Petra's Canvas by Ann Roberts

Author:Ann Roberts [Roberts, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
ISBN: 9781594932311
Publisher: Bella Books
Published: 2011-06-14T05:00:00+00:00

Petra’s Canvas 119

The epitome of manners, she turned to Dani and smiled.

“Nan, I’m sure you remember my daughter Catarina and this is Dani O’Grady. She’s from New York.”

Nan Speaker eyed her from head to toe in a nanosecond as she extended her hand. Dani knew when she was being checked out. It was a surreptitious lingering glance exchanged between gays in the presence of clueless straight people. More than a few times she’d offered the secret stare to business colleagues and new clients. It was a greeting that created an instant connection and often paved the way for a smooth transaction or an opportunity to hook up later.

“It’s a pleasure,” Nan said.

Nan and Olivia continued to chat with the familiarity of small-town residents who saw each other often, oblivious to Dani and Cat.

“We used to call her Speaker the Shrieker since yelling was the only way she could control us,” Cat whispered.

Nan’s gaze finally acknowledged her and she automatically frowned. “Catarina, are you staying out of trouble?”

“Yes, Ms. Speaker,” she answered with a sing-song reply.

“I’m in grad school.”

Nan’s poorly applied blue eye shadow arched as her eyes widened. “Really,” she said, motioning for them to sit on a nearby loveseat. “I didn’t think college would be your thing.”

“I’m studying art.”

“I see. And what do you plan to do with this degree?”

Dani saw that Nan’s judgmental expression was matched by Olivia, who sat with her arms folded next to her, two interroga-tors picking at their suspect.

“I hope to work at the Met and perhaps sell my own sculptures as well,” she said confidently.

Her condescending smile conveyed what she thought of Cat’s plan. She clapped her hands together as if to signal the end of the pleasantries. “Well, what can I do for you both, and Ms.

O’Grady,” she quickly added, offering Dani a smile.

Olivia took charge and touched her arm. “Actually we came 120 Ann Roberts

to talk to Ms. B. I can’t believe I missed her obituary,” she said, shaking her head. “You’d think as a selectman I’d be on top of these things.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Olivia. So what were you going to discuss with Lucille? Perhaps I can help.”

“I doubt you can,” Cat said sharply.

Olivia held up her hand to silence her and said, “Catarina says she’s bisexual and most everyone knows it but me. Is that true? Did you know or ever suspect?”

Her jaw dropped and the cool exterior melted away like snow under an April sun. Her face turned pale, but no one seemed to notice except Dani. Nan nervously swept her hair out of her face and let out a slight gasp.

“I had no idea,” she said.

Cat rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You mean to tell me you didn’t suspect after you suspended me for smoking in the bathroom?”

She shook her head automatically. “What does that have to do with this question?”

“You caught me and Jen Maroney sucking face while we were holding the cigarettes. I begged you not to tell my mom about that, remember? And you agreed?”

Her head continued to move from side to side in obvious denial.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.