Johnny Blue Read Free Page A

that?”
    I tossed a glance at the art studio . “Well it’s pretty obvious in those pictures over there , I think . I love them—the colors I mean . And the pictures too, of course. ”
    He assaulted me with one of those electrical smiles while I’d bumbled out the words, turning up the voltage as each word passed my lips . Whether he liked what I said, or thought I was hilarious, I wasn’t sure, but more inclined to believe the worst .
    He slowly slid my cup of coffee to me then went to the counter behind him and returned with a tray . I smiled at the two white glass canisters with tiny green dragons painted on them . Adorable. He set them on the island between us . “Cream and sugar?”
    “I uh- yeah, why not.” I pulled the tray carefully toward me.
    “Are you trying to quit?” His soft tone held humor.
    I glanced from him to the canisters, picking up the tiny silver spoon that went with it . “Nah, I just…” I removed the lid to the sugar and scooped two in my cup, tr y ing to think . “I normally drink it black, but, with dishes like this, I can’t resist.” I cleared my throat and picked up the creamer then promptly over-flowed my cup with it. “Oh l ord y ,” I whispered .
    I looked around for a cloth and Johnny tossed me a napkin . I wiped it up, feeling like this whole thing was a long and painful audition that I was ruining. I gave a light laugh, bringing the mug of coffee to my lips. “I’ve always been a goofball. ” And to prove my point, I dribbled coffee down my chin .
    Johnny was just a watchin ’ the whole damn show and tossed me another napkin.
    I forced out more light laughter. “Might as well give me the whole stack, I’m likely to need it.”
    He slid the wrought iron napkin holder closer and I shot a glance at him. “Just as you’re likely to not get many visitors like me, I’m likely to burn the place down.” Lik e ly, likely, don’t you know any other words? I dabbed coffee off my chin and white t-shirt, then wiped the counter for extra measure all the while feeling the burn of those blue orbs on me .
    “It ain’t nice to stare at the company, Johnny B. ” I took another sip of coffee, b e ing extra careful while avoiding his gaze.
    “You’re nice to stare at.”
    The compliment undid the little composure I pretended to have and coffee sloshed out of my cu p when I set it down too fast. “Might as well dump the whole cup on the counter and get it over with,” I mumbled, grabbing another napkin and shaking my head.
    “Can I paint you?”
    “ Ohhhh my lord,” I breathed, fanning my face a little . “Paint me?  Like with paint?” For some reason I thought he meant on my body, then it dawned on me he meant paint a picture of me . “Oh, I—I’ve never done anything like that.”
    “Me either.”
    I looked at him, surprised.
    “Well, I mean…” he looked down . “ I haven’t’ in a very long time.”
    That pressed my puzzle button . “Well why start now?”
    His brows drew together briefly. “Yeah, you’re probably right, stupid idea.”
    I immediately regretted my words. “Well, I mean, I wouldn’t call it stupid, I just ain’t never had nobody want to paint me, it’s kinda … I don’t know, embarrassing, I guess.” I stirred the little spoon in my cup loudly.
    “Embarrassing?” Like he’d thought it was something else and had never consi d ered that.
    “Well yeah, I’m not used to people…you know…” I tapped the spoon rapidly on the edge of my cup then returned it to the tray, “staring at me.”
    I lifted my cup and took a sip in the fat silence .
    “Of course. ”
    I was pretty sure that was relief I heard in that velvety voice of his . The idea that he might have his own inhibitions made me want to encourage him . “I ain’t never had nobody ask to paint me . But… if I was to be painted, I think you’d be a… I mean, you’re very nice and… it’s just a picture for crying out loud . ” I laughed a little . “I’d love