in all corners of the space that are hooked up to a laptop in a small closed off room over there.” I pointed to a small office linked to the room. “I just hit a button, and I’m surrounded by the rock gods.”
“Nice!” Tess said, taking note of the speakers on the walls. Her eyes returned to some of the canvases I had set up in three spots on the floor.
“So, tell me what your new show is all about?” she asked, walking over to the first set.
“Well I’ve really pushed myself for this show. I’m doing twelve supersized wall canvases and then grouping them into three groups of four. Each group of four canvases will be assembled like a box containing three walls and a roof so the person can experience all the movement of the paintings from all different angles. It will be like walking into a small room surrounded by art. I’ve created a three-dimensional emotional experience with three kinds of emotional journeys.”
“Looks incredible.” Tess walked back and forth between the three sets of canvases. “It’s interesting that you’ve created three collections Norah, each representing a different emotional connection to you.”
“I suppose,” I said, wondering why it was piquing her interest like that. I felt a double meaning was being thrown at me, but couldn’t pick it.
Tess stopped in front of the first collection. “Well, this collection has hues of orange, yellow and reds. The flow is calm, sedated and moves away from the eye. It’s like a calming good-bye, a serene farewell.”
She then walked over to the second group. “And this one with the green, black and gray. They are very chaotic, like a disturbed mind. Confusion. Worry. Uncertainty. They’re all over the place.”
I watched Tess as she then went over to the third lot of canvases. “Then there are these. Pink, blues, white and cream. They feel spirited and uplifting. The colors flow smoothly and passionately. It gives me a sense of hope, like the future.”
I stood next to Tess, thinking about her words, wondering what she was trying to get at, if she was in fact trying to imply something I hadn’t seen myself.
“Well, I do appreciate your interpretations and what each collection could mean Tess.”
“Or who they might each mean...” she slipped in under her breath, but I had heard it. No mistaking her implication now.
“Pardon?” I asked her.
“Oh nothing. Let’s talk about your birthday shall we?” Tess quickly changed the subject. She didn’t normally act so vague, so I was left wondering why she didn’t just say what she really meant. She looked distracted as she fiddled with a compartment inside her shoulder bag. When she finally found what she was looking for, she turned her attention back to me.
“What about it?” I asked, watching her hand as it remained buried in her bag.
“Well, I kind of brought your present with me. And I really want you to consider it Norah. I know it might seem too impulsive, even for you, but please think about it. I am being completely serious, so don’t laugh.” Tess’s serious face was not a face I had seen before, and I knew she wasn’t joking around right now. She pulled her hand out from inside her bag and handed the paper object to me. “Happy birthday,” she said.
I glanced down at the card in my hand.
It was an airline ticket.
“What’s this?” I knew what it was so perhaps I should have immediately asked why, but when your mind is confused, you can’t control stupid comments from coming out of your mouth. Tess knew what I was really asking though.
“I want you come with me Norah. First thing tomorrow morning. Come with me to Europe. We’ll have an adventure. Escape from all this.”
I examined the ticket, dumbfounded and taken back. Was this extravagance or something else? I couldn’t tell. I looked at Tess, whose eyes pleaded for me to take this seriously. I contemplated the idea for an impulsive moment before reality kicked back in.
“But Tess, I’m not running from anything. Why would I up and go to Europe?” Tess’s eyes darted away from me, conflicted. She pursed her lips together, sighed and then said, “For fun of course, silly. A holiday. Drinking and partying for your birthday on another continent. C’mon, you know you can. You can do freelance work wherever you go. Let’s do it.”
Two things felt really off in this conversation. One, Tess’s demeanor which almost seemed panicked not playful, and two, an airline