Leave it to Vivienne to turn such a commemoration into a social event.
“I was thinking about her the other day,” Mother says pensively. “And I’m convinced she would have become a mother by now. She would have found a nice, respectable man in college—like Edward—and they would have given me a beautiful grandchild with blue eyes and blond hair.”
I knew my sister more than she ever did or will, so I know that the fantasy she has of her isn’t right. For one, Victoria was always adamant about building a career, determined to make her own mark in the world. So, I’m not so sure she would have put it all aside so early in favor of a family.
More importantly, my twin was never into boys, but that is a secret I will take to my grave because it isn’t mine to share. Our parents weren’t open enough to accept it, so Vicky spent her brief existence deeply hidden in a closet—one I couldn’t pull her out of, regardless of how much support and encouragement I offered. She was so scared of how they might react that she never allowed herself to kiss another girl. Not even Penelope, the senior she had a reciprocated crush on.
“She would have been an amazing mom,” I say, forcing a smile onto my lips. That isn’t a lie, and it entertains my mother’s delusions.
Whatever she wants to believe, I’ll let her. She lost a child, so she’s allowed any and every indulgence. That is a truth I have lived with for nearly ten years.
Because I can’t handle this in my sober state, I raise a hand to catch the waiter’s attention. “Could I have a lemon drop martini, please?” I ask when he comes.
“Of course, miss. Anything for you, ma’am?”
Mother hesitates, and when she asks for an old-fashioned, I know the meal will be rough. Whatever good mood she was in when I arrived is long gone.
So now, I just have to toughen up and endure the next hour.
I really should have found an excuse and stayed with Jake. That would have been a much better use of my time.
Chapter Sixteen
Gen
“You have no idea how muchI needed this,” I tell Hana as we walk toward the gallery.
“I take it your brunch with ‘Mother’ didn’t go well?”
“Oh, it went exactly as it always does.”
“Ew,” she says with a grimace. “Well, I’m glad we get to do this too. I love my son, but good God, he has quite the pair of lungs on him.”
“Which he got from you because Tyroneneverraises his voice.”
“Yes, my man is a perfectly mild-mannered introvert,” she says with unmistakable pride.
When we arrive before the massive, glassed front of the gallery, a few people are already waiting to enter. The exclusive event is invitation only, and Hana and I have our names on the list. Two people enter, three are sent on their way, and then it’s our turn.
“Genevieve Kensington and Hana Yun,” I tell the man behind the stand.
He finds us quickly and invites us to enter with a sweep of his arm. “Have an enlightening evening, ladies.”
We thank him with a smile and a nod and then enter the gallery. The place is magnificent, with high ceilings, expensive materials, designer furniture… Soft music is playing, present enough to fill the air but discreet enough to allow conversations. And the art exposed is brought forward by perfect and clever dispositions. A woman comes to help us out of our coats, and another one approaches with a tray filled with champagne flutes. We both take one and then venture into the artful space. It’s so massive that one might call it a museum rather than a gallery. Our old friend is doing very well for herself.
“Do you think there’ll be other people here from Harvard?” Hana asks before taking a sip.
“God, I hope not. I don’t want to spend the evening catching up with people I couldn’t even bear back then.”
Hana giggles into her champagne. “They were such pretentious assholes.”
“Constance was fine though,” I feel compelled to say. Hana nods.
“She was. Which is why we’re here to support her tonight. Not that she needs us.”
We look around the room, and I admit that I’m impressed by the turnout. Constance must have quite the social network to pull such a successful opening. In the five years since she took over, this gallery has become a landmark in the New York art scene. And it’s my understanding that tonight is her consecration, exposing some of the hottest artists in the world. No wonder so many people are present, some even trying to get in without an invitation.
Among the many guests, I recognize a few faces, including friends of my parents. We all frequent the same circles after all, so it makes sense that such an event would bring us together.
