The Fate of the Muse - By Derrolyn Anderson Page 0,33
to get back to work,” Ethan said, explaining that he’d promised to help finish setting up. There was a ton of heavy lifting to do before sunset and his dad was already there waiting for him. Abby and I had offered to help but were informed that we’d probably just be in the way.
He took both of my hands in his and looked me in the eye, “Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”
I nodded yes, “I have to go to a gallery opening at five tonight… Will you be done by then? Do you want to go?”
“A gallery opening?” he asked, looking surprised, “Why?”
“I have some paintings in a place downtown. It’s a friend of Bill’s.”
He looked stricken, “Why didn’t you tell me before? I should have gotten started earlier…”
I smiled ruefully, for it wasn’t as if he could work any harder than he already did. “It’s okay… I only found out yesterday. Shayla’s gonna go with me. I know how busy you are…”
“I’m sorry,” he said, “It’s just that–”
I cut him off, “It’s okay! I’ll see you first thing tomorrow.”
Then he kissed me, and I could feel the urgency behind it. I was leaving the morning after the rally, and the weight of our impending separation was weighing on both of us. I thought about being alone with him at my studio and snuggled closer with a shiver. Maybe it was finally time.
“Tomorrow is my last day before I leave for Paris,” I whispered in his ear.
“I know,” he groaned, “I wish this whole rally thing was over already. It’s taking up too much time. I never have enough time…”
“I want to take you somewhere afterwards, okay?”
“Where?” he asked.
“Just say yes.”
“Yes it is.”
We parted reluctantly and I watched him drive away. When I walked into the house Cruz was waiting by the door with the same sympathetic look as Abby on his face. It didn’t suit him.
“I’m sorry for flipping you crap out there… I didn’t know about the crazy cat lady.”
I shook my head at his choice of words, stepping up to give him a hug. He could be caustic and snarky sometimes, but I loved him for who he was, and I could never imagine him being any other way.
“Cruz– you’re such a pain. Don’t ever change.” I drew back, “Hey! Do you want to go to a gallery opening tonight?”
Shayla arrived within the hour, walking in to announce, “A Ferrari! Oh my God! Can someone take me for a drive?”
I ushered her to my room and we had fun getting ready, joking and laughing, playing around with our hair and makeup. She put on a dress Cruz had made for her and I slipped into an edgy looking black shift with an asymmetrical neckline. I adjusted the aquamarine around my neck and smoothed back my hair.
“Do I look like an artist?” I asked.
We emerged from my room, fully fluffed and primped. Cruz was waiting on the couch with his mom.
“You two girls look like you just stepped out of a magazine,” gushed Abby.
Cruz jumped up to adjust the draped neckline on Shayla’s dress, standing back to inspect it critically, “Lose the belt,” he said.
“Cruz!” Abby scolded.
“It’s alright,” Shayla told her seriously, “He’s always right when it comes to fashion.”
Abby and I exchanged a look and I shrugged. Cruz could be obnoxious sometimes– but he was right. It did look a lot better without the belt.
Shayla folded her long legs into the Ferrari and I followed them in my car. We agreed to meet up at the gallery, and the three of us walked in together, joining a sophisticated looking group of art aficionados. There was a table set up in the back with fruit and cheese, where Susan stood pouring a glass of wine for a businesswoman type in a navy blazer. Her light brown hair was pinned up in a no-nonsense bun, and she was accompanied by a good looking young man dressed in casual clothes.
“Marina,” Susan smiled when she looked up to see me. “Come and meet some of your admirers.” They looked up in anticipation, and I imagined I saw a flicker of recognition in the woman’s eyes.
I was a little taken aback, but stepped forward to shake hands with a friendly smile.
“This is Barbara Watson and her nephew Bradley,” said Susan. “Bradley works at a design firm in the city and just bought three of your pieces for a house he’s doing in Sausalito.”