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I need to have my game day face on because Stephanie is counting on me to come through with getting her to sign. Plus, we have a family dinner tonight, which is the last thing I want to do. Butno onesays no to my mother. We’ve been summoned. It’s just easier to give in and get it over with.
Knowing I won't have time to change between dinner and work, I choose my outfit carefully. Mother expects every hair in place and an outfit worthy of my family’s status.
It’s pretentious, and I hate it.
My armor firmly clicks in place as I pick my favorite little black dress with some killer heels and adding some pearls for mom’s benefit.
It’s a short drive to the studio. One of the things I love about the Brownstone is that it’s close to mine and Christopher’s work. It sits perfectly between the two on a beautiful tree-lined street. Our neighborhood is very family oriented, established, safe, and quiet.
I fell in love with it almost immediately. I want children so badly, and I couldn’t think of a better place to raise them. It’s not stuffy and pretentious like my parents’ or Christopher’s childhood home. I could see Christopher and I taking our future children and dog on walks here.
When Christopher asked if I liked it, I practically screamed yes! and did a little giddy dance right there. It’s one of my favorite memories of Christopher and me; there was so much joy that day. Both of us daydreaming of what the future would look like.
The morning passes in a blur of phone calls and showings. I’m starving by the time lunch rolls around. With all the tension over the past couple of days, I haven’t had much of an appetite.
I meet her at a popular steak house close to the studio that has a great lunch menu. Sonya is a phenomenal artist. She’s young and eager. She’s exactly who we look for to feature in the gallery. I’m excited to sit down and talk to her.
This is what I love about my job.
I get to live vicariously through them. At least, for now. Nothing makes me happier than to help see their dreams come true.
Sonya comes in and lunch flies by in a blur. I’m enthralled with her work, and she seems just as excited about the studio. That made it an easy sale to get her to book an exclusive viewing with us. I truly needed this to remind me of why I do this, why I love it so much.
It’s time to get back to open for the afternoon, and I leave Sonya with a firm handshake and hug, promising to email over the contract later today with everything we discussed.
Feeling on top of the world after my lunch with Sonya, I walk back into the studio and see Stephanie, the owner. She’s coming from the back, where she allows me to paint.
She greets me with a huge smile and says, “Hi, Andrea. Do you have a minute?”.
Maybe this is about the client I secured at lunch.
Stephanie is a woman after my own heart. She’s a no nonsense, take-life-by-the-horns kind of gal in her late fifties. She’s been a mainstay in the art world since the late 90s. I’ve learned so much from her in the short time I’ve been here. I wish I was more like her.
“Sure, Stephanie. Of course I do!”
Stephanie walks into my office instead of hers and takes a seat on the onyx velvet couch at the far end. I take a seat at my desk, rearranging some papers to tidy my desk some.
“I didn’t know you were coming in today, but I’m so glad you did! I need to update you on signing Sonya!”
We talk for a few minutes, tossing around some ideas for her gallery before she surprises me with her next question.
“Andrea, have you ever thought about us showcasing your own work? I know you just do it as a hobby, but I happened to sneak a peek, and your work is exquisite! Why aren’t we showing it?”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat and feel a full-blown blush coming on as the heat rises in my cheeks. Clearing my throat, I decide I’m not ready to come clean about my little secret just yet.
“Thank you so much for saying that. You don’t know how happy that makes me, but I just don’t know if I’m ready for that. It’s just a hobby.” She bristles at my words.
“Don’t sell yourself short, Andrea! You have some of the best pieces I’ve ever seen come through here. It’s such a fresh take on landscapes. Hell, I usually dislike them. They can be boring and overdone. But you, my girl, have a gift. Let the world see it.”
I think my entire face is red now. I’m beyond flattered but also scared out of my mind. I couldn’t really do that, could I? I started down this path, hoping I could release my work in a way that I wouldn’t have to worry about what Christopher or my parents thought. Figuring it was the best of both worlds, but I’m starting to think maybe that isn’t enough.
“I really appreciate your support. All I can do is promise I’ll think about it.”
She rises from the couch and heads over to stand in front of my desk.
“And I can promise that if you decide to do this, youwillbe one of the biggest names in the industry.”
With that parting blow, she waltzes out of my office and into hers before closing the door. I’m floored, and I think I almost peed my pants from excitement. I blow out a big breath and get back to finishing the few tasks I have left.
