Page 36 of The Gift Of Life

I knew I should have made an appointment to see Dr Carmichael. He would have talked me off this proverbial ledge. Even now, after a few months of working with Dr Carmichael, I still get days where everything gets on top of me. I really dislike the unknown. What if no one turns up tonight?

I bang my office door closed and lean my forehead against it. The cold wood is exactly what I need to feel something other than this turmoil.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Count to ten, they say.

A knock on the door makes me jump out of my skin. I brush down my dress and straighten up.

“Special delivery,” the muffled voice echoes through the door, but I’d know that voice anywhere.

I quickly open the door, and the moment my eyes meet Drew's, I relax slightly. He walks into my office holding a huge flower bouquet and places his warm hand on my cheek.

“What's happened?”

I pull away from him and sit on the edge of the desk. “I can’t do this. Why did you agree to let me use our life savings?”

“Because I love and trust you. And you can do this. You’re the one person I know who can do anything they set their mind to. Pull up those big girl pants, take a few deep breaths, go out there and get a glass of champagne, and enjoy every moment when those doors open.”

Drew has always been my biggest supporter, even when we were in primary school at the ripe age of five when Allan Henshaw pulled my pigtails. He never did it again because Drew pulled his hair and made him cry. When I think back all those years, we have crossed many mountains, but we did it together. Tonight is no different.

I stand tall, take in a deep breath, and hold my hand out for Drew’s. He links our fingers and smiles warmly at me. “Promise me you won’t let me go out there, fall flat on my face, and make a complete idiot of myself.”

“I promise. Now, get your cute little butt out there.”

I can do this, I repeat several times on my walk back to the gallery. Pete is standing at the door ready to let the catch off.

“Ready?”

Why am I so nervous? Most of the people that show up here tonight will probably be my loved ones.

“Ready.”

I don’t grab a glass of champagne because I don’t know what alcohol would be like mixed with my medication, and I am hoping not to make a fool of myself tonight. I have got to show everyone, including myself, that I am worthy of being here. That I can do this. First step Culross, next step Paris.

I can dream.

People start to come through the doors and Pete welcomes them with a glass of fizz. Drew lets my hand go and pushes me softly to meet my guests. I look over my shoulder at him, but when Pete points someone in my direction, I have to smile and be polite. I’m only going to be talking about the gallery and art. I should be able to do that easily enough. It’s a topic I can talk for hours about.

***

The night has been a great success; everyone is chatting and enjoying themselves. We’ve even sold many items.

I take a spoon and clink my glass. I don’t know where this newfound confidence has come from. I was putting off doing a speech, hoping I wouldn’t have to, but I owe it to me, my family, and my new customers and clients to do this.

I can do this.

“Thank you all for coming this evening. I think I have spoken with pretty much all of you, but I just wanted to take a moment of your time to introduce myself, tell you the purpose of the gallery, and explain a few things I hope to achieve here.”

I lick my lips because they’ve suddenly become dry. The room is dead silent.

“My name is Harper. I was an avid art student. Art is my passion. I’ve spent the last three years designing magazines and websites. I loved it, but it isn’t where my heart lies anymore. This year has unfortunately... well, my life was turned upside down. I suffered a great loss and my mental health, for the first time in my life, took a big hit. This old shop came at a time when I needed a distraction. I needed something to focus on. I was slowly getting my life back, I was working on building relationships with my family and friends again, but there was something missing. When I saw this old shop sitting empty one day, I knew it was meant to be. It was what was missing and here we are tonight.” Everyone claps and whistles at me. I can feel my cheeks heating. “My aim is to not only stock art, but to teach art. I want to use the back room to allow kids to show their creative side. I want to help people suffering with their mental health to open up and do something that will take their mind off their troubles because we all know that art is the best therapy out there.”

Again, the clapping echoes around me, but this time it only encourages me to keep going.

“Thank you to everyone who has shared stories with me tonight, who has bought a piece, who has enquired about stocking their art here, but also to my friends and family who stood by me and supported my decisions. To my husband...” I clear my throat. “I haven’t said that word out loud for a very long time. Drew, I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re my rock. And I hope that we continue to ride this crazy train together for as long as we can.”

Drew mouths, “I love you.” And everyone wolf whistles and cheers.

“Thank you, everyone.”

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