“What about Daisy? Can’t I borrow what she’s put together?” Never mind that I don’t knowwhyshe has anything put together.
“No. This is on you. If you’re not ready, she will present in your place. Don’t forget that I’ve declined a few artists to make sure we have room for his collection.”
Janet never shared that piece of information with me. I want to ask who she’s turned down for features, but the more she speaks, the more stern her voice gets. Jumping in and asking questions won’t bode well for me.
“I can probably verbally go over everything with him. I won’t have graphs and charts showing him some of the returns I put together, but at least it’s something.”
“At least it’s something.” She keeps her eyes on me, and I can see how tired she is.
“Long night with the kids?” I ask. Maybe I can play to the mom side of her, not the boss side.
“Daniel has a cold and his crying kept Sasha up all night, too. Not to mention me.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Janet reaches for the door knob. “Not as sorry as you’ll be if you don’t come through.”
Before she opens the door, my phone buzzes. “Alvin Hamilton is on the line,” CJ says through the speaker.
Janet and I exchange a look. “On the line or he’s in the lobby?”
“On the line.” CJ patches him through.
I snatch the phone off the cradle. I’m sure Janet wishes I took this via speakerphone. “Mr. Hamilton.”
“Ms. Turner. How are you this morning?”
Janet is burning through me with her eyes as my pulse races. She crosses her arms and starts tapping her leg. It’s killing her that she doesn’t know what Alvin is saying to me.
“Very well, thank you.” Lie. “Are you running late this morning?”
“Me? Late? Never.” He sounds offended. That’s not the best thing. “I’m actually not coming.”
“Oh?”
“Since I visited last week I’ve given a lot of consideration to your gallery. I don’t think it’s a good fit.”
“I’m sorry?” He hasn’t even seen what I plan on doing. I don’t have my presentation to show him but I can definitely sit him down and discuss my ideas with him.
“I’m out, Ms. Turner. I will not be showing my work at Poppy Haus.”
My hand meets my mouth and when I glance at Janet I look away as quickly as I can. It’s too late, though. She isn’t stupid. She can read my reaction.
“May I ask why, Mr. Hamilton?”This. Isn’t. Good.Janet already told me this makes or breaks my job.
“Yes, you may, but I’m not discussing this over the phone. I’ll be in touch.”
The phone disconnects. I take a moment to comprehend what just happened and how I’ll explain this to Janet.
I set the phone back on the cradle with Janet looking me up and down.
“Don’t even tell me what that was about because I have a pretty good idea. First you’re neglecting other artists. Then your laptop is ‘stolen’. Now no Alvin Hamilton. I hate to do this, Reese, but I don’t think this is working out anymore.” She points to my desk. “Pack up your stuff. You’re fired.”
14
I’ve never been firedin my entire life. Not when I worked at Dairy Queen in high school, even. Nope. I’ve always been a fantastic employee with a top-notch work ethic. The presentation being lost really wasn’t my fault. And Alvin made the call on his own before I even had my official meeting with him. Obviously, he never intended on giving us a chance or he would have waited to hear our bid. He didn’t even give us that.
I hate that I can’t go back to my own house and mope about my job loss. I’ve been stuck at Jimmy’s every day. I’m waking up at my normal time, dressing for work, saying goodbye to Jimmy, and driving from gallery to gallery. I’m not sure what I’m searching for. A job? That would be nice. That’s not it, though. I’m searching the paintings for something, some piece of me that is gone, now that I’m no longer a part of Poppy Haus.
