The Tubular Trip Episode #3

California is awesome! Gwen and I are having so much fun. One problem, the root of all evils, money. We cannot keep living off the little money we have, we have to join the rest of America and get jobs. So not cool. We also needed the money to buy a car. Gwen wanted her dream hippie van. I wasn't so into that, i preferred and old VW beetle, but whatever got us where we needed to go was good. We did a little sightseeing the first day, but it soon became apparent that we NEEDED a car. So our second day in California we went job hunting. Oh Joy. While Gwen was off doing whatever, I walked the streets looking for some sort of job. There were tons of openings, but none felt right, especially McDonalds. I'm sure it is ok for some people, but not for me. As I was walking, about to give up hope, I passed by the Laguana Art Gallery. Art has always been big in my life. I draw, paint, and doodle. I had considered using that for a career option, but i didn't want to be a starving artist, so what else is there? Anyway, the gallery did not have a 'Hiring' sign, but i still went in. I'd continue my search after i looked at the art. I walked around the air-conditioned room examining the art on the walls. I found I really enjoyed the work of one painter, J. Evans. Whoever he or she was, their paintings were really good. I was so into examining one painting, Sunrise Over A Wheat Field, that I didn't even hear someone come up until a voice said, pretty loudly, "Can I help you?" I turned, with a rapidly beating heart, to see a grandmotherly looking woman wearing a bright red business suit. I smiled and she smiled back.

"I'm just looking thanks."

"I see you enjoy J's paintings."

"Yes very much."

"Well if you need anything, let me know."

"I will," she started to walk away, when out of impulse, something I don't normally do, I said "wait."  She turned back around and faced me. "Are there any job openings here?" She smiled.

"What's your name?"

"Ally Bennet,"

"I'm Meridith George. Follow me," I did so and she led me through two doors to a room where dozens of easels were set up, and were all facing the front of the room where there was a small stage with another easel set up. "This is the Learning Center. Set up for, mostly kids though adults may join, those who want to learn art." 

This was the perfect job. Teaching art, i had found my calling. This had everything i ever wanted in a job. Painting, and kids. I loved little kids, and sharing my love of art with them would be awesome. 

"I normally don't do this, but i have a feeling that you'd be a great teacher. Would you be interested in teaching this class?"

"Would I ever!" I said, unable to curb my enthusiasm. She smiled and we walked back to the front desk. While we were discussing paperwork and such, a guy walked in. He looked no older than myself, and had blue eyes and shaggy black hair. He walked right up to the front desk where we were at and  i thought my heart would burst. 

"Hey," he said. No sound left my lips. As you could tell, I've very shy/weird around cute guys.

"Ally this is Jeremy, Jeremy this is Ally."

"Nice to meet you," he said sticking out his hand, which i shook. 

"You too," I replied finally finding my voice. 

"Ally likes your work Jeremy," Meridith said.  It clicked in my mind. Jeremy Evans, J. Evans duh! 

"You do?" He asked excitedly. 

"Yes, it's very well done." 

"Thanks!" He gave me a huge smile which made my heart skip a beat. Meridith and I finished discussing the job, and soon I said my goodbyes. I left the gallery looking forward to tomorrow, when I started my job. 

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When I got back to the hotel Gwen wasn't there, I wondered where she was. I tried calling her cellphone, but like always she never picked up. I turned on the tv and awaited her return. Eventually she returned, a huge smile on her face. 

"Hey what's up?" I asked muting the movie that was playing. 

"Guess what, I made twenty bucks!" 

"Really how?"

"I played my guitar and people dropped money in my case."

"Nice."

"So how was your day?" Gwen said sitting down on the other twin bed. 

"Good. I got a job at an art gallery, as an art teacher." Thinking about the gallery made me think of Jeremy and a small smile came to my lips. 

"I know that look, you met a cute guy didn't you?"

"Yes," I smiled. "You know me too well. His name is Jeremy Evans, and he's an artist."

"Oh that's hot," the two of us laughed.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring, but for now I'm just enjoying the California sun.