CHAPTER17
Tristan
“This is the art college that Remi goes to.” Holding Tommy’s hand, I lead him along the pathway that cuts through the courtyard dividing the LaCasse College campus. His eyes are wide with awe. “We’re gonna meet him at the Clayton Arts Building where he takes classes in drawing and sculpture.”
“Cool beans,” Tommy replies. “And it’s where I’m gonna take my clay lesson.”
“It sure is… with a professional sculptor.”
Remi has set up an afternoon to spend with Tommy and his sculpture professor, Jillian Stitt, who runs LCC’s Foundation Program—introductory courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and graphic design. According to Remi, all students must complete the Foundation Program before they select their major, so they have experience in a variety of mediums. And he tells me that Jillian is perfectly suited to run the exploratory program thanks to her enthusiasm for all forms of visual arts. He has also assured me that she’ll be the perfect person to give Tommy some tips.
Remi is waiting for us outside the old brick building when we arrive.
“Coach!” Tommy scurries ahead of me, and when he reaches Remi, he hugs him around the waist. “I told everybody at school that I’m goin’ to college now!”
Remi’s eyes shine when he greets Tommy. “Here you are at a real art college. Today, you’re going to take a lesson from one of my favorite professors.”
“Hi, Remi,” I say and lean in for a quick kiss. “I’ll leave Tommy with you and wait in the student caf.”
“Come upstairs and meet Jillian first.” He grabs my arm. “She’s always looking for life models, and you’d be perfect for her figure sculpting classes. And don’t worry, Jillian’s nothing like Santini—she’s always respectful.”
Remi’s brief scowl proves he’s still pissed off about what went down with Professor Santini at his house. Iblame myself for giving the guy such a perfect opportunity to hassle me. Based on his creepy behavior in the classroom, I should’ve known better than to be alone with him. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you that the owners of Kid Castle called me this morning. My substituting gig there is gonna be every Thursday. I hope Professor Stitt’s classes won’t conflict.”
His face lights up. “That’s terrific… Still, you should meet Jillian and see what she’s looking for, okay?”
Tommy snatches Remi’s hand and pulls him toward the Clayton Arts Building. I follow them up a flight of stairs and down a winding hallway to a second-floor classroom.
A tall, blonde woman with bright blue eyes and a warm smile steps out of the classroom. “You must be the talented little sculptor that Remi mentioned.” She reaches out to shake Tommy’s hand.
“I’m not little, ma’am. I’m six years old.”
Jillian releases a spurt of cheerful laughter. “Well, no, you’re not little at all.”
Remi grins and says, “Jillian, this is my friend Tommy. You’ll soon see that he is quite the budding artist. And Tommy, please meet my favorite professor, Jillian Stitt. She likes her students to call her Jillian.”
Tommy’s grin is even wider than Remi’s. “Hiya, Jillian.” He offers her a quick wave.
“Jillian, this is my… uh, this is Tommy’s uncle Tristan Wilder. He’s the figure model I told you about.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Tristan.” She does her best to check me out casually as she shakes my hand. “Remi mentioned that you’re available to model for art classes.”
“Yes… every day except for Thursday, Professor.”
“Please call me Jillian.”
“Of course.”
“How is your December schedule looking?” she asks.
“Pretty much open, at this point.”
“Do you have a business card?”
I reach into the back pocket of my jeans, pull out my wallet, and find a card. “Here you go.”
“Excellent. Expect a call soon.” Jillian glances at Remi and mouths a silent, “thank you.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
At this point, Tommy is about ready to explode from anticipation. “Can we go inside the classroom now?”
“We certainly can, young man.” Jillian turns to head into the classroom, but Tommy races ahead of her.
“You’d better get inside with them,” I say to Remi. “Tommy is a tad overeager.”
“Who can blame him?” Remi takes my face in his hands. “We’ll meet you in the dining hall as soon as we’re finished.”
“Thanks for doing this for Tommy.”
“I coach soccer for Jared, and I read countless stories to Wendy and her stuffed sheep. I want to do something special for Tommy too.” He kisses my forehead and then looks into my eyes in a way that threatens to melt me.
I glance away. “Have a good time. I’ll be planning lessons for tomorrow at Kid Castle.”
Life is sure looking good.
* * *