"Hey grandma." My voice was soft, in case someone was listening apart from her on the other side.
"Dear god, my Elizabeth."
It's been a month since I left my father's house. A month since I last talked to my grandmother. I wanted to call her to let her know I was okay as soon as I got to New York but I knew it was not safe. If they saw her sneaking around to talk to me, my mother would have her head hung by the end of the day. No kidding.
"Are you okay, dear? I've been so worried." She sounded relieved to be hearing me. I was too.
"I'm okay. It hasn't been easy but I'm so glad I'm here."
That wasn't a lie, it had been a pain. I wasn't used to studying so much, being expected of so much academically speaking and mid terms were just two weeks away. I had yet to get a job and I was simply and plainly scared.
That's why I called her, actually, it might be super selfish to risk it like this by calling her but I just needed her support.
Granted, Naomi and the rest of them had been awesome with me. They helped me study, and I shared most of my classes with at least one of them. I felt so blessed Naomi spoke to me that first day.
"Your mother is beyond furious. She had everyone looking for you. I don't think I've ever seen her so mad. Not even that time when the poor servant broke her portrait."
"I don't think she'll be able to find me. She doesn't know I wanted to be here. I'm using another name now."
"That's smart, honey. I miss you so much."
"I miss you more, grandma."
I could hear voices on her end of the call. Someone was calling her name.
"I have to go... speak to me soon please, or I'll have to call you up."
I smiled at her, she was the best grandmother I could ever have asked for. "Okay, bye."
I left the phone in my ear long after she had hung up. The beeping of the dead line somehow calming me down. I've got this far, I wouldn't give up now.
***
Leah approached me later that day with amazing news. They all knew I was desperately looking for a job. At this point, I would do basically anything. Hopefully not something that involved getting out of my clothes, but you know what I mean. I may have got a new life but my mother's prejudices still run deep inside me, and I knew I couldn't pull off being a stripper.
Leah worked in a small café which her uncle owned, just a few blocks away from campus and she told me there might be an opening there for me.
"You got the job!" She jumped up and down, her blond hair messily following her movements.
I let out a huge sigh of relief, "Oh my god, that's great."
I know the pay wasn't much but at least it was somewhere I would be comfortable and working with Leah.
"You start next week. I told the owner I would help you so, to begin with, we have a similar schedule."
"Thank you so so much, Leah. You are a life safer."
To my surprise the next thing she did was hug me, other than my grandmother no one had hug me, ever. I felt so happy I could manage to get some friends. I was eternally grateful.
***
Our teacher for visual arts reminded us to check the calendar for new activities and contest, specially that one held by the ex alumni.
I almost forgot about the photography contest until I saw a flyer about it pasted outside my classroom that Monday morning.
W's ART GALLERY PRESENTS:
First ever featuring opportunity for NYU students.
The gallery invites every student to join in. Submit your best shoot through the admission desk before November 1st to participate.
The best three entries will be featured in our special section for the gallery and the first place will get a contract to have their photo shared nationwide with a possibility of more photos featured in the gallery.
Sincerely, Parker Wells, ex alumni.
Shit.
YOU ARE READING
a Piece of Art
Short StoryI was twelve years old the first time I saw Parker Wells. I was fighting with my earring to put it in its place in my ear in front of my mirror; a look of sadness possessed my features, thinking about every thing that was wrong with my face and the...
