Page 30 of Stroked
There were bright colorful signs surrounding the doors of the grand concrete structure. The building had some ornate carvings and sculptures outside and the name in large cream marble letters above the door. Although I had been to several large exhibits of hers, I was still always amazed at Mãe’s work. Even though it can be a hassle to make time to attend these events, I am alwaysglad I do.
We finally got the signal to walk across the street and headed inside. We were immediately greeted by a lovely woman from behind a large marble desk that matched the sign outside.
“Ms. Santos, lovely to see you. I’ll let Ms. Lindsey know you’re here.”
I walked around the reception area, admiring all the paintings and photographs. Many were buildings I recognized from around the city.
“Ms. Santos,” a man said gleefully as he came flying through the doors. I turned briefly, and he was stuck in an embrace with Mãe, then turned and grabbed Papai by the shoulders. “Shall we?”
“Val, come dear.”
“One second, if that is okay. Just looking,” I answered.
“That is my daughter.”
The man smiled and opened the door, waving my parents inside. “Just come on through here when you’re ready, Miss. Take your time. I’m James, if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you.” I turned to continue looking at the pictures. I chuckled to myself, surprised Mãe hadn’t already tried to set me up with him. He was well dressed, well groomed, and probably Latino based on his look, although that may be a bit judgy.
I had only been looking for a few minutes when a familiar voice shouted, “Val! How great to see you!” I turned and was surprised to see Lucy and her boyfriend, Jason, both dressed up.
“Lucy, how are you?” I went to shake her hand. “Are you here for the exhibit?”
Lucy beamed. “Well, of course. It’s Amy’s first large exhibit. We can’t really get away from the club on Friday, so we promised to come today.”
“Youpromised. I only agreed to come to keep the peace. This outfit is uncomfortable.” Jason was never overly bubbly.
But something she said had me doing a double-take. “Amy? This is my mother’s exhibit. Are you at the wrong gallery?”
Lucy’s eyebrows squished together but she still smiled. “No, Amy’s not theartist, she’s the curator here. I thought you two, um, spent some time together?” She looked at Jason, her smile looking more and more forced.
My chest and face got warm and my heart sped up. “Amy works here,” I said, pointing to the floor, “at this gallery?”
Lucy nodded slowly. “Yeah, is everything okay? You look…shaken.” Lucy reached her arm out but I pulled back.
“Sorry, I did not mean to be rude. I have a problem. I need to speak to Amy in private, right now.”
“Shit, you’re shaking. Hold on.” Lucy guided me to one of the chairs in a corner of the waiting area as she pulled her phone from her bag. “Hey, it’s me. Yeah, no, but I need you to come up front, alone. Because I said so, get your ass out here.Thankyou.” She put her phone in her bag. “Sorry, she’s stubborn sometimes. She’s on her way out. Seriously, are you okay?”
“Please, do not say anything to my parents about Amy and I knowing each other,” I blurted out.
Jason looked down as he rubbed his beard. Lucy looked at him before looking back at me, biting her lip. “Yeah, sure. No problem. I guess we need to go in and leave you two alone,” Lucy said as the doors opened and Amy came through, stopping, but letting the door close behind her.
I stood, taking deep, slow breaths, trying to calm myself.
“Hey, what’s the emergency?” Amy asked Lucy while looking over her shoulder at me.
“Oh, we’re good. A little early. Jason wanted to beat traffic and find parking. But she needs to talk to you,” Lucy said as she gave a tight-lipped smile over her shoulder.
Lucy and Jason went inside, and Amy grabbed the lapel of her blazer and walked to me.
“Hey, you look great.” She looked me over. “But listen, I have an important thing tonight. I thought we were hanging out this weekend.” Amy stepped closer and reached her arm out to me, but I pulled back. I hoped it wasn’t obvious, but the look in her eye told me it was. “Are you alright?”
“Amy, my parents do not know.”
She cocked her head. “Your parents? Wait…Is Maria Santos your mother? Oh my God! I can’t believe I didn’t know! That’s amazing!”
“Shhh, please, shh shh.” My breathing was erratic again and I was getting more nervous by the second. I grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside to the sidewalk.
