AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He shook his head as he answered it. “Hey, Gerald, what’s up?”
“Jimmy, I need you to send me all your paintings,” the gallery owner said as soon as he answered the phone.
“What?” Jimmy said.
“I’ve been displaying the pictures you’ve been sending me and I have orders. People want them, and they want them now.”
“What? You’re selling my work based on photographs?” How could this be?
“People love them. In fact, if you can come back here right away, I’d like to set up an event for you. A Meet the Artist event and auction. Tell me you can come.”
“I don’t know.” He looked at his mom. “When do you want to do it?”
“The sooner the better. How about this Friday night, but get here as soon as you can.”
“This Friday coming up?” That was the night of the festival.
“Yes. Please, Jimmy. I know it’s Christmas, and you’re back with your folks, but these paintings have gotten a lot of attention and Susie has already had several requests for a meet and greet from some of our biggest patrons. I’d like to let them all know you’re coming. Can I count on you?”
“Sure, I can be there. Just Friday evening though, then I need to come back.”
“Wonderful. I knew I could count on you. Susie will set it up. Get back here as soon as you can, and bring your paintings with you.” Gerald disconnected the line.
“What’s going on?” his mother asked. “I could hear some of it. Do you have to go back to Denver?”
“Yes. That was Gerald from the gallery. Apparently, there has been a lot of interest in my paintings now that I’ve added Christmas to them, and he wants to do a Meet the Artist event and auction.”
“An auction?” His mother’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “It really is. I’ve been waiting a long time for this.” He chewed on his lip. How was it that now that he’d made the decision to come back home, things were finally falling into place back in Denver.
His mom gave him a hug. “I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.”
He hugged her back. “Thanks, but that means I need to go back to Denver right away. Are you sure Dad is okay?”
“Yes, he has to stay in bed for the next three days anyway, so go,” she assured him.
“What about Frankie’s?”
“I’ll hire more help at the coffee shop.” She shook her head, smiling. “Don’t you worry about us. It’s okay if you need to stay longer. We can manage. What’s important is that you don’t lose this opportunity for your business.”
He took a deep breath. “I understand. I really wanted to be here for Christmas, and Roni is going to be so upset about the festival. She’s been working so hard on it.”
His mother stood and picked up her teacup. “She’ll understand. What’s important is your work. We’ve loved having you here but don’t put your life on hold for us. If your career is taking off in Denver, then go. We support your dreams one hundred percent, and I’m sure Roni will too.”
He wasn’t so sure about that. “Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate it.”
“I’m so proud of you, Jim. You’ve always wanted to paint and now you’re starting to make a real go of it. An auction!”
Her excitement was contagious. “I know, it is amazing. I’m going to book a flight out tomorrow, so I’ll need to leave first thing in the morning for Boston. Early.”
“Of course, you do what you need to do for your career. I love you, and I’m so proud of you. I can’t wait to tell your father.” She hummed all the way to the kitchen. “Wake us up to say goodbye in the morning.”
“I will.” As he went up to the studio, he couldn’t help thinking about what she’d said. She was proud of him. He knew that, of course, but hearing her say it and seeing the expression on her face really drove the point home.
But she was wrong about Roni. Roni wouldn’t be happy, and he couldn’t blame her.
He thought about another question his mom had asked. What did he truly want? He thought he knew, but now he wasn’t sure. Now he was torn. A big part of him wanted to come home. To be near his parents and his friends, and most of all, to be with Roni. To see if they could have another chance to make things work between them.
