Nicks Talent

Chapter 5 of Nick's Talent

Ok we are back with Nick's talent as well. More chapters to come as the story evolves. If you want to read more of my stories go to www.timsfunplace.com

Now lets go on with the story:

"I think you know why I am here. I got a tip that the work of a fine new artist was going to be on display and when they told me the name of this new artist, I knew that you were gay."

"Oh, how is that?" I said, waiting for the answer I dreaded.

"I think you know how I know, Nick. I suppose you haven't read the bits we wrote about the school protest and, more important, the human rights project Steve and Jordan started up afterwards. We had a complete interview with Peter and Andrew about their commitment to the programme as well."

"Ah, and my name was mentioned in reference to that?"

"Yeah ... well, I'm sure you're not surprised that your name came up. But after talking at length with Steve about it, we decided that we would use Steve's angle on the story rather then taking it from your point of view. We wanted to keep what happened as a positive development."

"So, I guess you're here now to fill in the gaps and go for the complete story?"

"Only if you're interested in us doing that, Nick. I did read all of Steve's articles and know from talking with some of the others involved that there must be a lot more to the story than you told them, but that is not what I came for today."

"Who did you talk with?" I saw suddenly how he'd made the connections and why he'd come down here this afternoon.

"You know al of them. I think Randy was one of them but I'm a good friend of Alexei as well."

"OK ... so they tipped you off about this art show as well?"

"Yes. They thought that some positive information on an up-and-coming young gay artist would be good for the gay community. That is, if you're up to serving as a role model ... otherwise, I won't write anything, I promise."

"Well, it seems that you're more trustworthy than I thought. I distrust journalists by nature, and my experiences haven't made me change my mind."

"I know ... but I write about art ... not the gossip that inevitably swirls around in the art world."

"Well ... in that case, go ahead ... ask away, and we'll see what I can answer."

Over the next 15 minutes the Advocate reporter asked lots of questions concerning my art ... which media and techniques I preferred ... if I had any major artists whose work inspired me ... standard but interesting questions.

"OK. I have just one more question and I think I'll have enough for my article. If you don't want to answer this one, that's fine with me. The guy in the picture ... your best friend, as you called him. He's your boyfriend, isn't he?"

I smiled. "Yeah, he is. You'll mention him in your piece?"

"I'm not sure yet. I was hoping we might get your permission to use the drawing of him as an illustration to go along with the interview as it's really, really good."

"I don't see a problem with that. It's not like the drawing will be displayed publicly after this as I'll keep it for sure.

I'm never going to sell it."

"Ahhh ... OK ... Tom said that most of your work hanging in the gallery has already been sold."

"So he tells me. I never expected that to happen." "I think we'll hear a lot more about Nick in the future."

"Thanks."

He left and promised to send the article to my e-mail for me to review and add any comments on it. The guy from the Times asked many of the same questions as the reporter from the Advocate except for the ones about my past or the fact that I was gay. Either he didn't know about either fact, or he didn't care. I agreed with Tom that my drawings and paintings could stay up for as long as he wanted. He wanted me to do my next show in his gallery as well, a solo showing without any other artists. He hoped I'd be able to get some work done soon, but I told him I wasn't sure when that might be. I probably wouldn't have a lot of time to paint before the summer holidays. He said he'd keep in touch and that we'd see where I stood later in the spring.

When I got back to the hotel, my Dad was waiting for me. He wanted to have a quiet dinner before I had to leave the next day. He was really upset with me not staying around for the rest of the time they'd be there, so he insisted on having some time together. I'd asked Nick if I should tell my Dad about Thomas ... and why I needed to do this job now ... and he agreed that explanations were in order. I explained why the job couldn't wait and my Dad agreed. He was a lot more understanding after that.

The next morning I was hustled out of bed by Randy to make sure we'd make our flight on time. It had been a strange few days and, on the flight, I realised I was starting to make notes in my head of all the things I wanted to tell Francis as I still loved him very, very much and I knew there was no point in denying that. I just hated that I wasn't able to share my life with him like we had before this summer. Our separation put an enormous strain on our relationship every time we talked. I promised to myself I would set aside some time for a phone call and I promised myself to stay calm during it.

My client Nick had already gone back to Orlando the night before so, on our arrival, we were picked up by a limo service. I was surprised by how warm it was ... I had lived all my life in areas where there was a definite change of seasons. I'd never experienced a place like Orlando, where the seasons were either warm or warmer. When I mentioned this to Randy, he said that that was what made Florida so attractive ... but that living here in the heat of the summer took quite a life adjustment for people like me.

I was nervous when I got to Nick's place. I knew that he had high expectations and I had seen the expression on his face when he talked about Thomas ... but still, that was his perception. If I didn't see that in Thomas, then it'd be difficult for me to draw him as my client saw him.

We were greeted at the front door by Nick and swept inside. He told me that Thomas was resting and that we'd meet him later that evening.

After we sat down in his gorgeous living room overlooking a very large garden, he asked, "So, how did the interviews go?"

"Very well. I'll have to check my e-mail tomorrow to see how the article ended up." "Well, I'm sure you'll like it ... that guy from the Advocate is very good. He knows his art."

I know I looked surprised. "So you were behind that as well?"

"What do you mean ... as well?"

"Well, the reporter mentioned that he knew Randy and Alexei, but he never said anything about you."

"But I didn't tell him about the show, Nick," my client Nick said. "I know him but that's more in relation to my job. I didn't tell him I would hire you, Nick. So I don't think that he would use my name. He knows he needs to protect it if he ever wants to get that exclusive in the end."

"Ahhh ... well ... he did."

"So, was he the only one who asked for a personal interview, or were there more?"

"Yes, the journalist from the Times wanted to ask some more questions, too."

"Great! You'll become better known in the art world quite quickly then. He has a good sense for modern art, too, and is well respected in the art world."

"So ... where do you want me to paint, Nick? I'd like to start tomorrow if I can."

"Yeah, that won't be a problem. You did bring all your equipment, didn't you?"

"No, I didn't carry it with me. It should be delivered first thing tomorrow."

"You want to see the spot I thought would be ideal for work?"

"That sounds like a plan. Then I can see the quality of the light there and what effect it'll have."

He showed me a small room just off the living room which looked out onto a small lake that was on the other side of the garden. "I thought you could work in here. The light is good and it's one of Thomas's favourite places to sit."

I looked around. It looked good to me. "So how sick is Thomas at the moment? How long can our sessions be? I don't want to tire him out or anything."

"Oh, he's doing OK at the moment. Don't worry about that. After his last stay in the hospital four weeks ago now, he's doing a lot better. We just don't know how long this respite may last. I think that, if you want, he could sit almost all day for you."

"Oh, OK. I thought that, because he was resting now ...."

"Hmmm, that's my fault for misleading you. You know how you can get when you haven't seen the one you love for a short time. I'm just a little over-protective."

We giggled because of his answer and walked back to the living room.

"Ah, there you are," we heard a voice from the other side of the living room.

"You OK?" Nick asked anxiously.

"Yeah, I slept a bit. So, I see you brought Randy with you. Good to see you, short stuff!"

"Quiet, Thomas. It's good to see you on your feet again."

"Yeah, I just keep getting stronger."

While they bantered back and forth, I was able to take a good look at Thomas. I could see why Nick loved him; he was very attractive and engaging. He was very natural in the way he moved, almost like a ballet dancer, I thought. Under his t-shirt he showed a very nicely muscled upper body. He had blue eyes but they looked really dark in combination with his very black hair ... a very strange combination indeed.

"So who is that shy hot guy that you brought with you, Randy? Is he your new flame?"

Randy smiled. "Hmmm ... well, he could have been ... except he's taken already."

"Oh, is he? And you haven't been able to woo him over? That must be a big disappointment." While he said that, he walked over towards me and held out his hand in friendship.

"Hi, I'm Thomas. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Nick," I said quietly.

"Hmmmm ... are you sure? I thought my boyfriend was Nick ... or do I have two now?" he teased.

I giggled a bit. "Wow! You should do that more often ... you look cute with that smile on your face, Thomas."

"So ... any of you want to explain why you brought this hot guy, Nick, here? Not for our entertainment, I hope."

Randy and Nick couldn't help but laugh. I looked at them hoping they would clarify what was happening. I'd already found myself a bit surprised that Nick hadn't told Thomas upfront why I was here.

"He's your birthday gift," Randy said inaccurately, trying to hide more giggles.

"Oh," Thomas said in a camp manner, walking slowly around me now. "Well ... he's very nice ... very hot indeed ... but I think I have enough with one Nick, to be honest. You're all I can handle most of the time," he said to my client, Nick.

I'd started to blush when Randy said I was Thomas's birthday gift and Thomas walking around me, checking me out completely, didn't help either.

"Come on, guys! Don't leave me hanging here!" I exclaimed, hoping that one of them would help me.

"He's an artist," Nick said simply.

"Oh! Is he here to create heaven for me then?" Thomas said with a smile.

"Well, not exactly. I want him to draw a portrait of you."

"Isn't he a bit young for that? Knowing your taste in art, I'd expect someone a bit more mature."

"No, he'll do just fine. He has just the thing I wanted."

"Yeah ... I can see that ... he looks hot ... but is he gay, too?"

There'd be no beating about the bush with Thomas, I decided.

"I am gay, Thomas ... and, as Nick told you, happily committed."

"We'll see about that!" he smiled mischievously.

"So you like the idea of your portrait being done, Thomas?"

"Anything for you, my sweetie," he said to Nick C. He'd moved closer to Nick and grabbed his head and drew it closer. I'd seen passionate kisses before but when the two of them didn't part, I felt myself blush, a little uncomfortable by their intensity. I looked at Randy who smiled and moved over to the bar to get a drink. I pointed at myself and he understood that I wanted one, too.

I'm sure that if we hadn't been around, this scene would have developed in an entirely different erotic direction ... but, when they came up for air, they got themselves a drink as well.

For the rest of the evening we slowly got to know each other better. Thomas's illness wasn't mentioned once, but it was there hanging in the background, I could feel that for sure. I had to tell them about how I'd found the talent that I had and Nick C. ended up singing us a few songs. In the end, Nick took us to our bedrooms and wished us a good night.

I got my bags unpacked and headed to the bathroom which was through the connected door. I only had a towel hanging over my shoulder. When I opened the door, I was a bit shocked as Randy was standing in front of the basin, brushing his teeth.

"Oh, sorry," I stammered.

He must have seen me in the reflection of the mirror. He smiled and said, "Hmmm ... a hot guy indeed, Nick!"

Ignoring his innuendo, I said "I'll be right back."

"Come on in! You've nothing to be ashamed of, so do whatever you came to do. I'll be finished in a second."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah ... as long as you don't expect me to get naked, too!"

He was still wearing a pair of white briefs, something that, in my mind, only made him look hotter than without them.

I moved towards the shower, hung up the towel, and stepped in. "You're going to be OK, Nick?" he asked.

"Yeah, I think a good night of sleep will do me a lot of good, Randy, and a shower will help, too."

"OK ... just call me if you need to talk."

"I will. I'll probably telephone Francis in a moment."

"That sounds like a plan. Good night, Nick."

"Night, Randy."

I finished my shower and went back to my bedroom. I sat down on the chair in front of the window. It appeared that I was on the side of the house that overlooked the lake. I saw the sun slowly sinking behind it.

I sighed, trying to get the nerve up to call Francis. No yelling, no yelling, I said to myself.

I played with the television and then waited, taking deep breaths. I dialled. The phone rang once, twice, three, four times. Come on ... answer it ... I willed Francis to pick up. Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven rings ... come on ... you can't be asleep already! But after number fifteen, the voicemail clicked in. Not wanting or able to say a lot, I just said, "Hey, Nick here. Call me please."

I left the mobile beside my bed, just in case he called. I laid down and, with the relaxing evening that we'd had and the reassuring interaction between Nick and Thomas, I realised I missed Francis more than I wanted to admit. I also began to see where my yelling had come from ... it was pure frustration at not being able to be with him. Damn! There must be some solution to this quandary. I just hoped he'd call back soon.

I was awakened the next morning by a knock on my bedroom door. I saw it was light already. "I'm awake," I said.

"Can I come in?" Nick C.'s voice came from the other side of the door.

"Yeah, come on in."

When he saw I was still in bed, he stopped. "Are you sure? I thought you'd have been up for a while."

"No, sorry ... just waking up. You came to call me for breakfast?"

He smiled. "I don't think you're awake yet ... it's almost 11 a.m. There's some breakfast left for you in the kitchen but we've already had ours."

"Oh, damn! You should have called me."

"We decided against it, Nick. I think the last few days have taken quite a bit out of you and I want you to be at your best when you start."

"I see. Well, you tell the others I'll be down soon, OK?"

"Sure. I just wanted to know if you wanted me to put your equipment anywhere special."

"It arrived?"

"Yes. There's quite a lot. I never knew you needed so much to draw."

"Well, in general, I don't need everything I sent ... but I like to have every option available to me, just to make sure."

"Well ... just let me know where you want it."

"That room you showed us is as good a place as any. I can start there."

"OK ... I just wasn't sure there'd be enough room to draw."

"Oh, I think I'll want to suss out other options, too," quipped Nick to Nich C.

"OK ... you go ahead and do whatever you think you need to get the job done. You're the artist here."

He left and I got up. I showered and dressed in my working outfit, which felt way too warm as I would find out later on the day. I got some breakfast and looked around to find where the others were.

"Good morning, Nick!" Randy said when he saw me coming into the garden. They were sitting on the patio.

"So, when do you want to start?" Thomas asked.

"Whenever you want," I replied

"Well, let's have some coffee and then get going. I'm anxious to see how good you are."

"Hmmmm," I thought. A bit unsure of my status, I looked at Randy and Nick.

"Come on ... you can say anything you want, Nick," Randy said.

"Well ... it's just that I don't want either of you seeing my work until it's finished."

"Oh, another artist hang-up!" Thomas said, smiling.

I looked at him. "Oh, a lot of artists work that way. Nick never wants me to hear a song that he is writing until it's done, music and all.

I smiled at Nick.

"I don't think that there'll be a lot to see anyway today. But you'll see everything later. What are you going to do while I work?" I asked, looking at Randy and Nick.

"Oh, watch you guys!" Randy said with a smile.

"Hmmmm ... I don't think so. I'm sure you haven't shopped in quite some time and I know I need a few surprises so you better go and enjoy yourself some where else."

"How long?" Nick asked.

"Oh, you're going to give in that easy, Nick? I thought you'd want to see the artist at work?"

"I know ... but if you prefer that we leave ... we'll go. I want you to do this on your terms, understood?"

"I guess that's fair to Nick," Randy said.

"We can talk later, OK? And I'm looking forward to my surprise," I said.

Nick and Randy made their way out of the house. I looked at Thomas.

"So, what do you want me to do now?"

"Well ... nothing too tiring today, to be honest. I thought we could talk a bit and, while we do that, we could walk around and see if we find a nice spot where we could work."

For the next hour we talked about ourselves mostly. We got to know each other ... which I thought was a good start for me, so I could see what I needed to bring to this project. He told me how he'd met Nick C. and how they started out. It had been a difficult start but I could see that he was very happy with the way their relationship had evolved. We didn't talk about his illness ... so far, no one had said a word about it ... so I thought it better to stay away from that delicate subject.

"OK, so where is your boyfriend?" Thomas asked out of the blue.

"He is off doing his thing ... he's a member of the national gymnastics team."

"Wow! You're a very gifted couple, then."

"He's doing OK," I said with a sigh.

"Hmmmm ... that sounds like there's some clouds mixed in with the sunshine," Thomas said.

"Well ... let's say we've hit our first rough spot since we got together. I think distance and our competing ambitions are making things harder than they need to be."

"Don't worry, Nick. If it's true love, then everything will work out OK."

We ended up back at the house, on the side overlooking the lake. The idea I got when I saw it the first time came back. This would be a good spot.

"Do you think you can stand here for a little while, Thomas? I'm going to get my stuff. I think this is a good spot to start with."

"Ah, so now the difficult part begins," he said laughing.

I smiled at him. "Be right back, OK?"

"Yeah, go for it. I'll sit down till you get back."

That was the first little remark about his possible lack of physical conditioning. I knew I had to do several, probably short, sessions. It meant a higher level of personal concentration so I could finish my concept of the drawing after each session.

I carried my stuff to where he was waiting.

"So, what do you want me to do, Nick?"

"Just stand with your face towards me, in a relaxed position ... we don't want a formal pose. Just relax as if you were looking at a bird on the rooftop of the house."

"OK, I can do that."

I wondered if he had done this before as the pose he struck was quite good. I worked on a few rough sketches. This afternoon was all about getting a feel for Thomas and his surroundings. I just wasn't sure I could do what I had done with Francis. Thomas looked serious and it was going to be difficult to get the expression that he had when he talked about Nick. I knew it was there. I just had to see it long enough to capture it.

I wasn't sure how long we'd been working together when my phone rang. I'd finished one sketch and was starting a second.

"Sorry, I'd better answer this," I said.

"Go ahead. I'm OK here."

"Nick here."

"Hey, Nicky, David here. How does it feel to have the summer in the winter?"

"Great, David ... no problems at all. It's a bit too humid for my liking but fine for a little while."

"Good. And your assignment is going fine?"

"Just started, but I don't see why I won't be able to do it."

"Good ...." I could hear some hesitation in his voice.

"Come on, David. I can tell that you didn't call just to ask about the weather here."

I heard him sigh. "Sorry, Nick. I just wondered whether you'd heard anything from Francis since Friday."

"Hmmm ... not really."

"You tried to call him?"

"Yeah, I left him a message, but so far there's been no answer from him."

"OK ... well, he will in time."

"Why did you ask, David?"

"Nothing ... just wondered if he had."

"Did he call you then?"

"No, he hasn't contacted me, either."

"Well if you do hear from him, tell him he has some explaining to do." Damn! Now I'd done it again. I had promised not to get upset with Francis any more.

"No ... wait ... just tell him I love him and that I hope to speak with him soon, OK?"

I could hear a smile in his voice as he said, "I'm sure he wants to call, Nick, and you know he loves you, too."

"I know."

"OK ... let me know when you hear anything from him, OK?" David said a bit more urgently than the rest of the conversation.

"I will. Enjoy the rest of your holiday," I answered and hung up.

Now that was a strange phone call! Seemingly he only called to find out if I'd been in contact with Francis, but for some reason, he didn't tell me why. Strange. I looked back at Thomas. Just at that moment his face broke out in a big smile and the love I had seen there before filled his face. Not sure what had happened, I began to sketch as quickly as I could.

"Wow! I didn't know you could work that fast," I heard Randy's voice behind me.

"Don't look," I said without stopping.

"But, Thomas isn't there any more. He's gone inside with Nick C."

"Doesn't matter," I replied abruptly.

I continued to work on the image that I had in my head. That was all I needed for now ... but I didn't want to explain that to Randy right there and then.

I continued until I was happy with the second sketch. I knew if Thomas could do that a few more times, I'd be able to get what I wanted. I looked around and saw that it was getting dark. I looked behind me; I saw the three of them sitting in the living room.

I was starting to collect my equipment when Nick C. came up beside me. "Finished?" he asked.

"Yeah, for the time being. I just needed to finish what I was doing. It was a too good an opportunity."

"OK ... well Thomas wasn't sure he should leave but you were so focussed on the sketch and you hardly responded to his presence, he decided it was OK to leave. He tried to get your attention, but he failed."

"Oh, I know ... that happens sometimes."

"Let's go inside. Dinner should be ready in about 15 minutes or so."

"Is it that late?"

"Well, you've been sketching for more than two hours."

"Wow! OK ... well, show me the way."

I met the others in the dining room.

"I'm sorry that I left, Nick," Thomas to apologise as I walked in. I smiled and stopped him from continuing.

"I should have warned you, Thomas, but I didn't think it would happen so quickly. It normally happens when I am doing the final bits of a portrait. I guess I was caught in the moment as I tried to focus on your imagine. Although I'm still not sure what happened ... but your expression transformed at one point ... and that was the look I wanted to capture. I hope you can discover that look again"

Randy started to laugh.

"What?" I said as I saw that both Nick and Thomas were smiling too.

"Sorry ... I guess that means that Nick will need to be here for the sessions as well," Thomas said.

Added Nick C.: "I just walked in as you ended your phone call. You looked up and started sketching like a madman.

From that moment on, it seemed as if you weren't there."

"Ahhh ... that explains a lot."

"So is that how it works for you Nick" Randy asked.

"What do you mean".

"Well is that your secret, you can keep focussing on an image that you saw and than just put it on paper".

"Sort of, but yea it seems my mind has got an incredible way to keep an image that I think is good saved up. But I have no idea how it works, it just does. And somehow I am able to know exactly when that moment is as well. It is strange but it works for me".

"Well don't wonder about it Nick, Nick said. "Just enjoy it and make the most out of it".

"Do you have something like that as well when you are writing songs Nick or when you are acting Randy" I asked them.

"I don't know for sure but sometimes the lines just flowes into my mind and onto the paper. I can work for hours on it and then all of a sudden the click is there".

"Yea for me too, I can struggle for ages with a character and then at a point I got it or not. I talk a lot with others about it , that seems to help me. So who was on the phone?" Randy asked.

"Oh, that was David. He said to say hello to you ... so hello."

"OK ... so you decided to use the garden rather than a room in the house?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. I hope you don't mind ... but the light down there was just perfect. I also think that the lake is a nice background for a portrait."

"No ... that's fine with me ... you're the artist, Nick."

"Oh ... and who sings then?" I said laughing.

For the rest of the evening we enjoyed each others company. We agreed that we'd start the next morning at 10 and then break around midday for lunch and a rest. If the weather was fine, we'd try to do another two-hour session at the end of the afternoon. I could work on my sketches in the meantime and decide how I wanted to continue.

I tried to call Francis again but there was no answer. I didn't leave a message. His silence was frustrating but I didn't want to get mad at him.

The morning session went well. Nick and Randy went for a swim in the lake and I'd positioned Thomas so he could watch them. That position elicited various facial expressions, including the precise one I wanted to capture in my portrait. This was going well, and I thought I could be done in just a week.

When we broke up, we joined Nick and Randy by the lake. Although it was warm, I didn't want to swim. I rested and looked over the water. My gaze started to go further and further into the distance. The lake disappeared from my view and my eyes focused on nothingness, a black hole that overwhelmed my vision. The blackness slowly started to expand. I also felt further disassociated from the landscape. I started to feel cold and frightened. What was going on? I tried to refocus on reality, but somehow I was unable to let my vision go.

The feeling of something big, something terrible, something crushing overwhelmed me. Suddenly I was in a locker room. I recognised it ... it was where David and Francis trained. What was happened? Why was I picturing this? It wasn't empty ... a lot of people were running around. Then I heard Francis's phone going off. The sound must have brought me back as I was suddenly lying on the sand instead of sitting up.

More chapters to come as the story evolves. If you want to read more of my stories go to www.timsfunplace.com . Or send me a message at noway16@hotmail.com