Nuff Rope

Chapter 5

 

“Dada, why are we going to Pittsburgh?” Bree asked her father. They were driving together in Justin’s Cherokee. It was the Saturday just before Bree and Patrick were going away to camp. Her uncles, Gus and Ray were going away as well.

“Several reasons,” came Brian’s cryptic response.

“Oh.” Bree didn’t push for an explanation for a number of reasons. First and foremost, she did not want to piss off her father into changing his mind about sleep away camp.

“Why is Daddy following us in Gus’ Jeep?”

“When Gus gets back from New York he’s going to spend time with his mother and JR before he drives back to college. Gus will be staying at the loft so he’ll need his Jeep,” Brian explained. Brian fully intended for Gus to take possession of the loft once he graduated and began working fulltime. Gus was, so far, proving himself to be a responsible young man.

“Oh.”

Brian glanced in the rearview mirror at his daughter. He could see the wheels turning in her head. “Your Daddy is going to the gallery and we have some things to do. When he’s done, he’ll drop the Jeep off at Lindsay’s house so it’ll be safe for Gus. We’ll pick Daddy up there,” Brian explained, a little.

“Oh.” Bree thought it made sense but she was curious about the ‘things’ she and her Dada had to do.

At the turn off into the city, Justin beeped the horn then stuck his hand out the window waving to them. Bree waved frantically at her daddy until the Jeep was too far away. Brian drove in another direction toward his mother’s house.

“Gamma Joan’s house?”

“Yup.”

“Yay! I love Gamma Joan!” Bree exclaimed, bouncing in her booster seat.

“Me too, Squirt,” Brian whispered to himself as they parked in front of Joan’s house. Brian gave the horn a little toot then got out of the Cherokee to open the passenger side door. Joan stepped out of her front door, locked up then came to the curb. Brian gave his mother a little peck on the cheek before handing her into the Cherokee.

“Hi Gamma!” Bree cheerfully greeted her grandmother.

“Hello, Sweetheart,” Joan said as she settled into the seat and buckled up. “It’s a beautiful day,” Joan commented. “And I don’t think I’ve seen you since Memorial Day. I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too. Did Dada tell you that I’m going away to camp?!” Bree asked excitedly forgetting that she wasn’t going to bring it up.

“Yes, he did,” Joan replied, patting Brian’s arm. She knew, as well as the rest of the family, that Brian harbored reservations about Bree being away. Brian was wearing his tough ‘nothing fazes me’ expression that only few could see through.

Brian kept driving as his mother and his daughter chatted away. Bree updated Joan about her piano and Riley. Joan updated Bree about Danny and Riley. Brian smirked, realizing that the two most important ladies in his life had come to the same conclusion that Danny and Riley somehow belonged together. Brian shook his head as he drove through a large wrought iron gate.

“Mom, where do we go from here?” Brian asked Joan. Joan looked around to catch her bearings then pointed.

“Over that way,” she directed. Brian slowly drove down the narrow road. “You can park here.”

“Dada, what is this place?” Bree asked as she climbed out of her booster seat and down out of the Cherokee. Brian lifted her into his arms, groaning under her solid weight. Bree was still smaller than most girls her age but she was beginning to develop her daddy’s frame.

“This is the cemetery where my father is buried,” Brian explained as Joan guided them to a spartan gravesite.

Joan said a few quiet prayers then brushed away some old dried leaves that were stuck up against the headstone.

“It seems so cold,” Brian commented as he gazed upon the plain stone.

“I was a different person when your father died. He never wanted anything fancy nor did I. I also couldn’t afford it.”

“Mom, I can...”

“No, Brian. I’m satisfied; I’ve never been frivolous, why start now?” Brian nodded, respectful of his mother’s wishes.

“Dada, I don’t know what to do,” Bree whispered from her perch in Brian’s arms.

“You don’t have to do anything but give Gamma a hug when she’s finished praying,” Brian whispered back then pecked her cheek.

“Okay,” Bree said. “I can do that.” She slid down from Brian’s arms then sidled up to Joan to take her hand. Joan smiled fondly at Bree as she clasped Bree’s hand.

As they turned to go, Brian spied a familiar head of unnaturally bright red hair. “Bree, Grandma Debbie and Carl are over there.” Brian pointed Bree in the right direction then let her take off. She caught up with Debbie and Carl then patiently waited with them as Joan and Brian walked over.

“Hey, Kiddo. Joan. How the hell are you?” Deb asked.

“I seem to be all recovered, according to the doctors. I still tire easily,” Joan replied.

“Doctors, what the hell do they know? Quacks, all of them, except for my grandson-in-law, of course,” Deb qualified her statement not to include their Dr. Nick.

“Of course,” Joan agreed. “Who are you visiting?”

“My brother, Vic,” Deb said as they stepped back toward Vic’s grave. Joan bowed her head to say a few more prayers.

“Is that who I got my name from?” Bree looked up as she asked the adults around her.

“Yes, sweetheart,” Debbie confirmed. “My brother was a very sweet man. Smart too and the best gourmet chef. He would have loved you,” Debbie said with a sad smile. Carl placed his arm around her to give her a hug. Debbie kissed his cheek. “What are you doing in town?”

Brian gave Debbie and Carl a brief synopsis of their plans.

“Have you all thought about lunch?” Debbie asked.

“We have no definite plans. Justin will be at the gallery for most of the day and I have no need to terrorize Kinnetik,” Brian said.

“We were going to meet Jennifer and Seth at the diner. Why don’t you all join us,” Debbie suggested.

“We don’t want to intrude,” Joan said thinking that Debbie and Jenn had made a specific date for lunch.

“No intrusion. As a matter of fact, I insist,” Deb said catching Brian’s eye.

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Brian said cheerfully as his led his women back to the Cherokee.

“What are you up to, Deb?” Carl asked knowingly.

“Watch and learn,” Debbie quipped as she took out her cell phone and quickly placed a call.

 

*****
 

“Sidney,” Justin called out as he looked up from his sketch pad. He was sitting on the steps that divided one gallery from the next, trying to stay out of Lindsay’s way as she directed the movers and hangers.

“Justin, my boy, so glad to see you,” Sidney greeted Justin as he walked over to the steps. “Pardon me for not sitting. At my age I may never get up,” Sidney joked.

Justin chuckled. “I wanted to ask, did a young girl named Candy or Cassandra submit something for the Emerging Artists show?”

“Yes, she did,” Sidney answered but with some hesitation in his voice.

“What’s wrong? Is the piece horrible? I looked through her sketch pad; I think she has talent.”

“I agree but you may object to her submissions.”

“Why? Can I see them?” Sidney nodded then led Justin over to a display stand that held some of the smaller pieces. Most were small canvases or painted boards. Others were framed sketches.

Sidney pointed to two dark drawings that were fraught with sad imagery.

“These are good,” Justin commented as he studied the drawings. “They remind me of some of the stuff I drew when Brian and I broke up.”

“Yes, they are a little morose.”

“Did you ask her about them?” Justin asked as he studied the image of a lone figure standing near a grave. A hand reaching out toward an ornate headstone.

“Yes, I did. She said these were drawn when she found out that her mother had cancer. The young lady was convinced of her mother’s imminent demise. Fortunately, her mother seems to be on the road to recovery but the road hasn’t been an easy one. They are rather destitute. Cassandra is hoping her sketches will earn her some money.”

“I...”

“Don’t,” Sidney warned.

“How do you know what I was going to say?” Justin scowled.

“Because I know you, my boy. We’ve had a long successful partnership and I know your generous nature. As well as the generosity of your partner. Cassandra is hoping for legitimate interest in her work.”

“But these are...”

“Yes, they are rather grim. But I’m thinking they appeal to those of a gothic nature.”

Justin nodded. “Did she submit anything else?” Justin hoped there was something more cheery.

“In a manner of speaking,” Sidney said as he directed Justin to another display easel.

“It’s my henge!” Justin said with surprise. Sidney stood back smiling and waited as Justin scrutinized the painting. “Her attention to detail is phenomenal for someone so young.”

Sidney smirked; he had thought the same about the young Justin Taylor, emerging artist, so many years ago.

“Sidney, did you see the signature,” Justin asked, his tone suddenly icy cold.

“Yes, I did.”

“Justin, do you want me to reject her pieces? I can claim late entry.”

“No, leave them in,” Justin answered. There was resignation in his voice. “Miss Hobbs deserves a chance just like everyone else.”

 

*****
 

Brian pulled up around the corner from the Liberty Diner to park. As they approached the front door, Brian could see Lacy through the windows delivering her orders. He smiled as he opened the door for his mother and Bree; the cook was madly dinging the bell.

“Keep your fucking shirt on!” Lacy yelled over her shoulder as she kissed Debbie and Carl who were making themselves comfortable in one of the larger booths.

“Some things never change,” Brian quipped as he led his ladies over to join them. The bell over the door jingled. In walked Jennifer and Seth then Susan.

“Gamma Susan!” Bree screeched as she ran over to greet Susan. “I haven’t seen you forever,” Bree said as she wrapped her arms around Susan’s waist.

“I know, honey, and I’m sorry,” Susan said as she squatted down to give a Bree a hug. Susan scanned the faces of Bree’s family until she found Debbie’s. “Thank you,” she mouthed then kissed Bree’s head.

“You know something, Maw, you’re pretty fucking sneaky,” Brian said as he leaned over to give Debbie a kiss.

Debbie raised her water glass in salute. “Learned from the master,” Deb said as they all made themselves comfortable while waiting for Bree and Susan.

 

*****
 

“Where’s Gampa?” Bree asked as she slid into the booth beside her Gamma Susan.

“Um, he’s busy today,” Susan lied. She hadn’t been able to convince him to come to the diner after Debbie’s call.

“He don’t come to see me no more,” Bree said with a frown.

“I’ll be sure to tell him that you miss seeing him,” Susan replied.

“Yeah,” Bree said decisively. “I bet he goes to see Taylor.”

Susan opened her mouth to say something then changed her mind. She was sick of defending Craig Taylor.

The big family occupied the back two booths of the diner. Lacy hustled over to take their orders.

“Glad to see you all,” she said with a big smile. “What can I get you?”

It took several minutes to get all the orders straight. Brian allowed Bree to have the obligatory hotdog, even though he made a face when Debbie ordered it for his daughter. Brian ordered coffee.

“You can have some of my hotdog, Dada,” Bree offered.

“He won’t have some hotdog, but I bet he snatches a few French fries,” Debbie laughed.

“Did I hear snatch?” Brian asked tongue in cheek.

“What’s snatch, Dada?” Bree asked.

Debbie cleared her throat. “It’s great to have everybody here.” She hoped that would deflect Bree’s question, because otherwise Brian was likely to answer it.

“How’s Richie doing?” Seth asked. He hadn’t seen the boy since the July Fourth barbecue.

“He’s doing fine,” Brian explained. “He’s been doing a lot of reading and trying to catch up with his studies.”

“And my hunky son-in-law has been helping him,” Debbie said proudly.

“I’m going to sleep over camp,” Bree said to her Gamma Susan. “And I’m going to have piano lessons when I come back.” She smiled proudly as she studied the looks on all the adults’ faces.

“When was this decided?” Jennifer asked. She looked concerned. “I thought you felt Bree was a little too young to be going away to camp?” Jennifer looked pointedly at Brian.

“It’s only for two weeks, Gamma,” Bree assured her.

“Bree and I talked this over,” Brian said smugly. “She wants to go and she assures me that she is a big girl and will be just fine.”

“But what are you going to do while she’s gone?” Debbie asked Brian with a chuckle.

“I’ll just come by your place and bug the hell out of you and Carl,” Brian said.

“Great!” Carl responded and they all laughed.

 

*****
 

Justin was still sketching, sitting on a stool in the Sidney Bloom Gallery. He was concentrating on the arms of the men lifting his paintings into place. There was something fascinating about the play of light and dark as the muscles flexed and relaxed. Justin smiled to himself. It had been a while since he’d drawn Brian’s parts. Maybe that was something he should get back to, especially while Bree was away at camp. It could lead to some interesting side benefits.

With a little smile curling the corners of his mouth Justin used his finger to blend the pencil strokes he had made into just the perfect roundness of a bicep.

“That’s beautiful,” a voice said from behind him.

“Thanks,” he said as he turned, the smile still on his face. The smile disappeared immediately when he realized it was Cassandra Hobbs.

“Hi, I just stopped by to see if any of my work had been accepted for the Emerging Artists Show.”

“You’ll have to speak to Sidney about that,” Justin said coldly. “That’s not right,” Justin called to Lindsay. “It’s too high. I want it down more at eye level.” He walked towards Lindsay and the workmen who were holding one of his paintings against the wall, leaving Cassandra standing by herself. There was nothing wrong with the placement of the painting. He just had to get away from Candy before he said something they’d both be hurt by.

“Hello, young lady,” Sidney said as he came out of his office.

“Hello, Mr. Bloom. Um, have I done something to make Mr. Taylor angry with me?”

Sidney wondered how much to reveal, but then decided that this was not his story to tell. “I have some good news for you. Your work has been accepted for the show. It reveals considerable talent.”

“Oh my God! That’s awesome,” Candy reacted.

“I’m glad you think so, but, um, I was wondering…”

“Wondering what?” Candy asked sensing a big “but” was about to follow.

“If you want to sell some pieces at this show, I would suggest that you add a couple of cheerful pieces to the mix.”

“Cheerful?” Candy asked with a frown.

“Yes, your work is quite … dark.”

“But that’s how I see the world,” Candy said bewildered. How could he ask her to change who she was, change her artwork, the very essence of her being? Maybe she shouldn’t be in this show at all.

Sidney watched the turmoil on the young girl’s face. Maybe he should just let her be upset then she might withdraw from the show. That would make Justin feel better, and he was much more important than Cassandra Hobbs. However, Sidney knew the girl had talent, and he didn’t want to take this opportunity away from her, and he suspected that Justin didn’t want to either.

“Cassandra,” he said gently.

“It’s Candy.”

“I thought you wanted to be Cassandra for the show.”

“It doesn’t sound like you really want my artwork in your show, so what difference does it make?” Candy asked as she turned to leave.

“Just wait a minute. I want to explain something to you.”

“And what might that be?” Candy asked defiantly as she turned around. She wasn’t going to let this man destroy her. She fought back tears.

“I looked at your drawing of Justin’s henge,” Sidney began with a small gesture towards the artist who was now in seemingly deep discussion with Lindsay.

“Yes?”

“It’s not like the rest of your work. It’s hopeful and light.”

“That’s because the henge is hopeful and light,” Candy stated.

“Yes, of course. It has beautiful detail. Could you perhaps do a series of drawings of the henge. I think they would sell,” Sidney advised.

“You do?”

“I do.”

“Do … you think Mr. Taylor would mind if I did that? He seems very unfriendly today.”

“I don’t think Justin would mind. Perhaps you should speak to Justin about whatever’s bothering him.”

“I don’t know.” Cassandra glanced at Justin then back to Sidney and back to Justin again.

“I think he will talk to you if you try,” Sidney said. “See if you can do a couple more sketches of the henge for the show.”

“I’ll think about it,” Candy replied. She stood watching Justin wondering whether she should approach him or not. She had felt how cold he was to her when he had first seen her. She didn’t know what to do.
 

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