Sade's Return

I

  I can't focus on art when I'm hungry. I'm sorry I just can't. My life is extremely predictable minus the occasional mundane interruption. I sleep, use the bathroom, eat, take meds, talk to my therapist. Rinse and repeat. My favorite out of all of these is eating, so before my eyes look at art they look at my hands picking up some shrimp cocktail. Yep, life has its moments and I'm appreciating this one. As I'm chewing on one of these beauties I hear someone clear their throat. Oh god, I hate that. I'm eating. The words "Excuse me" work just fine.

I turn around and see a girl wearing all black with straight dirty blonde hair and thick ass glasses holding a clipboard. I smile at her and she smiles back. "Well, miss this is the first time I'm meeting someone like you. My name is Angela and what is your name? Plus may I ask how did you hear of our event?"

Wiping hands with a napkin I reply " My name is Sade Rose Gals and I heard of your event from my therapist." I tilt my head. Her eyes pop out and say a quick thank you and walk away.  She didn't write any of that down. Oh well. I shrug my shoulders.

  I start making my way down the hall and look at all the statues and paintings on display. Nothing I like so far but the artists are definitely talented. As I walk more I see a  black chalk drawing of a cat. This is definitely appealing to my eccentric side. I stand there and then my thoughts are interrupted. "Do you like it?"

Why do people try to talk to you at social events? This is why I told my therapist I didn't want to go out.  I jump and turn around quickly. "Oh, you're not the blonde girl. You're not thinking that I'm gonna take all the shrimp cocktail and stuff it in my bag do you? Seriously, I just came out to chill and not steal food or art."I blurt out. Oops, I tend to get mouth diarrhea.

The guy laughs. "Well, I don't think I'm blonde or female and neither do I assume you are going to steal any art or food."

I can't help but look down and laugh awkwardly and reply " Yeah sorry about that. What was your question again?"

"Oh, no probs did you really like that piece because you were standing there for a while. By the way, the name is Jack."

Looking at him and smiling I tell him " My name is Sade Rose Gals and yes, I do like this piece a lot. Who did this?"

Scratching the back of his head he replies "It was an 80-year-old woman that passed a few weeks back."

Wow, it's like I'm a magnet for the macabre and eccentric. Comfortable silence is shared between us for a bit before I speak. " So Jack are you just visiting today or are you part of the program?" I take a good look at him now and he has long black hair, milky white skin, a couple of feet taller than me, a bit on the slim side, with some bright blue eyes.

Crosing his arms and leaning against a blank wall he states " Well, I'm the director of the Art Factory."

Director? Huh. Interesting. "What would I need to attend these classes. If they're still accepting. I draw a little and wouldn't mind learning more."

His eyes light up and it looks like he's discovered something new. I actually find it kind of adorable. "We actually have an open spot and I'll give you a discount on the fee." He replies.

"I'm not sure about the discount on the fee but I'll take the spot."

"You sure?" he asks

"So how much?" I ask. I am not a charity case.

  "Okay, I won't push. It's gonna be 50 per week that's 4 weeks and that would be 200."He answers.

Thinking for a minute looking down at my fingers; now I wish I had taken the discount. My pride won't let me go back.  I look at him " It's a deal, Jack!"

"Great 9 am on Monday." He says

"Okay sounds good. I got to get going I need to call an Eride. Thanks for everything." I fix my backpack and turn to leave.

"Bye, Sade see you on Monday," Jack says softly trying not to disturb others at the exhibit.

I keep walking and use my little phone to order an Eride which should be here in about 5 minutes. Wrapping my arms around myself I can't help but feel excited about Monday. But where in the hell am I going to find 200 dollars by Monday? Straight up cash is what I need.

Pushing the door open I walk right out of the Art Factory and head to my Eride, that's waiting for me. I'm in a very good mood. Which is a rarity for me? I sit in the car and smile as I take a shrimp out of one of my backpack's pockets.

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