I ran back down the stairs with a big grin.
“Hey mom, I’m going out with Paul in half an hour. Okay?” I was more telling
than asking.
“That’s fine Ariel, he seems like a nice boy. Just make sure you’re home by 6 for
supper. And have fun!” My mom told me.
Back up the stairs I went to get ready. I picked out my best skirt and cardigan to
wear. I quickly brushed my long blond hair, and pulled it up into a high pony tail. I
carefully applied some bubble gum pink lipstick, black mascara and some powder to my
nose.
I stared into the mirror. I looked pretty good. I wondered if Paul would think so
too.
I was soon awoken from my trance by the sound of the doorbell. “Paul!” I
exclaimed to myself.
I gave my bangs one last fluffing, and then went to answer the door.
“Hi Paul,” I greeted him. “Hello Ariel.” Paul smiled. He looked pretty nice. But, of course, I didn’t say that to him! I shut the door behind us and Paul led us to his car.
Paul drove a shiny new Volkswagen Beetle. It was beige and was a convertible. “Wow Paul,” I said. “I love your car!” Bug’s were my favorite type of car, and I wanted to get one when I got my license.
“Thanks.” Paul answered. “It took a lot of hard work to get it, but I think it was worth it.”
I agreed with him as I sat in the plush leather seats.
“So, where would you like to go for lunch?” Paul asked as he pulled away from the curb.
“Hmm.” I said. “How about New Way Lunch? They have the best hot dogs!” New Way Lunch was famous for their hot dogs.
“Sure, that sounds wonderful.” Said Paul.
It took us about five minutes to get there and Paul and I made small talk along the way. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to talk to him. Usually it’s hard for me to know what to say to guys I really like. But talking to Paul was as easy as talking to Autumn. In fact, I mentioned this to Autumn when I got home. She said it was because Paul supposedly had a “feminine side.” I really let her have it for that little comment!
Once we arrived at the restaurant, we bellied up to the bar, and were quickly waited on. The restaurant was set in a genuine 1930’s atmosphere, and it was really neat on the inside. Paul ordered about 5 hot dogs, two orders of onion rings and a Pepsi. He could really pack it away! I just had two plain hot dogs, onion rings and a Pepsi. We ate quietly and then set off to see Stuart.
As we stood on Stuart’s door step, Paul slowly put his arm around me. I smiled at him, and Stuart opened the door. “Hi Stuart.” Paul said warmly. “We came to look at your paintings.”
“Hi, Stuart, I’m Ariel.” I said shaking his hand. “I hear you're a pretty good artist.”
“Hello Ariel.” Stuart grinned. “That’s what I’ve been told. But why don’t you take a look and form your own opinion?”
He let us in and we walked up the steps to see his art work. The steps were the windy kind that I had always liked. When we reached the top I saw paints and charcoals strewn all over the room. There were several unfinished paintings and some that looked like they were done. I really liked his work, and I told him so. “I’m no art-expert, but I think these are really good. You have a lot of talent. Do you plan on making a career out of it?”
“I don’t know really,” He answered. “It depends on a lot of factors. If no one wants to buy the paintings, then I obviously won’t make a living on it. But, it’s something I love to do so I’ll probably always be a painter.”
Satisfied with his answer, I went to study some of the paintings more closely. Paul and Stuart talked quietly together. When I was finished, Stuart invited us to stay and have some cappuccino with him. Paul and I agreed to it and the three of us sat at the counter sipping our vanilla cappuccino .
When it was about that time, that time when you know you should get going but you really don’t want to, I nudged Paul and told him I needed to get back for supper. “It was a nice afternoon,” I told Stuart. “We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
“Sure will,” Said Stuart. He hugged me goodbye and Paul and I left to go home.
After we drove away from his apartment, I said to Paul “I really did like his paintings. Has he ever sold any of them?”
“Yes, he sold one for quite a bit of money, and bought that bass guitar of his.” He laughed.
We were soon back at my house. It had been a really fun afternoon, and I was sorry to see it be over. Paul escorted me to the door and kissed me goodnight. “Bye Paul.” I said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, take care Ariel.” Paul said as he walked back to his VW.
Go on to Chapter Three or get back to the intro.
Check out The Pooh Page The page where I got my email pic.
© 1997 
