A few moments later, a woman came in with a cart filled with tea, cups, and a variety of cookies. When she left, a man joined them.
“This is my husband, Knox. I’m Blair.”
“Nice to meet you,” said Eric. “I’m Eric. This is Joseph, Cade, Lily, and Cassidy.”
“Cassidy Norgenson,” he smiled. “We own two paintings that you’ve done. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a portrait by you.”
“First, thank you very much. I love knowing who has my artwork. Second, you’re right. I don’t normally do portraits but I’m happy to take this one on.”
“Mr. and Ms. Cordel,” started Joseph.
“Just Blair and Knox,” smiled the man.
“Alright. Can you tell me about your first meeting with Morgan? Did she appear upset at all?”
“She was quiet,” said Knox. “We met her at a restaurant in the Quarter first just to get a sense of what she was like. We were familiar with her work and had several of her pieces already. We explained that we wanted a portrait of our son and why, and she said she would be happy to take it on.”
“When did you see her next?” asked Cassidy.
“It was a few weeks later. We were out of town and kept missing one another. She said she wanted some photographs of Fletcher first and they would help her should he not be able to sit for whatever reason.”
“And did she take the photos?” asked Joseph.
“Yes. Although, she seemed very nervous. I mean, we understand that but there was no reason to be nervous,” said Knox. “She took the photos and then came a few days later and started painting. She didn’t get very far but said she would come back soon.”
“I’m sorry, I’m confused,” said Cassidy. “Why would she be nervous about taking the photos? And I was under the impression that she would have people sit in her studio. She didn’t like going to people’s homes.”
“Ours was a different situation,” smiled Blair. “Come with me.”
The woman stood, her husband taking her hand as they led the team down another long hallway. In the distance, they could hear the sounds of medical equipment.
The door to the room was double the size of the doors throughout the rest of the home. When they reached the room, they knew why.
Lying in a hospital bed was a tiny figure, a boy, connected to more medical equipment than any of them had seen in their entire lives.
“Everyone, this is our son, Fletcher. Fletcher, these nice people are going to complete the painting that Miss Morgan started on you,” smiled Blair.
Joseph stepped forward, the boy turning his head in a jerky, awkward motion. He smiled down at him, then realized he must appear gigantic to the small boy. He knelt beside the bed, touching his hand.
“Hello, Fletcher. My name is Joseph. It’s very nice to meet you,” he smiled. Joseph smiled at the race cars on the boys sheets and turned to Eric. “You see my big friend back there? He loves race cars. He had sheets like this when he was a little boy.”
Fletcher made some gurgling sounds, a half-attempt at a smile breaking their hearts.
“May I ask his condition?” asked Lily.
“He has a form of muscular dystrophy and it’s advancing fast. We don’t have much time left and we just wanted a painting to re-remember him by,” said Blair.
“Hello, Fletcher. My name is Cassidy,” smiled the young woman. Cade stood behind her and he saw the boy’s eyes grow wide. He couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I look like a giant, don’t I?” he smirked. “Me and my friends probably look that way to you. We’re just really tall, and big.”
“Fletcher? Would you let me paint your picture?” asked Cassidy. The boy laughed, gurgling again and Cassidy smiled at him.
“Time for your nap, young man,” said the nurse. “I’m sorry. He takes medication at this time and it makes him sleepy.”
“It’s alright. I’ll see you soon, Fletcher,” said Cassidy. They followed Knox and Blair back to the living room, taking their seats, refreshing their tea.
“I take it you didn’t know about Fletcher,” smiled Knox.
