Just a mistake (Fiction OT)
Sue's Artworks
Oh How Jenny had enjoyed herself , She had called Lisa and asked her to
meet her in
town for Coffee. Lisa had said that as the Exhibition opened the next day
she was
really very busy, but Jenny was not for taking “no” for an answer she had
something
“Terribly important” to tell her.
Jenny was the wife of her husbands best friend, she was one of those people
who
thrived on somebody else’s misery, always on the look out to turn her sad
little life into
a Soap Opera. She considered work to be beneath her “Now that our Grahams
Assistant Managing Director” and spent her days scavenging over the tips of
other
peoples metaphorical dirty linen, always looking for that little piece of
incriminating
tittle-tattle.
Lisa had gasped in horror as Jenny offered to meet her at the Gallery
instead, if she
did that they would never get rid of her. She had bitten the bullet and met
the nasty
little woman in Brooks coffee shop.
It was over bitter Coffee .. and soggy Danish Pastry that Jenny had told
Lisa of seeing
Dave, Lisa’s Husband and Liz her best friend, having very cozy drinks
together at
“Richoche” a yuppie Wine bar over on the other side of town.
Lisa had tried to deny the accusations the spiteful Goblin had made, first
to her, then
later driving back to the gallery to herself. She had suspected Dave of
having an affair
for some weeks now, Hell, she had even spoken to Liz About it. The two faced
Bitch
had assured her that Dave was besotted with her, and would NEVER do a thing
like
that.
When she got into the Gallery, ripe for confrontation, Liz had already left.
Everything
was finally organized for the next day.
Lisa sat late among the exhibits, sipping more unpalatable Coffee, and
running over in
her mind all the times Dave had been late, late meetings, late games of Golf
with the
lads. She began to piece these together with all the times that Liz had said
she was
leaving early, like two pieces of a Jig-saw they fit perfectly . leading up
to the previous
night. Liz leaving to meet “a prospective client” about a commission, what
would have
been more suitable, than to have met him at the Gallery, where she could
have shown
him some of her finished work and work in progress?. Then there was Dave.
“No my
Darling, don’t bother waiting up, tedious meeting, followed by drinks with
colleges..
can’t say when I’ll be back .. very late .... likely to go on ..... Horribly
boring.... much
rather be here with you” When had he become such a glib and accomplished
liar?.
Lisa had done so much for Liz .. How could she do this to her?. The
women had
met at art college and clicked, instantly becoming close and firm friends
almost
overnight. Lisa had Encouraged Liz, ten years her Junior, and the less
accomplished
Artist, she had guided her, watched her style develop, seeing her bloom,
took a “big
sisterly” pride as her friends gawky adolescent strokes, took on the
sophistication and
flair of a talented Artist in her own right. It was Lisa who had passed over
commissions to her, gave her the confidence to sell. Pushed her into the
spotlight, until
the two women completely dominated the local art scene.
When Lisa had been offered this prime Gallery slot, for the Month of June
.. she had
jumped at it .. and then decided to split the hanging space with her friend
.....She had
plenty of finished pieces to work the exhibition herself but wanted to share
it with Liz.
“And anyway” she had said stopping the flow of her friends protestations
“This way if
we both leave `em wanting more .. we can do it again later in the year ...
give `em a
chance to save some more pennies! ! “
The women had worked well together in the months leading up to the big
exhibition,
many late nights were filled, paint splattered glass of wine in one hand
paint brush in
the other, each woman furiously involved in her art, yet still breaking off
every few
minutes to talk about sex .. or men .. or sex. They had publicized, and
advertised,
argued over layout and which would hand where, stressed out and laughed
together.
The women had shared more than the odd glass of wine and coffee they shared
their
lives ... told each other all their hopes and dreams. Trusted implicitly.
How could she
do this .. How could he do it. Liz had even told Lisa the other day about an
affair with
a married man, but had insisted it was over he was “Just a mistake”
As she sat, Lisa became more and more furious .. they weren’t going to
get away
with this. She played back all the intimate smiles that she had caught
flashing between
the two people closest in all the world to her, How could she possibly have
missed
seeing them for what they were?. She was such a fool, she had been so happy
that her
husband and best friend got on so well together .. she had laughed heartily
when Dave
had snack up behind Liz and tickled her. How easily, how naturally, she had
turned
into his arms and hugged him close laughing all the time. How they must
havelaughed
at her when they were alone together in bed. Had they been in HER bed?.
She rang Dave, trying desperately hard to sound normal ..and told him she’d
be late
home.. one or two last minute details just to make sure everything was
perfect for the
next day. Now she was sure .... There was no escaping that note of relief
in his voice,
there was a tone of “Can’t get rid of you fast enough” in his voice.
With the air of a surgeon preparing for surgery, she donned her comfy paint
daubed
overall. She had a lot to do.
It was a beautiful day for the Grande Opening. The press had turned out in
force
...and were now held at bay by the thick curtain at the Lord mayor would
draw to
announce the opening of the Exhibition. Dave had gone to pick Liz up . the
poor thing
did look peaky, when they finally walked in together, She full of profuse
apologies for
not being there all day ...Twelve Sennapods in her morning coffee had seen
to that, Liz
put her intimacy with the littlest room that day, down to nerves. Dave’s arm
rested
lightly against Liz’s shoulders supporting her and she turned into him just
slightly.
Dave’s wife stood apart alone.
The Lord Mayor took the podium ... a hundred and fifty people gathered round
better
first night turn out than they’d dared to expect. The Press photographers
had their
cameras poised waiting to click away for their front page spread in the
local rag.
“Now then before we start Ladies and Gentle men .. if I could first have
Miss. Liz
Hope, and Mr. David Taylor up on the stage please I believe they have a
little surprise
for a certain lady Artist, who has a Birthday this week .. I understand
there has been
much plotting and scheming, and secret meetings going on behind this ladies
back ...
good job they both love her isn’t it?” Polite tittering from the audience.
Lisa’s feet had felt leaden as they had walked up onto the stage to accept
the beautiful
portrait Liz had done for her ... it had taken weeks of sittings, her best
work ever, A
stunning portrait of Dave flanked by their two Red Setters. Liz had cried
as she
hugged Lisa, and Told her she loved her. Lisa had cried too .. .but for a
different
reason. Just a little mistake.
The Mayor had drawn the curtain ... and everyone had flocked into the
exhibition ..
Lisa had known it wouldn’t be long before pandemonium had broken out.
Lisa’s Pictures were wonderful, beautifully lit, well displayed ready to be
received.
Liz’s pictures were also Well lit and ready to be received.
The look on Liz’s face had been a picture itself . as she had walked round
her beloved
work in silence.
Lisa stammered and stuttered “It was just a mistake ... it was just a
mistake”
She stopped first at the obligatory Still life “Bowl of fruit” in one place
the varnish had
been carefully removed, and the Banana replaced by a large Vibrator ....
little lines
gave the effect of the huge pink, realistically veined and headed, Penis
vibrating on top
of the fruit. Lisa coloured in shame.
They moved onto “Lovers at Dawn” ... a beautifully poignant picture of two
naked
lovers entwined in sweet embrace .. She, was now covered in Tribal tattoos.
He, had
a stick of Blackpool rock where his Penis had once been, and was wearing a
“Kiss me
quick hat”.
Now onto her piece-de-resistance The Abstract Liz had called “confusion” ..
at first
glance it looked fine .. but as you peered more closely the little primary
coloured
blocks formed two words ... “ You Arsehole” these framed the perfect view
of a large
Backside with pouting mouth.
Liz walked round a second time .... still not having said a single word
shocked into
stunned silence. Lisa babbled out the whole sorry tale. The paintings, The
Senapods,
Jenny having seen them out having their celebratory “end of sitting” drink
together
everything.
Liz moved to the bench in the middle of the room .. she sat and slowly bent
her head
into her hands, Her shoulders started to heave .. and when she looked up
tears were
running down her cheeks ..... She was laughing so hard that she nearly
choked .. soon
both Dave and Lisa had joined in too .....people stood around looking
bemused as the
three friends hugged and laughed and slid down walls to sit on the floor in
hysterics.
This image, was the picture greeting them on the formatfront page the next
day.
The exhibition was a great success .... the write up in the paper was
spectacular. Both
women sold out, but Miss Liz Hope was acclaimed the most brave, radical
Trendy
artist of the Decade .... people were already placing orders for her next
works of
“unusual contemporary” art.
Kim
Kim
*****
>sooz...@virgin.net
>Date: Fri, 17 September 1999 07:51 AM EDT
>Message-id: <7rt9uf$edc$4...@nclient15-gui.server.virgin.net>
Kim
Porch Dreamer
AFGS '99
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