What will all the neighbors think if Mitchell starts spreading his nasty comments about me around town? What if he wants nothing at all to do with the baby? What will I tell my son or daughter when they're old enough to start asking questions about their absent father?......What if he does want to be in the baby's life? Do I even want someone as cruel as him to be have influence on a child? What if he tries to take the baby away from me? What if ...
All of these things are beyond her control.
And she does have one other worry. A big one. Money. But this, at least, is a problem that she can work towards solving.
Ana depends entirely upon the cash she earns selling paintings to collectors. Unfortunately every time she stands in front of the easel lately she finds herself staring at a blank canvas. How can I fill up the canvas when my life feels so empty?
What she needs is some inspiration, and she isn't going to find it moping around her house.
With the vague goal of finding inspiration in mind, Ana decides to head to the local museum.
Before she enters, however, she notices a cute little playground at the park just beside the building. She decides she could use a bit of a rest after the walk and sits to observe the park. The landscaping is truly beautiful, but Ana's gaze is more drawn to the playground.
The longer she sits there the sadder the playground looks to her. She realizes this is because it is completely empty at the moment. Sure all the kids are probably at school right now, but to Ana the emptiness just seems to amplify her troubling thoughts.
Even the striking view around her hasn't cheered her up.
Not wanting to sit there a moment longer, she gets up and heads toward her original destination.
They chat for a few minutes, and then he offers to show Ana some of his favorite paintings on display in the museum.
"Weren't you leaving?" Ana asks, thoughtlessly, realizing a second too late that this might sound a little rude.
But Arthur just chuckles and answers, "Yes, but I find myself unable to pass up an opportunity to discuss art with another aficionado." As they walk through door towards the exhibits Ana can't help but think that Arthur is one of the nicest, most friendly people she has ever met.
Their tour of the the museum was fairly brief, however, as Arthur received a phone call and had to rush off to handle a family emergency. Despite being obviously distressed, Arthur apologizes courteously to Ana for have to leave so abruptly.
After introducing herself the man tells Ana that his name is Kenneth. Ana isn't completely sure how to go about turning Kenneth's mood around, but decides to tell him a joke that she had heard recently. The joke sounds awkward to her own ears, but she does accomplish her goal. Kenneth cracks a smile.
After that they strike up a conversation about the town. Ana tells him that she moved hear not too long ago. When he asks how she likes Willow Creek so far, Ana answers optimistically, "I think I'm learning to love it."
In the back of her mind she is concerned by the family emergency he's dealing with, and she truly hopes that everything is okay. But she also tells herself that if Arthur can be positive during a crises then so can she. He would be her inspiration.
She'll focus on being happy that she is finally getting something she has always longed for, a baby. And she will trust that everything else will work out, in time.
It turns out that he is quite kind, though he speaks as formally as he is dressed. "Thank you, Ana. I found the joke quite humorous. And you have my regards for a pregnancy free from problems."
Surprised his well-wishing and by his strange way of phrasing things, it takes Ana a moment to respond...."Thank you....um..."
"My name is J. And you are welcome."
"So J, where are you fr-"
"I shall say my goodbyes now. It was very nice to meet you. Perhaps we will speak again on another day."
And before Ana can finish her question J is walking away. "Bye!" she calls after him. I didn't even have a chance to ask where he's from.
Kenneth and Ana exchange a look that clearly told her, she wasn't the only one who thought J was a little...odd. But Ana decides that she liked him, regardless of his strange disposition. He seemed nice enough.
Ana heads home after saying goodbye to Kenneth.
"I wish I felt the same way," says the strange man with a look on his face that Ana feels she is seeing far too often today. "This town is just so much different from where I am from." Ana can't place his unusual accent, so she hasn't the faintest idea where that might be.
Well, thinks Ana, this man also could do with some cheering up.
Before she knows it her painting is finished. She steps back and smiles proudly at her work.