Emily's Art and Soul

by Joy Argento

  She was struggling to get the cork out of the bottle when Mindy and Andi appeared in the doorway. “Let me help you with that,” Andi said. She pulled the cork out smoothly and effortlessly and held it up for Emily to see with a smile of triumph on her face.

  “My hero.”

  Andi gave a playful bow. “Wow, something smells great.”

  The doorbell rang. “I’ll get it,” Mindy said, a little too loudly. She ran to the door, leaving Emily and Andi alone in the kitchen.

  Andi leaned toward Emily and said in a low voice, “Mindy said I was her best friend.”

  The closeness of Andi sent a shiver down Emily’s spine, startling her. Emily laughed out loud, both at her surprise and at Andi’s statement. “I hate to burst your bubble, Andi, but Mindy’s other best friends include Daisy—who that should be at the door, Reba McEntire, Rachel from Friends, and the entire cast of Glee.”

  Andi rolled her eyes. “Holy cow! I think I could compete with Reba and Rachel, but I don’t stand a chance against the cast of Glee. Those kids are good!” She let out a chuckle.

  “You got that right. Come on, let’s go meet her other best friend, Daisy.” Andi set the bottle of wine down on the table and followed Emily to the front door. It was going to be a fun evening.

  ***

  “Oh my, this pie is good.” Andi licked the last bit from her fork. “Here you go,” she said offering the fork to Emily, grinning ear to ear. “No need to wash this one.”

  “Okay, I won’t. I do that too. I lick the fork clean and put it back in the drawer. In fact, I probably did just that the last time I used that very fork.”

  Andi laughed. Mindy and Daisy joined in. Emily tried hard not to laugh at her own joke but couldn’t help it, and it came out more like a snort, which started everyone laughing all over again.

  “Why don’t you girls clear the table and I’ll load the dishwasher,” Emily said, after the laughter died down.

  Andi scraped the dishes into the trash and handed them to Emily. Emily liked having Andi around, and the chore went fast as they chitchatted away.

  They were finishing up when the doorbell rang. “My mom’s here! My mom’s here!” Daisy said, bouncing up and down and clapping her hands. She and Mindy ran to the door, followed closely by Emily. Andi stayed behind to put the last of the silverware in the dishwasher.

  “Daisy is a complete doll,” Emily told Daisy’s mother at the door. “She’s welcome here anytime.”

  There were hugs all around and Andi appeared in time for her goodbye hug from Daisy.

  “You have a very nice friend there,” Emily said to Mindy as she closed the door.

  “She’s my best friend,” Mindy said, to no one in particular.

  Emily looked at Andi and winked. I’ve got a very nice friend as well.

  “Well, Mindy, what do you say you go get ready for bed? Remember we have to get an early start in the morning. Get some sleep.” Emily tapped her sister gently on the shoulder, careful not to sound too bossy. She was still learning how to tread around Mindy.

  “Yeah. We gonna go visit my daddy tomorrow,” Mindy said to Andi.

  “I know, Emily told me. I hope you have a great visit.”

  “Okay,” was her simple answer. She turned to go, but stopped abruptly, grabbed Andi, and pulled her into a hug. “V-v-very nice meeting you, Andi.”

  “You too, sweetie.”

  Mindy turned and disappeared down the hall.

  Emily smiled at Andi. The evening couldn’t have gone better and Andi was so good with Mindy. Emily’s heart swelled, and she actually felt her eyes tearing up. She cleared her throat. “How about another glass of wine and then we can watch a movie?” Emily offered, hoping Andi would stay.

  “Are you sure? I know you have to get up early tomorrow too.”

  I’m very sure. “Absolutely. Sit, make yourself comfortable, and I’ll be right back.”

  Emily came back with two glasses of wine, handed one to Andi, then sat next to her on the couch. She picked up the remote and hit the button for Netflix.

  “How about Jerry Maguire?” Emily asked. “An oldie, but a goody.”

  “Sure. I’ve never seen it before.”

  Emily started the movie and let out an audible sigh as she leaned back into the soft cushions of the couch and pulled her bare feet up next to her. She sipped her wine. “I can’t believe you’ve never seen this.”

  “Believe it,” Andi said. “I never lie about movies I haven’t seen. Besides, I usually only watch movies that have girl-on-girl action.”

  Emily gave her a playful slap, her curiosity piqued by the thought of what a girl-on-girl movie would be like.

  “Hey! I almost spilled my wine. That would be alcohol abuse,” Andi said.

  “Shh, the movie’s starting,” Emily said, with a smile.

  Andi and Emily made comments here and there as the movie played but watched most of it in comfortable silence.

  As the movie was nearing the end, Emily stretched her legs out in front of her, trying to get more comfortable. “Put your feet up here,” Andi said, patting her lap. “I’ll give you a foot massage.”

  Emily took only a moment to respond. She shifted her position on the couch, gently placing both feet in Andi’s lap and leaned back comfortably against the arm of the couch. Her attention returned to the movie as Andi’s fingers worked expertly on her foot starting with just enough pressure right below the toes. As the stress left Emily’s body, a new sensation moved in. The tingling that started in her foot quickly moved up her leg and settled momentarily in the pit of her stomach, before moving down again and causing a stir and surge of moisture. Wow. What the hell? She tried to justify the feelings and her body’s response to it. I’ve just been lonely and I’m enjoying the attention, that’s all. She willed her body to stop its response to Andi’s touch.

  “You complete me,” Tom said to Renée in the movie.

  “She doesn’t want to complete you,” Andi said to the television. “She wants you to come to her already whole and complete.”

  Emily was immediately pulled out of her own thoughts. She looked at Andi and raised her eyebrows.

  “Did I say that out loud?” Andi scrunched up her face.

  Emily couldn’t hold back her smile and they both burst out laughing. Emily gave her a playful kick.

  They brought their attention back to the television screen and Andi once again moved her strong hands over Emily’s feet. The sensations throughout Emily’s body returned. Confused, she quickly pulled her feet away and sat up. “It’s tickling me,” she lied, betrayed by her body’s reaction. She wasn’t just moist—she hated that word. She was downright wet. It scared her. How could Andi touching her feet make her wet? Make her tingle? It made no sense. The urge to move farther away from Andi was matched by her desire to move closer. She ignored both. When she dared to glance at Andi she saw a look of disappointment that Andi almost managed to cover with a smile.

  “Sorry,” Andi started.

  “No, I’m sorry,” Emily interrupted. “I have sensitive feet.” Another lie. But she couldn’t admit the truth. She didn’t even know what the truth was.

  They finished watching the movie in silence.

  Andi rose as the credits played. “Thank you so much for inviting me over. I had a great time.”

  “Me too,” Emily said honestly. “I truly enjoyed your company. We’ll have to do this again soon.” They exchanged a quick hug at the door and Andi was gone. Emily felt weirdly alone.

  Emily turned off the television, brought the wineglasses into the kitchen, shut off lights, and made her way to the bathroom. “What the heck is wrong with you?” she said to her reflection in the mirror. She brushed her teeth, changed into her nightgown, and climbed into bed. She lay awake, unable to sleep as her mind replayed the events of the evening and the sensations that coursed through her body at Andi’s touch. She didn’t know what to make of it. She tried to justify it to herself. She hadn’t had sex or even had so
meone touch her in a very long time. That was it. It had to be. There was no way it could be anything else. Or could it?

  Chapter Six

  Emily put her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. The lack of sleep from the night before was taking its toll. She pulled into a parking space at Tops grocery store and made a mental note to grab a bottle of Coke along with Mindy’s snacks for the hour and a half drive to Rochester.

  The sun from the rapidly warming day felt good as it poured in through the car windows. It looked like it would be a very pleasant drive, and a great day to attend the Clothesline Arts Festival.

  Emily’s hand froze on the door handle when she spotted someone familiar in the passenger seat of a blue Chevy several aisles away. Was that…? Yes, it was Andi. Emily smiled—until the woman sitting in the driver seat leaned over and kissed Andi full on the mouth.

  Emily’s smile turned into a frown and then into a grimace.

  “What’s the matter?” Mindy asked her.

  “Huh? Why?”

  “Your lips are going crazy all over your face.”

  Emily forced a smile despite the hurt and confusion she felt. Hurt? Why should I feel hurt? Why am I feeling anything at all? So someone is kissing Andi. Why should I care? What the heck is wrong with me? Emily backed out of the parking spot without getting out of the car.

  “Hey, we didn’t get snacks, and you promised,” Mindy said.

  Emily turned her car away from Andi and the woman and sped out of the parking lot.

  “Emily!” Mindy protested.

  “We’ll stop on the Thruway and get something to eat.” She struggled to keep her voice even, still not sure why she was so upset. “Okay, honey?”

  Mindy shook her head, obviously not pleased. “Oh, all right, but do not forget.”

  “Okay, okay,” Emily said, a little more curtly than she intended.

  Emily spent almost the entire drive wondering what the hell was wrong with her. Her feelings left her confused. Was she jealous? Jealous of what? Andi certainly had the right to kiss whomever she wanted—and who wouldn’t want to kiss Andi, right? Her thoughts went back to the night before and her body’s reaction to Andi rubbing her feet. Knock it off, she told her brain. But it refused to listen. The barrage continued until she reached the neighborhood she’d grown up in.

  She pushed the thoughts of Andi and her own reactions aside as she drove down the familiar street and pulled into her father’s driveway. She sat for a minute looking at the place she had grown up in. The large white house was in need of fresh paint, and a shutter on the second floor needed repair. She didn’t like the feeling of the house since her mother’s death. The warmth was gone. It was just a house now, no longer a home, no longer her home.

  The lawn had recently been mowed. The long clippings suggested that it had been quite a while between cuttings, and Emily suspected that it had been mowed in anticipation of their arrival. Several birds flew to the bird feeder that hung from the large maple tree in the front yard but flew away again when they discovered there were no seeds to be had. Mom loved sitting on the porch watching the birds at that feeder. Emily shook her head. She would never have let it run empty. That was how the house seemed to her now. Even from the outside, it felt empty.

  “Come on, Emily,” Mindy said. The excited edge to her voice made Emily smile despite the feelings of melancholy. Emily slid out of the car and grabbed the suitcases from the back seat. She handed one to Mindy and had to walk fast to keep up with her as she bounced up the front steps to the porch. Emily wasn’t sure if she should knock first or go right in. It was never even a question when her mother was alive. She knew the door was always open to her. Mindy didn’t hesitate, but when she turned the doorknob it was locked. She looked confused like she wasn’t sure what to do next.

  Emily raised her hand to knock but the door was opened from the inside. William Sanders stood in the doorway, arms wide to welcome his daughters. He pulled them both into a big bear hug.

  “Come on in, girls,” he said with a smile.

  The house was dark, despite the lights being on. The curtains were closed tight against the bright sun. Dampness permeated the air. The grandfather clock in the foyer had a layer of dust covering it. It stood silent. It probably hadn’t been wound in months. The pendulum stood at attention, motionless. The clock seemed to represent the feeling that surrounded them, still and lifeless.

  “How are you, Dad?” Emily asked. They made their way into the living room and set their suitcases down.

  “I’m doing okay, kiddo.” His reply was less than convincing.

  “Would it be all right if I opened the drapes and let some light in here?”

  “Sure thing, anything you want.” He attempted a smile.

  Mindy gave him a big hug. “I miss you soooo much, Daddy.”

  “I miss you too, baby. How’s Emily treating you?”

  “Emily is the bestest sister ever.”

  “I know she is.” He bent down and gave Mindy a kiss on the cheek.

  She rubbed her skin. “Ow! Daddy, your whiskers are rough.”

  He ran his hand over his face. “I know. I need a good shave. Let’s get these suitcases upstairs so you guys can settle in.” He headed up the stairs, both suitcases in hand.

  Mindy and Emily started up after him, but Emily stopped. Something on the bookcase by the stairs caught her eye. Emily picked up a large coin and realized it was a one month chip from Alcoholics Anonymous. Under the chip sat a printed schedule for meetings, some of the dates circled. Emily replaced the chip and hurried up after them.

  ***

  An hour later, after making a late breakfast for her dad and Mindy, Emily pointed her car in the direction of Route 490 and stepped on the gas. Traffic on the expressway was much lighter than it would have been on a workday morning. As she exited onto Goodman Street, Emily began to relax. She looked forward to attending the Clothesline Art Festival every year, and this year would be no exception. It didn’t bother her that she was going by herself. It just meant that she could take her time while she checked out the booths of handmade jewelry, paintings, photography, and various other high-end works of art. The Clothesline Festival was one of the best art and craft shows in western New York. Being a highly juried show, the artists who were accepted to show their wares were the best of the best. Emily thought she might even purchase a piece of art for her new home if anything spoke to her.

  She found a parking spot right on Goodman Street, a short walk away from the festival. Her parallel parking skills were put to the test as she maneuvered her car into the tight space, but she pulled it off with no problem.

  A sigh escaped her lips as she felt the fresh warm air that indicated the final days of summer, and her walk was light and confident as she traveled the two blocks to the festival. She was in her element now. This was the area she grew up in, and she was about to mingle with other artists. Yes, this was her comfort zone. She paid her five-dollar admission fee and entered the outdoor show.

  Pausing briefly inside the entrance, Emily could hear the kettle corn calling her name. She answered the call and purchased a small bag, nibbling away as she started her trek around the grounds. She walked past several booths of stained glass, abstract paintings, and portrait photography, stopping at a jewelry booth to look at a pair of earrings that caught her eye. The delicate silver wire gently cradled a small tiger-eye stone that hung from a silver stud post. She held them up to her ears and checked herself in a small mirror that hung from the side of the display. They don’t work with the color of my eyes. But they would look great with Andi’s brown eyes. She felt a pang in her chest. Andi. Andi who was being kissed very intimately by a woman. For God’s sake, knock it off, she reprimanded herself silently. She replaced the earrings on the rack and did her best to push the image from her mind.

  Once again, she focused her attention on the artwork surrounding her. She strolled leisurely, stopping here and there, chatting with various artists. As she was leaving
a booth of local photographs, she ran smack into Lauren Burns, literally. Lauren lived across the street from her parents’ house—well, her dad’s house now. “So sorry. Oh my God, Lauren. How are you?” she asked, trying to compose herself.

  Lauren leaned in for a hug. “I’m doing great. How’s your new job? How are you doing in Syracuse? How’s Mindy?”

  “I really like it there. The school is great. The kids are great. Mindy’s adjusting well.”

  “I’m glad,” Lauren said. Emily could hear the sincerity in her voice. “So, how is your dad doing? I wave to him every once in a while, when I see him outside, but that isn’t too often.”

  “He’s trying.” She didn’t go into detail. “So, what’re you doing here? Looking for art to purchase?”

  Lauren brushed a strand of her honey blond hair out of her face. “I am helping my sister. She does watercolor. Her booth is down there.” She pointed down the aisle several booths ahead. “I don’t think you’ve ever met her.”

  “I don’t think so either, but I would love to see her work.”

  “Come on then.” Lauren linked her arm in Emily’s and led the way to the booth.

  Emily looked around at the large paintings that hung inside the white tent. Impressive. The use of colors and negative space, as well as the use of light and shadows, brought this art up to a whole different level than most of the art she had seen here today.

  As soon as the artist finished talking to a potential buyer, she turned her attention to her sister and Emily. Emily noticed the family resemblance immediately. Both sisters had very straight honey blond hair, although Lauren’s was much longer, green eyes with thick, blond lashes. Both women were beautiful. The artist’s quick smile made her appear even more so. She looked to be a few years older than Lauren, which would make her somewhat older than Emily as well.