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"What do you mean by that?" I said quickly, but I knew he'd found me out. He knew I was a submissive.
"Of course, I meant do you wear it 24/7…"
"Of course," I said, turning away from his half-smirk. "I don't wear it in the shower or swimming. But the rest of the time, yes."
He said nothing else. "Welcome to the Institute," he said finally.
I glanced up and nodded. "Thank you."
Then he walked away, and didn't say anything else to me while the other students came in the room and took their places at empty easel benches. Mariko entered the room once everyone was settled and a janitor carried in a low cushioned bench covered in red velvet. Mariko removed her robe again, sat on the bench and half reclined on it, resting her weight on one elbow, her long hair falling like silk over her neck, and onto the settee. She lay on her side, one leg crossed over the other. She faced away from me so that I was looking at her back.
"Students feel free to move your benches into a different position if you like. But you should challenge yourself to take the most difficult position to develop your skills."
I stayed where I was, although I would have liked to draw her from the front. Instead, I tried my best to block out my sheet of newsprint, turning it on its side. For the next half hour, we drew her in that pose before she shifted to another pose for the second half hour of long poses. Sefton and Talia walked around the students, watching us draw, commenting on the work. Luckily, Sefton didn’t stop and comment on mine, but Talia did. She had only good things to say, thankfully. It gave me confidence that maybe I really
had talent to be developed and I could be an artist if I worked hard enough at it.
I went to the water fountain for a drink once more when Mariko took her next break. Before I could return to the class, Sefton caught up with me outside the door to the classroom.
"So, Kate McDermott from Manhattan, how's life with the neurosurgeon fiancé of yours? He must be very busy. Isn't there a shortage of neurosurgeons in Kenya? I think I read that somewhere."
I stopped and turned to him, keeping my expression pleasant although I felt frustration that he wouldn't let me be. "Life is great. As for Drake, he's very busy and that's why he's here. His friend is the dean of the medical college and asked him to come and help out, teach a class and take on a surgical caseload for a semester."
"How noble," Sefton said. "With you being so new to Nairobi, it must get pretty lonely."
"Excuse me," I said and pushed past him into the classroom. He wasn't my instructor so I didn't have to be polite to him. I didn’t have to stand around and make pleasant conversation with him.
When I returned to my seat, Mariko came back into the room. This time, she sat on the bench, her legs crossed, her arms resting behind her, her head back. It wasn't an interesting pose from my perspective, but I stayed where I was and drew it anyway. I focused on capturing the arch to her back and the play of light on her hair.
When the time was up, we all clapped for Mariko, who bowed slightly before leaving the room. Then, Talia passed a basket around and students dropped money into it. All I had was some American cash, which I threw in, figuring a twenty-dollar bill would be a nice tip.
I put my drawings into my portfolio case and packed up my pencils. Then, when I was about to leave, Talia asked me to stay behind.
I stopped by the desk while she spoke with another student briefly. When the student left, Talia turned to me.
"Kate, your drawings are very good, very technically skilled. I wonder why you're in my class? You should be taking a class through the university."
"The classes were full and I was late registering. I only started drawing and painting again recently so I'm pretty rusty and need practice. I'm happy to be in your class."
"I'm glad then," she said. "Sefton and I team teach a master class at night on Thursday. It might be better suited to your level of development. Most of the students in this open class are all weekend hobbyists."
I made a face, wrinkling up my nose without thinking. "I think I'll stick to this class, but I'm flattered that you suggested it."
"Oh, it was Sefton who suggested it. He tells me you’re a painter. The Thursday class is a painting class."
I shook my head and smiled. "Thanks anyway. I'll stick with this class if you don’t mind. No offense. I don't think I'm ready for a master class…"
"Sefton said he saw your work and you're very good."
"That's very nice of him," I said and then Sefton came up to us and stood close to me.
"It is very nice of me, but also very true. Show Talia the painting you have on your phone, the one you did of your fiancé."
I shrugged my shoulder and stepped back from Sefton. "You really can't see it well…"
"Please, I'd like to see it," Talia said and reached her hand out.
Finally, I pulled out my phone and quickly brought up the image of my Drake painting. I handed my phone to her and she examined it, then raised her eyebrows.
