Why does that fish have a peacock feather tail?” She asked as he sprayed more paint onto the wall.

“It’s a peacock fish,” he answered, his voice muffled by the filter mask that covered most of his face.

“But there’s no such thing,” she asserted.

“There is in my world.” His muffled voice was matter of fact. “In my world, there are peacock fish, and both the females and males have peacock tails.”

“But in real life, only the boys have fancy tails.” She wasn’t ready to leave her reality behind, as she stared at the unfinished female peacock fish.

“Your choice!” he replied.

She witnessed an ardent passion as he sprayed. She was compelled to look closer, then deeper into the mural. Suddenly she was a beautiful peacock fish, elegantly alluring the male who had attracted her attention. 

His voice broke her fantasy. “I’m done for the day.”

As the last word landed, she was back on the pavement, looking up at the painting. 

“Seems like I could just live in there, forever. Huh, well, my name’s Janie. You must be hungry. Do you want to grab a bite? I know a great place in this hood.”

“My name’s Cyan, and yes… maybe… but I’m covered in paint, and I really need to clean up first. He removed his mask. Where can I meet you in say, one hour.”

“Starboard Fish and Chips,” she laughed. “Oh, but I only eat chips, no fish, and they have a special deep fryer for the chips. No fish gets fried in it. 

Janie waited until almost closing time for Cyan, but he was a no show.  She was haunted by the experience all the next day. The day after that, she returned to the mural. Cyan wasn’t there. However, she was.

Janie was larger than life, looking more radiant than she had ever thought herself to be. Cyan had painted her into his mural, her long black hair an electric peacock’s tail. She was ephemeral, and a part of him forever.

BIG THANK YOU to GI, for inviting me to take a stab at her “How They Met”series.

Pics taken by Resa – Late 2013

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

The Artists:  Sébastien Morissette & Patrick Moss