AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You were so young to lose her.” Joann squeezed her shoulder tighter. “I know she’d be proud of you. You are welcome to sell it here if you’d like, but it should be in a fine art gallery, not my small little art school.”
“Thank you.”
“Your sister told me about your opportunity to work with Daniel Wilson. He is well known in the art world for helping new artists achieve immense success.”
Suzy shook her head. “Well, you haven’t met him. He’s arrogant, rude, and only cares about making money.”
“I think you’re wrong about him. I knew his mother. Let’s just say she was a dazzling artist but not much of a parent to him. Not everyone is how they appear.”
“Even so, he doesn’t want to work with me. You should have seen the disdain in his eyes when we met. Not to mention he was appalled I didn’t have a portfolio.” Suzy’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe my dad is right. This is a hobby, not a career. I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Joann frowned. “Oh dear, you are feeling quite sad and a bit sorry for yourself. Why don’t we get out of here and go get something to eat?”
***
Suzy opened the door to her tiny apartment. Stinker was curled up on the old, shaggy carpet at his favorite spot by the heating vent. He lifted his head and yawned, stretched, and ambled toward her.
“Hi,” she said, setting down her bag and keys.
She picked him up and nuzzled him close. Instantly, he purred, and his vibration against her soothed her soul.
He had been hers for over fifteen years. She found the little guy while volunteering at the Humane Society.
The staff had called him Stinker because he was in more ways than one. For her, it was love at first sight. She found him hanging upside down on the highest perch with his tiny pink tongue darting out. His white coat was like a canvas with splattered black paint.
An older lady had adopted him and his sister from a local pet adoption but quickly realized the cat was too much for her. So, the woman brought him to the Humane Society.
“What a day,” she murmured to Stinker. “I’m sorry I’m late. Let’s get you your medicine and head to bed.”
He nuzzled closer as if to agree. She carried him to the kitchen and reached for his medicine. “I love you,” she whispered. The tears she had kept at bay all day slid down her face. She missed her mom more than words could ever say, and she was terrified of failing as an artist.
Suzy’s cell phone rang. She picked it up and sighed. Megan. No doubt her sister was calling to see how things went with Daniel.
“Hello,” Suzy said.
“Just calling to see if you signed the contract yet,” Megan asked.
She swallowed hard. Megan knew about the contract. Lovely. “I just walked in. I haven’t had a chance to look it over. Heading to bed, but I will in the morning.”
“Do you want to meet for coffee? We can go through it together. I’ll be happy to drop it off to Daniel. Better yet, you can come with me and see his fabulous art gallery.”
She bit her lip. She hated disappointing her sister but didn’t want to work with Daniel Wilson. Her great-aunt would say he held himself in high regard. Basically, he was full of himself.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Megan said. "But you only have until the end of the month before Dad cuts you off, and Brent is allergic to Stinker. We can’t take both of you in.”
Suzy’s shoulders slumped. She needed to start selling her paintings. The last thing she wanted was to give up on her dreams of being an artist, even if it meant working with Daniel Wilson.
“Okay,” she muttered, stroking Stinker’s fur. “But if Stinker doesn’t make it through the night, the deal’s off.”
Megan laughed. “You’re so dramatic sometimes. Love you, see you in the morning. You won’t regret this, I promise.”
She regretted it already.
“I made you a portfolio. I hope you don’t mind,” Megan said.
“Thanks, see you in the morning.”
“Bright and early. Wear something professional.”
