Wangari took the seat next to her. “Distracted about what? And don’t tell me nothing. We’ve grown too close for you to keep things from me. Especially since it’s obvious something is bothering you. What is it? How can I help?”
“You’re going to strangle me,” Mena said, shaking her head.
“Is this about the errand you sent Julian on this morning?” Wangari asked, raising an eyebrow. “I get that he’s your own personal hero, but you couldn’t possibly believe he would make it back to the museum in time to see your lecture.”
“Are you trying to make me feel worse?” Mena mumbled, covering her face in her hands.
“I’m trying to make you see reason,” Wangari said, yanking one of Mena’s hands from her face. “If that’s not it, then what is it?”
“Things got weird for us after we came back from Florida. We’re usually so comfortable with each other, but having him meet my mother probably wasn’t the best thing,” Mena said, thinking about her mother’s incessant prodding about marriage in Mena’s future with Julian.
“Families can be tough. The only advice I can give is to try to keep them out of your relationship. Do you think my family wanted me to marry a divorced man twenty years older than me with three teenage kids? They still don’t approve of him, even though he’s one of the most powerful men in Kenyan politics. I face that challenge every day, but my love for him makes fighting any obstacle worth it,” Wangari said.
“My problem is the opposite. My Mom loves Julian. They instantly took to each other, and I swear it’s like they’re kindred spirits or something. Now she has it in her head that we need to get married, and she’s dropping not so subtle hints every time I talk to her,” Mena said, rubbing the ache building in the back of her skull.
“You don’t see marriage in your future with Julian? I must admit, I’m surprised. Seems like an obvious next step for the two of you …”
“Yes, but much later on. Not when we’ve been together for less than a year,” Mena said, shaking her head. “I’ve been married before, and I’m not in a hurry to go down that road again. I don’t know why we need to rush to the next step.”
“I’m guessing Julian doesn’t feel the same way,” Wangari said.
“I’m not sure how he feels. I thought we were on the same page about waiting, but then he started questioning why we had to wait. I was stunned. I didn’t know if he was playing devil’s advocate or giving me a glimpse into his real feelings. He dropped the subject as quickly as he brought it up,” Mena said.
“And you don’t want to bring the topic back up in case he does want marriage now,” Wangari said.
“Right. But he has to be okay with where we are now. He went to Tiffany’s and bought this for me,” Mena said, holding out her wrist. The rose gold charm bracelet sparkled under the lights of the exhibit hall as the single heart-shaped charm rested against the back of her hand.
“Stunning. Is that engraved?” Wangari asked.
Mena nodded. “It’s our initials. I think Julian gave me this as a sign of his commitment instead of freaking me out with an engagement ring.”
“Sounds like he knows you well,” Wangari said. “Anyone can see that he’d move heaven and earth for you, Mena. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to do anything that would change how he feels about me,” Mena said.
Wangari patted her on the arm, then stood. “Stop worrying. You and Julian will get pass this. Are you coming to lunch?”
“I’ll be there in a second. Just want a moment to get myself together,” Mena said.
“Don’t take too long. I’m sure Isaac is already trying to steal your spotlight.” Wangari gave Mena’s hand a quick squeeze, then exited the hall.
Looking around the room, Mena relaxed into the still emptiness of the massive space. Three of the most impressive sculptures she’d ever seen hung against the front walls, the stars of her lecture on full display. El Anatsui had made beautiful works of art from materials that had been discarded. Creating hope out of despair, he forced the world to see the materials from a different perspective.
Was she supposed to do that?
See marriage in a new way. Redefine the challenges and embrace a way to overcome her reservations with holy matrimony?
Her cell phone buzzed in her hand. Swiping the screen, she saw a number she never expected to see. Accessing the text, she read the message.
Need to see you …
Mena took a deep breath, trying to contain her anger. He hadn’t been a figment of her imagination looming in the back of the exhibit hall. What the hell was he doing here? And why did he think she wouldeveragree to see him?
Chapter Five
Pushing through the growing crowd of tourists milling about inside the octagonal-shaped main lobby, Julian side-stepped a family with triplets as they excitedly approached a massive Massai warrior mask near the middle of the room. He glanced down at the pamphlet in his hand:Transforming Simple to Complex: A Lecture on the Sculptures of El Anatsuipresented by Mena Nix, Conservator and Fellow of the Tribal Museum.
Flipping the paper over in his hand, he stared at the glossy professional photograph of Mena above her bio, which was impressive, to say the least.
