Fire and Rain by Chamberlain Diana

Author:Chamberlain, Diana [Chamberlain, Diana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780340595411
Amazon: 0340595418
Goodreads: 202871749
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
Published: 1999-12-31T08:00:00+00:00

27

FROM WHERE SHE STOOD in the art supply store with Jeff, Mia could feel the pull of the Lesser Gallery. They’d driven to San Diego to get some materials for the fountain and while she’d been piling clay into her cart, her gaze had drifted to the front window of the store. In the distance, she could just make out the corner of the pink stucco building that housed the gallery. The local artisans’ show in which her own work was to be displayed had opened there the day before.

She was loading her supplies onto the checkout counter when she realized she hadn’t picked up the steel rods she would need for the armature. “I can’t believe I forgot them, of all things,” she said to Jeff as they made their way to the back of the store again.

“You’re distracted,” Jeff said. “You’ve been distracted since we walked in here.”

“I should have made a list of what I needed.” She pulled the rods from a bin. “I usually make a list.”

Once back at the checkout counter, she insisted on paying for the materials. Jeff protested, but she ignored him as she wrote out the check.

“Wrong amount.” Jeff peered over her shoulder.

He was right. The supplies came to $87.78; she’d written the check for $78.78. She tore it up and started over again.

She was quiet as they left the store, but once in his car, Jeff turned to face her. “Okay, Mia,” he said. “Where exactly is your head today?”

She tapped her fingers mindlessly on the window sill, debating with herself over whether or not to tell him. “Well,” she said finally, “we’re about two blocks from the Lesser Gallery. There’s a showing of local sculptors’ work there, including some of my own.”

He followed her gaze in the direction of the pink stucco building. “Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked. “Let’s go.”

She shook her head. “I’d rather not.”

“Well, I want to go. You can stay in the car, if you like.” He turned the key in the ignition and pointed toward the gallery. “That way?”

She squirmed lower in her seat. “Yes.”

A blue Volvo was pulling out of a spot in front of the gallery and Jeff slipped in after it. Mia looked at the broad arched front door of the building. A few people were milling around on the steps, some walking into the gallery, some out. She felt torn. She longed to see her work again, to see how they had displayed it, but she had cut herself off from this life. She didn’t belong here.

Jeff unfastened his seat belt. “Okay, let’s have it,” he said. “Tell me what’s wrong.”’

She looked at him squarely. “I don’t want to see anyone I know. And some of Glen’s work will be in the show. He might be here. I don’t want to see him. I can’t see him.”

“Ah, the old boyfriend, right?”

She nodded.

Jeff reached behind his seat and extracted a brown Padre cap from the floor. He set it on her head, pulling the brim low.

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