The Artist's Muse

Chapter 2

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. May 15, 2005

Quello Che Ho Perso was the mystery of the artistic world. The exhibit came in on a ship from Italy, but very little was known about the artist aside from his given name, Sebastian. Newspapers, magazines, and websites gushed about how eerily lifelike the figure of the unknown woman was who appeared in every painting. Some swore her eyes would follow the looker as they explored the exhibit. Others claimed they'd seen the woman move entirely.

Isabel believed none of it. She held the magazine her friend Melody had given her in one hand and rolled her eyes. "We both know it's a coincidence, Mels. I swear on the grave of Baxter that I have no idea who the mystery artist is, nor am I the 'mystery woman in the paintings.' I've never even been to Italy."

"I don't know what your favorite cat or his grave have to do with anything, but you have to at least look at the pictures, Izzy. If the painting isn't of you, then you have a doppelganger out there somewhere." Melody tapped the magazine and took another bite of her bagel. "Just look at them. You'll see."

A stifled sigh died in Isabel's throat at the pleading in Melody's eyes. "Alright, alright. Just so I can prove you're being ridiculous." She slid her coffee cup out of the way and placed the magazine on the table.

"Page 15."

Isabel rolled her eyes and flipped through the pages while the hustle and bustle of the other cafe patrons filled her ears. The sun shone warm on her back, soaking deep into the black t-shirt she wore and her raven hair. It felt good to be in the sun again after yet another months-long hospital stay. She reached page 15 and her eyes widened. Looking at the page felt like looking in a mirror, right down to the small freckle on her left nostril.

"See? I told you!" Melody exclaimed at seeing her friend's reaction. "That's way too close to be just a coincidence! At the very least this guy had to have gotten a photo of you or something, somehow. Do you know anyone named Sebastian who moved to Italy or anything?"

Rather than respond, Isabel shivered. A strange feeling had begun growing in her chest, and the longer she stared at the photographs, the stronger it grew. She felt drawn to the paintings like a woman dying of thirst to an oasis. "Mels, I have to go see these paintings in person. Now."

She looked up at Melody, who had frozen mid-bite. The petite blonde woman shook her head, her perfect ringlet curls bouncing against her face. "They're all the way in France, Izzy. There's no way you can travel that far in your condition. Besides, five minutes ago you didn't even want to look at them." Melody waved her hand and Isabel frowned. Yes, travel wouldn't be easy, but she had to see these paintings!

"I feel just fine, Mels. The doctor said my blood counts were normal and I seem to be in remission. The tricky part will be saving up the money, not my health. And I don't really know what changed, honestly. It just...did."

Perhaps Melody could have fought harder, but this was far from the only impulsive thing her best friend had suggested. Most of the time they went by the wayside as soon as the next interesting thing happened by. So instead she shrugged. "I guess you'll just have to start saving up, then. I've got to get back to work. It was so nice to see you outside of sick person jail." Melody finished her bagel and stood with a stretch, gave Isabel a squeeze, and headed for the Trax station.

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. July 25, 2006

Isabel stood in the waiting area of Concourse A at the Salt Lake City airport, a small bag over her shoulder and the weight of anxiety over her heart. In just 30 minutes she would board Delta flight DL3245 to Paris. She located an empty seat and clutched her bag in her lap, suddenly regretting her insistence that her parents say goodbye at security.