Chapter 14: Artistic Fireworks

Annie paused at the entrance to the museum, staring in terror at the amount of people that had shown. I squeezed her hand in reassurance, knowing she was just getting a bit of stage fright. I'd felt that enough with all the important meetings and gatherings I'd attended in my life.

"Oh, there's so many people," she breathed, her voice sounding small.

"Yes there are. But don't be intimidated …. you'll be fine," I assured her, starting forward.

She followed my lead and the three of us headed inside. The museum was not large but spacious enough. There had to be at least two hundred people here. The lights were bright and the floor was the color of glazed honey. It was a perfect floor for dancing and there was some people dancing to the music playing in the background. There were several white-clothed tables adorned with food and beverages of all kind.

Art of all kinds were displayed on the walls and the shelves that surrounded us and everyone was dressed up formally as they went from one exhibit to another, gazing appreciatively at the art and speaking in low tones about the colors, the style, the emotions. I'd never really been to such an event before.

"Mademoiselle Stonewall! What a pleasure," a soft voice drawled and I turned to see a tall, dark haired man come our way, smiling at Annie. She cautiously smiled back and took the hand he offered, shaking it firmly.

"Mr. Seratis, I assume?" she asked and he laughed, nodding.

"Indeed I am. And you have two escorts?" he asked curiously, glancing at me and then at Luke.

"Indeed. I am a very lucky woman," Annie said and that caused Mr. Seratis to chuckle.

"Of course. Well, you two must be pretty special. I knew Miss Stonewall was a gem from the moment I saw her first painting," he said, keeping his smile. He then stared at me for a moment, nearly gaping.

"Wait a minute … you're Bart Foxworth!" he whispered.

Even though he whispered, some of the chattering in the room stopped and I saw some of the other guests were looking at me curiously.

"Yes. Looks like the secret is out," I tried to tease even though I had wished no one had recognized me. How stupid to think I wouldn't be recognized at such an event ….

"You did well with your show you had on tv a few years ago. Shame they took it off though," Mr. Seratis said, shaking his head. I only hoped that he didn't know the reason they had because I was still too ashamed to tell Annie.

"Show? As in television?" Annie asked, her eyes widening as she looked at me. I couldn't help but wince. I'd forgotten to tell her.

"Indeed. He used to get on television and deliver the most outstanding sermons ….. and what a singing voice! But now I understand you are running several successful businesses?" he asked and I nodded even though my eyes were still on Annie and hers were still on mine.

"Yes. How about we look at the exhibit?" I asked. Mr. Seratis nodded, taking that as a cue to leave for he went to speak to someone else.

"You never mentioned you had a television show," Annie quietly said. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

"I know. I don't like to think about it often. It goes to the back of my mind. I wasn't hiding it from you, Annie. It just ended up badly and I hate thinking about it," I said. Her eyes seemed to soften somewhat.

"Well, he was crowing about how good it was so how could it end so badly? You should be proud to say you had your own tv show," Luke said even though he sounded bitterly sarcastic.

"Luke! What is your problem?" Annie hissed and Luke glared at her.

"It sounds to me as if he's the one with the problem. Coming here with you to steal the spotlight," he sneered. I felt my face turn deep crimson.

"I didn't come here to steal any spotlight. I hoped I wouldn't be recognized, as stupid as it sounds," I said. Luke snorted.

"Yeah right. I bet the only reason you even came was to do just that. Be recognized!"

"If you think I'm going to stand here and let you rage on and on about something stupid then you can just leave, Luke! He didn't come here to steal any spotlight. There are at least five other artists here so stop acting like I'm the only one. I wasn't expecting to come here and be treated like some famous movie star. It's my first exhibit, my first real one. I'm simply showing my things to the world, not bragging about them. I didn't expect to get a lot of attention tonight. I'm doing this for my career, not to be famous. I never asked to be famous. I would be happy with my art if I never sold a single piece! I live for my art, you know that, Luke! And you're acting like the only reason I'm here is to get an Academy Award. So what if Bart was on television once? It's not like he's been in dozens of movies or anything and you have no right to say anything because you don't know him!" Annie raged angrily, her eyes sparkling with anger as she glared at Luke.

"You don't know him either! You just met him! And you've known me forever yet you act like you don't know me! What is wrong with you, Annie?" he raged back.

"I don't know who you are anymore, Luke! You changed before I did when you decided there were better fish out there. You barely even kept in touch even though I kept writing and calling but I never once got a response. Until you happened to read that article where my work would be featured. Why now, Luke? You weren't there for me for years and now you waltzed back into my life? Why?" she demanded.

"I was wrong to not keep in touch, Annie. I know that now. I came because I've been thinking about you for a while, been thinking about what we used to have. And I realized that I still need you in my life, Annie. I was hoping to be here with you – alone. But instead I find you with him and you two barely know each other yet you lock the door when I'm gone. You've known him, what? A week? You've known me for years, Annie," Luke said. I felt guilty just standing there and listening to their heated argument but I wasn't sure what to do.

"Now you want to be with me? NOW! It's a little late, Luke! I've spent YEARS getting over you and I'm not going to start all over and let my heart be torn in pieces again! You loved me when we thought we were related but as soon as we learned the real truth, you were backing away from me. I've needed you in my life since then, Luke, but you weren't there. You didn't want to be there. And now I don't need you in my life that way anymore. I would like you as a friend, a brother, but I don't need you in the same way that I once thought I did. I have known you for all my life, Luke, but not when I needed you the most. You can't expect me to feel the same as you do whenever you decide!"

"Then …. you don't love me, Annie?" he softly asked, looking so defeated that I was actually a bit ashamed of being jealous of him earlier. Annie softened and quickly embraced him.

"Not in that way anymore, Luke. It's been too long. I love you as a friend, as a sister …. but nothing more. Nothing less, nothing more," she softly said, pulling back to look into his eyes. He looked at her for a long moment as if realizing what an idiot he had been to avoid her all of these years. He finally nodded.

"I'm sorry I blew up just now. I hope I didn't ruin your evening but I really came here to patch things up between us. I hoped this would be a good time and now I realize I've been selfish, not even thinking about the pain you went through when I ignored your calls and letters. I'm sorry Annie," he softly said.

Annie looked like she was trying not to cry.

"Me too, Luke. Me too. But we can only be friends now. I won't be hurt again," she said and he nodded.

"I know. Well, let's look at your exhibit. I'm sure its lovely," he quickly said, wanting to change the subject I was sure. Annie smiled and nodded, taking our hands again as she led us over to where her paintings had been placed. I stopped and stared at one I hadn't seen before. Annie had showed me her paintings she'd brought before she'd brought them here, but there was a new painting up that I hadn't seen. It was a portrait of me. From the day she'd wanted to sketch me.

"Looks wonderful," Luke said, trying to be positive as he stared at my portrait. He looked at the other paintings, most of them being beautiful landscapes.

"I'm going to get a drink," he finally said, leaving me and Annie alone. I felt her arms encircle my waist from behind me and felt her warmth through my clothes.

"What do you think?" she whispered, her lips against my neck.

"It's …. it's really something, Annie," I breathed. The painting looked so lifelike …. so like me. I shook my head.

"It looks as if I'm looking at myself through a mirror. You are going to be famous, Annie, no matter what you say. You have talent," I seriously said, turning to face her.

"Thank you, Bart. It means a lot to hear you say that. And …. the painting is actually a surprise …. your surprise," she softly said.

"But Annie …." I started but she put her finger over my lips.

"I want you to have it, Bart. I won't take no for an answer," she said. I shrugged.

"In that case, fine …. but are you sure?" I asked. She smiled up at me, her eyes meeting with mine.

"I've never been more sure," she softly admitted and I realized that she wasn't only talking about her giving me the painting. She was talking about our future ….