Page 14 of Ex Marks the Spot

“Yeah.”

“Do you remember how gutted she was when she didn’t get in and they waitlisted her for the paid internship?”

“Yeah.”

“Look what came in today.”

Papers rustle, and then Megan presumably reads, “Congratulations, Hartley. We are pleased to extend an invitation to the Immagiano Museum’s...holy shit. Holy shit! You got in! That’s— wait. Why aren’t we happy dancing right now?”

“Yes, Hartley. Tell our roommate why we aren’t breaking out the Two Buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s.”

“Because I’m not going.”

“What? Why? You wanted this so badly last year.”

“I did, but I can always apply to other programs.”

“What about traveling to see your brother and his family?”

For the first time since I picked up the phone, I know what they’re talking about. Hartley’s older brother, John, married a woman in the air force. They’re stationed in Germany and she’s pregnant with their second daughter.

“I can still fly out there and see them.”

“So you’re really not going?” Megan asks.

“I don’t want to leave Court.”

I don’t want her to leave either, but I don’t want her to miss out on this.

“Have you two talked about what happens after you graduate?” Megan continues.

“He knows I’m staying here to work at the gallery.”

“I mean in the future. It sounds like you’re planning long-term. Is he ready to settle down?”

“We haven’t talked about it specifically, but things are going really well. I mean, you guys know him. He’s a great guy. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love him.”

“He is a great guy, but if he really loves you, he’ll understand what an opportunity like this means to you and your career,” Corrina says.

“Fair point,” Megan replies. “But I kind of see where Hart’s coming from too. What about trying a long-distance relationship? The program’s only for a year, right?”

“With the possibility of an extension or job offer,” Corrina adds. “And you’ve seen her portfolio. You know she wouldn’t come home next summer.”

“Guys, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but please stop. I’ve already made up my mind.”

“Why don’t you wait to do that until after you get Court’s input?” Megan asks.

“Because there’s no point. This is my decision.”

“Just do us a favor and give yourself a few days,” Corrina says.

After a long pause, I hear a resigned, “Fine.”

“Good. Now...regardless of what decision you make, I really think we need to celebrate you being accepted to one of the most prestigious art programs in the entire world. Megan, pour the wine. I’ll grab the emergency stash of cookies from my nightstand.”

I end the call and immediately pull up a search for “Immagiano Museum internship.” After scanning through the results, I tap a link that takes me to a short collection of testimonials from past participants. Phrases like, “I owe everything to this program,” “the greatest experience of my life,” and “exponential growth in my art” stand out—and that’s just from the first review.

The knots filling my stomach draw tighter when I tap on a link to a picture gallery and see people touring world-renown museums and bringing canvases to life while sitting in front of architecture from the Roman Empire.

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