Sette was further kept away from home due to her mother deciding to have a heart-to-heart talk with her only child. Spurred on by her father, of course. The man who refused to talk to her because he was as surly as his now late mother.Doctors. Sette was glad to be rid of that.
“You’re entering your late thirties,” Mrs. Christie said more than once, as if Sette wasn’t aware of her age. “Don’t you think it’s time you settled down? Goodness, I’m not even demandinggrandchildren – yet – but it would definitely be nice if you could at least have a spouse sometime before I die like your grandmother.” She had stared out the kitchen window for so long that Sette wondered if her mother would leave it at that. “I’ve long given up hope that you’ll find yourself a niceboy.Just give me a wedding and a grandkid.”
Didn’t know you planned on dying from a massive stroke that spited the devil himself.“Dating has never been my strongest suit. That’s where this conversation ends.”
Luckily for her, Mrs. Christie was a mousy pushover who would start things but never finish them. When Sette said the topic of her being attached was over, it was over. Thank God her father wasn’t around, though. That was the parent who always finished things.
Sette returned home to a messy studio and a bunch of unfinished paintings. Upon seeing them, she was filled with renewed fervor and immediately called the Manoir to resume her activities with June.
She always thought about her mother’s words, whether she was with June or not.
For a month, she kept up the same old pace. The bids were put on hold because the other worthless woman that Sette was up against had to leave the country for whatever business she pursued.What kind of star is she if they’re giving her that kind of privilege?Sette was ready to be done with the bids and simply call June her own. Twice a week, she saw her, and twice a week she made endless love to her while refueling her creative abilities. June was more than her muse now. Sette never told her that she loved her – that was foolish, even for her – but she brought her heartfelt gifts every time she saw her. Flowers, pieces of simple jewelry, and her favorite makeup from Sephora. When Sette called Joy one day to get her opinion on a red versusblack dress, she called Sette crazy and told her to send five more paintings before the end of the week.
Her gallery opening in New York was shaping up to be a helluva event. It was opening Fourth of July weekend. Fewer than two months away, but who was counting? Sette remained in her artistic world of painting and scoring points with her muse. Every time they made love, whether it was fast and demanding or slow and sensual, she hoped she could convey every emotion she felt through nothing more than oil paints and canvas.
One Sunday afternoon at the end of May, she came early to the Manoir, well aware that June wasn’t usually ready for her by that time. Indeed, she had gone early to speak with Monique about the gallery opening.
“…That’s why I would like to humbly ask that June accompany me to the event,” she said at the end of her spiel to the madam. Monique, who was so big she could barely get out of her chair anymore, eyed Sette with neither suspicion nor trust. “I know it’s not what you usually allow, but I think it would be in your business’s best interest to promote the gallery with the model there. I’ll even pay for the pleasure of taking her away from here.”
“You’re right, it’s not something we would usually allow,” Monique said. “But you’re also right in that it would be good for business. You say it’s going to be at the Hoyt Gallery? A lot of high-profile people go to those things… it could well be a good way to advertise our business.” Dollar signs danced in her eyes. “How fortunate that you came to discuss such a thing with me today, Dr. Christie, for there was something I wanted to speak to you about as well.”
She made a proposition that had Sette wondering if she was going deaf. Her? Take June out for an overnight date on a day of her choosing? It sounded too good to be true.
It was.
“This excursion intends to allow you extra time to think about how much you want your final bid to be.” Monique had already explained that she would soon be asking for final offers of the bidder’s choosing.How much should I put in?Sette didn’t want to think about it. She would rather think about where to take June and what to do with her. Like a real couple – imagine that. “I would like to have this all wrapped up by the end of the month. I’ll be going on maternity leave in July, with June in charge of the Manoir. I intend to have everything squared away by then, so she can focus on the business.”
Sette couldn’t argue with that. “How soon can I take her out?”
“Whenever you want after this next week. I haven’t heard back from the other prospect.”
Because she’s not as serious as I am.“I’ll let you know on Wednesday.”
When she finally went to see June, who waited in her room wearing nothing more than a pair of silk underwear, Sette instantly forgot that there was another woman at all. How could she look at any other with that smile? Sette was delusional enough to buy into that.
It didn’t take long for her to decide when she wanted to bring June home. Rain had swept through the city, and the weather forecast said all would be clear later in the week. Perfect time to do some sketches away from the Manoir.
After June confirmed it was satisfactory to her, Sette made further plans. She would bring June down on Thursday morning and take her back Friday evening. In order to make this easier on her driving skills, she arranged to stay the night on Wednesday.It was her first time staying overnight at the Manoir, let alone so late into the evening.
Their usual sketching and painting time started on schedule and lasted until supper, when June invited her to dine on the balcony overlooking the labyrinth. She wore a loose, rose-colored chiffon shift cinched with nothing more than a red leather belt. Servants brought their dinners of duck stew, Parisian bread, and salads sprinkled with truffle flakes.I feel like I’m eating at the wake again. Her grandmother loved duck and truffles.
Although June remained casual in her posture and speech, there was a somber air hanging around her. When Sette asked what was bringing her down, she said, “Absolutely nothing. This is me being relaxed. You’ve simply never seen me eat before.”
“Do you always eat as if you’re about to be constipated?”
She stifled a laugh in her soup. “Do you so easily talk about constipation?”
“I used to be a doctor. I could tell you the most disgusting things about what I’ve seen and had to do in the delivery room. Depending on your stomach, of course.”
“Think I’ll pass. Save the taint-tearing war stories for another day.”
That’s only the tip of the iceberg. “Do you want kids, June?”
She looked at Sette as if she were nuts. “They don’t exactly fit my lifestyle. Don’t bring up my boss. She’s a special case, in every sense of the phrase.”
“Wasn’t going to.”
“Anyway, I can’t say I’ve ever felt the tug of motherhood. Who knows. Maybe one day. I’m in my thirties now, so if I haven’t felt it yet, I probably won’t. Right?”
