Page 19 of The Artist

Chapter7

Three days later, Peter pulled his SUV next to Alexis’s vehicle at her cabin and cut the engine.Then he gathered his satchel, pressed the button to open the hatch and then put his keys into one of the outside pockets of the satchel.He pulled a large, wrapped canvas from the vehicle, then used the key fob to close the hatch.He smiled as he thought of her face when she saw the painting.She would love it, he was sure.He picked up the canvas with both hands and headed toward the cabin.

When he reached the door, he held the canvas with one hand and rapped on the door with the other.The closer he got to revealing the painting, the more anxious he got.He was fairly sure she’d love it.She loved the video games, so she’d love this, wouldn’t she?The longer he stood there the more nervous he became.He usually showed his video game paintings to Ray, Nick, and Megan first, so he was just a little nervous.

Alexis opened the door.“Peter.I didn’t expect you.Come in.”She looked at the canvas in his hand.“Is that what I think it is?”She stood back so he could get by her and into the warmth of the cabin.

“If you think it’s your painting, you would be correct.”He walked the few steps to the table and propped the painting against it.

She closed the door, then turned toward him and clasped her hands in front of her waist.

Peter was slow to rid himself of his outer garments.He smiled, knowing she was about to explode with curiosity.

“Peter.I want to see the painting.Hurry up.”She flapped her hand in ahurry upgesture.

He chuckled, not able to stop himself, though he did try.“All right.All right.”Picking up the painting, he carefully removed the paper covering.He watched her, loving her excitement.He couldn’t wait for her to see what he thought of as his masterpiece for the games.

Finally, he turned the picture for her to see it.

Her mouth fell open but no sound emerged.

He stared at her as she stared at the painting.

Alexis cleared her throat and still had no words, then she suddenly pointed with a trembling right hand.“You painted me?Me?Why would you give me that ridiculous body with those breasts and a waist that’s impossible to achieve?”Tears formed in her eyes.“Is this truly what you think of me?Am I just a caricature in your game?You’re just like Horace and Ed.They were more interested in my boobs and my butt than my brain.”She pointed at the painting.“Obviously you think the same way.”

Peter didn’t know what to say.He thought she would love it.She’d said she played the games and he thought she would enjoy being immortalized in it.How could he be so wrong?

She pointed at the door with her left index finger while her right hand extended across her stomach.“Get.Out.Now.And take your picture with you.”

Anger rose, unbidden.“You ungrateful bi?—”

With eyes narrowed she glared at him.“You don’t want to finish that sentence within my hearing.Just as I won’t say theb-word within yours.”

Regaining his patience, he slowly released a breath.“Alexis, I?—”

“Get.Out.”She turned and walked into the bedroom, leaving him alone.

He left, closing the door behind him.Shaking his head, he still couldn’t believe what happened.How could he have read her so wrong?I guess she was right, we really don’t know anything about the other.And yet I don’t have the heart to change the painting.What would he do, hang it in his home to remind him of what could have been?

When he arrived at the Simpson cabin, he grabbed the painting and stalked inside.He set the painting next to the wall and walked to the liquor cabinet.Peter wasn’t much of a drinker, but he felt like tying one on now.He prepared himself an Old Fashioned.It was his father’s favorite drink, and he’d acquired a taste for them.

He sat on the sofa and stared at the inlit fireplace for a few minutes before he stood and placed his painting in front of the hearth’s glass doors.

He stared at it for a long time before deciding he’d start a different painting for Alexis.He’d promised her one from the games, and he would honor his words and give her the kind of painting she wanted.It would be a non-player, computer run, character in the next game.

No.So what if they’d talked about doing something from the game.He was painting for himself this time.He loved his ranch and had never painted it or anything like it, so he’d paint that now.

And if she still refused it?asked the little him who sat on his shoulder and was his conscience.Rather than show her what he would paint, he decided he’d take the painting and his supplies and go home.He could be miserable there just as well as here.Of course, he’d come here in the first place to avoid the media and the hounding gallery owners.What about them?Would they still be after him?He’d just have to be stealthy.He wouldn’t tell anyone he was coming home.No one except his pilots and his driver would know.

Peter quickly packed his bags and left the cabin.He wasn’t about to beg anyone to take one of his paintings, no matter how beautiful she was.

As he reached his car, he stopped and dropped his chin to his chest.She’d saved his life, and he’d made her a promise.He’d never reneged on a promise in his life, and he wouldn’t start now.His mama would have a fit if she ever found out he was being less than honorable.The fact he found Alexis beautiful, smart, and courageous had nothing to do with it.

He took everything back inside the cabin.

A week later, Peter had finished working, and the painting was dry.He grabbed the painting and his keys and walked out the door.It was sunny outside and the snow glistened like a billion diamonds covered it.He drove down the rutted, snow- packed road, heading to Aspen and The Armstrong Gallery.

When he arrived, he stopped next to her car and removed the painting from the back seat of the SUV.Since the gallery wasn’t open yet, he stomped up to the back door and pounded on it.