Having someone look at the pieces he had painted left Simon feeling a little self-conscious. Criticism never bothered him, but he worried if he put too much of himself into the paintings. So Simon stayed quiet as Billy perused the pieces he had brought, chewing on his bottom lip in the silence that stretched out between them.
When he finally spoke, Simon gave him a quick nod and stepped forward to pull the long canvas forward, away from the rest. "It's from near where I grew up," he answered after a moment. "North Carolina. Place I used to visit with my family." Fingers ran along the top of the canvas as he looked down to the painting, remembering how he had felt when it was painted, as though it was done only the day before. "It's a good choice. I've always liked this one."
He looked up towards Billy then, lips set in a crooked smile. "Do you want it framed? I could have it back to you tomorrow if you wanted."