Chapter 11
Eleven
From the moment she stepped in to the office, Christine guided her. She introduced her to everyone she would be working with; other staff and volunteers. There were many new people in a short amount of time. Angela did her best to memorize names and faces; using face-word association.
She listened carefully and took notes as Christine explained the various projects they were to work on; one such project being an art show fundraiser they were presently working on.
She would be helping Sacha and her mother who were the organizers of the art show.
Sacha had been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when she was a toddler and her mother and her had worked for the cause ever since.
At ten, Sacha was mature beyond her years.
She explained to Angela the show would feature over eighty pieces of work created by all her friends who were just like her.
They would be auctioned off in a silent auction to the highest bidders.
The freckles on her face danced as she spoke, full of hope and excitement.
This was precisely the reason why Angela wanted this job; the joy of being involved in such a good cause.
Michael had known her well enough to know this was where she should be.
It seemed he knew her as well as she knew herself.
Angela was a little surprised and overwhelmed with all the on-going projects.
She knew she could handle it as long as she was focused.
It would be a struggle initially to get familiar with the computer system, the files and the various people she would encounter every day but she had the highest faith in her organizational skills.
Christine was a very kind and respectful manager and would assist her as needed.
Angela had always been a quick learner. As long as she could survive the first week, all would be good.
Her first week was everything she hoped it would be with the exception of Robert calling her.
She didn’t know how he had managed to track her down.
He was a very resourceful guy and this annoyed her extremely in this instance.
She told him yet again to leave her alone.
She was so busy and focused at work; she almost managed to forget about Michael. Almost.
Michael hadn’t been so lucky. She had constantly been on his mind; like a really good song you just can’t get out of your head.
With his kids back home and Dot spending a lot of time with Paul, Michael found himself alone in his huge house where everything was taken care of; the cleaning, the lawn, the handiwork.
He hadn’t been able to focus much on work which was fine since work had been a little slow.
He watched a few DVDs on the French audio setting, as Angela suggested. He did a little gardening. He occasionally wondered what Angela was doing; if she liked her new job. Part of him wanted to call her to find out how she was faring but he knew it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Dot ate out almost every night with Paul which left Michael with no one to cook for.
He had a new recipe he had wanted to try; a nice veal with capers but he felt silly cooking for just himself.
He debated asking Ellie to stay for dinner.
It would be strange wouldn’t it; she never stayed for supper. She always left at five on the dot.
He went looking for her after lunch and found her in the laundry room, watching General Hospital on the TV set in the wall cabinet.
He asked her what her dinner plans were.
When she told him her plans involved a TV dinner in front of reruns of her favorite sitcoms, he asked her if she wanted to stay for dinner.
He explained he was trying out a new recipe and would love her opinion.
“I’m not getting canned, am I?” she asked, alarmed as he served her veal with baked asparagus and a white pasta.
“No. Never,” he laughed.
“Oh, good. This looks delicious.”
She waited for him to sit at his meal.
“What’s the special occasion?” she asked, taking her first bite.
“No special occasion. It’s just nice to cook for someone.”
“Wow. This is great.” She indulged in another bite.
“Thanks. I like it too. I’m pretty happy with the results,” he said, putting another forkful in his mouth.
“So how does a man like you learn to cook like this?”
“Well, my mother was never much of a cook. When my dad died, my mother fell into a depression; she couldn’t get out of bed, let alone cook so my older sister and I took over the cooking duties.
I was so young. My mother’s only joy was the meals we would make for her. I’ve enjoyed cooking ever since.”
“Well, she’s a lucky woman, your mother.” Ellie enjoyed another bite.
“How was your weekend at the cottage? I never asked.”
“It was great.” Sudden images of him kissing Angela’s soft lips danced in his head. He pushed them away. This was not the time for such thoughts.
“How did Angela enjoy her stay?” she asked, inquisitive and slightly mischievous.
He looked down at his plate.
“I think she enjoyed it. She got along famously with the kids.”
“So...if I may ask...without being too blunt...” She took a drink of her water. “Tell me if I’m being too nosy... but is there a story between you two?”
He was going to deny it at first but quickly realized he was speaking to Ellie.
He could tell her anything and she wouldn’t judge him.
He did really need to confide in someone.
No sense beating around the bush. He had tried to confide in his mother but she just didn’t understand.
She told him to go barge in and steal her away. It just wasn’t that easy.
“I’m crazy about her,” he said plainly.
Ellie hadn’t expected such a monumental confession.
“Wow. And she’s crazy about you, I’m sure.”
“I think,” he said, equally as plainly.
“Then, what’s the problem?”
“She’s engaged to another man.”
“Oh, I see. Classic love triangle I see.”
Ellie was not exactly an expert at love. She was at a loss for words. She thought about it for a few seconds.
“Well, you two should talk. Communication is key,” she offered. “Have you really talked? Who does she really want to be with? Have you asked her?
Maybe it’s you.”
He didn’t answer.
“Well, I’ve said enough, I don’t want to mettle further. What a soap opera.”
They ate the rest of his wonderful home cooked meal in silence as Michael pondered what Ellie had said.
Angela was quite flustered and stressed. Nothing was going according to plan. This art show was extremely important to her, to the foundation and the kids who participated; especially to Sacha. This was Sacha’s project and Angela told herself she would do her best not to mess it up.
The art display boards rental fees had been generously discounted – Angela had negotiated fifty percent off rental; for a good cause. Each two piece display board could display sixteen pieces or so; all the block canvases had been donated by a local art supplier.
The children had used acrylic paints and pastels to create beautiful pieces.
They had worked with Krysten Johnson, a local art teacher who gave night classes and donated her guidance.
The results were wonderfully surprising.
They had wanted to achieve pieces that were vibrant and meaningful and beautiful enough to hang in any show home.
As Angela unloaded the canvases from the boxes, she could admire a job well done.
Each canvas was matched with an information card, which included their name and age and picture.
Angela had created all the 84 cards. All seemed in order with the art but they were short one display board, Angela would have to rearrange the art to make everything fit, she wasn’t sure she could get all this done on time; thankfully she had the help of three volunteers, among which was Beth; a woman in her fifties who had been with the foundation for years and was the mother of a grown daughter with Cystic Fibrosis.
They had managed to get the boards up, the first proving to be quite challenging. Once they had the first one done, the remaining ones were easier.
Angela had worn a comfy track suit for the setup and preparations. She had brought along a classic skirt and heels and a light sheer blouse with camisole; the same blouse which had been drenched by the rain, the second time she had met Michael.
Through all her hectic day, Michael still managed to pop into her thoughts. She’d thought he’d pop in a little less often as the days went on but that wasn’t the case.
She worked with the volunteers hanging the pieces, the info cards and setting up the silent auctions sheets.
A small table was set up by each display.
She also needed to put up the display banner; a beautiful illustration of smiling children with the words Life and Spirit.
The tall, door sized banner was to be set up and displayed by the entry.
She needed to take care of the appetizer table and the drinks; water, punch and white wine served in goblets.
They had rented the meeting hall of the municipal building at a minimal cost and they were given the use of the kitchen to prep the food and drinks.
Angela was getting a little concerned about the arrival of the food.
Christine had said she would look after it.
The show was starting at seven. It was now six-thirty and no food had arrived.
Angela was panicking a little. She figured, she might as well change into her dressy clothes while she had the chance.
She rushed into the bathroom to quickly change.
She scrambled in the small stall and finally emerged a new woman.
She packed her leisure clothes into her oversized purse and looked for her hair clip to put her hair up.
It was nowhere to be found, she would have to wear her hair down, flowing and tousled.
She colored her lips with a deep shade of peach.
She was relatively happy with the results of her quick makeover.