Choking On Sapphires

89 Bad Company

Alfie and Genevieve were working again, and more importantly, working as one cohesive unit. Still light with his affections, trying to appreciate the subtle physical affection between them that was backed with a more mature and solid love behind it nowadays.

They focused on tone and respect, checking in on each other and being understanding of the others space and feelings. Gen found herself enjoying her time with Alfie more now that she was spending less with him. She had time to paint and think again, two things she had sorely needed more of in her life to get herself straight again. She was figuring out who this new woman was, and how she fell into place with Alfie and who he was at this juncture. It led to more confidence, better communication and a deeper intimacy outside of sex for them. Which at Alfie's age his back and hips truly appreciated.

They talked with tea and biscuits before bed every night. A rundown of the day and the questions and concerns it brought them putting it all away with the China when no more could be done for it. In turn the lack of talking led to more tenderness, small kisses and strokes as they wound down together, Genevieve letting her guard down only for him most days now. It let her feel cared for and safe as he'd wrap her up and hold her close as she fell asleep and it gave him the protective and providing feelings he needed as a man. They were evening each other out, finding their new roles within the relationship and the pieces were beginning to fall into place.

———

With a pin-straight posture and the newest in women's business wear from Paris, a treat to herself for her recent successes, Genevieve sits perched on a wooden chair that must be as old as the school building itself for how uncomfortable it was. She sits across the long banquet table in the great hall from a man who could also be considered dated and out of fashion, the same as his surroundings. There was only one other woman in the group for instructors and heads of the art department, and she taught dance. She was older but fit and always wore her hair in a tight bun that did her frail and gaunt face no favors. Her attitude also didn't help her seem any more approachable but that seemed to be common among the ballet type. They were all tight strung and old fashioned, strict and elitist, the same could be said for everyone else on the board except Genevieve. She was the youngest by around two decades and the only with a tailor that wasn't an octogenarian.

"Everyone who votes for Beatrice Langston, a show of hands." The head says as his slumped posture from being bent over a desk his whole academic life, makes him look like he struggles to lift his head to see a show of hands. Everyone but Genevieve.

"Really?" Genevieve asks with direct eye contact with each person after the count was finished.

"I'm sorry Miss Durand but majority rules."

"You are all going to sit there and tell me with a straight face that Beatrice is better suited for the scholarship than Hazel?" No one speaks and avoids her aggressive gaze. "Beatrice is rudimentary at best. She lacks the understanding of color theory and her depth of field is just...well it's lacking. To put it politely." Gen speaks with an animated tone and body as she moves paintings around on the table. "Look at these Hazel has done! Brilliant use of color and saturation, everything is scaled to perfection and her abstract art evokes emotion and shows a much deeper grasp of the poetry and psychology of color and space!" Gen raises her voice and holds up a painting with both her hands, shoving it in the others faces from where she sat. "Beatrice hasn't even DONE an abstract piece!" She tosses the paper and sorts back loudly in her chair as it scoots.

"The vote is final Moss Durand, I'm sorry you-"

"No, you're not!" She scoffs and his eyes go wide. "I know why you're all voting for her and you should all be ashamed. You should have your educator privileges revoked because you don't give a damn about these children and nurturing them." She speaks from the heart, fully upset and letting it show.