Finding her way

An excerpt of the novel SOME FACTS OF LIFE, to be published soon.

Finding her way

Some facts of life

An excerpt

Yehiel went to the kitchen with Eti in his wake; there were many things that she wished to find out, despite her subconscious impulse to leave. She had to prepare a late lunch for her kids, and to take them back home from the kindergarten at about three hours time.

He could have been an illegitimate child abandoned by his mother, or by a prostitute God forbid… Eti thought following Yehiel to the small kitchen. This must be his apartment and not just a studio. Well if he's an independent person, and except supporting him financially his foster parents have no influence over him… Well then he could be my temporary salvation… She thought encouraged watching all around her the small kitchen and the door on her left, which is no doubt his bedroom.

'So what kind of relations do you've with them, I mean with your foster parents?' She asked him when he was in mid preparing coffee for both of them.

'Well it's a long story but we've reached a certain understanding after the end of my compulsory army service, they're supporting me since then… I live here on my own and I do visit them once in a while.' He summed it up and turned around with the two cups of coffee, he put one on the table in front of her and holding the other one he sat opposite her. 'It isn't instant coffee but real aromatic coffee, I didn't add milk.'

'Oh it's alright Hilik I like black coffee.' She hastened to assure him and tasted it. 'Oh it's strong and aromatic, it's quite a while since I drank such good coffee thank you Hilik. 'So you're lucky in your own way to have your own studio and the support of your foster parents, but what about you social life?' Eti noted coughing slightly, she feared she has over did it, in a second thought it seemed to her as a uncontrolled slip of tongue; she scolded herself for prying into his private life too early, she should have been more patient after she hardly knows him.

Yehiel was not offended or perturbed by her question at all. It was his first ever time to have such a long conversation with a woman; and Eti was not an ordinary woman, she was beautiful and attractive, and he was fascinated by her personality and her beautiful features.

'I'm not the easy going type, and I never was… I've changed drastically after I've learned who I really am….' He said in a lower voice wondering if he should tell her every detail of his private life, of which he was not proud of; and it did trouble and depress him, whenever he was not busy drawing or painting. 'I dedicate most of my time to my art, while my social life can be summed with visiting my foster parents; they keep introducing to me a few young neighbors or relatives of their neighbors and friends, they're making efforts to find the right match for me it didn't work out yet…' He added with a short and embarrassed laughter.

'What are you painting right now?' Eti hastened to change the subject. She learned enough, and decided to turn her interest in what Yehiel would surely be free and glad to talk about.

'I've been painting still life mostly, it was the theme of my exhibition and I would have continued to paint fruit and flowers, but now with your consent to be my model I think I'll work on portraits, and my prepare my next exhibition.' He said smiling to her relieved and thankful to her for bringing up his beloved raison d'être.

'So I'll be the star of your next exhibition?'

'I hope so Eti but you'll have to keep your promise… Oh and here's your pay for your modeling.' He added and handed her a one hundred shekel note.

'But I sat hardly one hour Hilik, it's in advance for tomorrow then, isn't it?'

'That's right and I'll be pleased if you'll come as early as you can.'

'I'll be here at about eight thirty am, after I'll leave my kids at the kindergarten.' With these words said Eti rose up and turned to the door, with Yehiel hastening to follow her. At the door she stopped and hugged him, brushing her lips on his cheek. 'See you tomorrow Hilik.' She said detaching herself from his aroused body, and she opened and started to descend along the staircase; while Yehiel stood on his apartment's threshold watching her till she vanished and only the dying  sounds of her footstep reached dimly his ears.

© Haim Kadman 2015 �" all rights reserved.