CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 29
Ian went straight to Amelia’s, where he showered and packed in record time. Everything should have been by rote, the standard preparations for just another journey, another city, another two performances. He didn’t have the right clothes, of course. But suiting up for the gigs would be simple enough in Miami. Ian made a mental note to contact Danny or Arthur, ask what they would be wearing that second evening. It was a decision that should have been made by Connor, of course. No matter what Arthur might say, the man’s emotional distance worried Ian. A lot.
As he descended the ridge and drove into town, Ian felt himself slowly winding down. Like a spinning top left to waver and fall. During the session, he’d had no real idea about how much he was giving, the energy required to lead the group. For the first time in his life, he had not merely performed. He had directed. Kept the crew focused and moving forward. Now, though, all the resulting tension drained away, leaving him adrift. He parked in the public lot a couple of blocks from the diner and sat there.
The car was filled with sunlight and a gentle drifting wind. He could still feel the music resonating inside him. He wondered if this was how it would be from now on. No fire, but instead a sense of quiet satisfaction. It left him feeling both sad and resigned, that he had lost something he had never fully appreciated. How often did someone stop and be thankful because they had hands? That was how it felt now. A part was gone, and yet he was finding a way to make peace with the new reality.
The Honda’s seats were creased and wrinkled with years of use, yet as perfectly clean as Amelia’s little apartment. And suddenly their former owner was seated in the seat next to him. A presence as gentle as the breeze.
He spoke the words aloud, addressing the woman who was no more. “I’ve had a good day.”
Then she was gone. Ian patted the empty seat, rolled up the windows, and walked the street. Happy with the music that accompanied him. And the prospect of a new life taking hold, one that extended beyond Miami and the troubles he had left behind in Annapolis.
He entered the diner, saw he was the first to have arrived, and chose a booth by the rear wall. As Ian seated himself, he had the distinct impression this was why Amelia had wanted him to visit Miramar. What she meant by the midnight harbor. Sheltered in a way that left him able to talk about a new compass heading. Once the storms faded, and he was ready to get on with life.
He ordered a coffee and savored the weightless feeling. Everything about this town seemed incredibly fresh. A few of the other patrons looked his way and complimented him on the performance. Then they went back to their own meals and conversations. He wondered if such low-key respect for a person’s privacy was a trait common to small-town California.
When they entered the diner, Graham came first. Then Kari, with Rafi in the rear. Ian could see Kari was pale, her gaze scattered. He liked how the two friends were there to support her, a natural acceptance of her fragile state. And that was definitely the way to describe her today. Kari appeared scarcely connected to the diner’s floor.
He rose and kissed her cheek and settled back down. Rafi slid in beside him; Kari directly across; Graham beside her. The waitress appeared, and they ordered. Ian found himself recalling days spent with Amelia in the Philadelphia hospital, seated on uncomfortable chairs in the waiting area, while her partner went through another test or treatment. He had seen patients whose state resembled Kari’s, who were not fully connected to the material world. But there was a difference to this lovely young woman, an illumination that shone upon the three of them. The strain of exhaustion was evident, as well. But it could not extinguish this ethereal glow. Ian realized he was sensing the woman’s creative fire. So strong, it actually seemed visible.
When the waitress departed, Kari told him, “I was having a really nice day. Until these two awful men dragged me away.”
“And took you shopping,” Ian supplied. “Which you hate.”
“Let’s not forget why this was happening,” she said.
“The gala. Miami.”
“Double yuck.”
Ian wanted to tell her it was going to be okay. Wishing it was within his power to make it all fine. In the end, he decided to remain silent.
Graham cleared his throat and addressed Ian, “Changing the subject. I really must apologize.”
“Sorry, I don’t follow,” Ian said. “Apologize for what?”
Kari said, “Told you.”
Graham said, “For being an opinionated busybody.”
Rafi offered, “He’s talking about last night.”
Ian took his time, studying these two men. He had the impression they had done their best to dress down, blend in with the small-town California vibe. But their knit shirts and gabardine trousers and sockless loafers and gold watches and perfect hair all spoke of a distinctly different world. Graham was the sharper edged of the two; Ian had to assume he was the one who negotiated and contracted and counted. Rafi was smoother and sleeker. But equally intelligent. And clearly enjoying Graham’s discomfort.
Ian said, “Graham, you told me exactly what I needed to hear.”
Kari nudged Graham. “See?”
Ian went on, “Did you hear how we played?”
Graham nodded. “It was wonderful.”
Ian described going back upstairs and doing what Graham had advised. Bringing the group together in the process. “So, thank you.”
Graham said to Kari, “Okay. So you were right.”
“Of course I was.”
“I can breathe again.” To Ian, Graham said, “We love your work.”
“We play it all the time in the studio,” Rafi added. “And at home.”
Kari said, “My introduction to you was at the Hollywood Bowl, thanks to these two. Which was almost as expensive as the outfit we just bought.”
“Correction,” Rafi said. “Two outfits. Both of which are simply gorgeous.”
While they ate, Ian listened as the three of them discussed what Kari should do with Sienna. He ate his late, late breakfast of a spinach-and-avocado omelet and savored the chance to observe them. The patient care the two men showed Kari was genuinely moving. This was not just about a kitten. It was an important decision that Kari needed help with. They were there for her. Ian loved that most of all.
He watched as Kari’s otherworldly glow gradually faded. He wondered if this was Graham and Rafi’s normal pattern of behavior, gently helping their artist friend reattach herself to earth. Old friends, trusted allies, talking for almost an hour over what should be done with her kitten.
Finally, Ian pushed his empty plate to one side and asked, “Am I allowed to offer a different opinion?”
“About last night?” Rafi smiled at his partner. “Graham was worried you were going to make him go sit at the bar.”
“Observe,” Ian said, and swept his hand around the room. “This is a diner. No bar.”
“I meant the one down the street.”
Kari said, “Don’t be mean.”
“You should see how he is with me when I mess up,” Rafi replied.
“Nobody messed up,” Ian said.
“Thank you so very much,” Graham said. To Rafi, he added, “I believe the gentleman was actually going to make a point.”
Ian told them, “Everything I’ve heard has been about the cat.”
The three of them exchanged a look.
Rafi said, “And?”
“I don’t hear anyone asking what would be best for Kari.” Ian asked her, “How do you feel about Miami?”
“I told you already. It fills me with a very real dread.”
“How do you feel around Sienna when times are less than great?”
She studied him a long moment. Then, “Better.”
Ian showed them open palms. “Case closed.”
There followed a moment’s silence. Then Rafi told his partner, “Go ahead. Ask him.”
“Me? Why should I be the one to stick my foot in again?”
“Because you look so good doing it.” Rafi smiled. “And you know if I try, I’ll make a total mess.”
Ian asked, “Mess of what?”
Rafi said, “Ask him, Graham.”
The man seated across from Ian said, “It’s about Miami.”
“Quadruple yuck,” Kari offered.
“Day after tomorrow we begin setting up our stand.”
“The hall opens at noon,” Rafi said. “It’s a madhouse. Everything has to be vetted before it’s admitted. Security is so tight.”
Graham went on, “For the first time in years, we are going to be showing unsold paintings by Kariel.”
“We’re going to be inundated with clients and jealous owners of other galleries,” Rafi said. “It’s going to be heaven.”
Graham asked, “Who’s telling this?”
Rafi replied, “You are. I’m just filling in the gaps.”
Ian said, “You’re super busy. I understand. I already told Kari I wanted to help her get through this. I meant what I said.”
The two men just exchanged a long look across the table. Only this time, Kari shared their expression. Solemn. Nervous.
Ian said, “Look. I have no idea what’s going on here. But I’ll do whatever it is that you’re not asking.”
Kari said, “Ask.”
Graham said, “Kari’s been given a penthouse suite. Two bedrooms separated by the main parlor.”
Ian leaned back. “Whoa.”
Kari said, “It’s silly. I know—”
“Kari, no.” Ian addressed the men as much as her. “We only just met. I’m amazed you trust me enough to ask.”
Kari asked, “You’ll do it?”
“If you think it would help . . .”
“I don’t think. I know. Especially if I enter total meltdown.”
“We won’t let that happen,” Ian said. “Guys, tell the lady.”
It was Kari who said, “We’re not done with the asking.”
Graham said, “The showcase includes an invitation to travel by private jet.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t you know?” Rafi did a ta-da motion with his hand. “Allow me to introduce Kariel, the star artist of the Miami Art Fair.”
Graham went on, “We’re now transporting seventeen new paintings on that jet. Which we didn’t know existed until yesterday. All this will require a huge amount of unexpected work. And logistics.”
“All our other works have been in Miami for days,” Rafi said. “Vetted and waiting. The security issues I mentioned are all about these new paintings, which we intend to hang in our temporary gallery. And that is going to make such a fuss. You wouldn’t believe just how bent out of shape our fellow exhibitors are going to be when they hear.” He beamed. “Like I said. Heaven.”
“We have to get home and pack,” Graham said. “Then it’s cram the jet full of our new goodies, off to the exhibition, and straight to work. Pushing the security to vet and approve and let us get on with the real work. Redesigning our layout. Begging for extra room.”
Kari said, “What they’re dancing around is, can I fly with you? Please?”