26
Putting it all together took five days, and then another five days after Martin launched the campaign for Seb to come back. They were among the longest days of his life.
It had started as a much smaller idea.
“Seb needs to know he has a home in Seacroft,” Martin said to Cassidy, pulse thumping under his skin.
“Of course he does!” Her conviction made it easier to explain.
“I want to make a video. You, Oliver, possibly Penny and Carol Anne. I want you to talk about Seb and how he’s helped you.”
“And you? We’re going to film you too, right?” She said it like it was only logical, and not that Martin was more special to Seb than anyone else.
“Maybe.” The idea of letting someone film him talking left him nauseous.
“Definitely.” Cassidy’s smile made his skin itch.
She broke the ice and had them record her first, with her drawings spread out behind her.
“Seb has been a great mentor to me. I always thought I was bad at school, like I just wasn’t trying hard enough. But Seb showed me that it was because I was good at other things. I’m going to art school next fall, even though he thinks I don’t need it.” She grinned at the camera. “But I want him to know that it’s my choice, and I couldn’t have gotten there without him.”
Penny was equally keen to help.
“Seb is such a fixture in this town. We’re so lucky to have him here. Small towns like Seacroft have the potential to be hubs for creative communities, and artists like him put us on the map. Besides that, Seb is one of the most compassionate people I know, although he probably thinks he hides it well. He’s so giving of his time, and his art. He donated a piece to a silent auction recently, and was integral to the success of the event.”
Oliver sent a video.
“Seb is my little brother, but I’ve learned to look up to him over the years. He’s always forged his own path and been a hundred percent committed to seeing the world his way. I admire him for the risks he takes. We don’t see each other as much as I’d like to, but I hope that changes in the future.”
The second part of Martin’s idea had been to use some of the money raised at the blues night to help Seb get back on his feet.
When he asked, Carol Anne shook her head sadly. “Our budgets are all tightly controlled. We can’t use it for anything other than what we’d already earmarked it for.”
Martin had chewed his lip in annoyance. His idea had seemed so simple. “I don’t suppose we could ask everyone to donate again?”
“Why not?”
So Martin figured out how to set up a crowdfunding campaign online, writing what he thought was a heartfelt but succinct plea to contribute to the cause.
Cassidy had read it with a raised eyebrow, though. “We should add the video to it.”
“What? No!” Martin meant for it to be personal, something to share with Seb once they’d finished raising the money
“Everyone loves sad stories,” she’d said. “But we still need to record you first.”
Martin avoided that suggestion by recruiting other people. It had taken a few days because once the residents of Seacroft heard about what they wanted to do, everyone wanted to be involved. There were people who came and went in the bookstore, some who Martin recognized but didn’t know by name, with simple stories of a wave and a smile every time Seb passed. They talked about seeing his pieces in galleries elsewhere and being proud to tell people that the artist lived in their hometown.
“You need to do one,” Cassidy told Martin.
“I really don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Yes it is. Why don’t you want to do it?”
Martin fought down every instinct that said this would be a disaster. For Seb, he’d try.
“The first time I met Seb, I thought he was a ghost. The second time, I nearly tore a piece of his artwork, and he kicked me out of his apartment.” He smiled at the memory. “But he takes great care of the people close to him. He sees the beauty and potential in things others have cast aside or forgotten about.” Martin bit his lip. “He saw me, when I felt like no one else did anymore. I hope he knows how much he’s helped me. I hope we can help him too.” His cheeks flamed at the thought of other people seeing this video, but he stared at the camera lens like it was Seb, standing at the back of the crowd in a darkened bookstore.
Cassidy gave him a grinning thumbs up as she stopped recording.
