Kit was so animated when she talked about it. "His paintings are magnificent. I can't wait till you see his work, Sherry. He's wonderful. I'm sure you will like it."
Sherry laughed. "Fine, Kit. If you say so. I just hope it's not that abstract stuff because I just don't get that stuff!"
Kit smiled. "No it's not. He does mostly landscapes, but they are just so ... beautiful. They are serene, peaceful ... not just plain pictures. You can actually feel the peace and serenity when you look at them."
Sherry was shaking her head. "Okay, okay. I already said I'd go. Boy, you must really, really like this guy's stuff. What aren't you telling me? Are you dating him or something?"
It was Kit's turn to laugh. "Now Sherry, you know I'm married. But if I wasn't ..."
Sherry finished getting ready and waited for Kit to pick her up. About ten minutes later a horn blew outside. Sherry looked out the window and saw Kit's car in the drive. She turned out the lights, locked the door and hurried out to meet Kit. Once she was in the car and they were on their way, Kit said "So, are you ready to be blown away?"
"Boy you have it bad for this guy, don't you?" Sherry laughed. "Since you like him so much, I'm sure he's great. But, if he's so wonderful, why isn't he showing in some big gallery in New York or Los Angeles?"
Kit looked at Sherry with her "oh don't be a pain" look. "Because. He should be ... he would be, but he doesn't want all the hoopla of a huge art show. He's been painting for a while and makes a good living from it. But he also likes his anonymity. He doesn't want to become one of those public figures that never has any time to himself. He enjoys his privacy, so he only does small shows, when he can be convinced to do them at all."
Sherry looked at Kit with an "Oh no" look. "So. How much do you really know about this guy? Sounds kind of strange to me. An artist that doesn't want to be recognized? Maybe he's some kind of criminal or pervert or something and that's the reason he doesn't want the publicity."
Kit laughed. "Oh Sherry, you do have some imagination. Just wait until you meet him. He's nothing of the sort. And besides ... he loves animals. He has two or three dogs, you know."
Sherry gave in. "Okay. I'll take your word for it. I guess if he loves animals he can't be that bad. And anyone that owns dogs ... well, you know."
When Kit and Sherry arrived at the opening the parking lot was full. The only space they could get was at the very opposite end of the lot, as far away from the building as it was possible to get.
"Well, at least I wore my comfortable shoes," Sherry quipped. "I didn't think we'd have to walk to the other end of the earth to get to the show."
Kit laughed and grabbed Sherry's arm. "Would you please come on and stop whining. You are going to enjoy yourself this evening if I have to force you at gunpoint. Do you understand?"
"Yeah, yeah, enjoy myself. But let's make a deal, okay. Once we look at this guy's stuff and you introduce him, and we've stayed long enough to be civilized, can we leave? Go get something to eat? I'm starving, and I'm sure the lovely hors d'oeuvres they serve here will not do the trick."
Kit shook her head. "How about this. Once we've looked at his stuff and you've been introduced, if you still want to go, then we'll go. How's that?"
"Sounds like a plan. Now let's get this over with." Sherry and Kit headed for the door. Sherry was pondering what Kit has said. What did she mean ‘If you still want to go ....' What exactly did Kit have up her sleeve anyway? This had better not be some kind of set up or I'm outta here quicker than you can say ‘see ya.'
The gallery was very crowded when they entered. Kit grabbed Sherry's arm and tugged her along to the first painting. "So now, what do you think?" she asked.
Sherry looked at the painting and had to admit it was beautiful. It was a landscape ... a wooded area with a stream ... some wildflowers growing ... and a few animals here and there. And the painting did make you feel peaceful and serene. "All right, Kit. You were right. It's beautiful. And it does make you feel peaceful. This guy is definitely talented."
"Told ya!" Kit taunted and then pulled Sherry along to the next painting. The crowd moved very slowly, but they eventually made their way through most of the paintings. Everyone seemed very impressed with the artist, but Sherry had yet to see the man. Finally she had about enough. "Kit, I'm starving. Can we at least go get something to nibble on?"
Kit looked at Sherry and then apologized. "I'm sorry. I just get carried away when I'm looking at art. And Michael's art, well ... it's just ... special. Let's look at one more and then we'll make our way over to the hors d'oeuvres."
Sherry sighed and nodded. "So, this guy's name is Michael. Michael what?"
Kit looked like she didn't want to answer, but finally relented. "His name is Michael Samuelle."
"Michael Samuelle. Sounds French. Is he?" Sherry asked.
"He's French Canadian." Kit replied.
They finally arrived at the next painting and Sherry was mesmerized. It was amazing. It was almost like this man had read her mind. Kit noticed Sherry staring at it and asked "You like it?"
Sherry looked at Kit and then back to the painting. "I love it. It's ... it's ..."
Kit laughed. "It's what?"
"It's like he read my mind. It's the place I've always dreamed of. The place I would love to live one day. I've been dreaming of a place like this for years." The she noted the title of the piece -- ‘Dreamscape.' "Dreamscape. What an appropriate title for the painting."
Just then someone walked up behind them and spoke. "So you like it?"
Sherry jumped and turned around and saw an extremely handsome man. Kit was smiling. Sherry found her tongue and answered his question. "I love it. I have always dreamed of living in a place like that."
The man nodded and smiled. "Me too." Then he turned his attention to Kit. "Hello, Kit."
Kit smiled and shook the man's hand. "Hi, Michael. I would like to introduce you to my friend, Sherry. Sherry, this is Michael Samuelle. The artist."
Sherry looked at Kit and then back to Michael. Michael extended his hand and Sherry shook it and tried to piece together a coherent sentence. "It's nice to meet you, Michael. Kit has talked about your work all week. I will have to say she is right. You are a wonderful artist."
Michael smiled and said "Thank you. To have the admiration of two such lovely ladies for my work is more than I could ask for."
Sherry blushed and looked back to the painting. This man was handsome and quite the charmer to boot. She didn't have a lot of experience with this kind of thing, so she got very quiet, which she always did when she was nervous.
Kit and Michael talked for a few minutes while Sherry listened. Well, she tried to listen, but she just kept staring at Michael. The man was too handsome for words. And she couldn't believe that Kit knew him and had been holding out on her all this time. Just wait until we get out of here, Sherry thought. Kit has some serious ‘splainin' to do!
Kit had noticed how quiet Sherry had become. And she was pretty sure what the reason was. She decided she had better not push things.
"So Michael, we have been monopolizing you for quite some time. I'm sure everyone here would like to speak with the artist they came to admire."
Michael sighed and then said "I guess you are right. That is the part of this job that I would rather do without. But duty calls."
He was beginning to turn away when he stopped. "I wonder if you ladies would do me a favor?"
Kit and Sherry looked at each other and then back to him. "Sure, what do you need, Michael" Kit replied.
"I was wondering if you ladies would do me the honor of having supper with me after the show?"
Sherry was surprised. But why should she be? People were drawn to Kit. And it appeared that she and Michael already knew each other. And he was just being polite in including her in the invitation.
Kit watched the emotions play across Sherry's face and knew what she was thinking. "Of course we will, Michael. We would be delighted, wouldn't we, Sherry?"
Sherry could have strangled Kit right on the spot. She turned to Michael and squeaked out, "Of course. It would be our pleasure."
Michael smiled. "Wonderful. I'll meet you at the front of the gallery after the show. We can go in my car." Then he took Sherry's hand in his and kissed it. Then did the same to Kit. "Until later, ladies. Please excuse me."
Kit and Sherry made their way through the remainder of the paintings. Sherry was very impressed with Michael's work and told Kit so. But she just couldn't get that one particular painting, "Dreamscape" out of her mind. It was just so perfect. It was the place she had always pictured in her mind as the perfect home. There was a nice house, but not too big or flashy, there was a nice-sized yard with a couple of dogs running around it, there were woods containing all kinds of woodland creatures, a small brook running between the edge of the yard and the woods. There were shade trees in the yard and wildflowers growing everywhere. It was a very peaceful, quiet, comforting place.
"So Kit, do they actually sell these paintings, or what?" Sherry asked as she came back to the present.
"They do, if the artist wants to part with them. Why? Did you have a particular one in mind, perhaps?"
Sherry laughed. "As if you couldn't guess. That painting is just so ... so ... it's everything I've always dreamed about. Do you think he would be willing to sell it? Oh, never mind. I'm sure I couldn't afford it to begin with!"
Kit laughed. "Well, you never know. However, I do happen to know that Michael does not want to part with that particular painting. We were made aware of it before he agreed to do the show."
"Well that figures. The one painting in my life that I would love to own, and the artist doesn't want to sell it. Well, that's about how my life goes, isn't it?"
Sherry and Kit moved toward the front of the gallery and then Sherry decided to broach the subject of supper. "Hey Kit, about supper. I know Michael only invited me to be nice. You and he must have a lot to talk about, so I'll just go on home and you two can catch up on old times or whatever."
Kit turned on Sherry with her "I'm a mom and don't mess with me" look and said "Forget it. Michael invited both of us and we are both going. I'm not letting you beg off of this, so just don't even think about it."
Sherry sighed. She knew when Kit used that tone that you might as well give up. She wasn't about to win this argument, so she relented. "Fine, but don't blame me if he calls you up later and tells you how painful it was to have supper with me!"
Kit laughed and hit Sherry with her program. "Would you stop talking like that. You are a wonderful person and Michael will realize it. Just stop being so nervous and try to enjoy yourself."
"Yeah. Easier said than done. You know I am not at all the outgoing type of person that you are. Just promise me that you will dig me out of any holes I fall into."
Kit sighed and then promised to do her best.
About half and hour later, the show was over and everyone was leaving. Michael walked up to them and said "Sorry to make you wait. Shall we?" He held the door for them and they made their way outside. There was a limo waiting at the front of the building. The driver got out and opened the door for them. Sherry stopped and looked at Kit. Kit laughed and then pulled her along. Michael was smiling. "One of the perks of being the artist du jour. They send a limo to pick me up and take me wherever I want to go. I promise you I don't usually travel this way."
They made their way to a local restaurant and Michael had already made reservations for a secluded table near the back. They ordered their meals and then settled back for some conversation. Sherry didn't say much, she never did around strangers. However, Michael and Kit kept drawing her into the conversation. She finally relaxed enough to really enjoy herself. She found Michael to be quite a character when he wanted to be. And she was surprised at the things they had in common. They both, of course, loved animals. They talked about his dogs for a while, and Sherry told him about her dog, Nikita, which had died recently.
With Michael being so sophisticated, Sherry would have never guessed that he was a country music fan, but he admitted he was. Their tastes in authors also coincided. And, of course, there was Kit. Kit was a subject that Sherry could talk about without becoming embarrassed. And Kit didn't seem to mind, either. Sherry was quite amazed when they got up to leave and noticed that it was midnight.
"I can't believe we've been here so long," she exclaimed. Michael laughed and said "Yes, time certainly does fly when you are having fun. May I escort you ladies home?"
Sherry was about to tell him that, no, Kit had her car back at the gallery and they would get home safely. But Kit intervened.
"Actually, Michael, if you could take Sherry home, I'd appreciate it. You can just drop me at the gallery to get my car."
If looks could kill, Kit would have dropped on the spot. "That's all right Michael, you don't have to bother. I'm sure Kit can drop me off." Sherry said.
Michael watched the interplay between the two friends and chuckled to himself. "Oh, it's no bother. I would love to escort you home, if you don't mind. I promise to behave myself."
Sherry sighed. She knew when to quit. "All right. As long as you promise to behave yourself!" They all laughed and headed back to the limo. They dropped Kit off at the gallery and made sure she was on her way and then headed for Sherry's house. Once they got there, Michael got out and helped Sherry out of the car. He walked her to the door.
"Thank you Michael. I really enjoyed this evening. And you know, you are a very, very talented artist. Don't forget ... if you ever want to give up that "Dreamscape," I get first dibs!"
Michael laughed. "Don't worry, I won't forget. Anyone who appreciates it as much as you do, certainly deserves first dibs. And I wanted to ask you something. I was wondering if you would go out with me sometime?"
Sherry was rooted to the spot. She couldn't believe that this man was actually asking her out. This handsome, sophisticated, charming, worldly, could-have-any-woman-he-wanted ... artist, was asking her out!
She must have stood there for quite a while because Michael finally said, "Well, that's okay. I understand. Don't worry about it." Then he turned to walkaway.
Sherry blinked and then looked up at him. She finally realized she had never answered him. "Wait, Michael." He stopped and turned around. Sherry walked back down the walk towards him and said "I'm sorry. I was just so floored that you asked me out. Of course I'll go out with you sometime. I'd love to."
Michael smiled. "Good. How about Friday night?"
Kit hung up the phone. She was smiling from ear to ear. She had just spoken to Michael. He and Sherry had been dating for six months now. Today was her birthday and Michael had quite a surprise in store for her. She couldn't wait to hear all about it tomorrow.
Michael picked Sherry up at her house and took her to his place for dinner. He had told her he wanted to cook for her on her birthday. Michael had made lasagna, which Sherry had told him was her favorite dish, and a chocolate birthday cake. It was delicious.
After dinner, they moved to sit together on the couch in his living room. Michael turned on his CD player and turned the music down low. Then he said "Sit tight. I'll be right back."
Sherry wondered what he was up to. She didn't really care, she was just so happy. She and Michael had hit it off from the start and had been together for six months. She thought it was truly amazing.
Just then Michael returned with a large gift-wrapped box. It was rather flat, so Sherry had a pretty good idea of what was in it. He handed it to her and said "Happy Birthday, cherie."
Sherry thank him and then carefully removed the wrapping paper. Her hands were shaking. She opened the box and then gasped. "Michael. It's ...it's ..."
Michael leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Yes, I know. It's Dreamscape."
Sherry was flustered. She knew how much Michael prized that painting. "But Michael, I can't. This painting is very important to you. It's your dream."
Michael smiled. "Yes it is. And I hope it is still your dream too."
Sherry laughed. "You know it is. I've told you that often enough!"
Michael turned to her and said "Good. Because here is your other gift." He handed her a small jeweler's box. Sherry's hands were really shakingnow. She looked up at him and then opened it slowly. When she saw it, she gasped. Inside was the most beautiful diamond ring she had even seen. She looked up at Michael, at a loss for words.
Michael took pity on her and said "I was hoping that Dreamscape was still your dream. I actually went out and purchased the property. It's not far from here. And I want us to live there after we are married. That is, if you will marry me."
Tears started to run down Sherry's face. She had never been so happy in her life. "Oh Michael. Of course I'll marry you." Michael took the ring out of the box and placed it on her finger, and then kissed her hand.
A short while later the telephone rang and Michael got up to answer it. Helaughed and then handed the phone to Sherry.
"Hello."
It was Kit. "Hi Sherry. Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't wait any longer! Please tell me you said yes!"
Sherry laughed and turned to Michael, who was standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist. "Well, now just what did you think I would say? He was after all, offering me my dream! And Kit, I owe you, big time!"