by Kieran York
“Have we sold any paintings?” I tried changing the subject to Fiona’s favorite topic.
“Amazingly, almost all of the new ones are gone. Samantha phoned earlier and purchased Perpetual Smile and three of your earlier paintings: one of the herbs growing in pots on a balcony terrace; a scene of snow with cross-country skiers; and another of a little boy seated on his tricycle. Said it reminded her of her younger son.”
“I’ve never seen her younger son. The child I painted is my neighbor. He’s in high school now.”
“She saw it on the gallery’s Internet page. Loved it. By the way, she said to tell you good luck with the show. She also said to tell you she’ll be in contact later in the week, after you’ve returned to Colorado.”
“I owe Samantha and her husband a great deal. I’d like to do a formal painting of Samantha and her family. Before you ask, yes, without charge. Maybe she could phone photo me a picture of them all together. I could take the painting to them when I attend Molly’s service.”
“They haven’t set a date?”
“I’m thinking that’s probably what she wanted to talk with me about.” Again, I pivoted around. “What else sold?”
“All of Bethany’s portraits sold, and some fool bought the one of those stupid bison.”
“Who purchased them?”
“I haven’t a clue. Probably a Buffalo Bill descendent. Max informed me when I got here that they’d sold. Investors are buying anything with an O’Hara signature, even ridiculous toy bison.”
“They aren’t ridiculous.” I searched the gallery again. “I wonder what’s keeping Bethany.”
“I’m guessing what’s keeping Bethany away is a crazy Saph artist. I mostly use the word ‘fool’ as a habit. But in your case, I truly mean it. You are a fool. You’ve treated her dreadfully. Esther’s right.”
“I knew Esther had a say in this.”
“It’s not her fault you’re pitching love away with both hands. Esther keeps you stabilized. I couldn’t have handled you the past couple of weeks without her. I’m going to pick up her hotel tab. That woman needs to be put on the payroll to keep you in line.”
“None of this has been easy for me to cope with, Fiona.”
“I know you almost as well as you know yourself. I know you from your art. You’re happy when Bethany’s with you. You’re productive. In my case, I know what’s right for me.” She scanned the room. “See that adorable Italian over there?” I followed her gaze. “He writes for one of the London dailies. He is so right for me. He’s here with that scraggy woman over by the wine bar. But he’s taking me to dinner tomorrow night.”
I squinted to get a better look. “Good Lord, he can’t be over twenty-five.”
She smacked my shoulder. “You’re way off. He’s twenty-seven. Slightly young for me. But look at that body.”
“You are one fired up Ladybugs Rock mascot. Or maybe you’ll start a chapter in New York. Call it Cougars Rock.”
“I’m hoping the Italian won’t give me time enough for social groups.” She grinned at me and then in his direction. “It certainly doesn’t hurt his cause that he thinks you’re the new messiah of portraiture, and he does know who Cecilia Beaux is.”
“Imagine a critic actually knowing the name of a well-hidden portraitist.”
“Imagine an intelligent art critic with incredible abs.” Fiona fanned her face. “And those Italians live up to their legacy. He told me I’m very cool.”
“You are, Fiona. You’ve taken me from anonymity in the art world to this. In my eyes, that makes you totally cool.” I looked at my watch. “Only an hour more to go and we can hightail it over to The Scripted Banquet. Have a little Ladybugs Rock festival.”
For the next hour, between chats with patrons and critics, I scoured the room for Bethany. I wondered if she hadn’t arrived because it was over between us. I examined my cell phone. Calls from everyone except Bethany. I’d already left her a half-dozen messages.
“Got a limousine waiting,” Fiona said as we exited. “I’m not trusting a Bentley in Carrie’s hands again.”
Once we arrived and entered The Scripted Banquet, I resumed my search for Bethany. Maybe she had relented and would at least see me to say goodbye. That seemed not to be the case. As wine was served, I glanced over at the empty chair where Bethany should’ve been.
My heart sank.
Halfway through the first glass of wine, I looked up. Bethany was making her way toward the table.
She kissed my cheek. “Sorry. Forgive me for missing your show’s closing. We had a red alert emergency. I was called in, and obviously I couldn’t contact you.” Tears welled in her eyes. “For over twenty-five years, I’ve been living my professional life for the airline. I’ve missed so many of the parts of life I would’ve liked to have experienced. This one was so important, and it was beyond my control. Forgive me?”
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. “It’s okay, Bethany. I was worried that you were upset with me.”
“No. I’m upset with myself right now. It’s time I stop living my life around my job. It shouldn’t be that way. I wanted so to be here with you.” She straightened her hair. “I must look a wreck.”
“You look wonderful.”
Her eyes were somber. “You’ll hear about it in the news. We had a terrorist threat. Things were extremely tense.”
Esther’s eyes opened wide. “We’re flying out of here in the morning, taking a British Airways 777 out of Heathrow. Was the threat a 777?”
“It was international,” Bethany said. “But now is the safest time to travel. After an incident, security really tightens up. Tomorrow when you board, they’ll probably do a strip search.”
We laughed uproariously. I waited until I could catch my breath. “Come on, Esther, you might like it.”
Carrie poured Bethany some wine. We lifted our glasses. “Ladybugs Rock, forever!” we said together.
Throughout the evening, we chanted our motto. Other patrons often joined in. As dinner ended, I took the engraved ladybug pins from my handbag. After ceremoniously pinning them on each member’s blouse, I raised my glass for a final toast of the evening. “To the London Sisterhood of Ladybugs Rock.”
Bethany’s smile was her first uncomplicated smile of the night. She’d been visibly tense.
“You’re safe now,” I whispered.
“Perhaps.” Her eyes dimmed slightly. “But unforeseen crisis is always around. From the Jetway, to the tarmac, and in the air. Some humans are evil.”
“Most humans aren’t.” I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingertips.
After dinner, we left. Fiona was somewhat blitzed. When the limousine arrived at her hotel, she told me I was probably not a complete fool. She wished us a good, safe return trip to Colorado. I was to keep a bleeping paintbrush in hand until Boston. I promised I’d be diligent in producing more paintings.
As the limo driver dropped off Carrie and Esther at Carrie’s, Esther told me she would take a cab to the airport in the morning and meet me at the check-in desk.
I hugged Carrie goodbye. She whispered in my ear, “You must keep one thing in mind. Bethany can move anywhere she wants, anytime she wants. If she wants to up sticks and move, she can. You and Bethany belong together. That’s it, really.”
The trip to the Marshall inched on until we arrived in my suite. Carrie’s words echoed. I wondered if that really was it. Bethany appeared glum, but no more than I. She’d slipped one of the tiny bison into my handbag. I missed her already.
As we slid beneath the covers, her warmth enticed me. Within her embrace, I understood that this was really it. I moved away from her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Bethany, you know I have feelings for you. Sometimes loving someone means you need to give them time to consider. You need to consider what our being together would cost you.”
“We’ve been over this. I’m willing to take the chance.” Her face reflected the pain of rejection. �
��It’s evident that you aren’t. You’ve dealt with so much, and in so little time, Danielle. I can’t blame you for wanting…” She hesitated. “For needing a time-out.”
My hand swiped across my eyes. They burned from executing the many miniscule brushstrokes over the past two weeks and from the multitude of tears I’d shed. “I’m sorry for what I’ve put you through. You deserve better.”
She closed her eyes. It reminded me of the final curtain dropping on a play. When she opened them again, she sighed. “You could be right, but I don’t believe you are. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
I started to speak and stopped as I gathered my thoughts. “Bethany, I’ve never known a more special woman than you.”
Those words were all I was willing to give at that moment, but we both knew I hadn’t said enough.
Chapter 51
Esther and I boarded easily without the strip search. We took our first-class seats that Fiona had upgraded. We began to chat. Esther was ecstatic. Beyond the flight upgrade, Fiona had picked up her hotel bill.
Then Esther immediately zeroed in on last night. “How did it go with Bethany?”
“A very warm and gentle night. Difficult to say goodbye this morning.”
“You’re so lucky. Don’t you realize most of us don’t even meet one good, tenderhearted woman who’s compatible? You’ve had two women fall in love with you.”
“One left me,” I reminded her.
“But Molly continued to love you, and there were extenuating circumstances. That leaves one who still loves you.”
“I know where this conversation is going, Esther. I realize I’m taking a chance in not making a commitment now. I asked Bethany to visit in a couple of weeks.”
“Listen to yourself. Do you think you might want to take the chance on love again?”
“Not at someone else’s expense.” I opened my shoulder bag and saw the toy stuffed bison. I wondered if Bethany might be looking at hers.
“Oh, then by all means, be an altruistic jerk. Give up the woman you love because you don’t want to inconvenience her. Great plan, Danielle.”
I looked out onto the tarmac. “After saying goodbye to her earlier this morning, I’ll admit, I might have made a big mistake. I can’t stop thinking about her. Wishing she were here with me. Love makes all parting sad.”
“Not loving makes the world sad. You are such a pillock.”
“Is that Carrie’s latest name for me?”
“Mine and hers. She calls Fiona a sweet rum-bucket.”
I said with humor, “Fiona does put it away. I believe she drank two bottles of wine. And they were of an extremely expensive vintage. Hope she’ll be okay for her big date tonight.”
“She’s shameless. Needless to say, we had a hilarious time. Once Bethany arrived, it all seemed complete.”
“How was your parting with Carrie?”
“Hot and heavy. She’ll be visiting Colorado next month. I’ll be heading back to England the following month. The month after that, she has a couple of comp cruise tickets, and she’s invited me.”
“You’re going to have a heavy travel schedule.”
“And Bethany will be making at least one transatlantic.”
“Maybe she’ll decide my lifestyle isn’t for her.”
“She’s certainly not a mediocre human being. That reminds me of the Principle of Mediocrity.”
“Mediocrity has its own principle?” I asked with disbelief.
Esther straightened in her seat as if preparing to launch into a lecture. “The Principle of Mediocrity suggests that life on earth isn’t exceptional at all. There’s a good possibility that life is likely to be found on many other planets. There’s also the Anthropic Principle that believes the fundamental laws of the universe work to make life possible. Random chance. Like meeting people you really care about. I introduced you to two extraordinary women—Molly and Bethany—and you fell in love with them. Or are you even in love with Bethany?”
I hesitated only slightly. “Yes, I am, but I also love my home. I can’t wait to get back there and to see little Clover.”
“Clover will be excited to see you. Sadie and Aggie will be ecstatic to see me.”
“I’m sure Bethany will love Clover, too. She always had Yorkshire Terriers up until the final one died a few years ago.” I thought about the day I comforted her when she told me about her dogs.
“You keep bringing up Bethany’s name. I take it you miss her already? I knew you would. Admit it, you miss her.” Esther nudged me.
“Yes, I miss her. I’m taking a huge chance in leaving her behind, even for a couple of weeks. But she’s got her job and her home to think about.”
“You must realize she’s totally burnt out on her job. Who wouldn’t be? Who needs to live that ‘hair-on-fire’ existence? Even if you aren’t in the picture, she’s going to be leaving her job. She talked with Carrie about going on a leave of absence. LOAs are for six months. You know, if she didn’t like Colorado, she could always return to London and the airlines. Carrie said she’d always have a home with her. Bethany is a more adventuresome person than you are. I’m astounded you interest her at all. Or that you interest any woman of substance for that matter.”
“Esther, I’m feeling beat up enough without your help. You’re right about the LOA. I know I made a mistake. I should have just helped her pack.” My resolve was crumbling. “I was wrong. I didn’t even tell her I loved her before I left.”
“Is that how you truly feel? You are the most skittish human being alive.”
“Random chance,” I repeated what Esther had said earlier. “That’s my life of complete mediocrity. You’re right. I never take chances because I’m frightened. If I had my wish, Bethany would be with me right now. We each took a bison.” I again examined the small stuffed bison that jutted from my bag. “They shouldn’t be parted. They’re a matching set.”
“Call her and tell her that.”
It suddenly dawned on me that everyone was right. If she didn’t want to be with me, she would make her own decision. “Maybe she can take a flight out tomorrow. I’ll invite her.” I fumbled with my cell phone.
Esther smirked with satisfaction.
While I punched up her number on my telephone contact list, I watched the final passengers boarding. Soon I’d be flying away from the woman I loved. When she answered, I rushed on with what I wanted to say.
“Bethany, I’ve made a terrible mistake. Forgive me. I realize now that I want you with me. I love you.”
“I was beginning to think my wait might be forever,” she said. “But it was worth the wait to hear your words.”
“I know this sounds crazy, but is there any chance you can board a plane tomorrow or the next day? As soon as you can? I can’t wait to show you my Colorado.”
From my periphery, I saw Esther moving to the inside seat. I looked down the aisle. There Bethany stood folding her cell phone.
“And I can’t wait to see our Colorado through your eyes, Danielle. My LOA began today.” She examined her wristwatch. “Officially, an hour ago. I’m free.”
Standing, I hugged her tightly as I blinked back tears. “This is one of the best moments in my life.” I moved to the next seat and motioned for Bethany to sit.
“Mine as well.”
“What if I hadn’t called you?” I asked.
“I’d have taken the airline’s quickest turn out of Denver. Even if I had to sit on a jump seat for the return trip across the pond.”
“But you would have come to visit me in Colorado?”
“Of course.”
As she sat down and buckled up, I couldn’t take my gaze from her. This was a moment of enchantment. I took her hand. “I do love you so.”
Esther suddenly piped in, saying, “I just thought of something. If Bethany’s here, who’s watching out for bad guys?”
“We’re well-covered,” Bethany told her.
“You knew about this, Esther?”
“
Naturally. I’m always a shuttle ride ahead of you. I told Bethany you would regret your decision. That at least by mid ocean, you would be wishing you’d taken a chance. We didn’t even get off the ground, and you recognized your mistake. So I congratulate you.”
“Thanks,” I said as I glowered mockingly at her. I turned back to Bethany and mouthed the words, “I love you.”
Bethany laughed as she squeezed my hand. “Yes, finally the words. And although it must be obvious by now, I’m also in love with you.”
As the plane began its ascent, I felt exhilaration. The plane continued to climb, and I felt love’s radiant elevation. I was going home. And I was sitting between two Ladybugs. One was my dear friend; the other was the woman with whom I’d fallen in love.
Part training, part diligence, Bethany began her checklist. “Can’t wait to meet your family and friends. I’ll need names and descriptions so I can keep everyone in order. But first, I want to meet Clover. I’ll definitely know her without so much as an introduction.”
“Clover will be thrilled to know you get the truly important things first. She appreciates proper prioritization.”
“Unlike you. You seemed to have left the most important thing until last.”
“Bethany, I promise you it’s the last time you won’t be first in my life. That’s my first plan.”
“What do you have in mind for the second, luv?”
“It looks like a Yorkie will be joining our household,” I said with a chuckle. “We can expect the pitter patter of extremely tiny paws.”
Epilogue
Nearly a month after I arrived back in Colorado, I boarded a private jet for Palo Alto, California. It was still very early when we landed. Samantha and Jeffery had insisted that they send their private jet to bring me to Molly’s service. They were aware I didn’t like being away from my home. According to the flight schedule, I would be returned home before Denver’s sunset.
