Bending the Rules

Chapter 8 : T.Steinmetz (Part 2)

Here's the second part of the chapter! ;) I said I was going to update this in a day or two, but no way. Haha. So here it is.

>>> Chapter 8, Part 2 <<<

Tori searched for her aunt's face for clues. Should she apologize? Should she promise to be different? She did really feel bad that her aunt had to defend her like that in front of those pompous old boofs. But she didn't feel bad about being who she was.

Her dilemma was resolved by a sudden loud buzz beside her ear, which caused her to jump about a foot. It was the doorman calling from downstairs over the intercom, a small white box on the wall near the doorway.

Tori had no idea how to work the thing, since nobody ever came to visit. So she stepped aside and let her aunt do it.

Tessa pushed the bottom button, the red one.

"Yes, Louie?" she said into the little speaker.

"Visitor coming up," said Louie's scratchy voice.

"Who is it?" asked Aunt Tessa, stiffening.

"Gee, Ms. Livingstone, he said you were expecting him, so I let him go right up," Louie apologized. "He knew your apartment number and everything."

"I was not expecting anyone," said Aunt Tessa sharply.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I won't let it happen again."

"Please don't."

The bell on Aunt Tessa's door rang. Reluctanly, Tessa went to the door, but did not open it.

"Who is it?" she asked warily.

"Tessa, it's Henry Abrams," came the muffled voice from the other side of the door.

Tori stood in the kitchen with Bagel, not quite knowing where she should be. She searched her mind, trying to remember where she had heard that name before.

There was a long pause, and finally Tessa turned the lock, undid the chain, and opened the door.

"Hello, Henry," she said. "It's been a long time."

Aha! That was it. Tori knew where she'd seen his name: On the letter, the one Aunt Tessa wouldn't look at.

"I'm sorry I kind of sneaked up here," said Henry. "But I knew you wouldn't see me if I had the doorman call upstairs first."

"Quite right," said Tessa.

"You know, you can't keep avoiding me forever," said Henry.

"Why not?"

"Why have you sent back all my letters?"

Now Tori felt really uncomfortable. She felt like she was eavesdropping, standing there in the kitchen. But if she came out,it would be an unwelcome interruption of a difficult moment. She decided to stay. Aunt Tessa knew she was in the kitchen; she'd ask Tori to go to her room if she didn'r want her to hear the conversation.

"I have sent back your letters," said Tessa, "because I know what you want from me, and I'm not interested.

"Tessa, it's been almost thirty years. God knows what you've done with all your paintings, but it's time for the world to see them. It's time for T. Steinmetz to come out of hiding, Tessa. You know my gallery will do the best job at mounting a show of your work. Why won't you let it be shown?"

Tori's eyes widened. Aunt Tessa didn't know Steinmetz, she was Steinmetz!

"Henry, you know better than anyone why I don't work any more, and why my work is not for public viewing. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

"I can't leave you alone. It would be a crime if I didn't keep trying. And I know Ernest wouldn't have wanted this, either. He wouldn't have wanted you to shut yourself away like a hermit. He loved life. He loved art ─ your art. What is it you do now ─ fix picture frames or something? It's a joke!"

"I restore picture frames, antique ones," said Aunt Tessa. "And it's very important and difficult work."

"I know it's important work," he replied. "But it's not the work you were born to do! Painting is the work you were born to do, and you know it."

"This discussion is over," said Aunt Tessa. "It was nice seeing you, Henry."

"Tessa," he said. "I'm going to leave you my card. I want you to think about this. Don't slam the door on your past. Just think about it."

"All right, Henry. I'll think about it."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Then I can leave a little happier. Good-bye, Tessa."

"Good-bye, Henry."

Tori heard the door close, and after minute she timidly came out of the kitchen, Bagel at her heels.

"I'm ─ I'm sorry, Aunt Tessa," she said. "I wasn't sure if I should stay in the kitchen, or . . ."

Tessa waved her hand. "Oh it's all right." She looked tired, very tired, and far away. She looked as sad as an empty house after the children and the noise are gone, moved out forever, and only the tattered curtains are left blowing in the breeze.

Tori didn't know what to say. She had so many questions. But was she allowed to ask them? She didn't think so.

★★★★★

Before she went to sleep, Tori opened the air-mail envelope that had sat on her desk unopened since yesterday. It was decorated with a patter of cheerful daisies. Just the sort of thing her mother liked.

''Dear Victoria,

Your Dad and I are glad to hear you are doing well. This house is very quiet without you, I must say. All the spring flowers are coming up now, the ones you like so much. We bought a new telly, and it does get a very good picture. I give Bungee a scratch for you everyday, and tell him his mistress will be home one day.

Dad and I miss you. Please be careful!

Love, Mum.''

──

End of chapter!

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