by Dara Girard
Chapter 34
Charlotte and Janet watched Frederick cook and before long the familiar scent of fried plantain and steamed vegetables filled the house. Janet mentioned the similarity between some of his food and Jamaican ones. He showed her other foods like pounded yam and okra, although he called them by different names. They reminded Janet of the African influence in the Jamaican culture and why those from the continent were called The Originals.
Janet continued to watch, amazed by how comfortable Frederick was in the kitchen. He had prepared a savory hot pepper stew filled with onions, tomatoes, goat meat, kale, and other ingredients she wasn't familiar with. Along with fried plantain, he also prepared a delicious dish called acara made from ground black eyed peas, which he scooped up in a large spoon and dropped in hot oil. They reminded her of fritters—fried mini cakes made with flour and shredded saltfish.
When they entered the kitchen nook to eat, Janet gasped at the picture she saw. "You have The Scream?"
Frederick shoved his hands in his pocket. "At times I feel like I know how the chap feels."
"Me too. I have the poster on my ceiling."
"Your ceiling?" Charlotte asked.
"Yes. My father won't let me hang any images on the wall."
Frederick glanced up. "That's interesting. I thought people only hung mirrors on the ceiling."
Janet furrowed her brows. "Why would they do that?"
Charlotte burst into laughter.
Frederick's lips twitched, but he lifted his brows in innocence. "I have no idea."
* * *
Dinner was delicious. Charlotte flirted and Frederick made her laugh, but Janet remained silent unable to think of anything to say. Her eyes couldn't leave his face. Why hadn't she noticed how long his eyelashes were or that he had sparks of gold in his brown eyes? That his skin was smooth and rich like cinnamon.
"I've got other posters. Would you like to see them?"
Janet stared before she realized he was talking to her. "Uh... sure."
Frederick showed her his collection of posters in his study, then others displayed in the in-law apartment.
"Mondrian!" Janet said rushing over to the picture. "And Feelings!" She dashed across the room. "And O'Keefe."
Charlotte chuckled at Janet's enthusiasm. "They aren't the originals, honey. Just reproductions, he has originals in another—"
Janet didn't care. She ran her hand along the frame in awe. "I know, but you don't understand. It's perfect. I've dreamed of living in a place like this." Her gaze met Frederick's and her cheeks burned as she remembered his rejected proposal. An awkward silence fell. Janet snatched her hand away from the frame and folded her arms.
Charlotte stretched her arms. "I'm going to go have a nice soak," she said then left the room.
Janet shifted from one foot to the other trying to come up with an excuse to leave.
Frederick straightened a picture. "Want to help me exercise Milton?"
Janet felt her anxiety falling away. "I'd love to."
Because he had an audience, Milton decided to show off. He raced through his obstacle course in record time and performed his tricks to perfection. When he was through training, Frederick let Janet give Milton a treat.
Janet watched Milton eat then knelt down and stroked him. "He's a smart dog."
"He's a good listener too and has been with me through some trying times."
"I can see why you'd never part with him."
Frederick handed Milton an extra treat. "Yes. He's priceless."
* * *
Janet woke up early the next morning, eager to finish the mural. She went down the hall and turned the corner, but stopped when she saw Frederick standing with another man looking her work. She quickly backtracked and hid.
"He's still not for sale."
"He could fetch a lot of money as a breeder. A pure bred like that shouldn't go to waste."
"He's not going to waste. He's happy here. Now what do you think of it?"
There was a brief pause then the man said, "It's amazing. What did you say her name was again?"
"Janet Barnett."
"Does she do anything else?"
"Yes, portraits, paintings, sketches."
"Commissioned work?"
"She's available for that, but she has to approve the project. She won't work on anything that doesn't interest her."
"What does she charge?"
"Her fee begins at fifty-thousand."
Janet gasped. Fortunately the man's laughter covered the sound. "Come on Frederick, she's a recent graduate I bet she'd jump up and down for ten thousand maybe even five."
"If you can't afford it—"
"You know I can."
"Then there's no need to discuss it. You don't have to pay her fee, but others will."
"The work is amazing," the man said pensive. "Give me her contact information."
"When you're interested you can contact me."
"She doesn't have an agent, does she?"
"She will," Frederick said then Janet heard their footsteps fade away. Fifty thousand dollars! She'd never thought to charge that much. Did he really think she was that good? Good enough to get an agent?
For the rest of the day, Janet concentrated on finishing the mural. She spent several hours finishing off minor details, before applying a thin layer of an acrylic-based product as the final coat. She didn't stop for lunch with Charlotte, but instead drank a protein shake. Throughout the day Janet hoped Frederick would come and see her progress, but he never did.
It was late in the evening before Janet added the last touch and finally decided it was done. She stood back and surveyed her work trying to see if there were any areas that needed to be touched up.
"It looks perfect to me," Frederick said, coming towards her.
Janet shook her head, ignoring the thrill of delight at seeing him again. "Nothing is perfect."
"It comes pretty close." Before Janet could disagree he said, "So are you interning with Charlotte over the summer?"
"No, it's my permanent job. Thanks to you."
"Thanks to me?"
Janet couldn't stop a smile. "She told me that you recommended me for the job."
Frederick looked away embarrassed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well, she had an opening and I thought it would work out for you."
"It did."
He nodded. "So you're going to work and go to school?"
"No, I've finished."
"Congratulations." He held out his hand and she shook it, again amazed by its size but this time finding nothing wrong with it. It was warm and strong. "Did your family celebrate?"
"No, they're not impressed by degrees, but my Aunty Bernice and Uncle Godfrey are very proud and have invited me to stay with them for two weeks in Montreal at the end of the month."
"Montreal?"
"Yes."
"Amazing. I'm meeting Karen, Tanya and Jeffrey there around the same time. We'll be attending my sister's gallery opening."
"Oh," Janet said not knowing what else to say. But hearing Jeffrey's name and the mention of his sister brought back the memory of their last conversation. Frederick rubbed the back of his neck clearly remembering the incident too.
"I'm sure they'd like to see you again," he finally said.
"Perhaps one day."
"I know my sister would like to meet you." He glanced at the mural, then the ground then her face. "Would you be interested...?" He folded his arms. "I mean if you'd like..." He sighed and tried again. "Could you find the time to attend her opening? I could get tickets for you and your aunt and uncle."
Janet stared at him unsure that she'd heard him correctly. He wanted her to meet his sister? Why would his sister want to meet her? "Of course, I'd love to meet her."
A smile tugged the corner of his mouth. "Great. Give me their address and I'll send them the invitation. Um, just wait a minute." He left the room then came back scribbling something down on a pad of paper. "Here's my mobile numb
er, the phone number of the place where I'll be staying, the gallery's number, and my email address in case for some reason the phones don't work—"
Janet reached for the paper. "I think that's enough."
He turned to block her. "And here's my sister's address—"
Janet moved around him and tried to snatch the paper, but he moved it out of reach. "Durand!" she said exasperated.
"My name is Frederick," he said softly, his gaze focused on the notepad.
"I know."
He captured her eyes with his. "But you can't call me that."
"No," Janet said with a note of regret. Her father wouldn't approve.
He ripped the paper from the notepad then handed it to her. "Okay." Their fingers touched when she reached for it, sending a delicious shiver through her.
"I'll see you then," he said taking a step back. "Now I'd better go give Milton his exercise before he gets grumpy." He turned and left.
Janet closed her eyes and held the note against her chest not sure what she felt. Giddy? Excited? Confused? She opened her eyes and stared down at the note. "Montreal, here I come."
Chapter 35
Bernice Perry loved her niece as though she were her own daughter. As Mrs. Barnett's older sister she felt that Janet favored her more than the others and she loved the chance to spoil her. They were not part of the evangelical faith the Barnett's belonged to and valued education, the arts and fine living. They lived in a luxurious three level townhouse with a family room that boasted a cathedral ceiling and a brick fireplace flanked by nine-foot high windows.
The day Janet arrived, her aunt and uncle surprised her with an ice cream cake and a leather bound portfolio as her graduation gift.
Mrs. Perry had started her career as a nurse and had had the good fortune of finding a suitable surgeon, Dr. Godfrey Perry II, to fall in love with. Together they had built a wonderful life together and now enjoyed their retirement. But even though Mrs. Perry loved her niece and was delighted to have her visit, she loved the invitation that arrived in the mail even more.
"I know you told me it was coming," Mrs. Perry said holding it in her hand.
Dr. Perry stood next to her. "But it's still a shock to actually see it."
She waved it in front of Janet unable to let it go. "Just look at it. Isn't it beautiful?"
Janet nodded trying to get a glimpse of it. "Yes, very elegant."
"We have wanted to go to this gallery for a long time," Dr. Perry said.
"But have never been able to get tickets," Mrs. Perry said.
"Much less attend—"
"An Invitation Only event."
They both shook their heads as though a puppeteer were orchestrating their movements.
Mrs. Perry put a hand to her mouth. "What should I wear?"
"The blue one," Dr. Perry replied, and winked at his wife.
"And you'll wear your new suit." She turned to Janet and giggled like a young school girl. "We'll have so much fun. Too bad it's from that horrible Original you emailed us about, but we'll have fun anyway."
"No," Janet said, regretting her correspondence with them. "He's not as bad as I described. I've gotten to know him better and I think I was wrong."
"I doubt it," her aunt said. "you're a clever judge of character and my sister told me all about his behavior at Beverly's engagement party. He acted as though he was better than everyone else."
"The Originals are always like that," Dr. Perry said. "They all like to claim that they come from chiefs and such."
"Please don't call him that," Janet said clenching her hand. "His name is Frederick Durand and he has a very impressive heritage and he's considerate and generous. Plus he's also been kind enough to invite us to this function. For that reason alone we shouldn't make fun of him."
"I'm sorry," her aunt said surprised by Janet's fierce defense of him. "I didn't know your feelings about him had changed so much."
Janet stared back amazed. "Neither did I."
* * *
It was a chilly evening the night of the gallery opening, which was located in downtown Montreal. A large flood light, situated at the entrance, illuminated a red carpet that led to large glass doors. The evening sky sparkled with the lights coming from towering office complexes. The gallery's ultra chic architectural design of translucent glass blocks and its minimalist interior reflected the gallery owner's love of space and depth. A large sign, "Elani Durand Exhibit," directed visitors to a small salon on the second floor.
"Stop fidgeting Janet," Mrs. Perry scolded as Janet frantically searched the gallery. "You'd think you had bees in your panties."
"Aunty!" Janet said shocked.
"It's true. Keep still." She adjusted Janet's shawl. "You never search for a man; you let him search for you. Isn't that right Godfrey?"
"Definitely."
Janet briefly stood on her tip toes. "I just want to make sure that he knows I'm here. I'd hate to miss him and his sister. There are so many people here."
"Isn't it fabulous?" Mrs. Perry said grabbing a wine glass from a passing waiter. "Oh look Godfrey, there's the president of Montreal's Cultural Arts Commission."
"Yes, I see. That lovely lady must be his wife. She looks rather young."
"When a man reaches that age, the women usually are."
Janet didn't hear them as she scanned the crowd. She was about to give up when he came into view so clearly she wondered how she'd missed him. Again, he was the tallest man in the room, but before she could reach him, he disappeared again. In this elegant setting, Frederick didn't look out of place. She was the one who felt as if she didn't belong.
"Janet!" Jeffrey shouted when he saw her. He rushed over to her, gave her a big hug then shook her aunt and uncle's hands, introducing himself, before turning back to her. "Frederick told me you were coming, but I wasn't sure. You look great." He tugged on her sleeve. "Blue suits you."
"Only sometimes," she said remembering the hideous dress she'd worn to Beverly's engagement party. "Is everything going well in Michigan?"
"Yes, it's fine," he said without much interest. "How are things at home? Is your family doing well? Is everyone still at home?"
Janet suppressed a smile knowing his real question. Her heart leapt. Perhaps he still had feelings for Beverly. "Yes, everyone is very well and still at home."
"I'm glad," he said. "That everyone is well," he quickly added.
"But we're all wondering what you're going to do with the Westland property since you don't plan to live there."
Jeffrey made a vague motion with his hand. "I plan to find a use for it."
"Hopefully sooner rather than later. If you won't occupy it, perhaps you'll find a family who will."
His two sisters came up from behind him before he could reply. "Janet, it's nice to see you again," Karen said extending her hand. Tanya stood beside her. Janet shook Karen's hand and forced a smile. The sisters forced even wider ones.
"You two look well," Janet said. Then she looked at Jeffrey. "I was surprised that I hadn't seen you around Hamsford preparing for the wedding."
Jeffrey frowned. "Wedding?"
"I'll tell you later, Jeffrey," Karen said, nudging him.
"Why not now? Is it a secret? Who's getting married?"
"You are," Janet said. "Or perhaps you already have. It was presumptuous of us to think that you would return to Hamsford to get married."
Karen tapped his arm. "Jeffrey, I think—"
Jeffrey impatiently brushed her hand away. "What are you talking about?"
Janet ignored Karen's fierce stare. "Your engagement was announced in the paper."
He looked incredulous. "What are you talking about?"
"Was your engagement supposed to be a secret?"
"There is no secret because I'm not engaged." Jeffrey spun to his sister. "Karen?"
She shrugged helpless. "It was just a terrible mix-up. I'd sent in one story and they printed another."
Janet toyed with the end of her shawl, keepin
g her voice nonchalant. "Yes, a terrible mix-up. The Hamsford Daily had a picture of you and your fiancée and story of how you'd met and your plans. My family was shocked when we saw the article. We thought you would have told us, but you'd left so suddenly so..." She let her words fall away.
Jeffrey's eyes flashed with anger. "You mean she—uh—your family and the people of Hamsford think I'm engaged?" He looked at his sister in disbelief and anger. "What is going on?"
Karen flashed a sickly smile. "You were engaged."
"I broke it off."
"Exactly," she said in a small voice.
"Years ago," Jeffrey said in a tight voice. He turned to Janet eager to explain himself. "I'd been engaged when I first returned to Hamsford for my father's funeral and I bought the house intending to settle there with my new wife. The engagement had been announced in several newspapers and society magazines, but I broke it off before going to—uh—seeing everyone again. My decision made some people unhappy, but that's how I felt. I couldn't marry her. I don't know if it matters, but please let Bev—the people of Hamsford know that I'm definitely not engaged."
"I will," Janet said gently. "I can already tell you that the people of Hamsford will be very glad to hear it."
"Really?" he said searching her face for the answer to another question.
"Definitely."
Karen took her brother's arm, uneasy with the direction of the conversation. "Oh well. Misunderstandings happen."
Jeffrey pulled his arm away and glared at her. "And after we leave here, you're going to tell me all about it." He marched off.
Karen sent Janet an ugly look then turned away, dragging Tanya behind her. "That was interesting," Janet said then realized that she was alone. Her aunt and uncle had disappeared. For a moment she felt lost, but the look Jeffrey had given her had bolstered her spirits. He still felt something for Beverly. Perhaps he would come back to Hamsford and clear up everything himself. She could see the joy on her sister's face and envisioned her mother dancing in the living room.
Janet grabbed a glass of wine. She rarely drank, but felt like celebrating. She studied the art collection amazed by the scope. One piece in particular grabbed her attention. It was a beautifully rendered illustration of Milton done in colored pencil, a technique she'd never tried. "Janet?" a deep voice said from behind her.