Mr.Brightside

Chapter 36

Clara's Next Step

The days following Jack's decision to take a step back were both calming and strange. He seemed lighter, more present, and more attuned to everything around him. It was like watching a weight lift off his shoulders—one I hadn't realized had been pressing down so hard.

We were both in new territory now. He was giving himself the freedom to explore what truly mattered to him, and I was diving deeper into my art. My time at the gallery showcase had ignited something inside me that I couldn't ignore anymore.

But with that spark came new questions. Was this just a hobby that had grown bigger, or could I actually turn my art into something more sustainable, something that could be a real part of our future?

The Offer

I was in the middle of finishing a painting when my phone buzzed with an email notification. It was from Lily, my friend at the gallery who had invited me to the showcase.

"Clara, we've had an amazing response to your work. One of our patrons asked if you'd be interested in doing a solo exhibition later this year. Let me know if this is something you'd want to explore. No pressure, but I think you'd be fantastic."

A solo exhibition.

I sat down on the floor, feeling a rush of excitement and fear all at once. The showcase had been thrilling, but this was a whole new level. Could I actually pull it off? Would people even be interested in seeing more of my work?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The truth was, I had never really allowed myself to dream this big before. I'd been so focused on being a mom and a teacher, and now, stepping into the role of an artist felt overwhelming.

When Jack came home that evening, I didn't mention the offer right away. I needed time to sit with it, to let the idea settle before I said anything. But as the night wore on and we shared dinner, the words were bubbling up inside me, begging to be spoken.

Finally, after we'd tucked Olivia into bed and were sitting in the living room, I turned to Jack. "I got an offer today."

He raised an eyebrow. "An offer for what?"

"To do a solo exhibition at the gallery," I said, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as the words left my mouth. "Lily said people really liked my work, and one of the patrons asked if I'd be interested."

Jack's face lit up with a proud smile. "That's amazing, Clara! Are you going to do it?"

"I don't know yet," I admitted, feeling the weight of the decision. "It's a huge opportunity, but it's also a lot of pressure. I'm not sure if I'm ready."

Jack shifted closer, taking my hand in his. "You're more than ready. You've been pouring your heart into your art for months, and it's paid off. People love your work. I've seen how much this means to you, and I think you should go for it."

His words brought a sense of calm to my racing thoughts. I could always count on Jack to remind me of my own strength when I couldn't see it for myself. But there was still a part of me that wondered if I was taking on too much too soon.

Balancing Act

Over the next few days, I thought a lot about what a solo exhibition would mean. It wasn't just about the time commitment—it was about putting myself out there in a way I hadn't fully done before. The showcase had been one thing, but this? This felt bigger, scarier.

Then there was Olivia. She was getting older, more independent, but still at that tender age where she needed me around. I didn't want to miss out on her milestones or stretch myself so thin that I couldn't be present for her. And what about Jack? He was navigating his own transition, and I didn't want to be so focused on my own journey that I neglected to support him.

But every time I thought about turning down the offer, something inside me recoiled. This was what I had been working toward, even if I hadn't realized it at the time. I wanted to be an artist—not just in the private confines of my studio, but out in the world. I wanted to show Olivia that you could follow your dreams, even when they scared you.

The Decision

One afternoon, as Olivia napped and I stood in front of a half-finished canvas, I found myself thinking about all the times I had played it safe. All the times I had let fear guide my choices instead of stepping into the unknown.

I knew what I had to do.

That evening, I sat down with Jack again. "I've made my decision," I said, my voice steady and sure.

He put down his book and looked at me, waiting.

"I'm going to do it. I'm going to take the solo exhibition."

Jack's smile was wide and genuine, and he pulled me into a hug. "I knew you would. I'm so proud of you, Clara."

Relief washed over me, and for the first time since receiving the offer, I felt excited—really excited. This was my chance to show the world who I was, to claim my space as an artist, and to embrace the possibility that maybe, just maybe, this could be my future.

The Work Ahead

Once the decision was made, everything seemed to fall into place. I emailed Lily, telling her I was in, and she responded almost immediately with excitement and details about the next steps.

I'd need to create a full series for the exhibition, which meant weeks—maybe even months—of hard work. But this time, I wasn't scared of the challenge. I was ready to dive in headfirst, to push myself creatively and see where this journey would take me.

Jack and I talked about how we'd balance things at home. He was fully on board with helping out even more with Olivia so I could dedicate the time I needed to my art. And while there were still moments of doubt and uncertainty, they were outweighed by the growing sense of purpose I felt every time I picked up a paintbrush.

This was the next step. My step. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't just following the path laid out in front of me—I was forging my own.

Moving Forward

As the days passed, I started to sketch out ideas for the exhibition. Each piece would tell a different part of my story—the journey of motherhood, identity, love, and self-discovery. It felt personal and raw, but that was the point. I wanted people to feel something when they looked at my work, to connect with the emotions I'd poured into each canvas.

Jack continued to be my biggest supporter, always there with a kind word or a reassuring smile when the doubts crept in. And Olivia, in her own way, became my muse. Watching her grow and discover the world around her reminded me why I was doing this—to show her that it was okay to dream big, to take risks, and to follow your heart.

The road ahead was still uncertain, but for the first time, that uncertainty didn't scare me. It excited me. I was stepping into the unknown, but I wasn't doing it alone.

And that made all the difference.

-------------------------------------

1221 words