A Brush of Blue

Chapter 20: Breaking the Silence

The past two weeks had been a blur for Selah. Every day seemed to pass in a haze, the weight of the upcoming art show and the tension with Naomi settling over her like a thick, oppressive fog. Despite the excitement that should have filled her heart with anticipation for the event, an ache had taken root deep inside her—a gnawing uncertainty she couldn't ignore.

Since Naomi told her about the job offer in California, it was as if an invisible barrier had risen between them, slowly stretching the distance between their hearts. The easy conversations they had once shared—filled with laughter, warmth, and connection—had faded into something shallow, as if they were both afraid to confront the elephant in the room. When they spoke now, it was only about the mundane: how their days were, the weather, little updates about work. But neither of them touched on the one topic that mattered most—the future.

The silence between them hung like an unspoken question that neither could find the courage to ask.

Tonight, though, was supposed to be special. Tonight was supposed to be Selah's moment. Her paintings would finally be on display, showcased in a gallery for the first time in forever. It was a night where she could finally reveal the journey she had been on, how art had helped her heal, how she had found herself again after losing Grace. Yet, the weight of unspoken words between her and Naomi cast a shadow over what should have been a moment of triumph.

The gallery buzzed with energy, a low hum of voices mingling together, the sound of glasses clinking in the background, and soft music floating through the air. Normally, the vibrant atmosphere would have thrilled her, but tonight, Selah felt a heaviness in her chest that threatened to overshadow everything.

She stood at the edge of the gallery floor, watching people move from painting to painting, murmuring quietly as they admired the work. Her heart raced, each beat in time with the rustle of fabric and the shuffling of feet. It had been two weeks since Naomi had told her about the job offer, and in those two weeks, the distance between them had only grown. They saw each other, but the connection they had built felt fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment.

Selah glanced down at her hands, clasping them tightly in front of her to steady herself. She should be excited. She wanted to be excited. This was a milestone, a huge step forward for her as an artist. But the excitement was dulled by the tension in her chest, the uncertainty swirling in her mind. Meredith had asked her to speak tonight—to talk about her journey, how her grief over Grace had shaped her art. It was a deep honor, but it also terrified her. How could she stand in front of all these people, sharing her heart, when her own emotions felt so raw, so unresolved?

Her thoughts flickered to Naomi. *Where was she?*

Naomi had promised she would come, and had reassured Selah that she wouldn't miss this night for anything. But despite the promise, there had been something unspoken between them, a lingering tension that Selah couldn't shake. She scanned the crowd, her pulse quickening. Naomi was here somewhere. Selah *knew* Naomi wanted to be supportive. But the job offer loomed between them like a chasm they hadn't bridged.

Finally, Selah spotted her. Naomi stood by a display of landscape paintings, talking to Sarah. Her dark curls fell loosely around her shoulders, and her laughter lit up her face, though there was a subtle tightness around her smile. Selah watched her for a moment, her heart swelling with the sight of Naomi's beauty, but at the same time, a sinking feeling weighed her down. Something was wrong. Naomi was putting on a brave face, but Selah could sense the strain beneath it.

Taking a deep breath, Selah made her way across the gallery, each step feeling heavier than the last. Her pulse raced as she neared Naomi, her throat tightening with the weight of everything left unsaid.