All Chapters of A Love 32 Years Apart: Chapter 11 - Chapter 15

I didn't want him to be late for his date. After he was gone, I lay on my bed. Even through the window, I could hear him laughing and running through the field. I thought Clarence would go for economics and business administration, but he chose oil painting instead.Clarence had an astonishing talent for art, and everything he drew seemed alive. I praised him for his success. He would grin whenever I did. "I used to draw on the ground with charcoal pencils. Can I draw a portrait of you, madam?"I agreed. When he was done, the butler and I admired it. The butler praised Clarence's perfect skills, while I was a little confused. It almost felt like a hundred filters were used for the painting. I certainly did not look that young.The younger maids giggled and huddled around Clarence, asking for a portrait as well. Clarence hung his head low and said nothing, but he would steal glances at me.That night, I was walking in the garden when I noticed Clarence was following me. "Do you not

Clarence got behind me and pushed the wheelchair. "Are you in this wheelchair because you're sick?"I answered honestly, "No, because I don't have long to live."A tense silence fell, and I could feel Clarence clenching on the wheelchair's handles so hard, they might break.He said hoarsely, "If that's a joke, it's not funny."It was not a joke. I could see him tensing up from the corner of my eye, but I changed the subject anyway. "Take me around."A tense Clarence pushed me to the market. A festivity was probably going on, and things were bustling. It had been years since I got around, and everything felt new to me.Suddenly, Clarence said, "I ran into you the first time at a market as well."That was odd. The first time we met was supposed to be at a bar. Wait, the manor, perhaps?Clarence smiled shyly. "I used to run a stall with Yvonne when I was eight. I needed the money. Your carriage passed by, and you pulled the curtains back. You looked at us and told the butler to bu