Kaleidoscope Eyes

by Karen Ball

  Jayce leaned against the wall. “So what’d she do to deserve all that?”

  Annie brushed the crumbs off her hands. “That, dear boy, is between me and my dog.”

  “Yeah, well it must have been something pretty great.”

  Annie found Jed watching her and a smile filled her features as fully as joy filled her heart. “Oh believe me, it was.”

  TWENTY-SIX

  “Art attracts us only by what

  it reveals of our most secret self ”

  JEAN-LUC GODARD

  “For we are God’s masterpiece.

  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

  so that we can do the good things

  he planned for us long ago.”

  EPHESIANS 2:10

  Annie hesitated, fingers curled on the large silver door handle. Oh, how she’d been dreading this. But she’d avoided it long enough. Time to buckle down and face the music.

  She opened the door and walked inside, immediately taken as always by the elegant ambiance that was Expressions. Killian’s gallery wasn’t just a place where artists showed their work; it was a place where art dwelled. Where it breathed and lived and touched anyone who entered.

  It still amazed her to see her own works displayed here, in an alcove with her name over the entrance. Whatever hassles she had to endure from Killian, she needed to remember how much she owed him.

  “Well, to what do I owe this surprise?”

  She drew in a deep breath, then turned to face her less-than-pleased friend. “Hey, Killie.”

  “Keep your heys to yourself. Where’s my window?”

  She bit back the sharp response. “Serafina’s window is in my studio. I’m working on it.”

  “Oh? You mean you’ve actually carved out time in between jaunts to the mountains and trysts with the new man in your life?”

  “Killian, be fair.”

  Ryan came up from behind them, stepping past Killian to put his arms out and give Annie a warm hug. When he turned back to Killian, he kept one arm around Annie. “You know you don’t mean the awful things you say to Annie, so why on earth do you even say them?”

  Killian’s features darkened for a moment, and Annie thought he’d surely blow a gasket. Then as suddenly as they appeared, the dark clouds dissipated from his features. He waved his hands in the air. “Oh, fine! You’re right, Ryan. Of course, you’re right.” He brushed Ryan aside and drew Annie into a tight hug.

  She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or just a bit frightened by the sudden change. Then Killian took hold of her shoulders and set her at arm’s length.

  “I’m sorry, Annie. I’ve been a real jerk about this. I just … ” He dropped his hands. “I don’t know. I guess I was jealous.”

  Surprise struck her mute for a moment. “Jealous? Killie, of what?”

  “I think I can answer that.” Ryan put a hand on his boss’s shoulder. “Killian has considered himself your primary support and encouragement for a lot of years, Annie.”

  She gave a slow nod. “Because he has been.”

  “Right. But with someone new in your life now, someone with a romantic connection, that’s going to change.”

  She stared at Ryan, then at Killian. “What? Why? Surely you don’t think our friendship will change just because I fall in … in … ”

  The expression on Killian’s face said it all. He did think that. And if she was honest with herself, she’d admit he was right. For all of Killian’s persnickety ways, she’d leaned on him for years. But now it wasn’t Killian she wanted to talk with when she was troubled or happy or even just thoughtful.

  It was Jed.

  She went forward to take her friend’s hands in her own. “Oh, Killie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t think … ”

  He looked down at their joined hands, then back up at her. “I know, Annie.”

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “You don’t need to say anything.” He squeezed her hands, then let her go. “I understand. Completely But understanding doesn’t make it any easier to accept.” As though unable to endure the tenor of their conversation another moment, Killian spun on his heel and headed toward the back of the gallery. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must get back to unpacking the shipment that came in today.”

  Annie barely got a good-bye out before he vanished into the back rooms. She stood there, staring after her friend, as miserable as she could remember being in a long time.

  A hand on her shoulder told her Ryan was still there.

  “He’ll be okay, Annie. He still has your art. And no one can replace him in that.”

  “No. He can’t.”

  Ryan nodded. “Right. Everything will work out if you just give him time.”

  “Ryan, get in here! I can’t do this by myself, you know!”

  At the bellow from the back room, Ryan’s smile turned a shade longsuffering. “The master calls, and I must answer.”

  “How do you stand it, Ryan? I mean, I love the man. But he can be a total pain sometimes.”

  Ryan crossed his arms. “Killian’s a genius at what he does, and I need to learn from him. I can put with up a lot from geniuses.”

  “I’m glad someone can.”

  He started toward the back rooms. “Give us a call when you’re done with our window, Annie.”

  Our window.

  Apparently, Annie thought as she turned to leave the gallery, Ryan was already learning way too much.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  “Do not be afraid of tomorrow; for God is already there.”

  ANONYMOUS

  “You will have courage because you will have hope.

  You will be protected and will rest in safety.”

  JOB 11:18

  OCTOBER 11

  1:30 p.m.

  “ ’Nother story, Mommy”

  Amberly’s request was delivered by way of a huge yawn, and Brianna stroked her little girls hair back as they lay together in the chaise lounge chair. It was a beautiful autumn day. The sky was clear, and the sun was just warm enough to make them drowsy.

  She fought not to echo her little girl’s yawn. “Are you sure, sweetie? Wouldn’t you rather take a nap? You seem awful sleepy.”

  Amberly forced her heavy eyelids open. “No, I’m not. Please?”

  “Okay Do you want to hear about another angel, or shall I tell you about some of the animals in the woods around us?”

  “Angel.” Amberly snuggled up against Bree, her eyelids drifting shut. “I love stories ’bout angels.” Her eyes flew open. “Oh! I know! Tell me ’bout Noah’s angel.”

  Noah’s angel? “I’m not sure I know about that one, honey.”

  Amberly sat up. “Sure you do, Mommy. You told me all ’bout him. Michael, the ark angel.”

  Bree clamped down the giggle trying to escape. “Oh, that ark angel.” She’d correct her daughter later. What mattered most right now wasn’t correct pronunciation, but this precious time they had together. “Michael was the strongest, most courageous of all angels … ”

  Amberly’s fidgeting stilled, and soon her breathing was deep and even. Bree cuddled her daughter close.

  Mark and Annie couldn’t have been more right. This was exactly what she needed.

  Annie sat on top of the picnic table, sketch pad in her lap, pencil flying as she transferred images of Jayce and Kodi from reality to the paper.

  Good thing Jayce had asked to stay with her over the weekend. He was the perfect model for helping her get body positions and movement down before she tried to create them in glass. It was one thing to look. at photos and books and another entirely to watch the way someone moved, the interplay of bone and muscle, the flow of athletic grace.

  Jayce waved at her, and Annie nodded, unwilling to stop the sketching, even as he trotted toward her, Kodi at his side. She’d filled several pages already, but she needed more. Serafina’s window was coming together, piece by piece. But there was still so much to do. So much to figure out. Too much of the patter
n, the images, were vague impressions in her mind. She needed to get as much as she could out of her head and down on paper.

  “Drink break,” Jayce gasped.

  She realized he was dripping sweat and jumped off the picnic table. “Oh, Jayce, I’m so sorry!”

  He swiped an arm across his wet brow. “Not to worry, Auntie A. Buy me a mondo Dr. Pepper and I’ll forgive you.”

  “Deal.” She gathered her sketch pad and pencils and slipped them into the backpack as Jayce clipped Kodi’s leash in place. “And do me a favor?”

  Her nephew grinned at her. “Sure. What?”

  She hiked the backpack onto one shoulder. “Don’t tell your folks I almost ran you into the ground at the dog park, okay?”

  Jayce’s blue eyes sparkled. “Well, I don’t know … ”

  “I’ll buy you a burger and fries to go with your pop.”

  Ah, nothing like food to bribe a teenage boy. Jayce licked his lips. “Toss in a chocolate sundae, and you’ve got a deal.”

  “Done.”

  “You know what?” Jayce led Kodi from the dog park and fell into step beside Annie.

  “What’s that?”

  His grin spread from ear to ear. “I’d have settled for just the burger and fries.”

  “Yeah? Well, you know what?”

  “What?”

  She poked him with her elbow. “I’d have bought you two burgers and four sundaes to duck another lecture from your dad.”

  Jayce raised his gaze to the skies. “Now she tells me!”

  “Live and learn, grasshopper.” She tossed an arm around his shoulders. “Never give in too soon.”

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  “Nothing is easier than self-deceit.

  For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.”

  DIANE ARBUS

  “Both hands are skilled in doing evil.”

  MICAH 7:3, NIV

  He watched them, excitement curling deep in his gut.

  He’d been right. Right to come here. Right to come after her.

  She was the one. The one he’d been searching for. The one who would make everything right again.

  The only question now was how …

  How to get to her. She was surrounded by family at all times. Protected, as one so precious should be. But that wouldn’t stop him.

  He had to have her. And have her he would.

  The notes had set the stage. Now that he’d found his star, all he had to do was put his plan into action. Tomorrow.

  “Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow … ”

  He could hardly wait.

  TWENTY-NINE

  “In the midst of our dark and foggy times,

  all sorts of voices are shouting orders into the night,

  telling us what to do, how to adjust our lives.

  Out of the darkness, one voice signals something

  quite opposite to the rest—something almost absurd.

  But the voice happens to be the Light of the World,

  and we ignore it at our peril.”

  PAUL AIELLO JR.

  “I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn.”

  PSALM 142:3

  OCTOBER 13

  8:30 a.m.

  He had to tell Annie the truth.

  Jed hated the idea with every ounce of his being. Would sell everything he possessed to not do it. He’d sat here in the restaurant, mainlining coffee, for the last two hours, trying to devise a way out of it.

  All of which told him he had to do it.

  Not because of any supposed guilt. Not because it was, in some biblical sense, the right thing to do. But because he cared about Annie. More than he’d imagined possible after knowing her for so short a time. It was as though everything inside him had been waiting for her to bring it to life. Pushy, demanding, impossible life.

  He slurped another swallow of coffee, not caring that it nearly scalded his tongue, then focused on the TV above the bar. An old black and white western was on. Jed had never really liked those old movies, but suddenly he was nearly overcome with a longing for life that simple. A life where there were no grays and the good guys and bad guys were clearly delineated.

  What part would you play in such a world? Certainly not one of the good guys. Jed swirled the coffee in his mug.

  No. Certainly not.

  He’d never considered himself a bad guy before. He’d always been sure his hat was pure white. But now … well, there was no other way to see it.

  He was covered in black. What had he done to himself?

  No, that wasn’t right. He hadn’t done this. Annie had. She’d ruined everything.

  He’d been so content alone. So sure utter avoidance was the safest way to deal with the roiling waters of relationships—waters that upended his parents’ marriage, drowning it in churning anger and hurt.

  And now? He couldn’t close his eyes without seeing her face. Couldn’t listen to music without hearing the melody of her laughter. As for fathoming one more day—let alone an entire future—alone, without her?

  Yeah. Right.

  So quit whining about it, Curry. Work through it What are your options?

  Options. Okay. As he saw it, he had two: Walk away before he got in too deep. Or tell her the truth.

  If he took the first option, Silas would never let him forget how he’d wasted his time and the backers’ money His career would suffer. The show would suffer.

  Jed plunked his coffee mug back on the table with a bang. Who was he kidding? He’d suffer. Before he got in too deep? He was there, man. And beyond. He was so deep he’d never get out. Forget option one.

  Which left him where he was about two pots of coffee ago: He had to tell Annie the truth. Best case scenario, she’d understand. She was a loving, giving woman. She’d see he had no choice. He needed her for the show, and the only way that would happen was to get her to trust him. So he’d come to her, pretended to be someone he wasn’t, lied to her, deceived her …

  Jed rubbed his throbbing temples. Oh, man. This was not going to be pretty.

  “Got a headache?”

  He glanced up to find Andy standing beside the table. Jed pushed out a chair with his foot. “Take a load off.” He nodded toward the TV “Your favorite kind of show is on.”

  Andy turned. “Westerns? Outstanding!” He grabbed the chair and shifted it to the side so he could watch the TV then laid a tape on the table and eyed Jed as he sat down. “You were up early.”

  Jed leaned forward to stare into his mug. People read tea leaves, right? Maybe he could read the coffee grounds to find out what he should do. “I had a lot on my mind.”

  Andy didn’t comment. Just perused the menu, signaled the waiter, and ordered the “Hungry Man’s Feast”: pancakes, eggs, hash browns, bacon, OJ, and coffee. “Oh, and can I have one of those big cinnamon rolls too, please?”

  Jed grimaced as the waiter walked away “How can you eat all of that?”

  “How can you not?” Andy pulled one of the empty chairs close and propped his feet on it. “I take it you’re not eating?”

  The grimace deepened. “I’m not hungry.”

  “Uh-huh. I’ve heard a first course of crow can do that to a man.”

  Jed didn’t dignify that with a response.

  “So what’s up?”

  He met Andy’s assessing gaze. “Don’t you want to watch your western?”

  “I’ve seen this one before. Now spill. What’s up?”

  “Anyone ever tell you you’re too perceptive by half?”

  “Yeah. You.”

  The waiter returned to fill Andy’s coffee mug. Andy stopped him when the cup was half full. “We’ll need more creamer too.”

  The waiter glanced at the table, then moved the little pitcher of cream in front of Andy—who upended half the cream into his mug, then set it down. “Like I said, we’ll need more.”

  With wide-eyed assent, the waiter moved away as Andy lifted the sugar and sent a stream chasing after t
he creamer. He stirred the concoction, then took a long, appreciative drink. “Ah.” He smacked his lips. “Perfect.”

  Jed cocked his head. “No actual coffee beans were injured in the creation of this drink.”

  “Hey, it’s better than the sludge you call coffee.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do, and you know I’m always right. Speaking of which … ” He nudged the tape he’d set on the table toward Jed.

  “What’s this?”

  “Something I put together for you.” Andy’s eyes stayed fixed on him. “Something you need to watch.”

  Jed set the tape beside his coffee mug. “Sure. I’ll get to it soon.”

  “Get to it now.”

  He frowned. “It’s that important?”

  Andy didn’t respond. He didn’t need to. Jed saw the answer in his steady stare.

  It was that important.

  “Okay, let me finish my coffee, and I’ll go back to the room and check it out.”

  That must have satisfied Andy, because he turned his focus to the TV Good. Jed didn’t feel like answering any more questions.

  “You’re going to tell her, aren’t you?”

  Jed opened his mouth to tell Andy to mind his own stinkin’ business, but something entirely different came out: “I’ve got to. It’s gonna drive me nuts if I don’t.”

  “Good.”

  “That it’s driving me crazy?”

  Andy inclined his head, though his gaze was fixed on the TV “Yeah, that too. Proves there’s hope for yo—”

  Jed jumped when Andy’s hand shot out and grabbed, his arm. “What are you doing?” He tried to pry Andy’s hand loose, but the younger man’s grip just tightened.

  “Jed!”

  “Will you let go of me?”

  “Jed, look!”

  He turned to glance up at the TV and froze.

  Annie.

  Annie was on the TV And Kodi.

  Andy scrambled for the TV remote, leaning on the bar as he turned up the volume just in time to catch Jed’s voice.

  “… most riveting episode of Everyday Heroes yet. Don’t miss it.”