Ambivalence

Background Noise

Lauren

I almost didn't recognize Camila when she entered the café. Her hair was styled and curled nicely, and her red cotton shirt hugged every curve of her chest, making her stand out in an odd sort of way. Maybe because I had never seen her in heels, her legs looked longer under the white skirt.

"What?" she said, glancing down at herself when she reached our table.

"Nothing, it's just the first time I've ever seen you look nice," I replied, drinking my coffee.

"How is it possible for you to both compliment and insult me at the same time?" She frowned, about to take a seat, when my mother returned. For some reason, she stood back up again.

"Please don't mind my Daughter, I'm not sure where her manners have gone," she said, placing a steaming cup in front of Camila. "I wasn't sure what you took, so it's just a cappuccino. I hope you don't mind me ordering, the line was getting long."

 "No, it's fine. Thank you so much," she responded politely.

You would have thought she was the one asking for a favor.

"You said you've been trying to get in touch with me?"

My mother smiled sadly, looking between us. "Yes. I never realized we would be connected like this."

"My mother is the chairwoman at the hospital, and was wondering if you could paint a mural," I said, trying to speed things up.

"A mural?"

"I know you're busy, but if you could consider it...you have no idea how much your work means to me. Lauren doesn't really understand art, so she thought I was crazy for buying your Whispers of the East piece. It brought me to tears."

"That's why she called me Con Artist." She laughed.

My mother shifted her gaze to me. "Con artist?"

She just had to bring that up. Saying nothing, I drank my coffee.

"I can't believe you bought that." She sat up straighter. "I was shocked when it sold, I really didn't think anyone would understand it but me."

"I read that you drew it after the death of your grandparents? You said it hurt to breathe for a while. I saw the date; my husband actually died a week after that, and looking at it, I understood."

For a brief second, I saw an expression on my mother's face I hadn't seen in over two decades...since my father died. She had always done her best to stay upbeat and happy around us. Growing up, I often wondered how she could get on so well with her life, and now it seemed like that was not the case at all.

Camila shifted in her seat, gripping the cappuccino. "My grandparents meant more than I could put into words. Painting that was really therapeutic for me. I'm so happy it's found a good home. As for the mural, I will talk to my agent, and I will have to look at the space, but I would be more than happy to do it, Mrs. Jauregui."

"Truly?" My mother smiled and took her hand. "Thank you. Lauren can show you the space whenever you are free."

"What?"

Camila kicked my foot under the table. "Great, I'm sure we will work out a time."

"I have to run to a meeting, but please have your people contact me on the logistics." She stood, as did I, pulling back her chair. "Oh no, please finish your coffee, I will see you all later. Oh, and Lauren , call your brother."

"Yes, Mother."

She waved, already on her phone. Her driver appeared at the door, holding it open for her and giving me a short nod before leading her out.