.

  Olivia snapped her head up from the boxes. “Nina told you?”

  “She didn’t need to tell me anything. I’m not blind, Olivia. I came up with my own conclusion … The man is a fuckin’ asshole.”

  “Are you texting Peter again?”

  “Damn right. Do you want a cappuccino?” He asked without looking up from his phone.

  Olivia frowned. “We haven’t even started and already you’re on a coffee break.”

  “Cappuccino … yes or no?”

  “Alright, yes.”

  “Hey, Paul, I wanted to ask you something before I forget.” Olivia placed the cap back a black marker and walked closer to her brother.

  “Yeah, what’s that?”

  “Have you been writing notes and putting them in places for me to find?”

  “Notes? What kind of notes?”

  “Stop kidding around, Paul. I know it’s you.”

  “Seriously, I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Olivia reached into her glass bowl and fished out a note, handing it to Paul so he could read it.

  “Is this some joke?” He laughed.

  “You tell me.”

  “Well, don’t look at me.”

  “I’ve been getting these notes for a while. I just thought it had to be someone close to me. I can’t figure out who it could be.”

  “Maybe it’s that crazy chick you hang out with.”

  “Jessica? No … it’s not her. I already asked.”

  “What are you doing for Christmas?”

  Olivia frowned. “It’s a little early don’t you think? I don’t know where I’ll be in a week, let alone ten months from now.” She looked up from her box to see Paul still waiting for an answer. “I don’t know, why?” Olivia shrugged her shoulders.

  “Because I’m planning Christmas at my place.”

  “You’re moving out?”

  He nods.

  “That’s great, Paul!”

  “Yeah I thought it was overdue … leaving the nest.”

  “You think? But I can’t blame you. Having someone cooking and doing your laundry could postpone things.” She paused. “But Mom didn’t say anything to me last night.”

  “Because she doesn’t know yet.”

  “So what are you planning to do? Sneak off in the middle of the night?” She laughed.

  Olivia understood how hard it was to talk to her parents about anything. That was why they were always the last ones to know about what was going on in their children’s lives.

  “Did you already find a place? Because I know of a beautiful condo for sale.” She smiled.

  “Yeah, this place is grand, but a little out of my budget.” He glanced around the room. He opened and closed his mouth, hesitating for a moment before saying, “I’m moving in with Elise.”

  “Elise? Is that the girl you’ve been dating for the last eight months?”

  “Yeah, how did you know? Nina told you.”

  “I’m beginning to think our big sister can’t keep any secrets.”

  “Did she tell you … we’re expecting?”

  Olivia’s mouth dropped. She wasn’t sure if she should worry or be happy for him.

  “Oh My God … Wow!”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  Olivia’s first gut instinct was that this could be a catastrophic mistake. He’d only been dating this girl for a short time, too short of a time to know if you wanted to start a family. After all, it took her five years to figure out Dario was so wrong for her.

  “WOW … but, Paul, I mean … you never introduced her to us.”

  “I know this is sudden … and it’s not something that we planned.”

  Olivia looked up at him. “Are you happy?”

  “Yeah, I am. I mean, after getting over the initial shock … I’m excited. Elise is great. I’ve never met a girl like her. I know it’s working backwards, but we plan to get married eventually.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “Congratulations! Wow, I can’t believe you’re going to be a dad.”

  “I know, I can’t believe it myself.” He laughed.

  Olivia could see he was genuinely happy, and that was all she ever wanted for him.

  Paul sat down on one of the boxes, and she took a seat across from him. They both sat in silence for a moment.

  “I hope … I don’t fuck this up. Now, I have another life that I’m responsible for.” He nervously ran his hand through his hair.

  “Oh, Paul, you’re going to be a wonderful dad. I’ve got to tell you, though, I’m a little upset with you that you told Nina before me.”

  “Well … I didn’t want you to worry about me. I mean, with your break up and all this shit that’s happening to Dad …”

  “You know I’m always here for you.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “I feel like I’ve failed you in some way … as your big brother. I should have been looking out for you.”

  “What?”

  “The way he treated you when he thought no one was looking. I guess I should have said something or done something. I always knew you were unhappy.”

  Olivia laughed. “You make it sound I was being abused. Dario never touched me or anything like that.”

  But that wasn’t entirely true. Sure, he’d shoved her when things got heated, but he never beat her to a pulp. That wasn’t abuse … was it?

  “Olivia, you don’t have to be physical to be considered abusive.”

  Olivia looked away. “I guess you’re right. But you never failed me, Paul. I failed myself.”

  She looked back at him, not wanting to talk more about it. “So when are you planning to tell Mom and Dad?”

  “Soon.” He ran his hand through his hair again. “Well, I thought of bringing Elise over for dinner next weekend and take it from there. Are you going to be there for support?” He smiled.

  “You know I will.” She glanced back at him “Regardless of what you think, Dad will be happy about this … this good news is very much needed.”

  “It’s a boy. We’re going to name him after Dad.”

  “That’s … that’s really nice, Paul. Dad will be touched.” Olivia leaned her head on his shoulder,
and he placed his arm around her.

  They both remained silent. There was no need for words. Olivia could feel what he was feeling, because she was feeling it too. A huge lump in her throat grew so big that if either of them moved, it would break. Every time she thought of her father, the tears would start to fall. Like Nina had said: life doesn’t stop. In five months Paul would have his baby. Whatever happens, they had each other and that brought Olivia some comfort.

  Paul picked up his baseball cap and placed it back on his head. “So that guy Nick …”

  “What about him?” Olivia wiped her eyes, already knowing what her brother was going to say next.

  “Do I have to break his neck or something?”

  Olivia laughed. “What are you talking about?”

  “I watched you two last night.”

  “I didn’t know it was a crime to talk to someone.”

  “The guy likes you.”

  “No, he doesn’t. We’re just friends.” The truth was Olivia wasn’t sure what label to put on their … whatever it was.

  “I’m a guy. I should know.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Olivia could feel the blood rush to her ears.

  “It’s okay if you like him.”

  “I don’t …”

  “Okay, if you say so. He seems like a pretty decent guy. I mean, I don’t understand the whole artist stuff, but—”

  “Believe me, when I say I have no interest. Besides, can you imagine what Dad would say if I brought home a guy like him?”

  Paul arched a brow. “First, you did bring a guy like that home. He was there for you.”

  “He was there because mom invited him.”

  “Whatever.” Paul adjusted his hat. “You’re missing the point. Look, I know Dad kind of planted this seed in our heads … that we need to be with someone who has the perfect job, the perfect family background … but no one is perfect. Well, except for me.” He smiled.

  Olivia stifled a laugh.

  “When it comes down to it, love is just love. It doesn’t actually look like anything, except how the other person makes us feel, and well, I guess what I’m saying is a guy like Nick could be good too.”

  “Wow, look at you all emotional … Are you sure you didn’t write the notes?” She shook her head. It was too weird to talk to her brother about her love life or lack thereof. “Okay, this is so strange. Can we not talk about this? Let’s just get back on the task of cleaning up the remains of my mistake.”