The man saw Roman coming and held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry to crash your party. Don’t call the cops on me.”
Roman laughed. “Hope you left your handcuffs at home. Grace, this is the police officer who busted me in the tunnel.” He winced as he faced the man again. “Never did get your name.”
The man winked at Grace. “He was too nervous to ask. LeBron Williams, and this is my wife, Althea, your number one fan.”
Althea held out her hand. “I’ve been hoping to meet you for years.”
“Stop gushing, honey. You’ll embarrass the man.”
Althea rolled her eyes and addressed Grace. “I kept an eye out for the Bird’s work. We kept the secret until he did that interview.”
LeBron snorted. “She’s been bragging on me netting the Bird ever since.”
“I could’ve killed him when he came home and told me he’d met you, and didn’t even have an autographed slip of paper to show for it.” Althea shook her head and gave her husband a teasing smile. “LeBron used to do a bit of graffiti back in the day.” She looked at Roman. “He took me to see the mural on that industrial building. And we’ve been down the art walk several times. Are you planning to do another?”
“A wall. In Oakland. Spring break. Already have site approval and a crew lined up.” Roman looked at LeBron. “There’s always room for another worker. All you have to do is color inside the lines.” Grace asked for their contact information and told Althea she’d send all the details.
The woman looked like she’d been handed two tickets for an all-expenses-paid, around-the-world cruise. “We’ll be there!”
“Just the way I want to spend Easter. Back in the hood.” LeBron grinned. “Come on, honey. The man has to mingle.” He shook Roman’s hand again. “Keep up the good work, Mr. Velasco.”
Another art critic wanted a word with Roman. Grace wandered the gallery and ended up at World Changers again. “It’s magnificent.” Shanice stood beside her, having handed off Caleb to his daddy.
“It’s so different from what he was painting when I met him.” But then, so was Roman. So was she.
God had been drawing them to Him from the time they were children, both desperately in need and longing for a father. Long before they knew Him, He’d been at work in their lives. The Lord had promised those who believe that He would take away the stony, stubborn heart; give them a tender, responsive heart; and put His Spirit in them so they could follow Him.
How many times over the last three years had Grace watched Roman in wonder as she witnessed the fulfillment of that promise? She had seen that same astonishing transformation in others as well. Shanice, once a party girl, now a pastor’s wife; Aunt Elizabeth, embittered and cynical, unable to love, now at peace, an affectionate aunt and granny, unafraid to open her heart to others. Grace’s own life had begun with a childhood of fear and violence, and an aunt who couldn’t bear to look at her, but felt duty bound to fulfill a sister’s wishes. The nighttime visitor had opened her heart to the Lord, though it had taken a painful journey to learn He was trustworthy.
Shanice studied the painting. “The longer you look at it, the more you see. Everyone is calling it a masterpiece.”
“It is wonderful. It’s the best work Roman has done so far.” An overwhelming joy filled Grace. “But it’s just a shadow to the real one.” Roman would understand what she meant. “It isn’t what Roman’s done, Shanice. It’s what God has done in Roman.” She took her friend’s hand. “It’s what God has done in my life and yours, and Aunt Elizabeth’s and so many others we know.” Tears filled her eyes as Grace felt the future open before her, like a door to life and hope and the never-ending life Jesus offered them. “We’re all God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ.”
Shanice squeezed Grace’s hand. “For His good purpose.”
“When I look at this painting, I’m amazed at what God has done.” Grace glanced over her shoulder at Roman and Brian, in conversation with Tuck Martin. Roman caught her look and smiled at her before refocusing on the two men talking.
Even here and now the Lord was working on another masterpiece.
DEAR READER,
Writing The Masterpiece has been a long journey. The characters and story have morphed several times, as seems always to be the case when I write a novel. The questions that started the project had to do with how childhood trauma can impact an adult life. It seems our culture is filled with damaged people from broken homes and relationships. I wanted to explore two individuals and how traumatic childhood experiences impact their adult thinking and behavior. Can they have a normal life? Can two broken individuals find wholeness together? With Christ, all things are possible, but what if faith is lacking?