A Sky Full of Stars

Chapter 13 - Tumi - A Haven of Art & Soul

Tumi stepped back, surveying her domain. The gallery's vibrant colours and eclectic art pieces seemed to pulse with energy, as if infused with her own creative spirit. She adjusted the lighting, coaxing the perfect glow from the installations. Every detail mattered, every brushstroke and shadow.

Her eyes settled on a stunning piece, "Echoes in the Night," a mixed-media installation by Lena. Tumi's fingers grazed the delicate edges, ensuring it was perfectly positioned. As she stepped back, the colours seemed to dance, drawing her in.

"Perfect," she murmured. "This will showcase Lena's talent, make the art world take notice." Tumi's mind whirled with visions of the exhibition's success.

Just then, her phone rang, shrill in the silence.

"Mosaic Gallery, Tumi. How can I help you?" she answered, her voice warm and professional.

"Hey, Tumi, it's Marcus from Art Supplies. Your order's ready for pickup."

"Thanks, Marcus. Actually, I need more canvas and paints. Can you deliver by tomorrow?" Tumi's gaze drifted to her own art piece in progress, a half-finished sculpture that seemed to beckon her.

As she wrapped up the call, her fingers itched to return to her sculpture. She worked on her sculpture and her thoughts swirled around Val and her situation with her studio and Alex, the weight of her friend's struggles pressing upon her. Concern etched lines on her face, her brow furrowed in worry.

Later that day, she would meet Val for coffee, and she felt hopeful that she could take a closer look at what Val needed and offer some insight. Her mother's insistence on business courses, once a source of frustration, now proved invaluable. Thanks, Mom, Tumi thought wryly, grateful for the financial acumen that allowed her to navigate Val's struggles.

Tumi's mind then shifted to Lena, whose silence since their last conversation had become increasingly unsettling. The absence of Lena's usual warmth and humour left a void, a nagging sense of unease that Tumi couldn't shake.

As she worked, her sculpture began to take shape, its curves and lines reflecting her emotions. Her gallery, her sanctuary, seemed to envelop her, soothing her concerns.

In this moment, Tumi's art was her solace, her voice.

The morning passed quickly, and an alarm on her phone signalled that it was time for her to meet Val. Tumi closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and stepped out of her sanctuary, ready to support her friend.

In the cozy coffee shop, gentle chatter filled the air, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped Tumi as she spotted Val already seated.

Worry dulled Val's usually bright and vibrant eyes, tugging at Tumi's heart.

"I've been dealing with the insurance company," Val began, frustration etched on her face. "They wanted an excess fee paid before they pay out for the roof repair."

Sympathy etched Tumi's face. "That's tough. Did you manage to scrape together the excess fee?"

Val nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Eventually, but then they dropped a bombshell. Apparently, I missed a couple of payments earlier this year, and there's a waiting period. They won't cover the damage."

Incredulity sparked in Tumi's expression. "That's ridiculous. You've been paying premiums all this time. You have statements saying the money left your account. What happened to the money?"

Alex's name hung unspoken in the air until Val whispered, "He was supposed to handle the payments. I trusted him to take care of it."

Tumi's eyes narrowed, her gaze intensifying. "What's going on with Alex, Val? You seem...hesitant to talk about him."