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“Ha!”
“Sorry, hope that didn’t come across as rude.”
“Lucie, don’t ever apologize for a perfect comeback. Besides, I’m in the business of having feelings, remember? I remember how excited you were last year to start college. So tell me, what was the thing you loved the most in your first year?”
“Hmm…probably my painting class.”
“What sort of things did you paint?”
“Mostly abstract stuff. I’ve been painting on unprimed canvases, and I love the feel of that.”
“Do you know the work of Morris Louis? He did his best work on unprimed canvases.”
“Of course! I love his veil paintings. I did a few earlier this summer inspired by him, and also by Helen Frankenthaler’s work.”
“That sounds marvelous. I’d love to see them sometime.”
“I have a few photos on my phone, but you can always see the real thing when you’re out in East Hampton next.”
“Let’s do both. Have you been around to any of the art galleries in Capri yet?”
“Not yet, but I’m hoping to.”
“Isabel’s got us all on quite a schedule with all the fetes, hasn’t she?”
“I’m loving it. The only thing I really want to do that’s not on the schedule is go swimming in the Blue Grotto.”
“That one’s going to be tricky. They don’t allow swimming in there anymore, but what they do now is row you into the grotto in a little boat.”
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“Well, if I’m in a little boat, can’t I just jump in for a few minutes?”
“Spoken like a true rebel.”
“Have you been to the grotto?”
“Yes, many years ago.”
“And was it as spectacular as everyone says it is?”
“It was incredible. You really ought to go, especially since you are a mermaid. Also, make sure you don’t miss Villa San Michele.”
“That’s Axel Munthe’s house, isn’t it? I hear the art is amazing.”
“It’s more antiquities than paintings, but I think you’ll love it. The house and gardens are so beautifully situated, I’m sure it will inspire you. So, tell me, why did you choose Brown instead of going to RISD?*2 I mean, it’s literally across the street in Providence.”
“Oh, you know, I’m trying to balance things out by being a biology major.*3 I don’t think my mom would be too happy if I had just gone straight to art school.”
“Has she told you that?”
“Not in so many words, but I know she’d want me to do something more practical.”
“I think the most impractical thing one can do is not follow your passions.”
Lucie considered his words as she lay floating, looking up at the cloudless sky. After a few moments, she turned to Auden. “I think I’ve left the others long enough.”
“See you back on dry land,” Auden murmured, his eyes closed as he treaded water meditatively.
