So far the day has been slow. A few men and women come through the gallery and glance over all the paintings. They mutter to themselves then we share a nod and murmured goodbyes as the rush out. An elderly woman bought one of my favorite paintings, a Dentae from 1976. It is just about one o’clock when I am finished wrapping the canvas and sending the women on her way when Joannah walks through the door.
“Hi mom,” she says out of breath. She must’ve rode her bike here.
“Jo did you ride your bike?” she nods at me, “darling it’s freezing! You can’t just ride your bike in January.”
“I know I know but I had to get here fast and there was no bus! Anyway it’s time for lunch and you promised to finish the coffee shop! I brought thai,” she gave me a small smirk. The way she smiled filled me up with warmth and I gathered her into my arms. She was so strong for not knowing her father. At only 14 she understood as long as she had me she would be alright. I kissed the top of her head and we went to the back room of the gallery to sit.
“Okay so back to the coffee shop. Michael and I made our way inside. We put our things at a table by the window and started towards the counter. ‘Get whatever you want Kara, I’ve got it covered’ his kindness was unexpected as he led me towards the counter with his hand on the small of my back. ‘Oh no! I can pay for myself honestly,’ I smile reluctantly and he shook his head. ‘It was my idea to have coffee which means I will be paying,’ I don’t refuse. We reach the small counter and a man asks what we want. ‘I’ll take a white chocolate mocha, one shot.’ I reply confidently and he nods. ‘For you sir?’ ‘I’ll have a decaf, black’ Michael states. We go back to our seats and wait for our coffee. ‘So Kara, could I ask you a really weird question?’ I nodded too him. ‘Do you think we met for a reason? I mean like do you have a boyfriend or someone special or anything?’”
The gallery door rings though the speakers in the back room and Jo lets out a groan. I hold up a finger to show her that I’ll only be gone a minute and take the vase sitting on the table to place on the front desk.
Watching my feet I begin to address the potential costumer
“Hi welcome to-“ I am cut of by the sound of breaking glass and my own astonishment. I am locked in my position as Joannah races to my side.
“Mom are you okay?” Her voice is filled with worry but I can move, breathe, or utter a simple syllable.
“Kitty? Is that you?” His voice is the same. He begins to walk towards me and that when my feet finally begin to connect with what my brain is saying. Turn around and run, nothing good can come from this. So I do.
I can hear glass being picked up from behind the doorway of our back room and Joannah apologizes to the man.
“I’m sorry, I’m not sure what that was all about. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Is your mother Kara?” There is a break in their speech.
“How do you know that? Who are you?” Kara questions him and I know this will not end well for any of us.
“My name is Michael Clifford. I knew your mother a very long time ago.”
