Joe

04-22-2013, Monday

Love Park, Philadelphia

            Marge was sitting on her spot again. I said, “Should we do another portrait?” “I don’t know…” “Do you want to see how I finished your portrait, yesterday?” “Yes! Hey, come here, take a look!” She called someone from across the street, but no one appeared. She was pleased with the portrait. “So, maybe just half an hour? Would you like a sandwich?” ”No, I don’t need your sandwich. What kind of sandwich you have?” “The same as yesterday. Are you going to bargain with me?” “No, I am not going to bargain with you. I’ll tell you what. My case manager is going to see me soon. Are you coming tomorrow?” “No. On Thursday.” “At what time?” “Nine thirty, ten…” “I will sit for you on Thursday. That’s decided!”  “All right, Marge, see you then.”

Park was rather empty. Two idle ladies with suitcases were sitting there on the bench. They weren’t interested in me painting their portraits. They, too, thought that I would charge them.

I spotted Joe sitting on the steps around the corner. “Hello, sir!” “Hi,” he smiled right away. “I am an artist. May I paint your portrait?” “Now?” “Yes. Hear.” “I am an anxious one, I cannot sit still, I have to walk. Burn calories.” He laughed. “You don’t have to be still. Just let me sit here next to you and paint your portrait. Do you want a sandwich?” “No, thank you, I don’t want a sandwich. I cannot sit here, I have to move.” “Maybe you will sit a little; I won’t take long. Thirty minutes. I really want to pain you. Just try.” “Ok, I’ll try.”   He had blue eyes and handsome aged face, weathered and tanned. He watched with interest the fast progress of the painting. Half way, I said, “Joe, you are doing great!” He smiled. A man passed by and asked permission to take our picture. Joe was impressed with attention. I finished and thanked him again. He said, “It was not difficult!” “You did very well. Will I see you around?” “Yes, around the city. I walk around. Burn calories,” he joked again. “Maybe you would take a sandwich?” “Yes, I will.”  “Two?” “No, one is enough.” “See you around, Joe.” “Take care.”