Page 94 of Undone

The fairies come alive as they fly and play. In the center, I make her—a little girl staring wide-eyed and in gold, swirly script I write;“Dream big. Fly high.”

The door creaks open just as I finish. A small gasp escapes Sally. “My God, Lucille. This belongs in a museum.”

“Hardly, I just dabble. I teach at the high school in town. That’s my profession.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve created… magic here. I feel as if I could slip right in among them,” she stares at the nymphs.

I shrug. “Painting does make me happy.”

“Of course, it does,” she snorts, “you’re releasing all the magic inside of you and making it come alive; changing it from intangible to tangible.”

I stare incredulously at her. “What are you doing next weekend? I was invited to San Francisco. There’s a show at a gallery there I’m interested in seeing.”

She waves me off. “Please. You’re young and beautiful. You don’t need to waste your time with an old woman, like me.”

“Now who is selling themselves short?”

“Touché.”

“So, you’ll come? I almost fell asleep driving back last time I went. So, the company would be nice. We can stay with my friend, Kathryn. She has a loft apartment, within walking distance to Fisherman’s Wharf.”

“I’d like that, Luce. Truthfully, I help out here… but sometimes I feel like I’m in the way. My niece… she’s just getting her life started and here I am looking back at mine and wondering where in the hell it went wrong?”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not? It’s the goddamn truth. I let bitterness rule my heart. And now here I am in Oregon, freezing my wrinkled-ass off alone. No kids. No husband. Holding nothing but memories.”

I take her hand, squeezing it gently, “It’s never too late to make memories, Sally. You’ll see.”

She swipes her eyes. “Jesus. I’m a mess. Forget what I said… well, everything but my advice to you.”

I smile softly and turn to finish cleaning up.

“Take a picture on your phone.”

“Good idea.”

I slip my phone out and unlock it, cringing at the messages.

Dev:Where the hell are you? Smith is here flipping out.

Dev:He’s seriously losing his shit. Rog punched him. But don’t worry his nose isn’t broken. He’s still your pretty boy.

Rog:Dammit girl. You’ve riled up the bear. Stay low and remember everything I taught ya’. He’s prowling the whole goddamn town looking for ya.’

Smith:Dammit babe. I want to make that fucker bleed. He knows where you are, doesn’t he? Just tell me baby.

Me:No. We won’t end up talking.

Smith:I won’t stop talking. With my hands… lips… tongue and dick.

Me:***eyeroll*** I have a new man for that. I don’t need you.

Smith:WHERE. ARE. YOU?

Me:Closer than you think. I’m right under your nose, but you’ll never find me.

Smith:I’m doing a house by house search. I’ll turn the whole goddamn town upside-down until I find you, babe.

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