Me And Mrs Jones

by Marie Rochelle

  At first, Travis wasn’t too keen on going into town to get art supplies because anytime he did there were a handful of people that considered him the bum who was wasting his time out in the woods instead of getting a nine to five job like regular people. He always felt like they were judging him when they knew absolutely nothing about him.

  Yet, on the other hand several of the married and single women in Wicker Valley shamelessly flirted with him because in their eyes he was the ‘bad boy’ they were interested in dating just to get attention.

  He wasn’t really positive about what had he done to make any of the married women think he would consider dating them? He would never be the type of guy to get involved with a married woman. Both of his parents raised him to respect people and cheating with a married woman wasn’t his idea of respect.

  His most vivid memory of a married woman trying to seduce him happened about three months ago. She had invited him to her house with the pretense she wanted him to work on a family portrait, but that turned out to be a lie. She had only asked him over to get him away from the prying eyes of the community.

  He hadn’t been inside the house for two minutes before she had pressed her body against his and was trying to kiss him. Thankfully, he was able to push her away before her husband caught them in a compromising position.

  After that one occurrence, Travis made damn sure that he scheduled his meetings with female clients at a restaurant or any other public place. Since he’d started his new policy he was able to get rid of the false interests in his work replacing them with only serious offers.

  The one thing all of the women throwing themselves at him didn’t understand was he wasn’t interested in dating anyone right now. His art career was taking up most of his time and he was quite happy with the direction his life was taking. He didn’t want to ruin it with a relationship if he had anything to do with it.

  Travis had thought he was truly in love until he got the shock of his life when his last girlfriend dumped him for another girl. For a while he was actually thinking about proposing to Jenni until he walked into her apartment with the key she had given him and found her kissing her best friend. In the back of his mind, he always thought Jenni and Christy were a little too close for comfort; but it NEVER crossed his mind that they were lovers.

  Numerous times from the corner of his eyes, he had caught Jenni checking out other girls when they were out on dates, but he never put much thought to it. Maybe he had secretly known something was up but he just didn’t want to believe his girlfriend since high school was interested in women and not him.

  Yeah...Travis had been crushed, but he kept his anger to himself until Jenni packed up what little of her belonging was at his apartment and left with Christy. After that, he spent several days partying and drinking until he woke up with a blinding headache and smelling like he hadn’t bathed in a week.

  He was a total wreck and even more disgusted that he allowed a cheating woman to send him down that road of destruction. Right at that moment, Travis decided he couldn’t focus his life or time anymore on a woman who didn’t want him. Jenni was through with him and moving on with her life. Sadly, he wasn’t going to be a part of it. The thought of jumping back into the dating pool hadn’t been the most pressing thought in his mind. What better way to get over his heartbreak than to drown his sorrows in his painting and drawings?

  During the years Travis had dated Jenni his interest in painting and drawing started, so he made a decision to pursue his talent more and see where it could lead him. So, when he brought up his newest interest to his parents they didn’t question his career choice in the least.

  Within a week of his breakup his parents found him an apartment smack in the center of town; it was the perfect location for an up and coming artist. Luckily enough his apartment was located a block or two from the new art gallery Divine Design that had opened up a few years earlier in an old department store that was located in the same spot.

  Several times, he had thought about stopping by and taking a look around to get a feel of what type of art work the gallery had on display. Several other galleries outside of town had approached him about showing some of his earlier pieces, but he wasn’t fond of their lack of knowledge.

  Travis knew that he wasn’t Picasso or Da Vinci, but he knew the difference between the two art styles. He wasn’t interested in handing over his hard work to a less than reputable dealer. A guy who knew nothing about the art world but could talk a good game might get your work into his gallery; however, after it was there he wouldn’t be able to sell one piece to any clients.

  No, he had to find the right venue to sell his most prized pieces.

  The more informed and knowledgeable the art dealer was would be the person who would land some of his art. More experienced art gallery owners knew how to identify who the best artists are and were better at spotting trends that were ahead of the competition.

  Travis knew having a more recognized gallery owner with a good reputation for respecting their artists drew more writers and critics to art shows. This in the end paid off for everyone by drawing more interest to the work hopefully bringing a bigger crowd to the next show.

  Well, he might be wishing for the rest of his life for that kind of art gallery because he hadn’t been lucky enough yet to find one gallery owner whose comprehension of art couldn’t fit onto the head of a pin. Until he did, Travis made a promise to himself to keep working on his art and storing it away until the right hands to place it in came along.

  Travis could spend all day thinking about his art work, but he needed to get to town and pick up his art supplies. In addition, he made a mental note to stop by Dana Clair’s café to see if his Black Tea was in yet. The last time he was there, Dana told him to give it another week. He never thought he would be the type of guy to love tea, but Jenni introduced him to it and he hadn’t stopped drinking it since.

  Getting into his jeep, Travis pulled out of the secluded part of the woods hoping that it wouldn’t take more than two hours to get everything he wanted in town, because he didn’t want to waste any more daylight than he had to on this trip. He was dying to get back and finish up the newest painting he was working on.

  Chapter Three

  Walking through the doors of Divine Design Renee instantly got a feel of peacefulness and comfort as she glanced around the place that gave her so much pleasure every time she turned the key in the lock. She loved how huge the gallery was. It was one of the things that her clients would comment about. She’d received several compliments during her showing. The expanse of white walls showcased the variety of paintings, drawings and sketches to perfection. And the few sculptures being displayed on white podiums in the corners drew the eye and added visual variety to the gallery experience.

  Every painting on the walls meant so much to her. Honestly, she was probably more attached to them then the artists who spent their time painting them for her gallery. It had taken her a while to build the reputation that she had gained in the community.

  Truthfully, some of the residents did give her a side look when she walked down the sidewalk because they didn’t think owning an art gallery was a true career, but more of a hobby to kill time. Yet, she wasn’t about to allow those people’s opinions to take up space in her head. The issues they had with her were their problem and not hers in the least.

  Why would she allow any of them to have any kind of power over her after everything she had already experienced in life? She had already experience intellectual and financial set backs to get where she was today. Now, she was already ten steps ahead of where she never thought she would be at this point in her life.

  The first six months after her gallery had opened were the most painful in her life because she wasn’t sure if the funds she had set aside would be enough to keep her business afloat. Add trying to have a respectable enough exhibition to stay in business for longer than a year was a lot to take in, but she did it and without the help of anyone else.
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  What she hadn’t known back then was she had been on everyone’s radar and she did mean everyone’s. She never knew that impressing the ‘right’ people was so important in the art world. Yeah, she knew drawing in a certain clientele would make or break her grand opening but getting a dedicated following along with a collector base almost left her in tears at one point.

  “Renee, what are you doing here? I thought you would be at Dana’s café since the tea you ordered has arrived. Dana called looking for you and I told her you weren’t here.”

  Spinning around, Renee stared at Cruz Martinez coming in her direction carrying a ladder with his left hand and a painting with his right. Cruz was one of the best employees she had working for her at Divine Design. He was truly the only person besides herself she would allow to deal with the more expensive paintings.

  “I was on my way there, but I decided to stop by the gallery first. I wanted to see if you had gotten the butterflies paintings hung up yet,” she said, sliding her hands into the pockets of her slacks.

  “No, they’re still in the back room. I wanted to get these new paintings by Romeo up first. You know how impatient he can get when his work isn’t on display within twenty-four hours after he gives it to us.”

  Renee nodded her head. Cruz was right. Romeo was an excellent artist with an outstanding eye for colors and details which was the only reason she put up with his craziness. Ninety-five percent of the time it was totally uncalled for. It shouldn’t matter if his paintings didn’t get out in the showroom within a time limit, but to him it did.

  “I’m sorry you have to deal with him so much lately. I know how demanding he can be,” Renee said. She knew that Cruz was patient, but Romeo’s diva attitude could push even the nicest person over the edge.

  “Oh, I don’t allow Romeo to get under my skin,” Cruz said placing the ladder against the wall. “You know how I am when it comes to a pretty face. I can overlook anything else. I think that may be one of the reason I’m constantly dating jerks.”

  Renee didn’t know why Cruz couldn’t find a good relationship because he was gorgeous with his olive complexion, dark sultry eyes and thick black hair showing off his Mexican heritage. He was almost walking perfection. It was just a shame she didn’t have what Cruz was looking for.

  “Well, at least you’ve been dating,” she sighed, taking her hands out of her pockets. “I can’t remember the last time I was out on a date. I keep pretending that I’m not looking for love or think about going out on a date with a hot guy. But it’s a lie I keep feeding myself to make it through the day so I don’t have to admit how truly lonely I am. How sad is that?”

  “Sweetie, I’m sorry to hear you’re still single and looking for love. I swear that asshole Robert should be shot for everything he put you through. At least, he’s gone out of your life for good and is getting what he deserves with that new wife of his.”

  Robert’s life and problems were no longer any of her concern. She’d learned a long time ago that her ex-husband was the type of man who always wanted the attention on him. It only took him cheating on her mixed with a heated divorce for her to figure his real personality out. God, she had been living with such blinders when it came to Robert and his dominating side.

  “Cruz, just let it go,” she sighed. “I’ve moved on. I’m stronger now than I have ever been before thanks to you and Dana. I still can’t believe I wasted all of those years listening to his bullshit!”

  Moving away from the ladder, Cruz came over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders in a comforting matter. “Renee, I think everyone once in their lives have either dated or been married to a guy like Robert. Of course, we never see what a jerk he really is until another person opens our eyes to it.”

  Renee smiled at Cruz and placed her hands on top of his. “You’re right. I guess I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. I guess I should consider myself lucky that Sheila came along when she did. Now, she’s the one carrying an extra two hundred and fifteen pounds weight around on her back instead of me.”

  “You are so bad.” Cruz laughed as he stepped back from her. “Are you going to stay here and help me hang up these new paintings?”

  She shook her head. “No, I need to head on over to Dana’s café. She’s probably wondering what has happened to me.”

  “Oh, are you going to do the Speed dating?”

  God...not Cruz too, Renee thought. She didn’t need him and Dana both pushing her towards men she had no curiosity about. She was happy being single and alone at the moment. Now if only she believed her own lies.

  “I’m going to tell you, Mr. Matchmaker, the same thing I told your buddy Dana. I have absolutely no interest in the matching process of speed dating. Or any other kind of dating system Dana might come up with just to find me a man,” Renee said a little fed up at having the same conversation again with Cruz. “I can decide fairly quickly if a guy piques my interest without sitting down at a table and waiting for a bell or whistle to interrupt us.”

  Cruz held up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, I’ll leave you alone. I just thought it might be something fun for you to do for a couple of hours. You spend so much at this gallery or at the library researching art. You need to get out more.”

  Instantly, Renee felt bad for snapping at Cruz. She couldn’t deny what he was telling her. Everything was the truth. She did spend almost ninety percent of her time doing things for the gallery. However, this place was her first love and she would make sure nothing went wrong with making it the success she knew it could be.

  Divine Design was a business...her business.

  Her main goal was to welcome people and not to let them ever think this was only a hobby for her. Anytime she spoke with a collector, beginner or seasoned, she had to speak the language of art with them in a way they could understand.

  A large majority of the people who’d shown up for her showing last night weren’t very educated about art and didn’t have the depth of expertise like she did. So, she tried to keep it simple as much as she could, so no one would get overwhelmed and leave without coming back again.

  A part of her wanted to show off or flaunt her understanding of the art world lingo, but in the end how would any of that help her? If all of her information went over the potential buyer’s head, they might be impressed at that moment. However, in the end she would scare them away and lose a sale.

  “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I shouldn’t have jumped down your throat like that.”

  “Not a problem,” Cruz answered, lowering his hand. “I know you’re just stressed. I don’t take your comment seriously. How about you leave before Dana calls again searching for you? I need to finish getting these painting ups and then meet Trey for lunch.”

  “How’s your brother doing?” Renee couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen Cruz’s brother at the gallery.

  “Trey is doing pretty good. He’s been out of town for the past six months. He was in New York auditioning to be a back up dancer for some singer’s video.”

  “Well, tell him I said hi and to stop by here before he leaves town again.” Spinning around, Renee headed for the door. Her mind was already on if she could find another artist before her next art show in a couple of weeks.

  “I’ll tell him,” Cruz yelled at Renee right before she went out the door.

  Chapter Four

  The second the doors of Dana’s café closed behind Renee’s back she thought about turning right back around and coming back tomorrow for her tea. The café was filled to capacity with men and women looking for their perfect match.

  Twenty to twenty-five mahogany tables lined the area and not one of them had an empty seat. Everyone was chatting and smiling at each other like they were old friends getting reacquainted or lonely people just searching for someone...anyone to be close to for a minute or an hour.

  Just the thought of sitting down at one of those perfectly designed tables and ending up with another man like her ex-husband sent a quick shiver o
f apprehension through her body. Renee knew the best thing for her to do was find Dana, pay for her tea order and then make her way back home. There was a pile of information on her desk from potential buyers that she had to get entered into her computer.

  Looking around the café, it took a few minutes but Renee finally spotted Dana near the front desk talking to one of her male employees. Renee maneuvered her way through the tables and was almost at Dana when a young waitress came up to her.

  “Ma’am, are you here for the Speed dating?” she asked. “I can help you get all of your information filled out and then you can join the next round after this one.”

  Ma’am...

  She hated when a young person addressed her ma’am. The term always made her feel so much older than her forty-two years. In her humble opinion, the greeting should be outlawed from everyone’s vocabulary. She didn’t look old enough to be called Ma’am at anytime in her life.

  Plastering a smile on her face, Renee looked down at the girl’s name tag before addressing her. “No, thank you Becky,” she said in the nicest voice she could muster. “I’m not here for the Speed dating. I need to speak with my friend Dana, but you could get me a cup of black tea and bring it over to me. How about doing that for me instead?”

  Becky frowned at her for a few minutes like she didn’t want to take the order. “Fine, I’ll fill your order.” Spinning away from her, the waitress stomped over to the left side of the café where the specialties teas were freshly brewed for customers; her long brown ponytail swinging behind her neck Renee watched Becky for a few more seconds. She had pissed the girl off to no end and she wondered would she actually be the one who filled her order or would she find someone else to pawn it off on

  I don’t have time for this, she thought to herself Deciding she didn’t want to waste anymore of her energy on the snappy waitress, Renee continued in the direction her best friend.