Damsel in the Red Dress

Sanguine Thread

I open the front door and close it behind me too forcefully, the key, which I forgot to remove, rattles in the lock. Try as I might, I can't keep my hands still. Like a small, nervous palm tree. I think I'm trembling - actually trembling - and I burn like red-hot coals.

My hair pouring down over my shoulders and neck drives me crazy, trapping the heat, in a scratchy smothering weight. I'm almost steaming, terrified, and seething. Angry with myself.

I shiver and try to shake the feeling - shake my head until my thoughts are scrambled together.

I need to find something to do, or focus on to distract me - glance around my messy living room, but cleaning it is out of the question.

With something between a groan and a sigh, I throw myself on the couch and cover my face. Something crinkles. I guess I sat on a letter.

Sliding it out from underneath me I realize it's the letter from the Precioso Veggera Foundation, which I never read.

I pull the check out of the envelope first. I definitely need to cash that, sooner or later, before it expires. Putting the check down on the coffee table, next to one of my dirty collectible cups, puking dirty dribbles of yellow paint over the brim, and onto the flaking, lead-painted cartoon face, I take out the letter, and quickly look it over.

It isn't an invitation to the Christmas showcase, and I'm relieved and disappointed at the same time - which is ridiculous, but that's just my resting state at this point.

I sigh, kind of aggravated, and mutter to myself, "I already figured." Still, I guess I couldn't help hoping, just a little bit. Kattar would have been over the moon.

Even the thought of him sets my cheeks burning again. This is the last thing I want to deal with right now - especially now.

I try to shove the letter back into the envelope, but it apparently splits itself down its razor end. What I thought was one sheet of paper, was two gossamer thin printed pages.

I set the envelope back down and study the second sheet, which continues on from where the last one ended. Blah blah blah, 'Since 1979 The Precioso Veggera Foundation has been dedicated to the creation and distribution of art in all mediums, as a form of artistic humanitarianism. In the words of our founder "Everyone should get to live in a beautiful world," and we couldn't agree more.'

With that in mind, there's nothing that gets us more fired up than a chance to help artists take the next big steps in their artistic journeys and build the creative careers of their dreams - and we (hush don't tell) have a monster art-crush on you. Here at The Precioso Veggera Foundation, we are passionate about helping new artists achieve their craziest goals (wanna recreate the Eiffel Tower out of Philly Cheesesteaks? We got you.) and finally receive the recognition we know they deserve. We understand (begrudgingly) that this is not an easy process. Every wizard needs a team of cute little munchkins doing the nitty-gritty to help them make their ideas a reality and we want to be your munchkins. If you're interested please call the number below, or email Juana King, at JXKing@TheVeggeraFoundation.org. We'd love to help you connect with an agent so that your art can grace the public in more venues, and we can get a just little bit closer to our founder's dream of making the world into "an ocean of color."

Ecstatically,

Melissa Xochitl (Communications), on behalf of The Precioso Veggera Foundation

I stare dumbfounded at the letter for a long time before my brain even begins to start sparking out thoughts. Like an old, rusty machine, the gears begin screeching together, as I start to process it all.