39. Kaycia
Chapter 39
Kaycia
I toss and turn on the pull-out sofa in Jamila and Raquel’s cramped living room trying to get comfortable. I fail miserably at fighting the anxious energy that fizzes through me and end up staring at the overstuffed bookshelves in the streetlight that shines through the cracks in the blinds. Even though I checked in at the gallery and everything is hung perfectly, I worry that no one will show up.
What if it’s just my friends, me, and a disappointed Kelly?
What if they’ve all been telling me my work is great to make me feel better when it’s really trash?
Stop it, Kaycia , I scold myself.
I know my work is good. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t have this opportunity. Strangers aren’t nice to you for no reason, and when I first reached out Kelly was a stranger. She invited me to her gallery based on the merit of my work, not my personality. She wouldn’t risk her or her gallery’s reputation for an unknown if she didn’t believe in my talent.
Adding to my nervousness, Shane has been exceptionally quiet this evening. He texted to say goodnight hours ago with very few words, and I worry that being forced into close proximity so quickly was a mistake. What if he’s regretting the speed of everything now that I’m not underfoot and he’s had a chance to breathe?
Stop. It. He’s probably tired. And he has his own problems, you insufferable worrier.
It’s true. Shane has a lot to deal with now that his past is resurfacing, the remorse over everything that happened is like a fog dimming him. I wish I could be there with him tonight, but I get the impression that he’s used to working things out on his own. The added pressure of letting me in on all his secrets might be adding even more of a strain. With a heavy sigh, I roll around for another hour or so before finally falling asleep shortly before dawn.
Aromatic, dark roast coffee drags me off the sofa bed around nine o’clock. Raquel is in a tank top and boxers sitting on the countertop next to Jamila who wears a romantic, silky nightgown while scrambling eggs in a bowl. Raquel holds out an empty mug from the little mug tree so I can pour a cup of the enticing coffee before speaking.
“Good morning,” Jamila greets with a raised brow. “Rough night?”
“Oh gods, do I look that bad?” I question with a grimace, pushing my hair back to try to straighten it a bit.
“I could hear you tossing and turning,” Raquel offers.
“I’m sorry.”
“No, no. I’m up late all the time. Practically nocturnal.” She crinkles her nose in jest. “You didn’t keep me up. You okay though?”
“I’m just keyed up about tonight. I’m not sure what to wear or how to do my hair or how to act. It’s nerve-wracking to talk to strangers about my paintings and that’s exactly what I have to be prepared to do. And Shane was weirdly quiet last night,” I blurt in a single breath. “Sorry, I’m spiraling a little. I sound like some high school girl worrying over her crush.” I cup the coffee mug between my palms, wishing I could drown myself in the bitter depths.
“Enough of that,” Raquel snaps. Jamila gives her a stern look before pouring the eggs into a hot skillet. Raquel shrugs, then adds, checking points off on her tattooed fingers, “Your art is amazing and you’re a bad bitch. You’re going to kill it tonight regardless of what you wear. And Shane would crawl across broken glass on his hands and knees for you, you don’t have to worry about his feelings. He’s just a moody fucker sometimes.”
“That’s true,” Jamila chimes in, simultaneously scrambling the eggs and popping sliced bagels in the toaster. “On all counts.”
Reassured by Raquel and Jamila’s pep talk, my mood shifts from worried anxiety to a manic hum of excitement. We combine my packed clothes with some of Raquel and Jamila’s to perfect my ensemble for the evening. I pack my backpack with sneakers, a t-shirt and jeans, and my riding jacket to keep in Jamila’s car so I can change after the show and ride back to the cabin with Shane. The leather pants, flowing floral silk blouse, and heels I selected for the event won’t cut it on the back of his bike for a couple of hours.
As I’m blow-drying my hair, a text from Shane pops up. Short and sweet, it relieves the tension that’s crushed me all morning.
Shane
I’m so proud of you and I love you, Kaycia. Don’t ever forget that.
My reply text is left unread—a quick selfie in the full-length mirror blowing him a kiss—but I can picture him on his bike heading back to the city. He wouldn’t risk checking the message on the road. I have so much to do before I catch a ride to Red Lark with Jamila that I ignore the tickle of worry and get to work on my makeup.
For now, my focus is on the exhibit. It can be on Shane later tonight.
* * *
J amila and I sing along to her radio the whole drive to the gallery. She’s wearing her all-black catering uniform but has a hint of glitter highlighting her eyelids and cheekbones to add a little flair to the otherwise muted look. Her playlist is a mix of upbeat tunes that put me in an excellent mood although I still haven’t heard anything more from Shane.
Kelly is already directing the set-up of the refreshments when we enter Red Lark. She gives me a warm hug before the main phone rings and she glides to answer it, leaving me to look around the gallery alone. With Jamila setting up, I don’t have much to do with a little over an hour until the exhibition opens. My phone buzzes in my pocket and my heart leaps into my throat hoping it’s Shane telling me he made it to Max’s.
Instead, Meg’s name fills the screen. When I open the text, I’m greeted with her smiling face in front of a familiar location. The sign for Red Lark Gallery hangs over her head. “What in the world?” I whisper to myself, striding from the back of the gallery toward the front windows.
A laugh escapes me when I see Meg standing out front. Her smile is bigger than I’ve ever seen and I squeal as I rush to open the door as quickly as I can in the heels I borrowed from Jamila.
“Holy shit! What are you doing here?” I cry wrapping my arms around her.
“Well, Tyler surprised me with a free weekend,” Meg answers. I release her to grin and take a look at my best friend in the flesh. Her brown hair is sleek and straightened with a fresh blow dry and she looks trendy in a pair of jeans, heels, and black blouse. It feels like forever since I’ve seen her in person and I can barely contain my tears at the surprise. “Are you surprised?”
“So surprised! I can’t believe you’re here!” I hug her again, holding on a little longer than normal.
“Are you excited? Do you have a little time so we could go grab a coffee or something, or do you have big things to do here to get ready?” Meg asks, her eyes taking in the gallery.
“I have time! We can go around the corner. Let me introduce you to a friend first and see if she needs anything.”
I drag Meg to meet Jamila, making introductions and seeing if she wants us to bring her anything back before we head out to the café around the block. In all my excitement I almost forget that I still haven’t heard from Shane.