@memorianemone
If there was one thing Arthur Zietz was known for, it was his tendency to go over the top with the vast majority of everything he did for other people. Okay, so it was actually his art, the talent which brought him all this money and fame, but that was another thing entirely. By another thing entirely, he meant something that gave him a way to live but did not bring him the inherent joy to his life that other people did.
Which hadn’t always been the case entirely, but such a thing was in the past. He was close to a new man now, close to transcending beyond absolutely everything which had kept him withdrawn and miserable. His art had new life, new breath, new hope! Brought forth from struggle, wrought from the depths of his suffering and the deep sorrow for those treated so unfairly in the past --
Off topic. He reminded himself, before placing up the final touch on the bouquet of flowers at the center of the table. A constellation of them; blue and pink offsetting black flowers, a touch of small white starlight. A ribbon (one which could double up as a tied-on headband, should the recipient of this gift so choose) wrapped delicately around the tall standing vase. An entire dinner (salad, soup and entree) spread out across the table, two chairs nicely set up.
When will she be back? He wondered, looking at the door and checking his text messages again. Nothing beyond the ‘be there in 5’ he’d received about 7 minutes ago. He busied himself in fixing up the cover over top of the painting he had just finished, but ended up so absorbed in it that when the door opened his back was turned. In surprise he flinched and turned, half wrapping himself (and partially revealing the secret) in the thick star-patterned cloth.
“Isae! Isae, I finished the painting I wanted to give you and I- the dinner, too! For the special day today!”
Wait. It suddenly occurred to him, all in a flash, What if she doesn’t remember exactly what day today? This is a weird anniversary right? The day I finally got her to open up to me? I guess I am replacing it with something more notable…
He realized he was still holding the cloth, and quickly threw it back over the painting. “So let’s eat! You’re probably starving after being out all day.” He walked towards the table again, not at all realizing that all his rummaging had knocked the adoption papers he was trying to hide from her to the ground.