Page 79 of Thirst

“Yes,” I say after a deep breath. “I think I'm ready.”

Amari smiles. “You've been ready your whole life. Now those people out there get to know it. You got this.” His words put a smile on my face, per usual. He looks at his watch and then back to me, nodding. “Alright, baby girl. Game time.”

I return a nod, then walk with him when he turns and opens the door separating us from the exhibit room. Once I can see it all, I'm shocked by how many people are already in attendance. We step over the threshold together and I see people of all sorts standing in front of my art, their heads nodding as they take it all in. Men and women who are dressed to the nines and of obvious wealth stand in pairs like they are in a museum, pointing at my work, giving their approval and showing clear interest. My heart fills with joy and pride, and I'm doused in an emotion I didn't know I would feel. This is my dream being made a reality before my very eyes. They're all here for me. I did it.

Amari stops just outside the door and stands next to the wall, falling back like I figured he would, while I walk in and embrace the moment. Stanley is posted up in the back corner behind a podium, wearing a dull gray suit and waiting for people who are ready to make a purchase. The door to the exhibit is wide open, and even more people are flowing in. I nearly jump through the ceiling when one of the people who enters is Janae, who sees me and excitedly shuffles her way across the floor to greet me.

“Oh my God, Aaliyah,” she says, trying to keep her voice down but struggling. “This is so incredible. I'm so proud of you. Look at this. All of these people are here for you. It’s amazing. How do you feel? Are you rich yet?”

I laugh as we clasp hands and look at the buyers. “Well, we literally just started, so I haven't sold anything yet. But I feel good. I'm surprised so many people showed up. Stanley’s contacts and Amari’s business partners really held me down. It’s great.”

“Yes, it is,” she agrees. “And don't even trip. You're gonna sell out of every piece. Watch. Now excuse me while I go mingle with the rich folks and talk you up. Congratulations, Aaliyah. I couldn't be prouder.”

“Thanks, Nae,” I say as my best friend walks away and immediately takes a space next to a man and woman scoping one of the abstract pieces I made last night. She stands there like a customer and somehow manages to join in on their conversation. I giggle to myself as I continue to scan the floor.

When my eyes sweep to the right, I see Stanley leaving his position behind the podium. He walks over to a green and black abstract piece and places a sticker on the top left corner. It’s red with white letters, and only has one word.

SOLD.

Stanley walks back over to the podium, where a woman in all-black hands him her credit card, and pride fills my lungs so much I think I'll drown in it. I just sold my first piece—a piece I priced at five hundred dollars. I watch the entire transaction take place: Stanley swipes the card and hands the woman a receipt, she signs it and is given a card with a number on the top—a card she’ll use to pick up the art after the exhibit is over so that we don't have empty wall space during the event. Then she walks off and goes back to browsing. Just like that, I made five hundred dollars. I could scream from the thrill of it, but my voice catches as a couple walks over to Stanley and proceeds to point to another piece. They have a conversation I can't hear, then Stanley makes another trip with another sticker.

SOLD.

Janae sees it this time, and she turns to me with the biggest smile on her face. It was the couple she was just talking to. The process is the same with the credit card and my brain remembering the price of the piece. Another nine hundred dollars in my pocket. I go to look at Nae again, but a man in a black suit walking toward the podium catches my attention instead. I follow him, and it happens again.

SOLD.

A larger piece priced at eleven hundred dollars.

It’s happening. It’s all happening. I can barely contain myself.

The next hour and a half is filled with more excited joy and happiness than I've ever felt in my life. I watch my art sell over and over again, until every piece but one has a sticker on the top left corner by the time we’re close to being done. The only one left is the Amari gold grill piece, which Amari thought would be better fitted for an auction at the end of the night. Now, a crowd gathers in front of it, all of them talking about what they're seeing while I stand behind them next to Amari.

“This is gonna be huge,” he says, talking to me while keeping his eyes on the crowd. “Tonight has already been wild, but this one is gonna blow your mind. I've already told Stanley exactly what I want him to do, and where pricing should start. Highest bidder takes the art.”

“Oh my god,” is all I manage to say as nervousness creeps up my neck. “I don't think I'm ready for this.”

“Oh good, I didn't miss it,” someone says to our left, and I have to lean over to look past Amari.

“Majesty!” I chirp, stepping over to her and pulling her into a hug. “You made it.”

“I had to. My session went longer than I expected, so I'm sorry I'm late,” Majesty says. She takes a second to look around before looking at me. “But it looks like you cleaned up! Wait, are they all sold? Every one of them has a sticker on it. Oh shit.”

I beam with pride. “Almost all of them. We’re down to the auction piece now, then we’re done.”

“An auction? Well I came for the best part.”

“Thank you so much for coming. This has been the best night of my life. I'm so happy you came to be a part of it.”

“I'm so glad I didn't miss it. Oh, it’s starting.”

In the span of five minutes, we watch Stanley work the crowd like he's been doing it for years. Well, he probably has been doing it for as long as he has been raping, extorting, and blackmailing people. Nonetheless, he performs like a pro, pointing at people as they hold up placards with their number on them when he shouts prices. With each price he yells, my heart raises higher into my throat. Tears fill my eyes more and more as the price crosses from four digits to five, and he just keeps going. By the time he's done, I can't contain my tears.

SOLD … for twenty-five-thousand dollars.

I cry my eyes out, but I don't even have time to really feel it because I hear my name being called after Stanley locks in the final price.

“And without further ado,” Stanley announces, his eyes already on me. “I’d like to proudly introduce tonight’s exclusive artist. The woman you’ll be telling your friends and family about as her name continues to grow. Give it up for Miss Aaliyah Carter!”