There were chuckles from a few of the students, Madeleine blushed. “Well, it’s true.”
“I know,” Adele said. “It’s hard when it doesn’t come naturally. I have to say, I’m like Devin. I was pretty much born with a paintbrush in my hand.” She glanced up at the clock. “Well, look at that, class was over a few minutes ago. Let’s get this place organized.”
The students lined up at the sinks to pour out their paints and clean off their brushes. As the students said their good-byes, Madeleine lingered behind.
“Do you want to go for a coffee?” Adele asked her.
“I’d love to.”
* * *
The two women sat at a little table in the window, sipping cups of coffee. The day had melted some of the snow, creating mounds of gray slush along the sidewalks. Getting around Hermana by foot was an arduous task this time of year, and both of them wore very unfashionable but practical knee-high boots.
“Tell me about Jake,” Adele asked. “Is he the one?” Madeleine sighed and looked out the window.
“I like him a lot,” Madeleine said. “I wish he didn’t live in California. It’s so far away.”
“Maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he’ll forget about me as time goes on.”
“How can you say that? Didn’t he come up as a surprise for you just the other week?”
“Yes, but how often can he afford to do that? I don’t know how much money he has and if he’s going to run out.”
“I suppose. I guess just take one day at a time and hope for the best.”
“That’s all any of us can do.” Madeleine said.
“So, other than that, what’s he like?”
“He’s cute. He can be bossy, but that’s okay. It’s like a California TV-type thing, I guess,” Madeleine said.
“How about... you know?” Adele whispered, leaning closer.
“Oh, he’s fabulous. I couldn’t ask for a better lover.”
“Cute and good in bed. You go, girl!” Adele laughed.
“Yep, he’s got it all, except he’s not here.”
“It’s always something. At least when you get together, it will always be like a honeymoon.”
“There is that,” Madeleine said.
They drank their coffee in silence.
“How about that new guy, Devin?” Madeleine finally asked.
“What about him?” Adele asked.
“He’s gorgeous,” Madeleine sighed. “And so talented.”
“Isn’t he? I swear, just looking at his paintings made me all hot and bothered,” Adele confessed.
“It’s like he’s painting with pheromones or something. I felt it too,” Madeleine said. “How does that happen?”
“I don’t know. I guess part talent, part technique. Art is such a strange thing.”
“Do you really believe that artists channel their art from other planes?”
“I’m not sure where I think creativity comes from. A part of the brain. Another universe. A spirit guide. Maybe it’s a combination of many things.”
“It’s so fascinating. I wish I could figure out to really tap into the creative process to make my own art work sing.”
“You’re doing very well, Madeleine. The drawings you showed me from your experiences at the asylum really moved me. Some made me feel horror, some made me feel love and lust. You are tapping into something, whether you know it or not.”
Madeleine smiled. “That makes me feel better. I hope you’re not just saying that.”
“You know I don’t say anything I don’t mean,” Adele said. “I believe in trying to examine the process, even if that means sometimes our work isn’t very good. But you seem to be embracing the concepts and that’s great.”
“Well, let’s toast to my newfound creativity.” Madeleine lifted her coffee cup. Adele clicked hers against it.
Chapter Two
Use your skills to help others.
Adele, deep in thought with a mochaccino, jumped when the door to her boutique chimed.
“Maggie.” Adele walked quickly around the counter and went over to hug her friend. “How are you?” As she hugged Maggie, Adele enjoyed the coolness of her coat and the fresh scent of flowers and vanilla. Maggie was tall, slender and red-haired. She unbuttoned her jacket as she gazed around the shop.
“You have so many new items here. It’s been too long.”
“I got a whole pile of goodies for Valentine’s Day and never shipped them back. I also got excited about the spring lines as well and just had to order a bunch of those.”
Maggie went over to one of the racks and flipped through it, admiring different colors and styles of bras.
“What are you looking for?” Adele asked. “Anything in particular?”
“Well, Weldon and I are going to a St. Patrick’s Day festival in Boston, and I was hoping to find a green corset or merry widow or something to wear.”
“You and your corset fetish,” Adele smiled.
“You know me,” Maggie laughed. “Do you have anything?”
“Well, all we have is some lime green lingerie. I can have you custom-fitted for a lovely emerald-green corset if you like.”
“What would it look like?” Maggie asked. “Do you have the catalog of that corset maker in New York?”
“Yes, I still have it. We can pick a style and tell her the color.”
“Okay,” Maggie said as Adele searched through various catalogs under her counter. At last she found what she was looking for. Together they thumbed through the pages, deciding what style Maggie should choose—that she didn’t already own—that would flatter her tall, full-bosomed figure.
“This one.” Adele pointed to a picture.
Maggie leaned closer and grinned. “I can just imagine that in a bright green paisley kind of thing.”
“Don’t you just love the way the brass grommets complete the look? In green that would be absolutely stunning.” Adele said.
“Measure me. I don’t care what it costs.”
Maggie slipped off her coat and went into one of the dressing rooms. Within minutes, she remerged in her bra and underwear. Adele had her notepad and measuring tape ready. As Maggie chattered about how excited she was about her forthcoming trip, Adele took her measurements.
“I take it things with Weldon are still good?” Adele asked.
Maggie giggled. “We’re doing great. He’s so intense sometimes, but he’s a sweetheart.”
“He still takes you to darts.”
Maggie nodded. “I know. It’s crazy, isn’t it? Who would have thought I’d be caught dead playing darts even once, let alone repeatedly week after week?”
“It’s all that love spell stuff. It’s making you do these strange things.” Adele winked.
“Oh, you’re so silly. It’s not the love spell. It’s just about trying to do something that pleases him. He loved darts long before I came along, and I can either try it myself or wonder what he’s up to every time he goes out to play.”
“I can understand that. He’s a real cutie.”
“He’s refreshing. Not all weirdly romantic or anything like that. Sometimes I feel like we’re buddies with benefits,” Maggie said.
“Well, that’s probably more how you’re feeling than him. You tend to enjoy men for many different things. He strikes me as a one-woman type of guy.”
“I think he is. I’d be pretty surprised if he wasn’t.”
“Of course, even those one-woman types of guys tend to look around, even if they don’t touch.”
“I know. I’ve watched enough Maury and busted bachelor-party shows to know that even the most committed man can’t help how those animal hormones operate.”
“That’s men for ya.” Adele smirked. “In the meantime, you’ll keep him intrigued with your corset collection, no doubt.”
“I’m so happy we’re finally going to something we can really dress up for. You know, playing darts isn’t exactly a dress-up-co
rset kind of event.”
“He’s a casual guy.”
“Yeah, but he cleans up real nice.” Maggie re-entered the fitting room. As they chatted, she took the opportunity to try on a couple of teddies.
“I’ll say. He cleans up very nice. If you ever get bored...” Adele joked.
“Oh, I could get bored. This monogamy... kind of sounds like monotony, doesn’t it?” Maggie said flippantly.
“You like him. Hell, you might even love him by now!” Adele said.
“Now you sound like Natasha. Jeez, she had me in love with him long before we even dated.”
“She saw the sparks, no doubt,” Adele said. “She’s good at that, you know. Not only seeing the dead, but seeing the living energy flow as well.”
“She has all of us pegged, but I guess it’s ’cause she’s so old,” Maggie said.
Adele put a finger to her lips. “Shhh, the walls have ears, you know. All I know is that I wish I looked twenty-five, like her. But I look every inch of the forty I’ve just become,” Adele lamented.
“Oh, nonsense,” Maggie said. “You don’t look 40. You don’t look 25, but you don’t look middle-aged, which is what you’re really saying.”
“I appreciate it, but it’s okay. I’ve accepted my aging as gracefully as a kicking and screaming woman can.”
“I wonder what Natasha’s secret is to looking young. She must be at least a hundred years old. Maybe even two.”
“You can bet she’ll never tell us. It’s probably something we would be better off not knowing,” Adele said.
“No doubt,” Maggie agreed. She emerged from the dressing room, clutching two silky teddies and put them on the counter. “So, how long do you think it will take for the corset to come?” she asked as she pulled out her credit card.
“I’d say about a week.”
“That’s lots of time. We’re going the 14th and staying until the 18th. It will be the longest we’ve ever been away together,” Maggie said.
“Weldon seems to be agreeing with you. I’ve never seen you so excited about the same guy for so long.”
“I don’t know what it is, but I can’t imagine my life without him in it somewhere,” Maggie said.
“That’s so sweet,” Adele said as she handed Maggie the receipt.
“Thank you so much. For the corset, I mean.” Maggie put the receipt into her purse.
“It will be here in plenty of time, don’t you worry. And it will be absolutely gorgeous, I guarantee it. Weldon will just die when he sees you.”
“Well, I don’t want him to die, but I certainly wouldn’t mind him being a bit stunned by my glamour and all.” Maggie patted her hair as she flipped her other hand in mock coquettishness.
“You’re too much,” Adele said.
Maggie put on her coat and walked toward the door. “Thank you so much, Adele,” she said. “You’ve no idea what this means to me.”
“I know what it means to you, Maggie,” Adele said. “And it’s a pleasure. An absolute pleasure. Nothing I enjoy more than seeing women embracing their bodies and encasing them in risqué items to show their sense of daring.”
“You know, you should come to this thing. At least for one night. It would be good for you to get out,” Maggie said, patting her arm.
“Oh no,” Adele said. “I don’t have a date. I don’t want to go party in Boston alone.”
“You could hook up with me and Weldon on Saturday night. That’s the night I’ll wear the corset, as well as on St. Paddy’s Day proper.”
“No, thank you, Maggie. You’re sweet, but no,” Adele said.
Maggie frowned. “Well, how about I read you some cards? Maybe we can see if you’re going to hook up in your birthday zone like I did and Natasha did, and hell, even Madeleine seems to have made her connection.”
“You have a point. The spell does seem to be working for each girl’s month, doesn’t it?”
“And you just had your birthday, so you’re the next focus of the circle.”
“That’s right. I have to say I’m a bit nervous. I haven’t been in a relationship for a very long time.”
“Then the timing is right for you too.” Maggie smiled. “Let’s see what the cards say.” She pulled her tarot cards from her handbag and shuffled them.
“Is there love coming Adele’s way anytime soon?” Maggie asked as she held the cards out to Adele.
“How many?” Adele asked.
“Oh, let’s say three.”
Adele closed her eyes and touched the cards. Her fingers tingled over some of them and not so much over others.
“I’m never sure if I should pick the ones that want to jump out at me,” Adele said. “It’s almost like they’re begging me to choose them, but they may be misleading me from the one I should be picking.”
“I find that no matter how you try to trick the cards, in the end, they say what they are supposed to say.”
“It’s a funny thing, isn’t it?” Adele asked as she held three cards and opened her eyes. “So, what do we have here?”
“Well, we have the Knight of Pentacles, the Devil, and the Tower,” Maggie sighed. “Jeez.”
“Come on, you’re the professional. Put a positive spin on these suckers,” Adele said.
“Okay, here’s the deal. You’re going to meet a nice young man. He’s actually rather grounded and fairly creative. He may come into money someday. However, you will face some challenges that will shake you to your very core.”
“I can see that. I wonder what they’ll be?”
“Issues of control, temptation, bondage...”
“Sounds kind of kinky,” Adele mused.
Maggie laughed. “You know what I mean.”
Adele frowned, staring at the Devil. “Do you think he’s the devil, or is there someone trying to mess us up?”
“I think there’s going to be some kind of opposing force you have to face together. And man, it’s going to blow,” Maggie said, shaking her head.
“That bad, huh?” Adele sighed. “Figures.”
“Well, when you think about it, many relationships start that way. Heck, I could have had the same reading about me and Weldon when we first met. Things were pretty weird. But it’s all over now, and we’re better for it. Maybe it will be that way for you.”
“I hope so,” Adele said. “Now I don’t even want to meet anyone.”
“Oh, there’s no stopping that. In fact, you may have already met,” Maggie said, flipping over the Six of Cups.
“Soul mate connection,” Adele said. “Well, I guess whatever we have to face is a payment for something we did in another life. Great.” She took in a deep breath and let it out. “Well, never mind. We’ll figure it out as we go along.”
“That’s all you can do,” Maggie said.
“Or maybe I should just run away the next time a guy makes a pass at me. There’s so many of them, you know,” Adele said and laughed.
Maggie touched her shoulder. “Oh please. I’m sure you go through phases of having attention. We all do. You’re just not getting it lately.”
“I guess I’m exaggerating,” Adele relented. “Guys do flirt with me. I just never seem to be able to tap into an energy that makes me want to know more about them. When I was younger, I was so eager to meet every guy that looked my way. But now, it’s so much effort and it almost always goes badly.”
“I suppose it doesn’t help that you can read people’s auras either. Does that make you kind of telepathic?”
“I’m not sure how to describe it. It’s kind of like the cards. I see the energies of a person, their moods and emotions. But I don’t know why they’re like that or what’s going to happen to them.”
“So no premonitions?” Maggie asked.
Adele thought about it. “Maybe there has been. It’s hard because as a water sign, I’m very intuitive anyway, so maybe what I consider normal gut feelings might not make sense to a fire sign like you.”
“I know what you’re talking about
, and you’re right, I’m not terribly intuitive without my cards. Sometimes I have dreams or see visions in my meditations, and they might be premonitions or they might be reinterpretations of events going on in my life. The auras sometimes give me a sense of danger or enticement. I guess with men, I’m looking for some kind of welcoming vibration that finds me attractive. It’s not that easy to find.”
“Tell me about it. Weldon’s my first real boyfriend in years.”
The door opened, and a trio of ladies entered the shop. They were all in their twenties, dressed smartly, and whispering furiously as they assessed the rack of teddies near the door.
Adele walked over to them with a smile. “Can I help you ladies? Anything in particular you’re looking for?”
“Oh, we’re looking for an office present to give to a woman who’s getting married. Something fun for the honeymoon,” one said.
“I’d better be off,” Maggie said as she buttoned up her coat. “Bye.”
Adele turned to the girls and soon was immersed in a steady stream of customers until it was time to close.
* * *
“When you’re painting an aura, dip your brush lightly in the color you want, and then let it touch the canvas at the point where the body connects,” Adele told the class. “Hold the brush firmly, but just let your arm swing out. Don’t think about what your brush is doing. Just see the aura and where the colors are supposed to go.”
Adele looked around the room. Seventeen students today. Her classes were getting more popular. She always found it amazing that so many people were eager to unleash their inner artists. In a small town like Hermana, seventeen budding artists was a high ratio for the population.
Regardless of why they were there, Adele was happy and thankful. She enjoyed teaching, and she put the money she made when classes were full to good use. The store could be financially tenuous and it was always nice to have another source of income to supplement it. Some of these students had been coming for years. Adele figured she provided a quiet, meditative atmosphere they couldn’t find at home. And some, such as Madeleine, had only been attending for a few weeks.
Pisces: Teacher's Pet Page 3