Chapter 12
At least a dozen different outfits are sprawled over my bed as I consider which to pick for tonight’s exhibition. I barely managed to finish the last of the paintings in time. Mark almost had a heart attack when I told him I needed to make some changes on the big guy and wouldn’t be sending it until this morning. He wailed for at least ten minutes about not being able to include it in the catalog. I preferred it that way. I want to watch Roman’s reaction when he sees it for the first time.
Picking black leather pants and a green silky shirt, I drape them over the chair, leaving the rest on the bed. I haven’t slept in this room for quite some time anyway. All my things are here though, because other than sleeping in Roman’s bed, I don’t plan on moving in with him. Okay, that sounds really strange since, well, I do live with him.
“This is so weird,” I mumble, sit down at the vanity, and start applying makeup.
My phone rings, and I take the call without checking the caller ID.
“Nina, is everything okay?”
If I had known it was my mother, I would have let it ring. “Yes.”
“You’ve been avoiding my calls for weeks.”
“Again, yes. I don’t see the point in this call, Mom.”
She doesn’t say anything for a few moments, and then surprises the hell out of me. “Your father and I would like to come to the gallery tonight. If that’s okay with you?”
I look at my reflection in the mirror, wondering if I heard her correctly. My mother has never come to my exhibitions. She once said that my art scares her.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea,” I say finally.
“Why?”
“Well, first, this collection is rather dark. I don’t want you to get a stomach ulcer. And second, Roman will be there.”
“Yeah, about your husband. I’m... I’m sorry for what I said that day. It’s just... I was surprised and I said some nasty things. It’s hard to understand you sometimes, Nina.”
I close my eyes and sigh. “I’m sorry I can’t be the person you wish for me to be, Mom. I never made it easy for you; I know that. But I am who I am. If you can’t deal with it and accept my choices, that’s okay. Just don’t call me anymore. However, if you can accept my life and my choices without reproach and unnecessary commentary, you are welcome to come tonight.”
“Okay, honey. We will be there.”
I cut the call but stare at the phone in my hand. Why would she change her mind so suddenly? I scroll through my phone, find my father’s number, and call him.
“Nina?”
“You told Mom, didn’t you?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Jesus, Dad.” I slump in the chair and put my hand over my eyes.
“I had to tell her, Nina. She would have kept grilling you, so I told her to make her understand.”
“To understand what?”
“Why you are with that man. I... I told her what I did, and that you married him because they would have killed me otherwise. I explained that you have to pretend.”
“Well, I’m not.”
“What?”
“I’m not pretending, Dad. I haven’t been for quite some time,” I sigh. “I am in love with him.”
“Nina! He is a killer. Are you crazy?”
“Maybe I am, but it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you will go and explain that to Mother. And if that doesn’t sit well with you two, I don’t want to see either of you tonight.”