Herman was sipping coffee when sunlight streamed through the window. The birds chirped in response to the pink and orange glow, and the flowers on his windowsill peeked out of the moist brown soil. Thoroughly energized, Herman fed Johnny and left his apartment to go to the roof. Despite his sessions with Dr. Beal, he still had lingering joint pain, but he moved easily this morning. When he finally breathed in the crisp air, he felt overcome by a calm he had not felt in years. Herman decided he would have Oliver paint a sunrise in his next lesson.
A few others came to the roof, and they all watched the sky in contemplative awe when suddenly Herman felt exhaustion rush through his body. His knees buckled underneath his weight. All he wanted to do was return to bed.
An hour later, Herman was still making his way back to his apartment. When he finally opened the door, he saw Oliver playing with Johnny.
"Herman!" Oliver called excitedly. "I was wondering where you went. I walked Johnny, but I decided to wait for you to return. I was hoping maybe I could have a lesson today."
"Not today. Thanks for walking Johnny, though."
Herman immediately regretted speaking when he saw the grin disappear from Oliver's face. He had never refused a lesson before.
"I'm sorry, Oliver, but I'm too tired today. It's like I've been drugged."
"Let me help you, then," Oliver decided.
"There's nothing you can do," Herman admitted. "I just need to sleep."
Herman returned to his bedroom and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Meanwhile, Oliver stayed in the kitchen. He had already finished his homework in the hope that he would have a lesson, so he had no reason to go home. Instead, he studied Herman's paintings. He was immediately drawn to one depicting an ethereal sunrise over a choppy ocean. Since the paint and brushes were out from his last lesson, Oliver thought he would try to make his own sunrise.
Hours later, Herman emerged from his nap, and Oliver paused from his work. Herman was still feeling sluggish until he saw Oliver's sunrise, and like this morning, he felt energy course through his veins.
"Tomorrow, I'll give you a real lesson, Oliver, but you really don't need me at all."
"No," Oliver affirmed, "I could not do any of this without you."
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