Fall Shook Up

by Piper Sheldon

“I’m not asking for anything. I just wanted to tell you that your story changed me. It changed my life. I realized I was living in fear and labeling it as stoicism. You showed me courage and beauty and all that encompassed my mother and what she would want to have been remembered as.” He reached into his pocket and handed me a brochure. “I wanted to invite you to this. I know it’s last minute, but we are opening on New Year’s Eve.” “Lily Carmichael Memorial Art Gallery. Levi, really?” I grinned up at him. He blushed. “Pace had his friend Noah Cooper help make a website and all that stuff. I wanted to invite you.” I nodded. “It’ll feature some of my art.” He took a bracing breath and shuddered. “And some other locals have already expressed interest. Do you remember Lu Billings? She paints watercolor landscapes?” I nodded a smile, having recalled the pretty blonde who often popped up around town. “Anyway, should be good. Lord knows we can get those tourists to pay just about anything if we price it high enough.”