Page 28 of Home to the Hollow

Backing away as quickly as I can without looking like I’m running, I find Jekyll and Hyde sitting on the bench outside the office. They give me a quizzical look and I shudder, hoping to convey that they didnotwant to be on the receiving end of the principal’s affections.

“Okay, my dudes. Time to check out the installations and do a little unpacking.”

* * *

Walkingaround the edge of the room, I envision the walls painted, the floors polished, and the logo emblazoned on the front window. The space is airy, but intimate, and I’ll want to add to the tastefully recessed lighting for both form and function. I’m lucky enough to have a storefront that isn’t facing the sun, though I’ll have the inside glass coated with a UV protectant, regardless. I can’t have the light damaging the art while it’s being shown.

I pull out my phone, opening my project management app and start making notes about which contractors to call in which order. I’ll start with lighting, as wrought iron pieces that look SoHo rustic will stand out in a town like this. After that, I can have the flooring upgraded to a matte black finish and add a coat of paint to the walls in a neutral color.

I’ll switch out the bulbs to art friendly lighting and have dimmers and event strobes hidden in discreet corners. I’ll need supplies for mounting and lighting individual pieces on the walls, and equipment for displaying 3D installations as well. Furniture is on the list as well, since I’ll need a small reception podium, seating, and tables for when we host events.

Frowning at the list, I slot in a call to Jackson to sort the estate leftovers out, as I haven’t touched my inheritance funds since my parents passed, and I’ll need it for seed money. I need him to draw up incorporation papers, handle licensing, and re-jigger all the accounts to keep the I.R.S. from blackballing me as well. He’s going to be busy for a couple months; I hope he’s ready.

Once I settle the list of supplies for the gallery portion, I walk into the back room. It’s much bigger than the front, considering I require art storage space, a working studio, an office, and a lesson space for the students. I was lucky a space as large as this was open on such brief notice, but as I walk through the rooms, I can tell that it’s perfect.

The installers have painted the walls in a neutral color; the floors are all a dull concrete with drains, and my equipment appears to be in working order. The sinks work, the wheel is functioning, and all my personal tools organized in the exact diagram I provided, including the supply storage areas.

Adding a list of actual materials to order for myself and the studio, I walk into the office. It’s bare, but the cool black marble I picked coordinates with the soft purple walls as planned. Saoirse swore I was decorating it like a Vegas bordello, but purple is my favorite color and I like the seductive atmosphere it creates. I make an entry for office furniture on the list and walk out, sighing in relief.

I have no idea if Bobbi Jo will let me use the kiln at the school, but my guess is she won’t mind. That lifted a HUGE weight off my shoulder. I wonder what other fancy devices they might have in their new ‘art wing’. I’m trained in a lot of mediums, and I love to learn new ones. Having the rich assholes in the Hollow pay for that with their taxes feels quite satisfactory if I say so myself.

“Mow!”

The cats come skidding in on the highly polished floor and I laugh. Time to add studio shoes to that idiotic pet owner list. They need to be protected from any dangerous things lurking in a functioning art studio. I’ll have to teach them about what they can sniff or lick, too. That’s going to be interesting.

“Well, they didn’t fuck it up, guys. I’m as shocked as you.”

Hyde bobs her head, looking at me with wide eyes before darting her gaze back to the doorway. Jekyll lets out another yowl and I tilt my head. They’re trying to tell me something.

“Jolene! I’m so happy I caught you. Did your contractors get everything set up correctly? I must confess that I recommended them to your attorney when he called to complete the lease.”

Mayor Cornelia Sykes is standing in the doorway to the studio. I hear a deafening roar come from the front of my building and I freeze, a look of terror on my face. Jekyll and Hyde tense up on either side of me, their bodies preparing for defense as the loud noise gets closer. Finally, the Mayor winks at me, moving to the side of the doorjamb to allow a motherfuckinglionto stand beside her.

My jaw drops to the floor, and I do my best Shemp routine as my servals hiss like they’re ready to attack the king of the goddamned jungle to protect me. “That’s—That’s…”

Her rich laugh tumbles from her full lips, and her braids touch the base of her spine as her head tips back. The lion shakes his mane. His eyes narrow on my companions suspiciously, but he doesn’t advance. When Nelia finally gathers herself, she wipes her eyes, giving me an amused smile. “Oh, Jolene, I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. You looked like you were going to have a coronary on the spot.”

“It’s a fuckinglion!” I manage.

“Yes, yes, he is,” she replies, her fingers checking her colorful makeup carefully for streaks, as if she can see her face. She looks down at Jekyll and Hyde with a fond expression. “It’s okay, little ones. Zareb will not harm you. He is friendly with all the companions in town, whether furred, feathered, scaled, or otherwise.”

I look down at the crew, shrugging. “If Nelia says he won’t harm us, we’ll have to trust him. The roar was misleading, though.”

Cornelia laughs again, shaking her head. “Zareb despises when I leave him in the car. I leave the window open, of course, but he prefers to be near my side. I simply didn’t want to frighten you, but he clearly had other plans.”

My eyes narrow as I look at the fierce beast, and his head drops as if to acknowledge that he misbehaved. Jesus, the animals in this town are drinking the same magic fucking water as the hot dudes. They act like humans, and I’m not even going to broach why serious predators are allowed to roam freely about the city. “Well, since I’ve been scared out of my wits and we’ve calmed our kitties down, how can I help you? I was planning to come to Town Hall next to drop in like you asked.”

“I wanted to verify my contractor completed your work satisfactorily, and I brought you the license for your companions. I had Aldous expedite it without you present—in case you got caught up in your unpacking—and though he complained, he finished this morning.”

Her lips quirk and I realize the mayor knows her executive assistant is an odious little toad, but she allows it because he’s good at his job. Taking the papers she offers while giving Zareb a cautious side-eye, I nod. “Thank you, Nelia. That was on my list for Town Hall and now you’ve saved me a trip. The work is amazing, to answer your question, and I’d love to have the contact information for a few other workers to help finish this place.”

She fishes in the pocket of her wildly colorful pantsuit, handing me her card. “My email is on here, and if you’ll let me know what you need, I’ll send along information. I appreciate you wanting to use local workers instead of having your attorney send city folk. It helps the economy, and it makes your new business look Hollow-friendly.”

I beam. “I’ve always been a shop local when I can type of gal. Of course, sometimes that’s not possible because of availability or the… attitude of certain people… but I promise I will when I can, ma’am.”

Tutting at my accidental use of ma’am, Nelia nods as she looks around. “You’ll be having lessons for students and showings. Have you considered partnering with Hazel and perhaps Benjy for some of those… drink and draw or paint and eat type events? I think many of the women here would love to have some wine at the bar and paint little keepsakes for their homes.”

A snort escapes and I cover my mouth. As if these people who ownactualMonets and Rembrandts would want to display homemade claptrap in their modern-day mansions. “I… uh, that never…”

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