“Umm, let’s see. It was the summer of 2011.”
“So you and Ben were alone for the first time beginning then?”
“Yes, it was an adjustment. I had never had to think about childcare. Of course, Ben was ten by then and did not think he needed a sitter. I am sure you can imagine how that went,” said Poppy with a look.
Harvey, who had two teenage boys, replied, "Absolutely. Let's talk about your art for a minute. When did you begin theGrowing Up New Yorkseries?"
"I started it during my master's program and continued adding pieces through Christmas 2011. Jack's idea was to make sure theicons of New York were incorporated into each picture after 9-11. Once the towers were gone, we knew we wanted to do something authentic that showcased our beautiful city. Personally, I wanted to document Ben's life.
"Down deep in the most secret part of my heart, I never stopped mourning not being able to share Ben's life with Bennett. It was my way of doing that. Somehow, I knew someday he would see the pictures and be able to share in art what he missed in life."
"Wow. That is amazing. So, you worked on the pieces for over a decade. How many pieces did you complete in all?"
"There are thirty paintings in the collection," said Poppy proudly.
"Where are they now?" asked Harvey.
"The whole collection is a part of a permanent exhibit at the Emerson Childhood Museum in New York. The museum is a celebration of childhood. I still own the originals, but they pay a yearly stipend for the right to show them."
"How did you get into doing art fundraisers for hospitals?" asked Harvey.
"That came about after Gran had her heart attack. Thank goodness for Greer Stone. He is a miracle worker. He was Gran's surgeon. She would not have made it if that hospital had not been there. At the time, the hospital was struggling financially. As a thank you to Dr. Stone and the hospital, I offered to do a fundraiser. I arranged to do a traveling exhibit of the pieces and to sell signed, numbered, and framed prints of the work. I also donated two original pieces to be raffled."
"So that was how Edna Stone found out about you?" asked Harvey.
"Yes, she started emailing and calling me about doing the same thing in Searcy. I was totally against it. In fact, I told her I was neverstepping foot back in Searcy. That just goes to show you to never say never," said Poppy with a laugh.
"So if you said no, how did you end up doing the show in March 2012?"
"Because Bennett came to see me," replied Poppy.
"Really," said Harvey. "That sounds interesting."
"Oh, it was," replied Poppy.
The Art Institute
New York, New York
February 2012
Poppy was finishing up her Human Form drawing class when Bennett slipped into the class. At first, she did not see him. He stood in the back of the room, leaning casually against the back of the classroom, watching her.
Walking around the room talking with students, Poppy said, "Great work, Sabrina. I can see real improvement in your shading." Moving to another student, she said, "Lisa, this is your best work yet; Catherine, you, Daryn, and Denice have really improved since last week. Melissa, I love the shading.” Looking over to the next student, she said, "Donna, you…" Whatever she was going to say next was lost as her eyes landed on Bennett, and all rational thoughts fled.
Quickly recovering herself, Poppy instructed the students that they had done enough for the day and to pack up. The students only took a few minutes to collect their things and quickly exit the room. The whole time, Poppy ignored Bennett until everyone was gone.
When it was just the two of them, Poppy looked at him and said, "Senator, what the hell are you doing interrupting my class?"
Bennett gave her a look and said, "Look, I am not any happier about this than you are. But, I owe Edna Stone a favor."
Whatever Poppy expected Bennett to say, it wasn't that. "Edna Stone? The lady who keeps calling me trying to get me to come to Searcy to do a fundraiser?"
"Yes, one and the same. She has been a huge contributor to my campaigns over the years. She has called my office several times asking me to approach you about the fundraiser given our past."
Poppy blanched, "How in the world would she know about that?"
Bennett frowned at her and said, "Not that past. The fact your Gran was our housekeeper. She mistakenly thought you might change your mind if I approached you. I tried to tell her I had no influence over you, but she insisted. She said you have done some amazing series about growing up in New York. Edna says it is fabulous. So, here I am. Asking you again, will you please come to Searcy to do for our hospital what you did for the one her nephew works at?"
