ArtemisSmith's ODD GIRL Restored by Artemis Smith

Author:Artemis Smith
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Social Science, Gay, General, United States, Fiction, Feminism & Feminist Theory, History
ISBN: 9781878998347
Publisher: Savant Garde Workshop'
Published: 2010-10-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

The narrow street was busy with early evening shoppers. It was the most popular street in the Village and had its sidewalks crowded with racks and merchandise—Japanese baskets, modern furniture, paintings, pottery, fruit stands, all side by side. It was a street from the Paris Esther had described. Anne had never walked like this before, looking at everything closely as she went. Thanksgiving was Thursday and the street was particularly crowded in anticipation. Anne wished Esther were walking with her. She felt so much alone now, almost like calling Beth again, just to speak to someone, just to hide her head and cry.

I'm going to have fun, she said to herself, I'm going to find someone who likes fun and we'll have fun together. I'm going to forget everything and everyone and break loose.

She stopped in front of the small restaurant that was so expensive. She would eat here, by the window.

She opened the door and entered shyly, wondering if the management would object to her slacks. But they did not. Odd apparel was normal in the Village.

It was warm inside and dark, the room lit only by the candles on tops of tables. Anne turned toward the table at the window and then stopped, disappointed. Someone had taken it already, a tall woman also in slacks. Anne went to sit at the empty table next to her, hoping remotely to catch her eye.

She looked familiar. Anne could not place her at first—and then she remembered the tall girl that had met Esther at Paradise. Of course—this was the same one, that tall artist. What luck! Anne would have someone to talk to for a while. She broke through her wall of shyness and decided to try conversation. It was a strange thing for her to do—she never spoke first to anyone. But tonight was different. Tonight Anne was changing.

"Hello, there," she said, trying not to seem nervous.

The woman looked up vaguely at her and smiled slightly.

"Don't you remember?" Anne said. "We met the other night—I'm a friend of Esther's."

"Oh, yes," the woman smiled. She relaxed' and her eyes became friendly. "Is Esther joining you?"

"No, I'm here alone," Anne said. She felt embarrassed. She was glad she had said hello, but now everything was awkward. There seemed to be nothing else for her to say.

The waiter came to take her order. She glanced down at the menu and picked out next to the cheapest item. It was chopped sirloin. "And a Daiquiri," she said.

The waiter went away again and Anne again had nothing to do. She glanced sidewise at the woman and then back to her own hands on the table.

"Do you come here often?" the woman asked.

"I can't afford such luxury," Anne laughed, feeling relieved that she had been spoken to. "And you?"

"I'm celebrating, too," the woman said.

"Oh, I'm not celebrating," Anne said. "I'm consoling myself." It was easier to speak to her and Anne relaxed a little. "What are you celebrating?"

"I've sold a mural," she said with pride.

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