Chapter 24
* * * *
July 6. Two, somewhat interesting, events transpired at Northshire that steamy and hot morning.
The first event felt sweet and charming, a wisp of fresh air that left me somewhat breathless. Near the pond, bathed in sunshine, Cal Pipp found me. I was watching the artist, Code Caden, again on the opposite side of the pond, busy at work with his canvas and paints. Code was there for the last twenty minutes, creating. He worked slowly in the sunlight, quietly. Not once did he look up from his canvas. Never did he make eye contact with me. I stared at him, unmoving, intoxicated by his faithful labor. When Cal walked up to my right side, Code continued his work. Cal asked, “What are you looking at, Barker?”
“The artist across the pond.”
“No one’s there. Have you been drinking this morning?”
“I don’t like to drink during the day. I’m an evening drinker.” Then: “I don’t think anyone can see the artist except for me.”
“Not true. I’ve heard some of the guests mention him.”