14
More people gathered for the sunrise, but the
sun was shy, delaying its appearance.
Sam yawned, dropping his pen. Visibility was
low. I looked for his pen.
He only used his favorite pen; losing it would
upset him.
く
Just as I found it, I heard gasps overhead.
I stood up, exclaiming.
The sun, veiled in gold, rose over the
mountains, casting its first light on the Potala
Palace, serene and sacred.
People knelt to pray, some clasped their
hands, others drew, filled with devotion.
I finally understood what was missing from
my painting of Ethan.
He was a blessing.
I began to paint. I drew Ethan quickly, adding
golden light around him.
I painted our last meeting, his gentle smile,
his regretful eyes. I added a blooming iris in
his hand.
Sam finished his sunrise and looked at my
painting.
“That’s Ethan? It’s different.”
I was surprised. “What’s different?”
He studied it. “Before, he seemed gentle
<
Now, it’s warm, sunny.”
I nodded.
He showed me his sunrise, almost identical to
the real thing, but more evocative.
He could become famous with this painting.
He didn’t seem to care, offering it to me.
“I promised I’d paint it for you.”
I refused the painting, giving Sam my painting
of Ethan. I posted his sunrise online, and he
became famous overnight.
His earlier works were also discovered.
Someone suggested a solo show, with the
sunrise as the centerpiece.
He asked my opinion. “If possible, please
include ‘Ethan‘ in the show. I want more
people to remember him.”
“Remember a gentle boy named Ethan, and
his cat, Lucky.”
The show was a success. When we returned,
Lily had left for the capital.
Talking about her long–distance relationship,
she was nonchalant.
“Sarah, if he truly loves me, distance won’t
matter. If he doesn’t, it’s not a long–distance
relationship; it’s a long–distance loser.”
Lily was always blunt; I laughed.
I told her about Sam. His paintings were in
high demand, the sunrise fetching millions;
my Ethan painting also had many offers.
Sam refused them all, putting a small sign
next to it with Ethan’s name and a quote.
Lucky got fatter, sleeping in his soft bed, only
coming out in the sun. He rushed to eat when
called, like a bird taking flight.
I continued painting, living simply but happily.
Time gently healed the wounds.
