Page 106 of Them Bones

In March, the school hosted an open house for parents, friends, family, and community to come and visit the school, see what they were working on. Dustin had invited Shane and Laney.

Laney arrived alone, but Dustin knew Shane would come when he could. He was working for Cary, now, and never seemed to finish before 9:00pm, sometimes later. They’d hardly seen him since going back to school, Laney making due with late night phone calls. She often fell asleep with the phone on herpillow and a book in her lap, reading out loud to him until she passed out.

Laney laughed herself silly at the songs inFrankenstein M.D. She’d toured the art gallery, lights shining on canvases of all sizes, with awe and delight. The band played a beautiful mix of symphonies and original compositions throughout the night, some solo artists playing alone in rooms with smaller displays like sketches and replica work, or clay sculptures.

But Dustin’s installation was by far the most popular display of the night.

Laney stood beneath it with tears in her eyes, a large crowd gathered around it with their heads back and their mouths open.

“Fish faces,” Dustin smirked.

Laney elbowed him.

“These tunas are here foryou,Dusty,” she said, squeezing his hand. “This is…”

“Magical,” came a voice from behind them. Dustin smiled as a tired-looking Shane walked over with dirty hands and oil-stained jeans. Laney squealed with delight, running at him full-tilt and launching into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and sending him stumbling backwards. She grabbed both his cheeks in her hands and kissed him, hard.

A few parents tittered, smiling at them, and Shane tried to put her down, a blush creeping up his neck, but she dropped her face into his shoulder and tightened her grip. He sighed, shifting her weight in his arms in resignation, and walked forward carrying her like a baby strapped to his chest.

Several of Dustin’s older classmates, the girls, eyed Shane with interest.

So did some of the moms.

“Dustin, my man, this is like… out of this world,” he said, looking up at the piece.

Laney kept her face in Shane’s neck but reached out and took Dustin’s hand. The three of them stood like that, staring at his work, the crowd staring at them, until a severe looking woman with a tight, grey bun in an ugly tweed suit approached them.

“Dustin Hawton?” she said, glancing down at a clipboard.

Laney slid down Shane’s body and Dustin eyed the woman wearily. She had an air ofauthorityabout her, and kind of reminded him of the Child Protective Services ladies that came around all the time when they were kids, asking stupid questions.

“My name is Mildra Grosse. I work for Henry Bard?”

She was staring at them like that should mean something. When they didn’t respond, she pursed her lips, annoyed, and produced an expensive-looking business card.

“Mr. Bard is a collector and would like to speak with you about this piece. He’s interested in commissioning you for a custom installation for an upcoming exhibition at the A.G.O.”

Dustin felt like he was choking.Too much, too much, too much…Shane and Laney were looking at him with comforting expressions.

You’re fine,they were thinking at him.Just breathe.

Mildra grew impatient.

“This is averybig deal, young man,” she said, her voice harsh. “Dozens ofprofessionalartists would give up a kidney for this opportunity!”

“Mildra,” Nancy interrupted in her soft, sweet voice. “I assure you, he’s just taking it all in. Would you give us a moment?”

Mildra scowled but took a step back, crossing her arms, poking herself with the clipboard as she did it.

Nancy put her hand on Dustin’s shoulder and swayed into his space, the golden bangles and beads on her armstinkling. Laney looked at Nancy’s hand on Dustin and raised her eyebrows, clearly surprised that he was allowing it. But Nancy always made him feel… better.

“Dustin, I want you to know there is no pressure, here. This is a school, not a store. You don’t have to doanythingyou don’t want to. But… I know Mildra. She might seem a little…uptight…” Nancy’s mouth twitched, and Dustin grinned, “but she knows her stuff. I’ve worked with her before, I assisted with a Henry Bard show back in ’94…” A dreamy look passed over her face. “Anyway… it’s the real deal, Dustin. Real artists, professionals, in arealmuseum. If you’d like to meet Mr. Bard, to see if you want to do a project with him, I could come with you. Help you.”

“And what do you get out of it?” Laney asked, her eyes narrowed.

Nancy smiled warmly at her. “Art,” she said simply.

Laney and Shane stared at each other in silent conversation before Shane looked at Nancy.

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