It had been at least four weeks since the news of Lily Barbier's death spread across the town like a plague of depression. In all that time, Julius Laurent had not been seen outside his house. Some people worried for him, but even more became suspicious. Why would the quiet, socially awkward painter feel the need to hide away during this time? What did he have to hide?

Little did the townspeople know, Julius was not trying to hide anything. They were unaware of the tremendous guilt, regret, and excruciating pain he was enduring.

Julius had no energy to move, and when he did, it was never for anything good. After three days, he threw all his brushes, paints, and canvases into a pit and used them to heat his winter nights. Days five and six were no different—more memories used as kindling, though this time he was accompanied by a bottle of 1962 vintage scotch. He had never been much of a drinker, even in his younger years, but this just felt like the right time.

As the weeks went by and the fire kept burning through the night, people noticed a change in Julius. He no longer came down to the market every morning. He wasn’t painting, and anyone who tried to approach his home, even with the softest of steps, would flee in terror from the things Julius yelled from behind his crumbling walls.

It didn’t take long for people to give up on Julius Laurent. They had tried to extend a hand, but it was dismissed without a second thought.

Night after night, bottle after bottle, Julius remained confined to his house, not interacting with a single soul. The only conversations he had were with the fireplace in the dead of night. Time had slipped by without him even noticing.

“Is it that time of year again? I really must be out of the loop,” Julius mumbled under his breath, slowly awakening to the day, or what was left of it. “The day Lily would have turned 28, June 16, 1995. You were taken too soon from us, Lily. I know if you were here right now, you would have all the answers.” Tears streamed down Julius’s face.

Upon gazing outside his kitchen window, Julius noticed the most peculiar sight: a woman tending to the garden bed he had neglected for the last five years. Who is this woman? Why is she touching my garden? Does she want something? A million questions raced through his mind. He had not spoken to or seen anyone for the last nine months.

As he rushed outside to dismiss the unwelcome guest, shock coursed through his body. This was not just anyone; it was Lily’s mother, Aimee. Julius hadn’t seen her since he was in school.

“Oh my! Look at you, you’re all grown up now, my boy,” she said energetically, giving Julius a big hug. “What happened to my little boy?” “Please… c-calm down, Aimee. It hasn’t been that long,” Julius struggled to breathe as Aimee squeezed his chest. “Shh now, Julius, let me have this,” Aimee said, slowly releasing him. “You know how hard it’s been without her. It was sad not to see you at the funeral.” “I know, Aimee. I’m sorry. I just couldn’t handle it. I know it would have been a beautiful ceremony.”

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Aimee walked over to the garden bed, where all kinds of flowers lay. As she brushed her hand over the roses, she turned her head to face Julius.

“Have you been getting outside, Julius? I know you aren’t one to tend to things like this, but you need to get outside sometimes,” she stated with concern. “I’m fine, Aimee. Don’t worry, I get out just enough,” Julius lied, not wanting Aimee to worry about such trivial things. “Alright, sweetie, that’s good to hear. I don’t want to find out you’re staying tucked away in this house all day,” she exclaimed. “Now, how is the painting going, my dear? You were working on a painting of your mother, weren’t you?”

Julius could not even think of a response. All he could do was turn away in shame. Pamela would be so disappointed if she found out Julius had destroyed everything he had made.

> “I haven’t really had much time to work on any paintings right now with everything going on.” He stated in a cold tone

> “Of course sweetie, it is a challenging time for all of us.” Pamela smiled brushing Julius’ face “Just remember, she would have wanted you to keep painting. You are incredible Julius, the things you create are going to change the world.”

For a brief moment as Aimee was comforting him, it felt as though all his problems had faded away and he was right their with Lily and his mother Pamela.

> “Why is it always the truly good people in this world that are taken away? their is no point in painting, it does not change everything. Everyone still dies and people will all be alone in the end.”

Julius could not help but get emotional, he did not intend to hurt Aimee with his words. Every time he thinks about Lily and the idea of painting again he can’t help but get angry with everyone and everything in this world. He knew being around people would only cause them pain too so, instead of worrying people or being honest about he felt. The easiest option for him was to turn his back on everyone and hide away from people and their emotions, that way he could forget about his Mother, Painting and especially Lily at least for a little while.

> As tears began to form in Aimee’s eyes she let a whisper “Please… Julius, Please do not forget who you are and the time you shared with Lily. Even if she is gone you were still have her with you everywhere you go in life.”

Julius depressed and overwhelmingly ashamed of himself and his actions leading up to this moment could help but feel the urge to apologize to Aimee for everything and anything that has happened but ultimately to say sorry, sorry for that day when everything started going wrong. But like all other attempts at trying to be honest about himself it was met with nothing yet another mask to cover up the hurt.

All Julius could muster the courage to do was a pat on Aimee’s shoulders with the whisper of “I’m sorry Aimee, It has been a rough time. I know how hard it is for you too and I don’t want you to worry about me. Please go on home, I will be alright”

With his head down Julius turned away and walked back towards his home. He knew this was not fair on Aimee she did just want to help but he could not heal yet, Julius thought he didn’t deserve it after everything he has done.