Probably out of pity over my state, David started meeting me for lunch. I guess he just wanted to make sure I wouldn’t become depressed and kill myself. I missed Charlotte; I loved Charlotte. I was dying that she was ignoring me, that this time she needed was taking too long, that maybe the time she needed had become permanent and she didn’t want to talk to me or see me ever again, but I wouldn’t kill myself. David and his paranoia.
“Yes,” I said, checking my phone. No messages, no calls, no emails. Not from Charlotte, at least.
I didn’t know the details, but three days after I gave the recording to Liana, Governor McClain and Senator Williams had an argument during an event, and rumor had it, it was because of Charlotte and Donnie. Two days after that, Charlotte and her mother had a press conference. They explained that a man who worked at the Executive Mansion had snooped through Charlotte’s things and he had been fired. To retaliate, he started following Charlotte and then sent the photos to the press in my name. Of course, the reporters wanted to know who the man was, but the governor said the police were dealing with him now.
Then Charlotte spoke, telling the public about her. She said she loved drawing and roller-skating, that she was applying to art school, though it was probably too late to get in this semester. Reporters asked about me and she said, “I was in love.” As simple as that, and it made my heart beat faster. Right then, I tried calling her. This time, it didn’t even go to the voice mail. It was as if the line had been canceled.
Four days later, Charlotte showed up at a fundraiser with her mother. It seemed the press had forgiven them, especially Charlotte, because being in love explained everything, didn’t it? Well, not to me.
“Earth to Mason.” David snapped his fingers in front of my face.
“Yeah, here. Sorry.”
“Thinking of her again?”
I shrugged. I was saved from saying anything else when the waitress appeared to take our orders.
“So,” David started, and I already knew it wasn’t a good thing. “I have this event on Saturday and I was thinking you could come with me.”
“Event?”
“Yeah. It’s at a museum and it’s probably boring, but there’s a girl who will be there …”
I smiled. “Oh, I see.”
“Yeah. But I didn’t want to be there alone like a lost dog, you know. So, I was thinking, you could come with me, stay for a bit. We can leave soon, or if the stars shine down on me, you can leave alone.” He wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed.
“All right, since I have nothing better to do, I’ll go with you. But be warned, if it’s too damn boring, I’m out.”
David nodded with a triumphant grin. “Deal.”
Charlotte
I fidgeted with the belt over my dress.
Liana slapped my hand. “You’re gonna rip the thing right off.”
“I can’t help it,” I muttered.
My eyes scanned the people walking around the gallery. Well dressed men and women with lots of pocket money. I had asked my mother to keep this quiet, but she insisted on inviting a few good friends—which meant at least a hundred people from the upper class. Whatever. As long as they didn’t behave superior.
Thankfully, there were some people in jeans and sneakers. They were probably residents of the neighborhood who came into the gallery often.
Liana had scored an exhibition in this renowned little gallery, but she gave up half of the space for me. She had invited her teachers and mentors from George Washington University, and she hoped they saw my drawings and paintings and reconsidered my excellent but late application to the program.
She held my hands. “Stop it.”
I hadn’t even noticed I was fidgeting with the belt again. “I can’t help it,” I repeated. “I’m nervous.”
She squeezed my hand. “I know, hon, and I also know that everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
Two big things were supposed to happen today, but they could go terribly wrong. I couldn’t think about them without my hands shaking and my breathing becoming erratic. So, I just kept my mind blank, and apparently, I played with my belt.
MaryAnn and Becca came back holding two flutes of champagne each.
MaryAnn handed one flute to me. “What will work out the way it’s supposed to?”
Liana took the other flute from Becca. “You’ll see.”
“Uh, enigmatic,” MaryAnn teased before drinking from her champagne.
I stared at the drink. Perhaps it would help with my nerves, but my stomach only tightened with the prospect of having anything in it.
Becca looked at each one of us. “Jeez, tense air. How about you two give us a grand tour, explaining each masterpiece?”
“Boring,” MaryAnn said, dragging out each letter. “I know what isn’t boring. The three cute guys at four o’clock.” She linked her arm to Becca’s. “Come on.”
And out they went.
“Will she ever not be after guys?” I asked, wondering how she had energy to keep up with this kind of life.
“She’ll meet the perfect guy for her one of these days and she’ll settle down,” Liana said, her voice confident.
“I love how positive you always are.”
“Someone has gotta be.” She nudged me with her elbow and I shook my head.
A ball of nerves, I dragged Liana to walk around with me. We were passing by the front door when my mother walked in, followed closely by her assistant.
“Hello, Charlotte,” she said, embracing me.
“Hi, Mom.” I returned the awkward hug, and then gestured to Liana. “You remember my friend.”
“Yes, Liana. Hello, how are you?” My mother smiled at her and I almost let out a sob of happiness.
A few days ago, I had invited my mother and my three best friends to have dinner at my new apartment in Washington so they could meet. Besides the tense air and the refined manner the girls tried to use, it went well. My mother didn’t try to kill them or persuaded me away from them. I guess we were making progress.
Liana nodded. “Hello, Governor McClain, I’m well. Thank you.”
“Oh, please, call me Peyton.” My mother patted Liana’s arm then turned to me. “Now, where are your masterpieces?”
I pointed to an archway to our left. “There.”
“If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and brag a little,” she joked. My mother joked! The world was ending.
She waved at us then disappeared through the archway.
I looked at Liana with wide eyes. “I swear, an alien came an abducted my mother. That woman is not Peyton McClain.”
Liana laughed. “Come on, hon. Give her some credit. She said she didn’t want to lose you. She’s trying, and so far she’s doing great.”
Tears brimmed in my eyes. “She is.”
Liana and I went back to our side of the gallery, mingling and talking to people, explaining our thoughts when drawing this or painting that.
A waiter passed with a tray and I reached for a flute, but Liana stopped me. She held my hand and pulled me back.
“What?”
She was the one looking nervous now. “Don’t panic, but I see two professors, the assistant director, and the director of the arts program.”
“Holy crap.” My palms started sweating almost instantly.
“Act cool, be cool,” Liana said. “They will love the entire collection, you’ll see.”
Liana went ahead to greet them and show them her collection. Meanwhile, I clasped my hands together so I wouldn’t bite my nails or rip the decorative belt from my dress.
She didn’t tell them when she guided them to my collection. I hovered close by, trying to hear whatever they were saying about my paintings, but I only caught a few insignificant words here and there.
Finally, they stopped before the main painting and stared at it in silence for a long time. Behind her back, Liana beckoned me to join them. I took a deep breath and went to her. She linked her arm to mine and pulled me close.