This is not the short story I intended to post for August. I had another one written up and was mid-edit when this story popped into my head two days ago and refused to let go. I’ve been rushing to finish writing the short story and edit it, so I apologize if it is a little rough. I can’t say it’s the best short story to use this kind of metaphor, but I really liked the image that came to mind. I’m still working on the artwork for the short story (bad time management led to a late Friday evening and an early Saturday morning so I’ve been catching up on sleep) and I should have it up in the next day or two.
I hope you enjoy! now, without further ado:
A Curated Image
The painting was in a simple lacquered wood frame, positioned just so the light would best highlight the delicate, dreamy watercolor. Apparently, Kaitlyn’s Client had fallen in love with its “tranquil aura”, saying it gave off a “sense of heightened peace”.
Personally, Kaitlyn wasn’t feeling it herself, but maybe that was just her.
She fought to keep her voice low and calm and thought she did an admirable job. “No, Lewis, no- listen to me. I don’t care how good the “vibes” in the apartment are. It’s my apartment. Sarah was the one renting a room from me. Since you decided to dump me for Sarah you can both get out and find your own place.”
Kaitlyns phone buzzed in her hand. She pulled the phone away as Lewis kept talking to check her incoming messages. The unread text from her mom from three days ago had been bumped down to make room for two more: a lunch invite from her stepmother for this Saturday and an update on her car insurance claim. She sent her stepmother a thumbs-up to confirm she would be there and pressed her phone back to her ear.
“No, Lewis, I don’t think two weeks is unfair. In fact, I think I’ve been overly gracious to give Sarah a full two weeks to get out and find a new place. Especially considering she admitted that the two of you were running around behind my back for three weeks before you came out with your stupid “true love” spiel. Maybe if you spent as much time looking for a new place as you spend harassing me, you would already have a new place.
As Lewis started yelling, Kaitlyn pulled her phone from her ear and returned her attention to the painting. Per her client’s request the room had been re-designed to make the moderate-sized piece the focal point, without making it obvious it was supposed to be the focus. A new acquisition from a trip overseas – apparently picked up somewhere in the area around the Mediterranean while on a backpacking tour.
Kaitlyn let Lewis keep ranting as she overlooked the room. Due to the use of cool blues and soft lavender in the painting, the room had been redone in a warm cream color. The baseboards were stained to match the painting’s frame. Likewise, the furniture selected had the same finish on the floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the wooden table – in a modern egg shape – and the deep window bench. Since the painting wasn’t overly complex the room had been given a minimalistic approach. Aside from the table and the standing lamp, the remaining furniture was a couch and armchair upholstered in a soft dove grey fabric with throw pillows in cool pastel tones, selected from the watercolor itself.
After double-checking the room, making sure everything was staged just right and there wasn’t a speck of dirt or dust, she checked her watch. “Look, Lewis,” She put her phone to her ear and cut off her ex-fiance mid-rant. “I’ve got an appointment for work and I frankly don’t care what else you have to say. I took your call because I thought you wanted to coordinate getting your things, but if all you want to do is yell then I don’t have time for you. Either get me your new address so I can ship you your things, or set up a time we can hand them over. Don’t call me for anything else. You’ve got two more days before I dump it on the sidewalk outside the apartment for you to get yourself.”
Hanging up on someone shouldn’t feel so exhausting. A week ago, it had been immensely satisfying to cut Lewis off mid-outraged ramble. Now it was just a chore. She gave herself fifteen seconds to slump, exhausted, then forced herself to straighten. Chin up, shoulders back.
She checked her appearance. Her shoes – black kitten heels that made her just tall enough the client didn’t have to look too far down at her, but not so tall that she was the same height. Stockings: skin colored and unripped. Outfit: black, knee-length pencil skirt and white button-up under a light grey cardigan, just a shade darker than the upholstery. Classy, comfortable, and easy enough to change out of for the bright green pant suit she needed for her two o’clock appointment. One quick check that her hair was in place, a neat bun with all the flyaways slicked back, and she was ready to go.
And not a moment too soon.
At the sound of approaching footsteps Kaitlyn did a quick check on the name of the client for her 8 am meeting, then shoved her phone into her purse. At the click of the door opening she turned with a bright smile. “Mr. Everbright, I’m so glad we can meet on such a lovely morning!”
