Abbey caught my eyes again, she looked embarrassed. But that turned to excitement as she asked, “You were saying?”
I shook my head with a sad smile. “It's nothing, we can talk later.”
She seemed to deflate a little but then smiled and started dragging me forward and speaking with a tinge of disappointment in her voice, “The crowd has thinned, now you can see my eternal embarrassment.”
We stood about twenty feet away from the exhibit at the red dots on the floor in front of each piece of artwork. I had seen enough of Mia's artwork that I knew these dots were placed for people in the know. They indicated the optimal viewing distance to get the full Jacobs Effect of each piece.
I couldn't stop my smile as the first canvas practically jumped out at me, it looked like a black and white photo of a very cute little girl, probably five or six years old. There was absolutely no mistaking the smile on her face. Bloody hell! It was Abbey! Then it hit me, the exhibit name, Progeny. This was a celebration of Abbey.
My eyes leapt from canvas to canvas, I watched Abbey grow up through the art, the story was incredible and the emotions they conveyed were almost tangible... and now that I understood Mia, I could see each of these as a precious memory that she held close to her heart.
One was a collage of little squares cut out of magazines and glued to the canvas, but the tints were carefully selected so it gave the appearance of a photograph when viewed at a distance. The black and white image seemed to be made with grains of rice dyed in various shades of grey. It seemed like she could use any material she happened to have lying around to create these inspiring works.
I was so taken by the art that I had let go of Abbey's hand and walked around the sculpture in the middle of the exhibit on the little red arrows on the floor about ten feet away. As I walked around it, following the arrows, the almost geometric structure seemed to flow like waves or wisps of smoke until I made my way around to the front and had to gasp as I could see that it was clearly now the face of Abbey with a graduation cap on. She was looking up with pride and confidence that caused a tear to trickle down my cheek. Up close, the sculpture appeared to be nothing more than random shapes and angles.
I looked back at Abbey and smiled. She stepped up to me and brushed her thumb across my cheek, wiping a tear away. I tilted my head and said excitedly, “It... it's brill! The story of you.” She smiled and shrugged shyly. I made a production of grabbing her hand and placing it firmly into mine and clasping our fingers. I didn't look up at her, I just smiled and dragged her through the crowd toward a stairway, saying, “Your mother is beyond genius you know.”
I glanced up and she was smiling down at me and nodding her head. We sat on the steps and I just leaned against her with my head on her shoulder and pulled out my sketchpad and started drawing. I was acutely aware of the rise and fall of her chest as I soaked in the comfort and safety I felt with her.
I drew a series of sketches that echoed the exhibit. But I placed Mia in each scene, sharing the happy memories she displayed with each work. I finished with a sketch of my hand clasping Abbey's. Then I closed the book and looked up at Abbey who had remained completely silent. We had to have been sitting there about an hour as I drew.
She had a look on her face I couldn't possibly describe. Was it awe? I almost asked, but she started speaking as she looked down at my sketchpad, “That was... it was almost like watching music being born. A manifestation of a symphony.” Then she locked her gaze with me. I felt like melting into her as she said, “You are amazing you know that Sam?”
I couldn’t help it. Her lips were right there, I mean, it wasn't my fault right? I kissed her lips gently then snuggled in with her without a word to watch the people bustling about below. We just sat soaking in each other's presence.
Abbey suddenly sat up a little straighter and I looked at her and then followed her gaze. Mia appeared to be cornered by some people, looking uncomfortable. I looked at Abbey and smiled and whispered, “Go.” That's all she needed, then she was off to rescue her mother. I knew Mia was uncomfortable around people, which is why she tried to keep moving during the showing so that she couldn’t be cornered like this and answer too many questions.
I watched as Abbey, with practiced ease, and a smile to the people speaking with her mother, spirited her away with an apologetic look to them. I grinned. Always the hero, that one. Mumsy had somehow materialized beside me. I looked up. She really was pretty with her Native American features. She was looking down at the scene below, I caught the smile at the corners of her mouth that was so subtle that most people would have missed it altogether. She said one word to me and then walked off, “Heroes.” I had to stop myself from snorting, that was such a Mumsy thing to say.
I was really enjoying just observing the people below, Abbey had joined me again on the stair behind mine and I was using her as a backrest. A really comfy backrest. Her scent was enveloping me. Far too soon for my tastes, Mia and my parents came up the steps.
Mrs. Jacobs grinned at us and said in a conspiratorial tone, “The warden has sprung me. Shall we go ladies?” She looked at Abbey. “The Roth's have invited us to lunch.”
Abbey grinned and replied, “Sounds great to me.” Then she tilted her head. “So, any interest generated?”
Abbey nodded and responded almost sadly, “The curator received three offers already. I may just pull the exhibit... it is too... personal.”
Abbey shook her head and almost whispered, “No mom. Your artwork needs to be out there. Were the offers OK?”
Mia shrugged and said, “One into the seven figures, but you know it isn't about the money baby girl.”
Abbey laid a hand gently on her mother's shoulder and said softly, as a prompt, “There is always the Callahan Foundation.”
This caused the elder Jacobs to straighten up, smile, and nod. “You're right Abbey. I'll be right back, I need to tell the curator to accept the highest offer at the end of the month and forward all the proceeds to Sandra over at the Callahan Foundation. It can help a lot of people.”
I saw the pride in Abbey's eyes as she watched her mother motor off in search of the curator. Mum had a similar look on her face. I was stunned, Abbey was just giving away over a million dollars like it was nothing. I couldn't stop the smile on my face. Aunt Sandra could do so much for the homeless and the kids in the children wards of the hospitals with that money.
My mum was watching Abbey and I and she stepped up and said, “Hmmm... why don't you girls take our Jeep and explore the city the rest of the day. Flower and I will hitch a ride and lunch with Mia.” Mumsy stepped beside her and was already taking her Jeep key off her ring and handing it to me with a conspiratorial grin to Mum.
Then, just to embarrass me, she said flatly, “Don't do anything we wouldn't do Sammie.” As I tried to blush a hole in the fabric of space, my evil, evil parents wandered off in search of Mia with a chuckle.
I took a deep breath then looked up sheepishly to a blushing Abbey. “I am so sorry for them. They are worse than a couple bloody kids!” But then I grinned and held up the car key. “Shall we blow this Popsicle stand?” I've never understood that phrase, but mum says it all the time. I was rewarded with Abbey's dazzling smile and her grabbing my hand and dragging me out of the gallery. I'd seriously let her drag me anywhere.
Chapter 11 – Unorthodox Pseudo Family
I felt like a kid again, sneaking off for an adventure when my parents weren't looking, as Abbey and I ran out to the Jeep and jumped in and took off down the road. We kept trying not to laugh as we glanced at the silly looks on each of our faces. We really did look like a couple little girls nicking some biscuits out of the cookie jar.
Then after a couple minutes of driving aimlessly I asked, “Umm so, Abs, lunch?”
She grinned and nodded and replied, “That would be great. Where to?”
Hmmm, where to eat? I had an epiphany. “Want to meet some of my aunts?” She squinted an eye at me then nodded carefully, it was cute.
I had to chuckle at her as I turned onto the freeway and pointed us toward Issaquah. I was excited for some reason to be introducing her to part of my unorthodox pseudo-family.
On autopilot I drove, stealing glances at the tall beauty beside me. I whispered, “I really do love your hair like that.” She didn't say anything, she just smiled and nodded bashfully.
I took the off ramp, down into the gorgeous little town that I call home, at the base of the Cascade Mountains. I navigated deftly up into the mountains, there was a chill in the air that meant snow was mere weeks away. I turned onto a long gravel driveway and was excited to see the lodge that I saw as my second home, seemingly growing out of the mountain. Valentine's Cascade Experience!
I saw Vernon fixing the railing on the wrap around porch on the building. He looked like a huge mountain man, but Uncle Vernon was really just a big teddy bear. He was the handyman here but was really more like family to us and Aunt Bobbie. I waved at him and he smiled and waved back. I parked us in the reserved spot up front. It was Mumsy's private parking space for all of the time.
Aunt Bobbie, the owner here, was her big sister. I think. This has always been a fuzzy area for me. Whenever we spoke of it, all of the adults always change the topic or are cryptic about it with secret smiles. The only thing that casts doubt in my eyes is the fact that Aunt Bobbie is Australian and Mumsy is Native American, but they do have similar looks.
I glanced at Abbey then back up at Vernon. He had vanished with all his tools. How does he do that? Then I looked back at Abs. Her wavy brown locks were heating me up. I waggled my eyebrows and hopped out of the Jeep. She followed suit and I walked around to stand by her. I opened my arms wide at the huge log structure and said, “My second home.”
I grabbed her hand and dragged her up the steps to the second level and the wraparound porch. I saw her looking down at the retail space as we climbed the stairs. That was the outdoor outfitter portion of Valentine's.
We popped into the huge rustic doors that I loved so much, and into a large open space that had a little cafe in it. I glanced over and had to grin... she was here! I had to pull the girl who was gawking at the rustic space, up to the counter. The squeal from Aunt Sandra startled Abbey.
The tiny blonde came running around the counter and gave me a crushing hug. “Sammie! I heard you were in town!” She always had a genuine smile for me.
She turned her smile to Abbey, then back to me with a questioning grin. I couldn't help but smile back as I said, “Aunt Sandra, I'd like you to meet my best friend at the Academy, Abbey Jacobs. Abbey, this is my Aunt Sandra Callahan.”
Abbey's eyes went wide. “Sandra Callahan! From the Callahan Foundation? But... why are you working here?” I understood her shock. If you didn't understand Sandra, it was hard to believe why the heiress to the Callahan Shipping empire and the head of the Callahan charitable foundation was working in a little coffee shop cafe. But her reasons always fill me with pride when I see her.
San giggled, “It's just one of my day jobs. It is nice to meet you Abbey.” Then she pulled her into one of her signature, patent pending, Sandra hugs. When she released her huggable victim, Abbey was grinning down at her. I had to smile, that's the effect Sandra has on anyone who meets her. Then San said to me with a wicked grin, tilting her head toward Abbey, and saying, “You did good Sammie.” Which just caused both Abbey and me to blush.
Then she got all serious and ran around the counter and said in as serious a voice as she could muster, as she fought the silly smile from her lips as she asked, “What can I get for you girls?”
Abbey chuckled at her antics then looked over at me and asked, “I don't know, what's good here Sam?”
I looked at her and tore my eyes from hers to address Sandra. “How bout two coffees, black, and a couple ham and cheese, and some crisps?” Sandra grinned at me and started making our meal.
I turned with another smile as I heard a familiar tapity creak clack coming from the office area beside the cafe. A female voice with the thickest Australian accent came calling out, “What's all the commotion out here?” Then as she popped her head out of the door, a smile bloomed on Bobbie's face as she blurted out, “Sammie!”
She came hustling over as fast as her two leg braces and forearm crutch allowed her. Her right leg was spasming out to the side as she walked. Gawd I loved Aunt Bobbie. Aunt Blake followed behind her with her own leg brace creaking. We hugged and then Aunt Blake cocked an eyebrow at Abbey. I smiled as I made the introductions. “Aunt Bobbie, Aunt Blake, I'd like you to meet Abbey Jacobs.”
They all shook hands. Abbey was studying Bobbie's leg braces intently with great curiosity, her eyebrow rose in question as her smile grew and she put two and two together... “Silent Bob?” Then she looked at me, “Good god woman, is everyone you know a friggin' legend?”
I blushed and replied, “Well I know you so... yes.” This got a matching blush on her. There, take that you evil bird. Wait, stop smiling. Oh gawd, she bloody won.
I spoke quickly to push aside my utter defeat, “We were in search of lunch and I thought the cafe here at the lodge would be perfect. Then Abbey could meet you.”
Aunt Blake, who was as tall as Abbey, shot us an evil grin, “Ooooo... bringing the girlfriend around to meet the family?”
I sputtered, “Aunt Blake!”
Bobbie came to my rescue by softly saying, “Now Blakester be nice. My question is... has she met the folks yet?” The evil, teasing grin she shot us showed that she was terrible at rescue operations.
I sputtered again, “Aunt Bobbie!” I shook my head and mused out loud, “This was a bad idea, I'm sorry about these evil women Abs.”
Abbey was just grinning and giggling as Blake nodded as she looked at her wife, adding, “Fair point Ro.”
I sighed heavily and slumped my shoulders in defeat, murmuring, “I should have known better, you lot are no better than a bunch of kids. Join us for lunch?” I swung my head over to Aunt Sandra to let her know she was included in the invitation. They all agreed and Sandra made more sandwiches.
I sat back and watched the Spanish Inquisition begin as three of my favorite people grilled Abbey about herself as we ate. More often than not we were all laughing and just having a grand time. I marveled over how easy Abbey made it look... getting people to like her. Well it is a gift, I know it worked on me.
At points, Abbey comically beseeched me for help. I just grinned and watched her tread water with an evil grin on my face, to which she promptly stuck her tongue out at me. She somehow got things turned around and had us talking about my aunts. She had mentioned how she remembered when she was younger that her mother had come to this lodge when Silent Bob had gone missing in the mountains all those years ago.
It still brings a tear to my eye when I remember how traumatic and stressful it was when Aunt Bobbie went missing. What she must have endured on that ledge in the mountains until my family found her. But here she was, strong as ever, her injuries not slowing her down nor ever used as an excuse.
Sandra had to keep getting up to take care of customers at the counter.
The conversation circled around to Aunt Blake, then Aunt Sandra. I noticed that Abbey seemed to take a great interest in Sandra. Most people think that San is a little simple... until they get to know her, and they see the fierce intelligence that burns inside of her. I think she is one of the smartest people I know. But it was like Abbey saw that right away, like she instinctively looked where most people don't even bother. Abs kept coaxing things out of her that just punctuated San's brilliance, letting her shine like a star.
I can't tell you how much I wanted Abbey right then and there. She kept showing me the depth of her character and it was so bloody arousing to me.
All too soon, Aunt Bobbie stood and said, “Well, ladies, as fun as this has been, there is work for me to do before Blakester and I can go out camping.” Aunt Blake stood with a smile as Sandra started clearing the table. Bobbie continued in her heavy Aussie accent, “Abb
ey, it was indeed a pleasure. You and Sammie have to come out hiking with Blake and me on one of your three day weekends.”
Abbey grinned and blurted, “I would love to! It was so nice to meet some of Sammie's endless supply of aunts.” Everyone chuckled at my embarrassment.
I mocked hurt and said, “Hey! I can't help it I love you all.”
This just got me happy hugs from my three aunts. I kissed them all on the cheeks and we said our goodbyes. I dragged a giggling Abbey up the stairs to Aunt Bobbie's living quarters and past the sunken seating area around the fireplace to the glass doors at the veranda and stood outside with her.
“This is my favorite view. From this deck. You can see the mountains and Issaquah all tucked in at their base, like a lover's embrace.” I was sketching before I knew it. Looking at Abbey and the mountains behind her. She just watched me with an unreadable smile until I finished and closed the book, realizing what I was doing. “Oh, sorry.” She just smiled larger, then I said, “You up for some adventure?”
She tilted her head and said with mischief twinkling around in those amber eyes, “I thought we were already on an adventure.”
I nodded and bumped my hip against her leg and said, “Fine. Some more adventure?” She nodded.
I stood on my tiptoes and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Oh, gawd how I want to do more. Then I was leading a giggling Abs out of the apartment, explaining how it was my home in the States until we got a home of our own. Bobbie still keeps our room here for us in case we ever need to “come home.”
We waved at Sandra as we rode the glass elevator down to the retail space. Then we were out the door and piling back into the Jeep. As I started us down the driveway, Abbey murmured, “Oh my god Sammie, they are so much fun.”
I nodded once with a satisfied grin and giggled out, “Yes. Yes they are.”
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