Chapter Nineteen

 

Melissa spotted Pam ensconced in a booth to the right of the hostess stand. She pushed her bag onto the leather-covered bench and sidled in next to it. “I’m sorry I’m late. I got wrapped up talking with a realtor talking about a storefront I saw that might be perfect for a gallery.”

“No worries, I just got here. My drink hasn’t even arrived yet.” Pam pushed her hair behind her ear. “Did you and Darius enjoy your weekend at the Bed and Breakfast?”

“Yes and no. We had a nice time, but he was preoccupied with his parents’ stuff. He tried to pretend, but I could tell he was thinking about them.”

“At least he tried,” Pam said. “I’d give a million dollars if Steve had been half as committed as Darius.”

“You don’t have a million dollars.” Melissa laughed.

“I’d borrow it from you.”

The waiter arrived to take Melissa’s drink order.

“You’re really going to do the gallery thing, huh?”

“Yes, I am. Since I’ve finally made the decision, I feel like a free bird.” She threw her arms in the air. “I might teach another semester until I’ve got all the details worked out, but I’m excited.”

Pam rested her chin in the palm of her hand and stared at the ketchup bottle positioned in the middle of the table. “Pretty soon I’m going to find my way too. I think as soon as I get away from all the reminders around here, I’ll be able to put my life back together.” She spoke without breaking eye contact with the condiments.

The hurt in her eyes was hard to accept. Melissa tried to manage the excitement bubbling inside. She wanted to run through all the details about the gallery and the artists she’d talked to, but the hollowed out shell of what used to be her best friend needed her attention.

“I’m going with you to Philly. To help you find a place,” Melissa offered, hoping to provide some assurance.

“How are you going to leave your classes? You’ve got to work.”

Melissa dismissed the comment by waving her hand. “I only plan to be at the university one more semester anyway. What are they going to do, deny me tenure?”

“I love the idea.” Pam’s eyes filled with tears. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”

“I’ll always be here for you.” Melissa released her hand and picked up the menu. “Let’s order some lunch. I haven’t eaten much today and I’m starving.”

Melissa signaled the server and they placed their order.

By the time they finished eating and walked out of the restaurant, Pam was back to her old self again. Her laughter came easily.

“You know what we need to do?”

“No, what?”

“We need to spend a day in Napa. I want to make sure I have a nice supply of all my favorite wines to take to Philly. I get cranky without my favorite beverage. Plus, we can have a fun weekend. Let’s invite Asa and Dakota too.” The giddy tone to her voice sounded like the vivacious Pam she knew.

“I love the idea. Set it up, I’m there.”

After returning from lunch with Pam, Melissa flopped into the chair behind her desk. With her last class of the day over, all she needed to do was complete the mid-term exam questions and then she’d call it a day. At four in the afternoon, she was ready to go home and make some calls to some more artists, complete the business plan and sketches. Working well into the night was starting to catch up to her.

Sleeping with Darius on the road was like going to bed with a band of unruly distractions, each demanding a time in the spotlight. He’d only been gone a week and already it seemed like months. Talking two and three times a day just wasn’t the same as having him at home.

Melissa tried to stifle a yawn.

“Wake up, sleepy head.” A familiar voice interrupted her with her mouth wide open.

Melissa snapped her lips together and looked at the entrance to her office.

“Rob, what are you doing here?” She jumped out of the chair. He was dressed in jeans and a button-down white shirt, which accentuated his dark tan. With his dark hair and eyes, he could almost pass for ‘a brother’.

“I had some business to finish up here at the university and I wanted to see some of my colleagues before I leave town. So, you know I had to stop by and see you.”

“Leaving town? Where are you going?” She took a step closer to him. “Come on in and take a seat. Just excuse the clutter. You know what it’s like in the middle of the semester.” She pushed papers aside to make the desk more presentable.

“How about you walk with me down to the Coffee Shack? You look like you could use a change of scenery and I need to walk.” Rob rubbed his hands together.

“What a good idea. I might as well call it a day. I was falling asleep. A walk will rejuvenate me.” She grabbed her purse and briefcase. He waited while she locked the door.

The campus was nearly deserted. A few students mingled near the quadrangle, but she didn’t recognize any of them. Melissa picked up her pace when a stiff breeze blew between the buildings.

“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to how cold it is in San Francisco in the spring,” she said.

“Yes, you will. Give yourself a few more years.”

They managed to find a small table in the back of the coffee shop. Melissa rushed to grab chairs relinquished by two women, each with a baby stroller.

“What are you doing on campus?” Melissa asked as soon as they were seated.

“Since my divorce is final, I needed to change my beneficiary statement and distributions on file. I didn’t accumulate much during my short time at the school, but you know I’m a stickler for details. Also, I felt really bad about what happened in Maui and I wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean to cause you and Darius any trouble.”

She blew into her cup before taking a sip. “You didn’t need to come down here just to apologize. Darius was just a little off. We’ve been going through a rough patch, and I’m sorry you got caught in the middle of our mess. Darius didn’t mean to take his frustration out on you.”

“I feel like I put you in an impossible position.”

She waved her hand. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.” She reached across the table and squeezed his palm, hoping to reassure him.

He took a deep breath. “Good.” He tasted his coffee. “I also wanted to tell you I’m moving to Baltimore. I’m doing my residency at John Hopkins.”

“You’re kidding me, right?”

He shook his head and grinned. “Nope. I’m dead serious. Since I’m making the career switch, I decided to go all out. The change of pace will do me good.” He took another sip. “How about you? Have you made any decisions regarding your career? The last time we talked you were in a quandary.”

“As a matter of fact, I have. After a lot of thinking and soul-searching, I’ve decided I’m going to start painting again, and I’m opening a gallery. I want to display new and upcoming artists along with some of my own pieces. I think I’ve even identified a location.” She knew she sounded like an excited child. But every time she talked about the idea, the reality became more concrete. Her life had purpose now, and she didn’t have to worry about living Darius’s dream. For the first time in a long time, she felt equal to him in some way. She wasn’t just living off him. They were both following their creative passions. And it had nothing to do with how much money he had or how little she made. Her chest filled with joy. She couldn’t wait to share this new life with him.

“Great, Melissa. Your eyes are sparkling. Which means you’re doing the right thing,” he said.

“I think so.”

He put his cup on the table and stood. “I better get going. I’m catching the red-eye out tonight and I have a few more loose ends to tidy up.”

Melissa stood and embraced him. Another friend was abandoning her. With Darius touring and Pam moving away, who would she pal-around with? She pushed those thoughts aside. Somehow, she’d manage. Life would be so busy when the gallery opened, she wouldn’t have much time for socializing, anyway. “Take care of yourself, Rob.”

“If you’re ever in Baltimore, give me a call.”

She kissed his cheek. “Count on it.” She waved as he made his way to the exit.