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It took me a while to figure out what it was that I wanted to say with my work. It would be something about connecting the past with the present. It would be something about linking cultures across oceans and across time.
I decided to borrow works of art that are so familiar and so engrained into popular culture, the originals are only a small part of their inherited value. I played around with composition, arranging figures from old European paintings in a New York subway. I placed faces from the Italian Renaissance in advertising layouts for cars, vacations, and airlines. I also placed contemporary characters in old-style pictures, matched up with icons of ideal beauty, such as Botticelli’s Venus and Leonardo’s Mona Lisa. I am having so much fun. The scenarios jump off the page. It is as if I am retelling history according to me. I get so absorbed in the process of making pictures I need to set an alarm so I’m not late for my drag cabaret job.
Contessa doesn’t mind me being home, but she is concerned about how much mess I’m making in the lounge. It is not a relaxing space anymore. It is a dynamic work environment. Sketches and drawing ideas are taped to the walls and door. Music plays. It helps me focus. I play anything from Vivaldi to Patti Smith and everything in between.
In a break to change the soundtrack, I check my emails and messages. I am surprised to see there’s one from Gianni. Part of me wants to delete it without seeing what it says. But I don’t. I open it and read.
Buongiorno Olivia,
I hope you are well. I stopped by the gallery and was surprised not to see you. I am in New York visiting Luisa. I would like to see you. Maybe, if you have time, we could have coffee this week.
Please let me know.
Gianni.
Yes, I think. I could meet Gianni for coffee. That would be the adult thing to do, wouldn’t it? Since beginning my creative journey, I feel ambivalent toward him. I have acknowledged that we had a connection in the past and that has gone now.
I pause to look around at my drawings and ideas. Suddenly it dawns on me: a realization that everything I have produced is a reflection of Gianni and me. All the charcoal scribbles and color-washes; all the figures, ancient and contemporary; all the landscapes populated by lovers. They are all us. Well, that’s a revelation and just a teeny bit obsessive perhaps? Perhaps. But I liked it. The obsession. The madness of it. Of being in love. Yes. I would have coffee.
I email Gianni back and give him my phone number, although, I said, I was extremely busy and if he was available at four pm, this afternoon, I could spare half an hour. I press send and wait.
The reply was instantaneous. An affirmative with a request for venue. I choose the Dolce Vita café close to my apartment. There’s another message from Gianni. He hopes that I don’t mind if Luisa comes too.
Not at all.
Chapter 26
Gianni
Oliviahasbeenoccupyingmy thoughts since she left Firenze. I feel we have unfinished business. But I am realistic. It’s not like we could ever be together. I mean, apart from me being her boss, which would be awkward, she has changed so much in ten years. Or perhaps my memory of the golden-haired girl on the bridge is skewed and I remember someone who doesn’t even exist: a phantom of my own imaginings. But the images I have are so real and I have carried them for so long, it’s difficult to let them go. Against all sensible reasonings I’ve had leading up to my return to New York, I’m excited to see Olivia. Which is crazy. My step quickens as I approach the gallery. I push open the door.
I didn’t announce that I was coming in today. It was a spur-of-the-moment trip. I just wanted to see Luisa. And I wanted to see Olivia. The exhibition space looks great. Margot and Olivia have done a wonderful job hanging the pieces from the new consignment. There are some excellent statement pieces here that would be perfect for a corporate reception area. I’ll see who the sales team has lined up for a viewing. The buzzer sounds when I walk in.
“Oh, Mr Moretti,” says Margot as she meets me in the gallery space. “We weren’t expecting you.” Her head tilts to one side. “Is everything alright? I haven’t quite finished the latest sales figures, but I should have it all finalized later today.”
“Ah, Margot. Thanks, but… Yes. If you could email me, that would be fantastic.”
I walk past Margot to the office space at the back. Nigel is in. He is at his desk, talking with someone on the phone. He turns and waves to me. I raise my hand in greeting then turn to Olivia’s desk, but it’s not Olivia who is occupying the chair. I nod hello then head back out to the gallery area where Margot is still standing where I left her.
“Is Olivia away today?” I ask, hoping I don’t sound anxious.
“Mr Moretti.” Margot guides me through to the office as she is talking. “Let me introduce you to the newest member of the Mayfair & Lewis team. This is Sandra,” Margot beams.
Sandra stands and says with an enthusiastic smile, “Hello Mr Moretti. I have been just dying to meet you.”
“Hello, Sandra, and welcome to the gallery. I hope you are enjoying working with us.”
“Yes. Absolutely!” Sandra gushes breathlessly.
“Sandra has recently graduated from Berkley with first-class honors in art history,” says Margot. “We are so lucky to have her.” Sandra flicks up her eyelashes and smiles shyly.
“Margot. Can I have a word,” I say, turning away and walking towards the gallery space where I know we won’t be overheard. “Can you tell me… Olivia. What happened?”
“Oh. Um. Well. When she got back from her trip to Italy, the one where she went to collect the painting for Mrs Peabody,” I nod encouragement in the hope that Margot will get to the point quicker. “She came in the next day and handed in her notice. She said it was for personal reasons. I tried to find out more, but Olivia can be… she keeps herself to herself.”
What could the personal reasons be? I realize that Margot and I have been standing in the gallery space without saying anything for some time as my mind races. “Is she alright? Did she leave a number? Do we have her contact details?”
“Sure. I have her email. She has me down as one of her referees and I am more than happy to recommend her to a future employer.”
