"Heyden Reynolds," Heyden said. smiling. "I go to school with Hannah,"
"He writes songs and plays the guitar. Uncle Linden. We're singing together,"
"Writes songs. That's good," Uncle Linden said.
"Do you want to go outside, take a walk with us? It's a cool enough afternoon. Nice breeze."
"Ye
s," he said and stood up without hesitation.
Heyden smiled at me. "I was hoping to see some of your work. Mr. Montgomery," Heyden said. He looked about the stark room. but there was nothing.
"I have a few in the room next door," Uncle Linden said. "We can see them on the way out." He paused and looked at me. "I want you to pose for me. Did I ask you?"
"Yes. Uncle Linden. As soon as school is finished. I'll have more time," I said and winked at Heyden.
"Right. Where's Willow? Why didn't she come with you?" he demanded.
"I told you. Uncle Linden. Mommy gave birth recently. She'll be here soon and with the new baby."
"Yes." he said. smiling. The baby." He laughed, "Won't that set their tongues wagging on Worth Avenue?"
"What?" Heyden asked. Uncle Linden didn't answer.
"We're going for a walk," he said instead and headed for the door.
Heyden looked at me and I shook my head.
"He's all right," he said. "Just a little confused. I like him,' he added, and we walked out after Uncle Linden, who was already down the hallway, marching to his rambling thoughts. He didn't stop at any room to show Heyden his paintings, and I didn't think I should mention it We were getting him outside and that was goad.
We took a nice walk. The fresh air, being outside the residency, had a good effect on Uncle Linden and reinforced my belief that he should be living with us by now. Almost as soon as we started away from the house, he asked Heyden questions about his song citing and wanted to hear something.
"Well. I usually sing to a guitar," Heyden said.
"I can sing one." I offered and sang the song we had been working on the past two days. Heyden had obviously written it about us. It was a modern day Romeo and Juliet story with a refrain that went Nothing- anyone can do will ever take my love array from you. It's bigger than the bright blue sea. It keeps the life inside of you.
Uncle Linden stopped walking and looked at us.
"I like that. I like that a lot," he said. "In fact." he said, walking on. it gives me an idea for a new painting."
Heyden smiled at me. Uncle Linden's walk became more energized. He couldn't wait to get back to the house and to work.
"It's good being around creative people." he told us. "Creative people feed each other's
imaginations."
Heyden looked proud, his chest swelling.
"Thanks for coming with me," I told him afterward. "You made the visit very beneficial."
"I'm glad I did. I don't know anything about psychology really, but I agree with you. I don't see why he has to be kept in any residency. So he gets a little confused once in a while. Who doesn't? Especially someone who is so isolated from the people he loves."
"That's it," I said excitedly. "That's what I have been tying to tell my mother for some time."
"I wish we had mountains of money and we could just run off together and set up a home with a studio for him." Heyden fantasized.
"Sounds good to me." I said.