Chapter Thirty-Three Before—Poppy
| Thirty-Three |
Before—Poppy
When Bennett walked in the door, he was smiling from ear to ear.
“I have some news,” he said, walking over to where I was sitting with my book and taking a seat across from me.
“What is it?”
“You know the gallery in the next town over? Stone and Sky?”
“Of course. I’ve queried them and even stopped by but heard nothing back.”
“Well, good news. The owner was looking for a partner. You’re looking at him.”
It took a minute for what he said to sink in. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m part owner. You’re going to have a show!”
For a moment, I was too shocked to speak. This was not the way I wanted to make a name in the art community. “Bennett, why would you do that without talking to me?”
His face fell. “I thought you’d be happy. I wanted to surprise you.”
I threw my book down and stood up. “How would you feel if I bought a publishing company so your book could be published?”
He scoffed. “That’s totally different.”
“How? I want to get a show based on the merit of my work, not because my husband paid to secure me a spot.”
“Poppy, you’re being ridiculous. A show is simply a way for your work to be seen by critics, buyers. They’ll determine whether it has merit, not a gallery owner. It’s no different from someone referring me to an agent or a publisher.”
“But I don’t see it that way. This feels like cheating!”
He shook his head. “Everything comes down to who you know. This is a good thing. Please, don’t throw this chance away. I want to do this for you. You’re so talented. It’s time others see your work. Trust me, plenty of other artists have gotten discovered because someone gave them a leg up.”
He looked so earnest. So sincere. My resolve melted, and I suppose it really was a good opportunity. “Okay, I guess.”
He pulled something from the bag I hadn’t even noticed he was holding. A bottle of Krug champagne. “Come on, let’s celebrate.”
—
Now that the show was in two days, I couldn’t deny that I was excited.
Bennett’s agent invited lots of book people from the city, and I reached out to some friends as well.
Henri insisted on overseeing the food and beverages for the evening, and I was sure he was driving the gallery manager crazy, but I loved him for it.
Isabel just arrived and was making a long weekend of it.
It was so good to see her again. We became fast friends, both of us united against Bennett’s occasional obtuseness.
It was all in good fun, and he loved having her around as well.
I poured two glasses of pinot grigio and waited for her by the pool.
White twinkle lights hung on the wooden fencing gave the space a magical feel.
I loved sitting out here and wished the weather stayed warm longer.
It always went by too fast. It was a warm July night, but the breeze made it tolerable.
I streamed some background music on my phone and connected it on the outside speaker to set the mood.
I looked up as she walked over, looking elegant as always in white linen pants and a sleeveless black top.
She took a seat next to me in the cushioned lounge chair, and I handed her a glass.
“Cheers,” I said as we clinked.
“Here’s to you,” she answered, then took a sip. “So good. Just what I needed.”
I positioned myself on my side so that I was facing her. “Thanks again for coming. I’m so glad to have you here for this.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’m so proud of you! I can’t wait to buy everything up.”
I laughed. “No, you don’t! Let’s see if objective buyers are interested.”
“Who says I’m not objective?”
“Seriously,” I warned.
She shrugged. “Okay. But I do love your piece on memory. You can’t stop me from bidding on that one.”
“Fine,” I said, taking a long sip from my glass. “So, what’s happening with you. Still seeing Brad?”
She raised her brows. “Yeah. Things are heating up in a good way. But I’m not sure he’s the one.”
“What’s missing? He’s gorgeous. A doctor. Devoted. That last weekend we all spent in the Hamptons you looked so happy.”
“He’s all those things, but he’s just not that funny.”
I burst out laughing. “You mean he doesn’t have our juvenile sense of humor?” She and I cracked up over the silliest things. It could be a look, a word someone said, anything. We seemed to have some sort of mind meld.
She gave me a conceding look. “Yeah. Why can’t I have the same kind of fun with him that I do with you?” She looked up at the sky. “You know, I read that our best friends are actually our soulmates. Not in a romantic way. I think you’re mine.”
I reached out a hand to squeeze hers. “I feel the same. And don’t tell him I told you, but Bennett’s not as funny as you.”
Her eyes danced with laughter and once again we were doubled over in tears laughing.
When we finally stopped, she sighed. “I guess you’re right. I’m not being fair. Maybe Brad is a keeper.”
“Not to change the subject, but what’s the deal with Felicia?” I asked.
“What do you mean?”
“She’s very possessive of Bennett. She hasn’t made me feel very welcome and honestly, I think it’s a bit weird that she lives on the property. It’s like she doesn’t have a life of her own.”
Isabel took a sip from her glass and leaned back in the chair, closing her eyes for a moment, then sat back up and looked at me.
“You have to understand. Felicia has taken care of Bennett from the time he was a baby. His mother, like mine, was always more dedicated to her charities than her family. You hear about emotional poverty being as detrimental as financial. He and I both felt that. Felicia eased that loneliness for Bennett. He was given everything money could buy except time and attention. Felicia gave him the attention they never did. She’s protective of him, and he loves her. She’ll come around.”
“She seems to like you well enough. Even baked you a cake!”
“You girls look like you’re having a good time,” Bennett said as he approached. He sat on one of the chairs by the table.
“Always,” I said smiling.
He looked at Isabel. “Poppy said you two had fun in New York. What did you think of Henri?”
Isabel glanced at me before answering. I’ve told her how Bennett feels about him. “He is a lot of fun. I can see why Poppy likes hanging out with him.”
“I don’t care for him. I think he’s a bad influence.”
“Okay, Dad!” she said, and we both burst out laughing.
His expression hardened, but he quickly covered his anger with a smile. “Aren’t we proud of our little Poppy?” he said to Isabel. “Her first show. I’m so happy to have made it happen for her.”
My stomach tightened, and the smile froze on my face. I hadn’t told Isabel about his investment.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I invested in the gallery.”
“Oh. Well, that’s, um, that’s great, I—”
I wanted to wipe that self-satisfied smile off his face.
“He surprised me. I didn’t want him to do it, but he insisted that my art would stand on its own. I guess we’ll see what happens at the show.”
Bennett stood up and walked over to the table next to me, then picked up my wine glass, draining it. Get your own fucking wine, I wanted to say.
“Poppy would probably have scored her own show eventually, but I just wanted to help it along. Her studio was getting crowded with all those pieces and no one to buy them.”
Isabel’s face mirrored the embarrassment I felt. “And then you wouldn’t get to feel like big man on campus, right?” she said.
He laughed it off, seemingly oblivious to the cut. “Iz, you know me so well. Can’t help it if I like to share the wealth. What’s money for if you can’t use it to help those you love?”
Or control them, I thought. I was beginning to wonder if that was why his last fiancée never made it to the altar.