Page 12 of The Top of Admiration
“That won’t be necessary,” Leticia said dryly. “Perhaps we’ll continue this discussion later.” She walked away, followed by Lucas.
“Fucking hell, Cam. Are you trying to sabotage me?”
“What? No. You were just looking so serious and heavy, I tried to lighten the mood. This isn’t you, Miranda. You’re putting on airs for these people.”
“No, it’s called having an adult job and taking it seriously,” I snapped. We left not long after that.
I was glad Cam was coming, but dreading any interactions between him and Leticia or Lucas.
Chapter 10: Cam W — Endurance
An angel is like you, and you are like an angel
Henry V, William Shakespeare
I waited outside with the Bard crew for the gallery doors to open. Cordy and Juliet were excited, and Miranda’s parents stood arm in arm, sharing proud looks between them. Damon and Seamus looked like they’d rather be anywhere but here but stood waiting loyally like the rest of us. The Bards were a supportive clan, and I was glad Miranda had them around her. Lucy was also here, hoping for some artistic drama no doubt.
I checked the crowd of faces waiting with us. No Cam yet. Bad Cam that is, not me, Good Cam. He might already be inside. Partners of artists surely didn’t wait outside with the rest of us plebs. The doors opened and an elegant woman in her 50s addressed the crowd.
“Welcome to our Endurance exhibition. We are proud to have you all here tonight and if you need any assistance, we have many of our guides present tonight.” She swept us in with a dramatic wave of her arm.
We began at the start of the gallery but soon lost patience and powered ahead until we reached Miranda’s painting. It was beautiful. The colors were bright, but she’d somehow made them seem soft. The two people in the painting were obviously her parents. The man had the gray, balding head of her father, while the woman had Leah’s trademark salt-and-pepper braid. She’d captured their height difference perfectly. Entwined trees surrounded the happy couple. I counted them. Five trees. Therewere only three sisters, so who did the other trees represent? Maybe the men in their lives? But why was one tree lonely? Had she not included Damon because he had only been around a year? Or had she cut out Bad Cam? I didn’t know enough about trees to identify the varieties, but they were all different, and that had to mean something.
“Hey, I am sooo glad to see you all. My heart is pounding!” The woman of the hour joined us, looking absolutely angelic. Usually one for bright colors, Miranda was wearing a knee length white dress and strappy silver shoes. She had a small white flower clasp on the top of her head holding back her waves. She looked beautiful.. Her eyes were highlighted by what I assumed to be light make-up of some kind, and her lips were a bright cherry red. Forget all the paintings in the room; Miranda was the masterpiece tonight. The dress was professional, but it was cut into a V at the front, displaying a classy amount of perfect cleavage.Sweet Melonscertainly hadn’t been penned for no reason.
Everyone gave her a hug, so I stepped forward too. It seemed like the thing to do. She hugged me eagerly. “Thanks so much for coming! I didn’t expect to see you here.”
Her eagerness threw me off. She was never cold to me, but she never encouraged me either. Was there a reason a tree was missing in her painting? I kept the hug going as I replied. “Of course I’m here. I couldn’t wait to see your work. Your zombie porn painting was a modern classic.” I was referring to the mural she’d painted on Cordy’s wall to drive Harrison out of the house. Despite the content, it was very well painted.
She pulled away, smiling. I smiled back, despite the emptiness I felt when she pulled her warmth away from me. That hug was the closest we’d ever been. I could feel her breasts push against my lower chest, and her sweet arms around my neck.
Her parents, Leah and Theo, disappeared to find Leticia, while Cordy and Lucy were busy arguing about the refreshments. Lucy felt there should be more variety, while Cordy insisted that no one was here to eat.
“Um, I got you something. Just a little gift to say congratulations.” I held out the wrapped package.
Miranda’s eyes widened. “Wow, you didn’t have to do that. That’s so sweet.” She opened it, revealing a leather-bound sketchbook I’d found at the art store. She opened it to inspect the paper, finding the inscription I’d had Mom write in her flawless calligraphy.
For a talented artist who is far more beautiful than the Vitruvian Man. Congratulations on your first show.
“Oh Cam! It’s too nice to use!” She looked genuinely pleased, and I felt proud that I’d chosen the right gift. Cordy and Damon had brought flowers, while Juliet had wine in a giftbag. Lucy apparently had given her a lipstick she’d been eyeing off, a used lipstick according to Cordelia, one of Lucy’s castoffs. But Miranda being the sweet person she was, I was sure she’d make an enthusiastic fuss about it.
She placed the sketchbook on a small shelf behind a desk for safekeeping. Her eyes were constantly searching the room.
“Is everything okay? I think your parents are off with your boss.”
“Yeah, it’s all good. I’m just looking for … Well, Cam was supposed to be here. Maybe there was a delay at the airport.”
“I’m sure he’ll come,” I reassured her. He’d better come. This was important to her. She was still scanning the room when Leticia came over wearing a proud smile.
“Miranda, we’ve been open five minutes, and your painting has been sold already.”
Miranda clapped her hands to her cheeks. “You’re kidding! Who?”
“Us,” her mother announced, stepping forward on Theo’s arm. Miranda’s smile weakened but she kept it in place.
“Wow, thank you. That’s so nice of you.” The guide had priced her work at $300 so I wasn’t surprised her parents had snapped it up. Also, it was very personal to them. But I guess she maybe felt that they’d bought it out of duty. If they hadn’t, I was planning to buy it. No way would I let her leave her first show feeling inadequate.
“Thanks, seriously. Thank you, Mom and Dad. For everything.” She embraced them both and wiped a tear from her eye. Good. She should be proud.
