Page 73 of Crystal Iris
“That sounds… fun,” I say, unwrapping my sandwich.
“I don’t do anything that isn’t fun.”
I laugh at her. “I want to be you when I grow up.”
At least tell me where to send the vase you left here,Hoyt’s text reads that evening.
I pick up my phone and type:It was meant to be a thank-you gift. For the hospitality. I forgot about it.
Thank you. Any suggestions on where I should put it?
I know he’s only trying to make conversation now.Dining table?
My house does need a… woman’s touch.
I don’t reply. I put my phone away and take a sip of my wine. I need motivation. It’s time I start unpacking.
I’m opening another box, singing along to a cheesy song, when I glance at my phone again. Even though part of me wants to be left alone, it’s hard to stop checking for messages.
Is Aaron sick?I read Lara’s message.
I don’t know. Why?
He hasn’t been to work all week.
I stop my music. I’ve been trying not to let myself wonder about how he’s doing.Can you ask... Ted to check on him? We broke up.
Sure. I’m sorry to hear, Iris.
Thanks, let me know when he does, please.
I empty my wine glass in the sink. My headache is back.
I am exhausted from the lack of sleep. I make a mental note to ask for a sleeping pill prescription. At least today, I only have a field trip. I’m looking forward to the change of pace.
I meet the students by the new exhibition,Visiting Masterpieces: Caravaggio and Connoisseurship.
“I planned this class because I knew this exhibit was coming to our city. We are very lucky to be in front of four paintings that have never been seen in Boston before,” I explain.
“It says here that they don’t know if these are real Caravaggios,” says Liam.
“Right, this one”—I point toward the painting of a boy having his palm read by a Romani girl—“it’s probably a true Caravaggio.”
“This one”—I gesture toward the portrait of a member of the Order of Knights of Malta—“it’s very possibly his too.”
“And these other two?” asks Stella.
“Still debatable.”
“What is the Order of Knights of Malta?” asks Christine.
“It’s a religious order, considered a sovereign entity under international law. They used to require their members to be of noble lineage, but they’ve changed things nowadays. I believe their current role is to help with international humanitarian relations.”
“Caravaggio is one of my favorites,” says Gil.
“Mine too. This exhibition provides us with an opportunity to examine his talented hand and to debate what made him so well-known.”
“Caravaggio is his last name, right?” asks Liam.
