NERTHUS
Nodding and turning back to the painting, I think about how I could walk away politely after this embarrassment as I sense him shift. He leans in, lowering his voice as if he wanted to tell me a secret. “And I’m not quite into this kind of stuff.”
I turn my attention back to him, lowering my voice as well.
“Why not?”
He just shrugs and I snicker.
“Well, I always thought that it was awesome.” He looks at me with his brow raised and I add. “Art. I mean.” Clearing my voice, I continue to ramble along. “You see, every piece, like a painting, a song or even a poem holds the creativity of its creator. It captures its mood, its state of mind, its emotion. They practically gift us a piece of themselves that will forever be…” I look at him as he stares at me unimpressed and flash him a shy smile.
“Sorry, I’m talking too much.”
He turns to the painting and I nearly overhear him as he grumbles lowly. “Don’t worry about it.”
Oh, why do I keep doing worse?
I take another sip from my drink, and he sighs deeply. “Finish your sentence.”
“Huh?!”
“You stopped your thought mid-sentence.”
“Erm…” I clench my finger around my glass. “I was just saying that they gift us a piece of themselves that will forever be in our minds or even hearts. They will live eternally even if there will be just a few who will remember their art.”
Suddenly, feeling stupid, I’m about to apologize as he tilts his head at me. “You really like this stuff.”
I nod, licking my lips and turn around to see Robert who is checking his watch while still involved in a conversation.
“Oh, that’s my cue.” Grabbing the fabric of my dress to pull it up slightly, I do a little courtesy before walking away from my gorgeous hulk.
“It was nice seeing you again, Mr. Rodberg.”
“Likewise, Renee.” He says while I’m already walking away. I close my eyes shortly before chuckling to myself.
I nearly missed it.
I reach Robert with a few fast steps, transforming my tone of voice into a singsong. “Bobby, did you see the painting over there? Come with me to take a look at it.” Looping my arm around his, giggling, I get him to tap my hand with a broad smile.
“Sorry, gentlemen. I have a painting to look at.”
As soon as we are out of hearing range of the small crowd, he was just trapped into he laughs. “Thank you, love. You saved me.”
The evening passes slowly and as we finally get to leave, I take advantage of Robert being held back by another acquaintance wanting to tell him something really important. I step up to the small reception desk and a pretty hostess directs her attention to me immediately.
“Good Evening, Ms.”
“Hi, good evening. Can I ask you if I could put up a purchase through you?”
Her smile widens as she takes out a large book and activates a device lying on her desk. “Sure, Ma’am. Which one would you like?”
“Erm…” Taking out my brochure, I point to the painting I was ogling all night. “Number 243hy.”
“Oh, what a wonderful choice.” She caress her hair behind her right ear, as she browses for the painting in the catalogue.
My enthusiasm grows increasingly, and I bounce on my heels as I wait for her to find it. But as her face falls, my heart squeezes.
“Oh, no. I’m sorry, ma’am. But it seems like it has already been purchased?”
“What? Oh, no.” I whimper, pouting. “Well… bad luck. Thank you either way.”
She regains her smile and wishes me a good night and I walk back to Robert disheartened.
“Did you buy me the painting, Bobby?”
He is checking for his wallet in his jacket and jerks. “No, Renee. Oh, wait let me get it for you.”
“No, don’t bother. I was too late.”
“Ah, darn.” He curses cutely and I laugh. “Don’t worry. How about you invite me for a cup of tea?”
“What a fabulous idea, dear.” He pats my hand that is already looped in his arm again and we walk to the limousine that is already waiting for us.
Arrived at Robert’s home, we get out of the car and walk up the elegant stairs to his brownstone house. Its interior is as typical and charming as its outside, making me feel like being at home.
“Hello, Erica.” I say loudly and Robert joins me a few seconds later. “We are home, darling.”
I chuckle at his cute tradition, and he joins me with his warm laugh.
“Earl grey, Renee?”
“Oh, that would be lovely,” I say and follow him to the kitchen. I sit down at the small table and put down my clutch on it. Yawning, I lean back on the wall behind me, careful not to crush Erica’s beloved plants growing from the arched passage. As the kettle sings, Robert pours our teas and takes his seat in front of me.
“Thank you so much, Bobby.”
He smiles warmly and takes his first sips just before we discuss the evening and joke over the terrible loss of my beloved painting.
A few hours later, I get out of the house, closing the door silently behind me. As I turn around, my heart already skips a beat at seeing him standing there, waiting for me.