The Green Lace Corset, стр. 6
She climbed out the kitchen door to inspect her rooftop garden, maybe find something for breakfast. She would go to the grocery store after work. Misty fog hung overhead, this sky so different from the giant Southwest sky. A blue jay pecking on a blackberry vine squawked at her and flew away. Anne watched it dart across California Street to the pitched roof of one of the pastel-colored Victorian row houses. They’d been painted two years before and still maintained their brilliant hues.
Mint had begun to march all over the other plants in her plot. She pulled up a handful, releasing the fresh aroma. With so much of it, she should research how to make mint tea, which was supposed to be very soothing.
Peeking from underneath the mint, vivid red strawberries emerged. She tugged one off and tossed it in her mouth, the sweet taste perfect.
“Choose delicious—that’s nutritious.” She quoted Sylvia, who’d had her own garden right outside her kitchen at Bay Breeze. She’d taught Anne so much about eating healthfully and the power of growing some of your own food staples.
She picked a dozen ripe strawberries and the few blackberries that smoothly came right off the vine. Inside, she tossed them in a colander on the counter beside the sink. Pushing aside the hubcap, she drained the dirty water, rinsed the berries, put them in her blender, and added water, chocolate protein powder, and a teaspoon of honey to make a smoothie. She scrubbed the hubcap; grease still clung to the inside edges, so she poured in more dish soap, turned on the hot water, and let the metal continue to soak.
As Anne sipped her smoothie, she climbed onto the daybed and began to read the application on her computer.
RESIDENCY DESCRIPTION
The artist-in-residence program will redefine the museum experience to make art more accessible and personally meaningful to guests. It will give them the opportunity to view the creative process firsthand and interact with local artists working in a studio environment. The interview panel will review proposals and choose an artist and project that have the strongest “wow” factor.
Provide a summary of the work you envision creating during the residency by answering the following questions:
1. What is your project? How did the idea come to you?
2. In what ways is this project risk-taking or innovating?
3. How will you share your project with museum guests?
4. How much money will you need to complete the project?
She read through the questions again, her mind blank. A shaky, panicky feeling hit her chest. She had no idea how to answer these questions. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to apply after all. Many other local artists were more qualified. What chance did she have of getting it, anyway? She envisioned working in that big studio space and just had to suck it up and give it a go. Perhaps if she spread more paint on the sky canvas, the answers would come to her. Sometimes when she was blocked, she worked on something else and the problem was solved. This was different, though; now, she was just procrastinating—one of her downfalls.
She needed help. Fay would be at Gallery Noir now. Anne hated to bother her at work, but she had to get this done.
She texted Fay: SOS!
A few minutes later, Fay called. “Welcome back. What’s up?”
“I’m stuck.”
“Sorry, mate. Take deep breaths and follow your heart, like you always do.”
Fay’s British accent made Anne smile. “No, not my art. I’ve got lots to inspire me since my journey. I have to fill out this stupid museum residency application, and I don’t know what to say.”
“What’s the difference between doing art and writing? Isn’t writing an art too? As I said, take deep breaths and follow your heart, like you always do.”
Anne thought for a moment. “You’re brilliant. I owe you a coffee.”
“Very soon. A customer just came in. Gotta go. Ta-ta.”
Anne moved to the daybed, held her journal in her lap, closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled a few times, relaxed into the zone, and started writing.
Magnificent Mosaic
I plan to create a life-size mosaic of a woodland creature. The idea came to me in dreams last year during the nearby wildfires, which killed many animals. This would be the first of a series to honor and remember lost fauna. It’s risk-taking because this will be the largest piece I’ve ever made. Museum guests will be invited to adhere pieces to the mosaic so they can experience process versus product. Expenses will be minimal because most of the materials I use will be found and donated objects. I’ll also approach local businesses about donating many supplies.
Anne reread her draft, typed it on her computer, printed it out, and kissed the application for luck. With only minutes to spare, she threw on some sweats, grabbed her backpack, and ran out the door to the museum.
5
Sally Sue broke the man’s gaze to look at the rack above his head and saw his hat. A brown Stetson—exactly like the one he’d worn that day!
Her heart plunged, and she jumped up. “You’re the bank robber! You held a gun to me.”
He nodded and grinned. “Mighty fine to see you again. I’ve been keeping an eye out for you.”
The whistle blew, and the train began to slow as they pulled into Emporia.
“This is my stop.” She clutched her basket and stepped into the corridor.
He grasped her bustle from behind, pulled her toward him, and growled, “You’re not going anywhere.”
She tried to yank herself away. “Let me go!”
“No.” He held her tight around the waist, as he’d done the prior month in the National Bank, though this time he didn’t hold a gun to her chest. Her heart beat rapidly, and her mind revived that horrible day.
“Please,” she