Page 29 of Redemption
“Perfect,” he said, standing back to examine his work.
He checked his wristwatch, and wiped his forehead. “We have less than thirty minutes!”
He was vibrating with nervous energy as he began rushing around the gallery, checking everything over again. He ran over to Emma, who was sweeping by the front door.
“Emma, is there something on my face? In my teeth? Do I look good?” His voice was shaky, and I could tell he was trying not to hyperventilate.
“You look fine, Henry. Everything will go perfectly. Just take the time left before we open to relax in your office, okay?”
He looked around the gallery pensively while chewing his fingernail. Then began breathing heavily while trying to make his way to his office. Emma pressed her lips into a thin line as we exchanged glances before following him. He collapsed in thecorner of his office, doing his best to regain control. He closed his eyes tightly and held up a hand at us as we approached, motioning for us to stop.
“Henry, you need to calm down,” Emma said softly.
She sat on the floor next to him and began talking in low, soothing tones, telling him about the sunny day outside and how much she liked the gallery.
I stood in the doorway, watching helplessly as Henry’s panic attack unfolded. Emma seemed to have things under control for the moment, but I knew if he didn’t calm down before the event started, I would have to take over.
“Henry, it’s okay. Everything is ready.” She paused, the look in her eye revealing her desperate search for what to say next. “All the paintings are beautiful, everything is clean.” Her voice was gentle and soothing, and slowly but surely, his breathing became less frantic. Emma looked up at me over her shoulder and gave me a sympathetic smile.
“I’m going to go up front and start turning on the lights. We should prepare to open soon,” I said.
“No,” Henry nearly shouted. I froze and looked at him in disbelief.
“It’s canceled. I’m canceling it.”
“What? Henry, the gallery needs money from these sales. I need this money. I can run the event. Just stay in here.”
“I said no. It’s canceled.” His voice cracked as he spoke.
“But Henry—” I began. I wanted to argue, to stress the importance of the event again, but one look at the trembling man told me it was over. He was too far gone in his panic to listen to reason.
“Great,” I said, throwing my arms up. “It’s canceled, and I’m fucked.”
Sophia
Isipped watered-down coffee in Henry’s kitchen. I wasn’t about to walk into the coffee shop that essentially fired me yesterday and act like nothing happened, but I wished I had better coffee. Henry smiled as he came up from behind and stood next to me, refilling my cup with more of the weak brew.
“You’ve got a big day ahead of you. I wish I could come too, but,” he laughed, “a girls' day is a girls' day. When does Emma get here?”
I drank the warm refill of coffee as soon as he poured it. I didn’t want to taste it longer than required to get caffeine in me. My phone buzzed on the countertop, cutting through the silence that had settled as I finished the drink. I picked it up, glancing at Emma's newest message—a series of capital letters and exclamation marks.
"She's here now, actually," I said, pushing myself out of the chair.
I grabbed my oversized floppy hat from the hook by the door. The hat was a sunny straw color with a black ribbon around the base, it paired well with my sheer white sundress and black bikini underneath. Henry carried my easel and beach bag containing a change of clothes, a towel, sunscreen, paint,and my expensive brushes. Emma honked from outside as soon as she saw me stepping onto the porch, her excitement palpable even from within her light blue Beetle. She honked again just as Henry passed in front of the car; he jumped and let out a little squeal.
Emma's laughter spilled out of the open windows, her head thrown back as she watched Henry jump. The sound of her laughter was infectious, and it wasn’t long before I was giggling too.
"Poor thing,” Emma said. Henry’s face was as red from embarrassment, and his eyes held a hint of anger. Through gritted teeth, he muttered, “Not. Funny.”
Emma opened the trunk from inside the car and gave Henry an innocent glance, motioning for him to put my things in the back.
"Sorry, Mr. Henry," Emma said. Her eyes glittering with mischief.
I got in the car and watched Henry awkwardly shuffle towards the trunk, struggling to balance all of my things in his arms. He closed the trunk and walked away without another word. We couldn’t help but giggle as he walked away. He needed to lighten up. Henry waved us off from the porch, then crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe. A soft smile spread across his lips as he made eye contact with me through my open window. I returned his smile with a small wave, despite the resentment I felt for him from cancelling the event yesterday. Emma turned up the music and began driving, dancing as she did. She acted like we were going to a club or something. Maybe because I always refused to go when she begged me to come along, so now she was bringing the experience to me. I rolled my eyes and leaned back with a smile as I enjoyed the ride. The sunlight filtered through the windows, casting flashing patterns onto my skin and streaks of light into Emma's hair. The scentof salty air wafted into the car, a reminder that we were only a couple of minutes away from our destination. Not having a car wasn’t a big deal in a small town like this, and I was happy to not have the extra expense, and to have a friend like Emma. She turned down the music as we pulled in front of a gate to a wealthy neighborhood filled with nice beach houses.
“Here we are!” she said excitedly. She rolled down the window and typed in numbers on the keypad; the gate creaked open.
“How did you know the code?” I asked.
