by Briar, Robin
“Sylvia. I wasn’t expecting you today. Is everything all right?” I ask.
Mason’s sister is taller than me by a few inches. Mid-thirties, like Mason, with luxurious, long black hair. Attractive and extremely fit for a single mom. Much less curvaceous than me, but she wears it well. I realize now that she and Mason have the same brown eyes. Albeit less warm on Sylvia, harsher, to match her personality.
I definitely don’t want to get on her bad side.
It’s never been directed at me, but I’ve heard Sylvia cuss people out on the phone. Like, bite their head off cussing. Whatever reason she likes me, I thank it. It’s rare to see her at the studio this early. She normally only comes by to pick up Piper.
I can’t help but notice that Sylvia is looking more disheveled than usual. Not in a bad way, just ruffled.
“Everything is perfect. Mason called me. Said you might be late. That it was his fault,” she says with a knowing smile.
“That was kind of him. He didn’t have to do that,” I say, still breathing heavily from the bike ride.
“I hope he’s not running you too ragged,” she says, raising an eyebrow as she opens the door for me.
“Not at all. He’s been a model houseguest.”
No point in denying it. I get the feeling that brother and sister have already talked about me. I walk inside the offered door.
“It’s true, he’s always been a gentleman,” Sylvia adds, “but to a point.”
Yikes. Am I really having this conversation with my boss about her brother? It’s getting more personal by the moment. I decide to change the subject.
“So what brings you to the studio today?” I ask cheerfully.
“You. I wanted a chance to talk in person before the children start to arrive.”
Interesting. Sylvia has given me every impression that she’s totally okay with Mason and I dating… so far. We haven’t really talked about it. Perhaps today we do.
“Are you happy here, Jess?” she asks me in a serious tone.
That was unexpected. Not wanting to appear indecisive, I answer right away.
“I am. While I’m sure everybody who applies for a job like this claims they like kids, I genuinely do. I get how they think. The messiness of their minds. Painting is a perfect way to express that messiness. And that enjoyment extends to Piper as well. She never puts on airs. Or acts like her mother owns the studio.“
“Good to know. I’m glad she’s still humble.”
So stern. So unlike Mason. I can only imagine what Sylvia is like as a mother. I decide to sing her daughter’s praises. You can never go wrong complimenting the boss’s daughter, and it’s not like I have to exaggerate.
“In many ways, I understand Piper most of all. She has an eye for detail and real talent. She paints like it’s in her blood.”
That gets Sylvia’s attention.
“I gather Mason told you about our parents?”
“A little. He told me about your childhood, traveling the world with two art historians for parents.”
Sylvia takes a moment to process that information before replying.
“Art historians,” she repeats, as if confirming that statement to herself. “Yes, I suppose that’s one way of putting it.”
That was cagey. I feel like Sylvia is coming around to a point, but I have no idea what that might be. What is she playing at today?
8. Setting out the Bait
“My parents are art appraisers. In fact, handling their international affairs is what I do for a living. Running the family business on this continent, at least. They’re in Europe right now. That leaves me with all the shipping and receiving work.”
“Sounds stressful.”
This is the most Sylvia has ever talked to me about her life outside of the studio.
“Nothing I can’t handle. It’s tedious. Lots of paperwork. But their appraisal skills are in high demand. People often send them entire collections from all over the world. The worth of a painting is usually set by the word of my parents alone.”
Sylvia raises a hand to her mouth, as if stopping herself from continuing.
“But that’s not why I’m came by today,” she continues, “or why I asked if you’re happy.”
“Mason?” I ask.
“Mason. I know you have ties to the city. Girlfriends who have come to visit you occasionally.”
She means Candice and Saffron. My mentors only look like girlfriends. They’re actually much older than me.
“I’ve only met them once,” Sylvia continues. “Two of them came by the studio to pick you up after work. I guess what I’m saying is… I don’t know if your time here is limited or long term. I’m asking both for my sake and Mason’s.”
I nod. It’s a valid concern. As the owner of a business, she has to plan ahead. My sabbatical from the coven has lasted nine months or so. I can probably stretch it to twelve, but then I have make some serious decisions about my apprenticeship.
As for Mason’s sake, perhaps Sylvia is being a protective sister, but my intentions with him are really none of her business.
I decide to be polite for now. I’m kind of curious to see where Sylvia is going with her line of questions.
“Well, I can’t make any guarantees, if that’s what you’re wondering. Mason has been a huge surprise. I’ve never met anybody like him before.”
“From what I gather, you’ve made quite an impression on him too,” Sylvia says.
“I’d like to think so, but it’s still early. I like where we’re going. Beyond that… I can’t say. Too many variables out of my control. The speed we’re going now feels good. As for Mason, I’m not sure what I can tell you that he hasn’t already told you himself.”
Assuming they’ve talked about me, of course.
My assumption seems to amuse Sylvia. She smiles to herself, but then discards the thought in favor of another.
“My brother is a wanderer. A loner. He never stays in one place for very long.”
“So he’s told me.”
“No. You don’t understand. He’s been here for ten days.”
“Is that a long time for him?”
Sylvia nods. “About nine days longer than normal.”
“Oh,” I say with surprise.
“Yes. Oh indeed,” she echoes.
Sylvia lets that hang in the air for few seconds before continuing.
“Let there be no doubt: he’s staying put for you. Do you know how unique that makes you, Jess?”
I do now, and it leaves me a little stunned. I had no idea. Sylvia is beating around the bush, so I jump ahead in the conversation. Head straight for the heart of this matter. The directness of my actual age showing through.
“I care about your brother a lot, Sylvia, but I expected him to move on after our, well… after our first time together. He seemed like the type. Charming, but dashing. As in, ready to dash away at moments’ notice.”
“That’s actually a pretty accurate description of Mason. Normally, but not now.”
“Apparently. Well, let’s just say I didn’t have any expectations from the get-go, but he surprised me and stuck around.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Jess. I like that you’ve had this effect on him,” Sylvia says. “And it’s true. Who knows how long your relationship to Mason will last. I just wanted you to know how different Mason is acting… for you. It’s also the reason I asked if you’re happy here. To get a sense for how long you plan on sticking around.”
Candice and Saffron haven’t asked to know when I’m returning, but I can tell they’re eager to have me back. To gather the magic again, as is my role in the coven, siphoning the lust of men. Maiden to their Mother and Crone.
I haven’t been doing much work, content to keep my own company for a change, but then Mason showed up. Having him around has been bliss. And then today in the shower. All that bestial excitement. Just thinking about it gives me shivers. Mason was even concerned he went too far. Geez, I miss him already.
&nb
sp; I must have spaced out for a moment, because Sylvia changes her tune completely.
“It’s none of my business, I know. I’m sorry for asking. It’s too early to predict what the future holds. But my brother has been a drifter for years. Having him around this long, even if he’s spending most of his time with you, has been a real treat. For me and Piper.”
That’s the most touching sentiment Sylvia has ever expressed. She genuinely misses her brother.
“I understand,” I tell her. “I can see why you’re invested. He’s your brother and you’d like to see him more.”
I reached out and grab one of Sylvia’s hands. It surprises her, but she doesn’t pull away.
“Let me say this, woman to woman. I’m not using him for sex. I’m not jerking him around, if that’s what you’re worried about. And I have no intention of breaking his heart. Yes, it’s been fast and furious, but it’s also been quality time, you know? Beyond that, you’re right, I don’t know where it’s going. That’s also up to Mason. For now I’m just willing to see how it plays out.”
Sylvia smiles at me and squeezes my hand.
“You surprise me, Jess. Don’t take this wrong way, but you’re very pragmatic for somebody so young. I admire that.”
Smile and nod, Jess. Just smile and nod. It’s meant as a compliment, after all.
“I know you’ve been privy to some of my more heated conversations during the past year,” Sylvia says. “Men call me a ballbuster. Well, most men. It’s a rare man who can handle being with a no-nonsense woman. It’s like they expect us to be flighty and then don’t know how to deal us when we aren’t. From what I can tell getting to know you these past three months, you seem to manage patience and pragmatism in equal measure. Certainly better than I balance the two.”
“I’ve adjusted over the years,” I say. “I wasn’t always pragmatic, but I am now. I used to simply be patient, but that’s a good way to get either overlooked or taken for granted.”
Sylvia thinks we’re strictly talking about men, but I mean my role in the coven.
“The way you talk, it sounds like you started dating quite young.”
Right, I have to be careful about that. Any time I mention years is problematic. It doesn’t match up with how I look.
“I did, and it was a steep learning curve,” I lie. “Near as I can tell, you learned the same lessons I did, Sylvia. Now you take what you want. You don’t wait around to see if what you want will conveniently fall into your lap. You’re a businesswoman. Not afraid to be forceful. And what’s more impressive? I realize now that you run this art studio in your spare time. In addition to your family business.”
“Can I tell you why I opened this place? It wasn’t for profit. I get returns on it, sure, but that wasn’t the main reason.”
This is getting more interesting by the moment. Sylvia is really opening up.
“Piper showed talent as a painter from a very young age, but like most kids, she didn’t value her talent. I wanted her to see how good she was compared to other children. Having her come here does that. Now she loves painting, loses herself in it like you do. You’ve been an excellent role model, Jess. Not just that, you’re also an extremely good painter. I’ve seen the work you do to pass the time. Your technique puts painters three times your age to shame.”
I smile to myself. There’s a very good reason for that, but not one I’m about to share with Sylvia.
“Thank you. That’s kind,” I say.
“Which brings me back to Mason.”
Okay, this is more like the Sylvia I know. Right on point. She has never struck me as a woman who engages in idle chat for too long.
“I’d like to commission a painting from you. I’ll pay you for it, of course, but take all the time you need. In fact, the longer you take, the better. Work on it in your spare time. The thing is, and I’m ashamed to admit this, there’s an ulterior motive behind this commission. One that will become obvious the moment you start.”
This is getting weirder by the second. First Mason commissioned me to paint for him. Now his sister.
“What’s the painting?”
“The Vision of Endymion by Edward Poynter.”
Interesting choice. More modern than I typically emulate.
“I know this painting. The Greek goddess Artemis descends from the moon to give a young shepherd a vision. The shepherd is Endymion.”
Sylvia blinks in disbelief. “Um, yes. That’s it exactly. You haven’t painted it before, by any chance?”
“No, but I’m familiar with the work,” I say.
It’s the truth, but I’ve only studied it in passing. Still, I never forget a painting.
“Please don’t think poorly of me, Jess, but this painting? It’s like taking out insurance.”
“How’s that?” I ask.
“It’s Mason’s favorite painting. Once he sees you working on it, my brother is bound to stick around. He won’t be able to help myself, especially if you’re the one doing the painting.”
Now it’s my turn to blink in disbelief. Sylvia, you manipulative little minx.
“Can I think about it?” I ask.
Sylvia nods, but it’s clear she’s not ready to drop this matter.
“Of course, but can I ask you to think about it privately? I know that’s asking a lot.”
Yes it is. I don’t want to reject the idea out of hand, but only to be polite. I mean to reject the idea eventually, just after a short period of reflection.
“Well, here’s the thing. I do have reservations. If Mason has been sticking around longer than he usually does, I’m flattered. If I start working on this painting, and he sticks around like you say he will, it would undercut the authenticity of what we have, even a little. I don’t want that. The honesty between Mason and I is a large part of what I’m enjoy.
“I don’t mind saying that this puts me into an awkward position, Sylvia. If Mason wants to be with me, I’d like to think that it’s not because I tricked him into that decision… in any way.”
Sylvia can see that her idea is being poorly received. I’m not hiding it. She takes a moment to regroup her thoughts.
“Can I tell you something about my brother? Something that comes from knowing him all his life?”
“Sure.”
“Mason is afraid of endings. That’s why he moves on. He’s afraid of the day ending. Of the fire ending. He’s afraid that passion will end. So he leaves before it does. Before it has a chance to end. He leaves at the slightest whiff of change. You won’t see it coming. You won’t even know what you did. And he won’t tell you. He’ll simply be there one day and gone the next.”
I hear what Sylvia is saying, and perhaps it’s arrogant of me to think I’m special, but I am.
I was open-minded with Mason today in a way he wasn’t expecting. It felt like we passed a milestone together. He was afraid that I might be deeply disturbed by his feral side. I wasn’t in the least, and that was heartening to him.
I realize now that Mason was probably tiptoeing around his true sexual nature for the past seven days, but not this morning. Not when he cut loose. More importantly, I loved it. He was so surprised by that. If Mason abandoned other relationships in the past, I can guess at the reason.
He was too much for other women. They shrank away when he unleashed that part of himself. Mason would have taken that as rejection and left. That’s probably not something he would have shared with his sister, no matter how well they knew each other.
“I hear what you’re saying. You love your brother. You want him to stick around. He’s family. You feel this commission will accomplish that. You have known him your entire life, after all. Trust me, I get where you’re coming from, I do. It’s more reliable than a dalliance with some girl that may or may not last, depending on how long I plan on sticking around. You want a sure thing. You want the girl and the painting in play. The thing is… I’m not a chess piece. If Mason wants to stick around, he will. I want that to be his choice.”
Okay, that was entirely too much wisdom out of the mouth of an eighteen-year-old girl, but I can’t help myself sometimes. It’s how I feel. I can tell Sylvia wasn’t expecting such an articulate response. I can see exactly what she’s trying to do here. Sylvia won’t underestimate me again after today.
“Fair enough. Then let me speak plainly. I don’t mean to dispel the romance of it all, but Mason wants you. Powerfully. I tell you this in confidence because he confided in me. You’re not some girl. He’s been waiting for somebody exactly like you to come along. The sedentary behavior he’s displaying now? It’s completely out of character for him.”
For all my toted wisdom, my heart starts to race after hearing those words. I swallow hard, but try to hide it. Does Mason really feel that way about me?
The girlish part of me wants to believe every word. I’ve never had this before, even after all my years on this planet. I’ve never actually had a relationship before that wasn’t about sex. These feelings I have for Mason are brand new. The desire to be possessed, owned by him alone… I’ve avoided such entanglements. Now I’m considering it, which is new territory for me.
Sylvia drives her point home: ”The painting wouldn’t taint his feelings for you, but it might do something else.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“It would bring him back into the fold. Not only would he have the happiness of you in his life, but also his family. And more than that, it might even resurrect his interest in painting.”
I can definitely see that much being true. Especially after my morning with him. Mason clearly likes to paint. He can lose himself in the work to the exclusion of all else, even if it was only finger painting. He had focus and the instincts were all there. To find out now from his sister that he used to paint makes perfect sense.
“You told me something about yourself today, Jess, whether you realize it or not. I could hear the regret in your voice. You’ve been overlooked or taken for granted in some way, probably because, as you pointed out in me, you didn’t take what you wanted. You were too patient. So much that you almost lost whatever it was that you wanted.”
