Art of Healing

Lidia wiped away her silent tears as she stared out the airplane window at the passing clouds. This was her first trip without her husband, Patrick. He would usually be sitting in the seat next to her, excitedly pointing out all the details of the place they were about to visit. Now, she was alone, with the seat beside her occupied by a snoring man nestled in a gaudy neck pillow. Patrick’s ashes were tucked away in her carry-on bag, getting tossed back and forth with the slight turbulence of the flight.

The pilot came on the intercom and announced their approaching descent. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be touching down on the runway shortly. Maui is a beautiful seventy-four degrees today with a slight overcast. I hope you all have a wonderful stay.”

Lidia let out a sigh as she watched the plane slowly descend from the sky. As they broke through the clouds, she was awestruck by the crystal blue water of the ocean and the vibrant, lush islands dotting the vast expanse. But her eyes soon welled up with more tears, knowing she couldn’t share this wonderful moment with her husband. She tried her best to keep her sobs inside, so she didn’t disturb the other flyers around her or draw attention to herself, but it was a struggle.

Eventually, the plane touched down at the Kahului Airport in Maui. As passengers began to disembark, Lidia took her time gathering her belongings, carefully lifting her small carry-on and checking on Patrick’s urn to make sure his ashes were secure. The navy-blue urn was still upright, and the lid seemed firmly in place. With a relieved sigh, she stepped off the plane, one of the last to leave.

As Lidia made her way to the baggage claim, she couldn’t help but admire the lush green palm trees and plump tropical bushes outside each window she passed. She was so used to the hustle and bustle of Philadelphia, with its towering skyscrapers and ever-present haze. She couldn’t remember the last time she had gone on a trip; it had to be more than five years ago since that was when Patrick had gotten sick. She did remember the last place they had gone, though: the beautiful country of Greece. They had such a wonderful time exploring the historic sights and savoring the delicious Greek cuisine. She would give anything to relive that trip, to have him back with her again.

Her mood shifted again. Dread filled her at the thought of Patrick being gone and her being alone. Lidia made her way to the baggage claim and saw her grey suitcase on the carousel. She pulled it off easily and headed for the airport exit. When she passed through the automatic doors, a Hawaiian woman greeted her with a lei. “Aloha. I hope you enjoy your trip.”

Lidia thanked her before looking around for the bus to the resort she was staying at. She had read that it picked up guests from the airport every thirty minutes, so she hoped she hadn’t missed it. Just when she was about to give up, she spotted the small white bus with the resort’s name, Pua Nani, written in pink with a hibiscus flower beside it. She quickly hopped on, noticing that it was only her and a young couple who were likely honeymooners.

Lidia sat in the back, hoping not to disturb the honeymooners and be one with her thoughts. It didn’t take long to get to Pua Nani Resort; the drive was about ten minutes. When she got off the bus, she went inside the large and elegant lobby. A handsome young Hawaiian man greeted her, draping a second lei over her head. She reached the front counter and checked in with the reservation she had made. Thankfully, the check-in process was simple and her room was already ready for her.

She didn’t waste any time going to her room which was located on the fifth floor. She dropped her bags off and took Patrick’s urn out of her carry-on bag. Lidia carried the urn to the balcony in her room and stepped out. She steadied the urn on the iron railing and looked out at the resort. The ocean was only ten feet away; she could see and hear the waves crashing onto the island. Several dozen people were enjoying the resort; some at the infinity pool, others at the bar, and many on the white sandy beach.

She inhaled the crisp air, feeling the cool ocean breeze flow through her short, graying hair. It was beautiful, and she almost felt serene at that moment. She glanced down at the urn in her hands and murmured with a tranquil smile, “Isn’t this wonderful, Patrick? We finally arrived in Hawaii.”

She took in the sights before her for a while before deciding to explore the rest of the resort. Keeping Patrick close to her side, she disregarded the strange looks from vacationers and employees. It was the last time she would have a vacation with her husband, and she wanted to enjoy it with him, even in his current state.

As she took in the resort, she noticed a portrait artist finishing up his work of a little boy and his mother who were sitting before him. She watched him work swiftly with the pencil in his hand. His strokes were fluid and each detail he added made the picture come to life. He signed his name at the bottom of the art piece and handed it to his client. The mother was ecstatic as she looked it over and hugged her son close, showing him the final results. She then pulled out a twenty-dollar bill, handing it to the artist before walking away with her son holding one hand and her picture in the other.

“Excuse me,” Lidia asked as she stepped closer to the artist. “Are you still working?”

“I am,” he said, not even sparing her a glance as he fiddled with his workstation.

“This may be a weird request,” she continued, “but I’d like to be drawn with my husband here.”

The artist whipped around, likely confused by her request. He lifted his dark sunglasses, placing them on top of his head. His light blue eyes squinted as he studied her. She was sure he was thinking she was a kook with her deceased husband nestled in her arms, but a bright smile soon washed away her fears.

“They say it’s always a first for everything,” he said, gazing at the urn in her arms. “I’ll do my best to create a meaningful portrait for you, ma’am.”

Lidia exhaled in relief and replied, “Thank you! I’ll pay whatever your fee is.”

“It’s usually twenty dollars for two people, but I can make it ten.”

“Oh, I...”

“Sorry, I was just joking. That was inappropriate of me.” He scratched the back of his neck, causing his medium-length brown hair to sway slightly. “I apologize.”

“No. I would have paid extra for him. He’s still a big task to take on,” she stated as she took a seat on the metal stool in front of the artist.

“It’s fine, honest. It may be a first, but it won’t be that difficult.”

He lifted his charcoal pencil and started to draw Lidia and her husband. As she sat there, watching the artist do his work, she decided to make conversation with him. “What’s your name?”

The artist glanced over at her with his eyebrows knitted together. “It’s Cole.”

“Nice to meet you, Cole. I’m Lidia.”

“You too, ma’am.” He sighed and said, “You know, I usually don’t make small talk when I’m working.”

“You don’t? That seems pretty boring.”

He shrugged. “I’m used to it. I just do what I’m paid to do and try my best to make a living.”

“How long have you been doing this?” Lidia asked as she shifted on the uncomfortable stool.

“This will be my third year.”

“Is that how long you’ve lived here?”

“Yes, I’ve lived here for three years too.” He looked back at her, pausing his movement. “How did you know I wasn’t local?”

“You just seem different. Not that it’s a bad thing. You just carry yourself differently.”

Cole smirked as he went back to sketching. “You’re right. I actually lived in New York for most of my life. I worked a regular corporate nine-to-five job with lots of overtime. I was consumed with work, but after my mom passed away, I… Something changed.”

Lidia frowned at the younger man and said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”

He shook his head. “Don’t be. She was sick for the longest time; my brother and I were doing our best to keep her happy even when the pain was too much to bear some days. I’m just glad she doesn’t have to suffer anymore.”

“That’s how I felt about my Patrick.” Lidia looked down at the urn, a small tear escaping her eye. “He was diagnosed with lung cancer five years ago. We had our ups and downs throughout, and we thought he was in the clear a couple of years ago. Then it came back, spreading to his liver and lungs. There was not much that could be done after that.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your loss as well.” He cocked his head and asked, “May I ask why you brought him on this trip? I assume it’s for some sentimental value.”

“He always wanted to travel to Hawaii. It was going to be our retirement trip in a few years. Sadly, he wasn’t able to make it as we had hoped.” She wiped away the other tears that had fallen as she told her story. “I thought he’d still like to come and enjoy it with me. I was thinking I’d spread some of his ashes while we’re here too. I think he’d like to explore paradise in one shape or form.”

“Honestly, That’s really sweet. If my mom was cremated instead of buried, I think I’d have done the same thing. It’s beautiful here.”

The rest of the session was filled with comfortable silence. Cole continued to draw Lidia as she watched couples, and families of all ages walk by the open patio area. After about an hour, Cole set his pencil down next to his easel and unlatched the thick sketch paper from the easel. He handed it to Lidia, and she gasped in delight.

The black-and-white image showed her holding her husband’s urn. Cole had captured every detail, from the gold accents on the neck of the urn to the slight wrinkles on her face. She smiled at him and said, “Thank you! I will cherish this forever.”

“It was no problem at all.” He grinned, sitting back in his chair.

Lidia dug into her coin purse that she had brought with her and pulled out a ten. She handed it over to Cole, but he refused to accept it, shaking his head and holding out a hand. She groaned in dismay and said, “Please, I insist you take the money. You did such an excellent job.”

“Keep it. This one is on the house.” He gave her a warm smile. “I had a pleasure drawing you two today.”

She reluctantly put the ten-dollar bill back into her purse and said, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.”

Lidia was about to leave but sat back down and proposed a deal to Cole. “If I can’t pay you for this, can I pay you to take me somewhere to scatter my husband’s ashes?”

Cole’s eyebrows shot up and he sputtered out, “What? You want me to help you?”

Her face heated up as embarrassment set in. She didn’t know much about the island, but she thought he would be the ideal person to help her. She decided to stand firm on her choice and said, “Yes, I do. I believe you would be the best person to help me find a spot for my Patrick.”

Cole rubbed at his clean-shaven jaw and nodded. “Why not? I’m available tomorrow. It’s my usual day off.”

“That would be wonderful,” she beamed. “I’ll give you forty for the entire trip.”

“That’s more than enough. But I’ll take it.”

“Great! So, tomorrow. What time?”

“Meet me outside the lobby around ten in the morning,” Cole said as he took out his cell phone. “I know a spot about an hour away from here.”

“Okay, ten it is.” She stood from the stool and said enthusiastically, “Thank you, Cole! Truly, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Thank me tomorrow when we get it done.”

Lidia bid farewell to Cole, heading back up to her room to put her new art piece away. She was eager for the next day when she and her husband could embark on one last adventure together.

***

The following day, Lidia waited for Cole outside the resort with the urn in her hand. She heard the roar of a motorcycle and saw a man pull up to the entrance. He removed his helmet, and to her surprise, it was Cole. He smiled at her as he got off his bike and said, “I hope you don’t mind a motorcycle ride.”

“It’s been years since I’ve been on the back of one of these,” she replied as she looked over the sleek black motorcycle. “But what about Patrick?”

Cole shrugged off the backpack he had on, and said, “I already thought of that. Even put in some clothes, so he wouldn’t be jostled during the ride. And don’t worry, they’re clean.”

She looked inside the bag, noticing a couple of scrunched-up cotton shirts. “I guess that could work.”

She carefully placed the urn inside the backpack with the help of Cole. They got Patrick as snug as they could, wrapping the shirts around the urn so it stayed steady during the ride. He zipped the backpack back up and handed it to Lidia. “I’ll let you keep hold of it.”

Lidia gratefully took the bag and placed it on her back. “So, where are we going?”

“A beautiful beach I found during my first month here. It’s just on the outskirts of the island and has beautiful palm trees, rocks, and tropical plants. I think you’ll like it.”

“That does sound nice.”

Cole handed over his helmet and said, “You can wear my helmet. I’ll be fine without it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’ve been riding for years. I’ll be fine.”

Once Lidia put on the helmet, they took off. Both were mounted on Cole’s bike, and he drove at a steady pace. They wound along the long and winding roads of the island. Lidia was initially a bit nervous, but as she watched the scenery whiz by, her anxiety slowly faded away. This wasn’t exactly how she had imagined her time in Hawaii would be, but she was still enjoying herself.

Cole pulled up to a small patch of sand and parked his bike. He helped Lidia off and pointed down a path covered with tropical foliage and colorful flowers. “Let’s cut through there and the beach will be right on the other side.”

She handed over his motorcycle helmet, and said, “Lead the way.”

He placed his helmet on his bike before making his way up the trail to the beach. The two of them trudged through the light, white sand, their arms occasionally brushing against the overgrown bushes. It didn’t take long for them to reach the other side, where Lidia was greeted with the most gorgeous beach she’d ever seen. Bright blue water, white sand, conch shells, and large rocks encircled the area. The sun shone brightly, making everything seem to sparkle in the afternoon light.

Lidia turned to Cole and said, “This is amazing. Thank you for bringing Patrick and me here.”

He shrugged with his lightly tanned arms crossed in front of him. “You’re welcome. I couldn’t keep this place to myself forever. Plus, it seemed like a good deed.”

Lidia placed the backpack down onto the sand and took out the navy-blue urn. She looked around, wondering where she should sprinkle his ashes. Cole came up to her and said, “You know, before you scatter his ashes, I could take a picture of you two together. I’m sure you’d like to remember this moment.”

“You’re right,” she said. “I hadn’t thought of that.” She fumbled with her cell phone, then handed it to Cole.

Cole helped her pose, so she was in the best light and had a nice view of the beach in the background. She held the urn close as she smiled brightly at her phone camera. Cole snapped a few pictures before he handed the device back over to her. After she was done viewing them, she tucked the phone back into her pocket and looked to find the perfect spot again.

With Cole’s help, she stood on some rocks and steadied herself as best she could. She lifted the lid off the urn and took a couple of handfuls of her husband’s gray ashes. As the granules left her fingers, they floated away, getting lost in the wind and disappearing from sight.

Tears streamed down her face as she said her final goodbye to her husband. Though she would keep a part of him with her, she knew this was the end of their story. She stepped away from the rocks and gazed out at the ocean, watching the waves break against the shore. Despite her sorrow, she felt a sense of peace knowing that a part of her husband would always remain in this beautiful paradise.

A hand gripped hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. She glanced over at Cole, who offered her a warm, compassionate smile in recognition of her sorrow. She wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, but it felt like an eternity. She never would have imagined that a journey with her husband’s ashes would lead to such an unexpected friendship, yet here she was with a random street artist. But without Cole, she probably wouldn’t have had such a beautiful farewell for Patrick.

***

It had been two months since she scattered Patrick’s ashes in Maui. She thought about it daily, and despite the sad circumstances, it was one of her top three trips. On her mantle, she kept three trinkets from her time there: Patrick’s urn with the rest of his ashes, the sketch Cole had made, and the picture taken on the beach. She didn’t know what Cole had been up to since then, but she hoped he was making other people’s trips just as magical as he had made hers.