A Pinch of Kerry

Things I Never Knew

[Art Sponsor's office]

"She'll be with you in just a second." Her assistant gave me some tea.

"Okay." I smiled warmly.

Honestly, I was so nervous. What if she didn't like it? What if she didn't want to give me the money? I was trying not to stress too hard because I didn't want to sweat. I was in my business attire. I didn't want to mess it up. I was sitting so anxious in my chair. I started tapping my foot.

"Someone must be anxious." She entered.

"Oh-um. Hello!" I reached my hand out for her to shake.

"Relax, honey." She shook it.

"Sorry. I'm just a bit nervous." I relaxed.

"Why? I loved your sculpture. I asked you to come to see if you would do more." She sat in her chair.

I sat down down with my mouth agape. I didn't know. What if I didn't do good?

"Are you okay?" She spoke.

"Fine! Sorry. Its a lot to take in. I would hate to disappoint." I assured.

"You don't look like someone who disappoints often. You were on time. You communicate. You also carry yourself well. I like you. You remind me of my younger self." She complimented.

"Thank you, ma'am. My mother and I have completely different careers, but she taught me well." I smiled, warming the room of my anxiety.

"Your mother is a....?"

"Surgeon." I answered.

"Well its not completely different. Her art is just in the human body." She explained.

I had never thought about it that way. My mother supported my art as a hobby. Studies show that kids who are involved in the arts do well academically. She would always use that. It didn't work when I told her I wasn't using my degree in Biology.

"I never it saw that way. True." I nodded in agreement.

"Now that the ice is broken, lets get down to business." She put on her glasses and pulled out pen and paper.

She pulled a lot of paper out of this manila folder and sifted through it. She flipped and flipped, scanning the pages. Then, I realized she was getting the papers for me to be one of her employers. She also wrote the check for the sculpture. I signed the papers and I was now an employer at "Rashad Institution of the Arts." This was my first big time job. I've kind of just been living like a college student. I was a bit excited. We discussed what I would be doing and you could get in contact with her. It was an art institution so I got my own studio and art supplies. I was happy, because usually I paid for things myself and made art in my house. She also told me I have a schedule. The art doesn't have to be done in ten seconds, but I definitely couldn't take weeks. Of course now because I'm apart of a corporation, I had a whole lot more Terms & Conditions to read. Like always, I just signed. I pay attention to the money staff treatment, and code of conduct.

"A pleasure for you to join us, Ms. Blue." She stood from her chair.

"You can call me Kerry." She's my boss now, so.

"Okay, Kerry, I hope to hear from you soon about your next piece?"

"Of course." I nodded.

We said our goodbyes and I was heading out. I went for the elevator to leave and go home. I was still kind of tired. I waited at the elevator for a while when it dinged. The doors opened and I stepped in. The elevator was slower than expected so I checked my phone. The elevator stopped and a man stepped in. I didn't look up.