by Tracey Smith
His eyes were focused on a distant memory. I had always tried not to think of that day, but now that I was allowing myself to remember it all seemed so clear.
“You saved me.” I realized aloud. “It was you that saw it falling, you screamed, you’re the reason my father had time to react. If you hadn’t been there that day I would have died too.”
He focused on me now.
He didn’t say anything else. He just grabbed my face and kissed me passionately. I overflowed with emotion and Michael tenderly kissed my tears away. I laid my head back against his chest and he held me tightly.
“Do you remember my parents?” I asked him
“A little.” He replied.
“Tell me about them.” I asked
“I remember that they seemed very much in love, and they loved you too. I was actually a little jealous watching you with them. It seemed so perfect, something I wished my family could be. Your mother was very beautiful you look just like her. You have her eyes.”
As he spoke of her, the fuzzy image in my mind came into better focus. I remembered her face. I smiled at the memory.
“You reminded me of her that night in the coffee shop. I didn’t realize it then, not entirely, but I knew I had seen you before.” He continued. “There was just something about you, something so…”
“Familiar.” I finished. “I know. I felt the same way.”
“You are my soul mate Katherine.” Michael said confidently. “I knew the first moment I looked into your eyes, and every time after that. I’ve always known. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
The words didn’t seem strong enough to express the overwhelming feelings I had for him. As a child I had often wondered why I had lived, had sometimes wished that I had died. But now I knew why I survived and I was glad that I had. I was meant to love this man.
“Marry me.” Michael asked propping himself up on his elbow and looking down at my face. He was smiling excitedly tears still glistening in his sapphire eyes. I couldn’t speak. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss me.
“Is that a yes?” he asked laughing as he pulled away.
“Yes, yes, yes!” I shouted and we kissed again.
All of my dreams were coming true even the ones I hadn’t even thought to dream of.
Chapter 22: The Past
I never imagined I could be so happy. I spent my days painting and my nights with Katherine. My reputation had exploded and I had waiting lists a mile long for murals. In one month I painted a snow-capped mountain range in a Chinese restaurant, a rain forest waterfall in a day spa, and an underwater scene in a children’s library.
I enjoyed painting, and was paid very well for it, but something was missing. Landscapes had become too easy. I wasn’t challenged anymore. I began to feel unfulfilled, and I missed Katherine during the day. I hated being away from her.
One night as Katherine and I ate dinner in her apartment I found myself lost in her face. I studied every curve, every shadow. As soon as we finished eating I asked her if we could go up to my place so that I could paint her. She seemed a little embarrassed at my request, but still reluctantly agreed to be my model.
The first painting I did of her was a portrait of her face. I finally had found the inspiration I was looking for. The image flowed onto the canvas without effort, as if by its own will. The finished piece was amazing. The only thing more beautiful was Katherine herself.
This became our pattern. I painted my murals during the day, making sure to finish and be home in time to meet her as soon as she closed the shop. She would cook dinner in her apartment and then after we ate we would go up to mine so that I could paint her. We stayed up late every night, talking and laughing as I painted her. We ended every evening wrapped in each other’s arms. I had never been so happy.
Finally after a month we decided we needed to stop neglecting our friends. We invited everyone over for dinner and had a wonderful time. It was great seeing Charlie and Claire again, and they got along perfectly with Katherine’s friends Amy and Dan. I loved seeing Katherine so happy.
That night after everyone left Katherine and I lay in bed together talking and something caused me to ask about her parents. She had always avoided the subject, and I knew the memory was painful for her so I had never asked before. But for some reason that night, I wanted to know. I knew everything else about her, and I wanted this last piece of information.
As she started to tell the story I was shocked to realize it was my story too. She had been the little girl I had seen in the museum. It was her family that I had watched die that terrible day so many years ago. As soon as the realization hit me I told her. We cried together as we both relived the painful memory.
It all came together that night. I realized that I had fallen in love with her that first moment our eyes met as children. My heart had belonged to her from that day, and it just took my mind a few years to catch up. We belonged together. We were soul mates. I knew that more strongly now than ever. I proposed to her that night and she said yes.
Of course I didn’t have a ring, but I would quickly remedy that situation. The next day she went to work at the bakery as she always did, but I did not call the next client on my list. Instead I decided to shop for a ring.
If I hadn’t decided to stay home that day, I wouldn’t have been home when the messenger came. It was funny how Fate worked. I was just about to leave when the doorbell rang.
“Michael Carter?” The well-dressed messenger asked when I opened the door.
“Yes?” I examined his clothing and decided he looked more like a businessman than a messenger.
“I have a letter for you, please sign here.” He stated matter-of-factly.
I signed for the letter and closed the door. Curiously I sat down to read it. It was only a few short typed lines requesting a meeting to discuss a mural. The letter was not signed.
I folded the letter and put it in my pocket as I left my apartment and went downtown to shop for a ring. I found the perfect one at an upscale jewelry store downtown. It was a princess-cut diamond solitaire on a gold band. It was elegant and simple, just like Katherine. I knew she would love it. My heart soared as I bought the ring and thought about how she would react when I gave it to her tonight.
As I left the jewelry shop I thought about the letter in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the address again. It was only a few blocks away, so I decided I would stop by to see what the mystery client wanted.
When I found the address I looked at the ominous sky-scraper and wondered who could have sent the letter. This did not look like the type of business I usually was called to. Curiosity drew me into the building. I walked to the reception desk and gave the timid-looking woman my name. She seemed to be expecting me and asked me to have a seat. She spoke quietly into an intercom as I walked to the row of metal chairs against the wall.
I glanced around the cold, austere room and felt strangely nervous. There was no warmth in this building. It was all concrete, glass and steel. No pictures hung on the walls; every piece of furniture was functional. You could barely call the room decorated. I had an urge to get up and leave, but my curiosity kept me in my seat. It wasn’t long before someone approached me.
“Michael Carter?” The woman asked.
She was dressed in a grey business suit with her pale blonde hair pulled back in a severe bun. Her features were sharp and unattractive, her watery eyes pale and emotionless. She did not look capable of smiling.
“Yes.” I responded, again fighting the urge to flee.
“Follow me.” She said turning abruptly.
I stood and followed her to the elevator. We rode in silence to the top floor and from there she led me to a large office. She left me alone there without another word. I looked around the room at the leather sofas and large mahogany desk and it felt strangely familiar. I began to feel sick as I realized why.
“Michael.” My father’s voice came from behind me and I spun around to fac
e him.
Our eyes met, but I did not speak. I didn’t know what to say. He seemed smaller than I remembered. No longer the towering figure of my childhood.
“I heard you had returned to San Diego.” He told me walking to his desk.
I followed him with my eyes, but my feet stayed riveted to the floor.
“Have a seat.” He offered gesturing to one of the wingback leather chairs in front of his desk.
I sat down in the chair he had indicated and met his gaze firmly.
“What do you want?” I asked cutting right to the chase.
“I understand you are an artist now.” His face twisted at the word artist like it was painful for him to say.
I smirked a little enjoying his obvious distaste for my chosen profession.
“Yes.” I confirmed.
“It seems you have made quite a name for yourself.” He continued.
“Have I?” I met his hard gaze without flinching.
I was not a child anymore, and he no longer intimidated me. I owed him nothing. He held nothing over me. I could get up and leave at any moment.
“I have recently acquired an advertising firm.” He said ignoring my insolence. “We could use someone with your talent.”
So that’s what this was about. I knew how his cold mind worked. Obviously he had heard of my work, perhaps some of his colleagues were impressed with me and he wanted to use that to his advantage. I would not be used.
“I’m not interested.” I said standing to leave.
“Your line of work can be very fickle.” He warned, although I knew it was not a warning, it was a threat.
“I’ll take my chances.” I told him, and I left.
I fumed the entire way home. I couldn’t believe his audacity. Did he actually believe I would just allow him to control my life again, that I would willingly fall back into his ranks? It would not happen.
When I got home I tried to push the portentous meeting out of my mind. I took a shower to clear my head and tried to think of the evening I had planned for Katherine. I decided I would take her out tonight, to a nice restaurant, and give her the ring. I was not nervous. She had already said yes, tonight would just make it official.
I called and made reservations for dinner, chose what I would wear, planned what I would say. I was so eager for her to get home. Finally I just sat and watched the clock.
I still had a few hours left until she would close the bakery and come home. I decided I would get some work done while I waited. I pulled out my client list and called the name on top.
“I’m sorry, we’ve decided to go another way.” the business owner told me.
My father worked fast. I called the next name on my list, only to hear a similar excuse. And so the pattern continued until I had called every potential client I had. Some of these people had called months ago, eager for my services and now none of them wanted me. I had been blacklisted. I knew my father was a powerful man, but even I was surprised at how quickly he had successfully interfered with my prospects.
When Katherine came home I tried to suppress the anger I was feeling, but she quickly saw through me.
“What is it?” She asked almost as soon as she’d walked through my door.
“It’s nothing.” I told her trying to smile. “We have plans tonight. I made dinner reservations for 6 o’clock.” She smiled, but still looked concerned. “Go get ready, I’ll meet you downstairs.” I feigned another smile and she reluctantly left to go get ready.
She looked stunning when she met me in the lobby. The red dress she wore hugged every curve of her magnificent body and took my breath away. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Looking into her eyes brought back the happiness I had felt earlier in the day and reminded me of the ring I had in my pocket. I smiled genuinely this time, and she smiled back.
“Where are we going?” She asked excitedly as we walked to her car hand in hand.
“It’s a surprise.” I told her winking.
“Then I guess you’re driving.” She laughed tossing me the keys and crossing over to the passenger side.
When we arrived at the restaurant we were seated quickly and I excused myself leaving her at the table while I went to talk with the waitress. I gave her the ring and asked if they could place it in a Champaign glass and bring it to the table. She agreed excitedly and commented on how beautiful the ring was.
“How about some Champaign?” I asked Katherine when I returned to the table.
“Sounds great.” She replied eagerly.
I signaled the waitress and she brought over the bottle of Champaign and two glasses. The glass she set in front of Katherine contained the ring. Katherine’s face lit up as soon as she saw it.
“Oh Michael!” She exclaimed as she retrieved the ring from the glass “It’s beautiful!” Tears ran down her face as I took the ring from her and slid it onto her finger.
“You have made me happier than I ever imagined possible.” She told me looking down at the ring on her finger.
“Marry me, and I will be the happiest man alive.” I told her, she looked up to meet my eyes and I leaned across the table to kiss her.
The waitress came back to the table and took our order. As we ate Katherine kept glancing down at the ring as if she was afraid it might disappear. I was so happy to be with her tonight, so happy to have her in my life. But in the back of my mind I thought of my father, I hated him for intruding on this otherwise perfect day.
“I put up some fliers at the Art Institute. I hope I can find someone to replace Amy before she leaves.” Katherine told me as we ate.
“When is she leaving again?” I asked contemplating a new possibility.
“Just a few weeks, I hope I can find someone in time. I’m not sure how I’m going to do it without her.” She told me absently pushing the remaining food around her plate.
“What about me?” I asked.
She stopped playing with her food and looked up at me.
“What do you mean?” She asked confused.
“I could help you at the bakery.” I offered casually, wondering how much I should tell her about what happened today.
“What about your painting?” She asked concerned.
I decided it was no use to try to keep anything from her.
“I saw my father today.” I told her, she still looked confused and even more concerned. “He asked me to come work for him, and I refused.” I explained.
“I don’t understand.” She said.
“My father is a very powerful man, he has interests and connections to many of the business’s around the city. I haven’t gone to see him since coming back to San Diego, but he heard I was back. He decided he wanted to capitalize on my success. When I refused he must have called in some favors. Every client on my list has changed his or her mind suddenly. I have no jobs lined up anymore.”
I looked down at the table embarrassed. I hadn’t wanted to discuss this tonight, but as always I couldn’t prevent myself from pouring out my feelings to Katherine.
“You can find other clients.” She insisted sounding angry. “You are very talented Michael, you can’t give up on your painting.”
“I won’t.” I assured her “I was getting tired of painting murals anyway.”
It was true, lately I had begun to feel stagnant in my work.
“Michael, I can hire anyone to help at the bakery. I won’t let you give up your dreams just to help me out.”
“I’m not.” I insisted. “I can still paint at night. That is if you’ll continue to be my willing subject.”
I smiled at her as she blushed. The last painting I had done of her was a nude, and she made me promise not to show anyone. I had done so reluctantly, because it had been my best work.
“Seriously Katherine, I’m ready to move on. I’ve been painting landscapes for several years now and I’m getting bored. This was a blessing in disguise. With all the clients I had lined up I could have been stuck doing this for years. He did me a favor really
.”
As I said this I realized it was true. She looked a little appeased, but still not totally convinced.
“And you’re sure you want to work at a bakery?” She asked eyeing me critically.
“I want to work at your bakery.” I told her “You are my inspiration after all. Watching you all day will inspire me to paint at night.”
“It better” she insisted trying to look stern. “If you stop painting I will fire you!” She threatened and I laughed.
“It’s settled then. When do I start?” I asked smiling.
I loved the idea of spending the days with her but she looked torn.
“I guess whenever you want. If you start before Amy leaves she can show you the ropes.” She looked deep in thought.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked again.
“Absolutely! What time tomorrow?”
I was excited at this turn of events. All the anger from the day had washed away. For all his effort my father had not succeeded.
“Amy usually comes in just before we open at 5.” She said smiling at my enthusiasm.
“What time do you go in?” I asked.
I knew that she left long before sunrise but I had never paid attention to the time before.
“Around 3.” She said casually.
“Three AM!” I exclaimed “Now I feel really bad for keeping you up so late every night!”
She laughed.
“It’s worth it.” She said “I don’t mind.”
“Well I do. You need your sleep.” I looked at my watch and it was just after 8. “It’s almost time for bed, we have an early morning tomorrow.”
Chapter 23: The Future
The day after Michael proposed he took me out for dinner. He gave me a beautiful ring and as we ate I stared at the ring thinking about how perfect my life finally was. Then Michael surprised me by offering to work with me at the bakery now that Amy was leaving. I tried to refuse.
As much as I loved the idea of having him with me at the shop I couldn’t allow him to put his career aside. He explained that he’d lost all of his clients due to his father’s interference. I was shocked. I knew very little about Michael’s father, he didn’t speak about him often. I was outraged that he had attempted to ruin Michael’s prospects as an artist.