Night Swimming by Robin Schwarz

Author:Robin Schwarz [SCHWARZ, ROBIN]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780446557009
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2009-02-28T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 38

DOLLY, COME OVER AND LOOK at my new painting,” Blossom said. When she hung up the phone, she went immediately to the window and called out, “Skip, come up and look at my new painting.” Skip arrived first.

“Thank you for those tickets, Blossom. They were amazing. Do you know where we sat?”

Yes, I know exactly where you sat. “Where?”

“Third row, center. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

Yes, the whole evening was like that for me, too. “Oh, good.”‘

“And, Blossom...”

“Yes?”

“Your present, the box, it’s so nice. Thank you.”

“What are you going to keep in it?”

“I don’t know. Right now it’s just out on my coffee table.”

“Well, it seemed to be you, with your initials and everything. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you, is Skip your real name?” “Actually, no. My dad is Dennis Loggins, and I’m Dennis Loggins Jr., so somehow I got the nickname Skip.”

“Oh, well, still, S. L. seems like you.”

“Without a doubt. I wouldn’t have any other initials on it. I’m Skip, just like you’re Blossom.” Blossom smiled. Not exactly.

Finally, Dolly arrived, and Blossom was all excited about presenting her newest magnum opus. She corralled both her guests into the living room.

“Ta-da,” Blossom said, pointing toward the Hockney that now replaced the print Skip had hung. Both Skip and Dolly were taken aback.

“An original David Hockney?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“I just know,” Dolly said.

“It’s wonderful, Blossom,” Skip added, looking more closely at the pulpy paper.

“Don’t you love it?”

“Yes, Blossom, I do, I love it,” Skip said.

“It’s not a copy, either. It’s an original. I even met the artist. He was so nice.”

“You did?” Both Dolly and Skip were doubly impressed. “He’s quite famous, you know,” Dolly said.

“Yes, I know. I mean, I know now. I didn’t know before I bought it, but I know now.”

“You just bought this painting like that?” Skip asked.

“Yup. Sometimes you just gotta go for it.”

“Good for you, Blossom. It’s a wonderful piece,” he said. “Only someone like you could come home with a Hockney, just because.” This made Blossom smile. “I’m sorry to rush out, but I left the water running downstairs so I gotta go—but thanks for calling me up and showing it to me. It’s fantastic.”

“Oh, you’re welcome, you’re welcome,” Blossom said, still beaming. When Skip left, she turned to Dolly.

“I want to tell you something, Dolly,” she said gravely. “If anything happens to me, I want you to take this painting. I want you to have it.”

“Don’t say that, Blossom! Nothing is going to happen to you.”

“I know, but if it does, promise me you’ll take the painting.”

“Blossom!”

“No, Dolly, just promise me.”

“If something happens to you?”

“Yes.”

“But nothing’s gonna happen to you.”

“Dolly!”

“Okay, okay—if anything happens to you.”

“If anything happens to me, what?”

“I’ll take the painting.”

“Good.”

“Wanna glass of hemlock?”

They both laughed at Dolly’s unexpected joke. “I can’t believe I said that.”

“Yes, you can,” Blossom giggled.

“You seem to be feeling a little better, Blossom, honey. Are you?”

“I am, Dolly.”

“You put that love thing into its right perspective?”

“I think I did.

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