This was the second art show Grace had attended. What a difference from the first, when Roman had been edgy, angry, eager to take flight. His work had changed drastically, as well. He no longer attacked a line of canvases. He spent weeks making sketches and taking long walks with Samuel until the work came together in his mind. He painted one canvas at a time, each different in style—impressionist, fauvist, and one large, realist work Talia declared a masterpiece titled World Changers. Roman had even included several pieces of graffiti.
Several people stood in deep conversation with Talia near World Changers, among them a movie star and a businessman who’d made the cover of Forbes magazine. Competing buyers, no doubt. Art could be a good investment, something to tuck away and sell later if fame dimmed or stocks went down. Roman’s painting was nothing short of glorious, and though Grace understood the realities of making a living, she still prayed World Changers would end up in a public place where many would see how the disciples might look in current times—an interracial group including an accountant, a college student, a gangbanger, a middle-aged fisherman; men who might be enemies if not for their shared faith in Jesus Christ.
The last three years had brought major adjustments in Grace and Roman’s lives. After three intensive months of premarriage counseling, they’d felt equipped to wed. Brian officiated, Shanice at Grace’s side, Jasper at Roman’s. Two months later, Grace confirmed her pregnancy. Roman attended Lamaze classes and coached her in the delivery room seven months later. He was the first to hold their daughter, Hannah. Grace had never seen him weep tears of joy.
Others wanted to get close enough to speak with Roman, so she withdrew. Roman gave her a questioning look, and she smiled to reassure him. Rather than avoid the guests as he once had, Roman stood among them, answering questions. He looked comfortable in his skin, handsome, though still averse to formality in black jeans, leather boots and belt, an open-neck white shirt, and a black leather jacket. He told Grace the only occasion important enough for a suit was a wedding: theirs first, and then Brian and Shanice’s, where she had been matron of honor and Roman, the best man.
Friends had come in support of Roman’s opening: Brian and Shanice with their year-old son, Caleb, riding on his mommy’s hip; Aunt Elizabeth looking elegant in a black dress and heels; Jasper and the Mastersons; Ashley and her new husband, a fellow teacher with two teens. Even Dorothy and George Gerling had made the trip down. Grace had accepted Angela and Juan’s offer to keep Samuel and Hannah for three days. Roman had wanted to bring Samuel along, until Grace explained an art show would not hold the interest of an energetic four-year-old, and Hannah would miss her big brother.
Tuck Martin was talking with Roman now, another journalist involved in their conversation. Where once Roman had been reticent to share anything about himself, he now spoke freely about God and how Christ had become the center and purpose of both his life and his art. Some invented other explanations about Roman’s near-death experience, but his transformed life testified to the truth of it.
Grace often marveled at the changes in her life and Roman’s. They talked about moving back to Los Angeles, but for now had decided to stay in Merced. Roman knew what it meant to Grace to stay the course at UC Merced and earn her degree. She was taking it slow, making Samuel and Hannah her first priority.
Needing space for Roman to work and with a new baby on the way, they had bought a house on the outskirts of town. Roman converted an upstairs rec room into his studio and made the attached RV garage into a man cave complete with a sound system and a variety of gym equipment. Samuel loved hanging out with Daddy, and, equipped with a safety harness, he could climb to the top of the rock wall, snap on the ceiling loop, and bungee jump. Roman laughed at his squeals of excitement as he bounced up and down until Roman caught hold and unhooked him for another climb. Roman’s injured leg kept him from running, but he worked out daily and had the upper body strength to climb with Samuel or go up a salmon ladder or across a cliffhanger bolted into the side wall.
When their pastor felt called to teach at a Midwest Christian college, a pastoral search committee started looking for a replacement. They wanted a pastor who could teach the Word, encourage the aging congregation, and reach the younger, unchurched, and lost generations. Roman knew Brian’s congregation was merging with Victory Outreach and texted him about the opening in Merced. Brian said he and Shanice would pray about it. A short time later, they came up for a visit and attended church with Roman and Grace. A couple weeks after that, Brian submitted his résumé, was invited to preach, and soon after, they offered him the senior pastor position in Merced. The Gerlings gave them the bungalow, rent-free, until they could find a home. Brian wasted no time in drafting Roman into ministry. The two men helped an InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group on the UC campus. They also found local hot spots that attracted high school students. Roman’s man cave became a favorite meeting place; Samuel, the youth group mascot.
Grace felt Roman’s arm slip around her. “I see someone I want you to meet.” He excused them and led her to a middle-aged couple who had just come through the front door.
The man saw Roman coming and held up his hands in surrender. “Sorry to crash your party. Don’t call the cops on me.”
Roman laughed. “Hope you left your handcuffs at home. Grace, this is the police officer who busted me in the tunnel.” He winced as he faced the man again. “Never did get your name.”
The man winked at Grace. “He was too nervous to ask. LeBron Williams, and this is my wife, Althea, your number one fan.”
Althea held out her hand. “I’ve been hoping to meet you for years.”
“Stop gushing, honey. You’ll embarrass the man.”
Althea rolled her eyes and addressed Grace. “I kept an eye out for the Bird’s work. We kept the secret until he did that interview.”
LeBron snorted. “She’s been bragging on me netting the Bird ever since.”
“I could’ve killed him when he came home and told me he’d met you, and didn’t even have an autographed slip of paper to show for it.” Althea shook her head and gave her husband a teasing smile. “LeBron used to do a bit of graffiti back in the day.” She looked at Roman. “He took me to see the mural on that industrial building. And we’ve been down the art walk several times. Are you planning to do another?”
“A wall. In Oakland. Spring break. Already have site approval and a crew lined up.” Roman looked at LeBron. “There’s always room for another worker. All you have to do is color inside the lines.” Grace asked for their contact information and told Althea she’d send all the details.
The woman looked like she’d been handed two tickets for an all-expenses-paid, around-the-world cruise. “We’ll be there!”
“Just the way I want to spend Easter. Back in the hood.” LeBron grinned. “Come on, honey. The man has to mingle.” He shook Roman’s hand again. “Keep up the good work, Mr. Velasco.”
Another art critic wanted a word with Roman. Grace wandered the gallery and ended up at World Changers again. “It’s magnificent.” Shanice stood beside her, having handed off Caleb to his daddy.
“It’s so different from what he was painting when I met him.” But then, so was Roman. So was she.