Page 25 of Family Affair

Chapter 6

Stella took a noisy sip from a straw, and the sound reverberated in Coco’s ear, amplified by the phone’s receiver.

“You’re right, it’s totally weird,” Stella said after she swallowed, equally noisy.“Rosa must’ve taken a heaping dose of laughing pills,”

“Gee, I’m flattered.Do you really think that only after takingdrugscan a gallery owner look at my paintings?” Coco remarked cheekily and switched the phone to her other ear.

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

“Of course not. It onlysoundedlike you did.”

“But itisweird that she called you. You spent two years plodding for her without so much as a thank you, and suddenly you’re worthy?”

“I’m at a total loss myself.”

They had spent the last thirty minutes talking in circles about the voicemail message Coco had received. It was from Rosa Sanchez, the owner of La Vedova, a seasoned art dealer and bitch extraordinaire. The message was brief, asking Coco to call back if she was interested in the possibility of a representation.

Coco was interested.

But more than that, Coco was surprised. And cautious. Why now, all of a sudden?

“Are you sure Art hadn’t talked to her? I mean, he might’ve not told you, in the middle of your split and everything,” Coco asked for what seemed like the tenth time.

“I’m telling you, he hadn’t,” Stella patiently replied. “Like a good friend that I am, I honored your wishes and never asked him to. And Art’s too dense, poor darling, to come by the intrigue naturally. Listen, did you mention to her your Sedona art contest?”

“No. I was waiting for a convenient opening to casually drop it, and let it sink in. But, I haven’t had an opportunity.”

Suddenly, Stella said, “What if it’s Mike’s doing?”

“My ex-husband? That’s silly. Why?”

“What if he’s feeling guilty and wanted to help? He could’ve put a word in, couldn't he? Rosa’s lawyer belongs to his firm.”

“Stella, believe me, Mike by now forgot I exist, too busy living the high society life he always wanted. I heard his new wife is pregnant.”

“Asshat. Everybody knows he traded down.”

“I don’t care anymore.”

“I know you don’t. I know… So, I’m still waiting to hear about the 4th of July party. What’s the verdict on Dan’s family?”

“Oh, that.” Although only a week had passed, the party seemed so long ago. “It was okay. Too much pretense. Most guests had either a pedigree or an important job. Since I have neither, I was pretty much invisible. But the Sheffields have this absolutely gorgeous rose garden.” And Cade Sheffield had absolutely gorgeous brown eyes.

“A garden. Gah,” Stella said.

“Yes, well. There was that.” She didn’t want to discuss the party with Stella. She didn’t like that inevitably, her memories of it included Cade with his shadowy unsmiling face and dark eyes under the slightly lowered winged eyebrows. “I’m more worried about Chap,” she steered their conversation away from the Sheffields.

Stella, another one of Chap’s undeserved admirers, gasped. “No! What’s wrong with my Chappy?”

“He ate a chocolate candy on the day mom left, and I don’t think he’s been the same since.”

“Is he sick?”

“Sluggish. Listless.”

“Maybe he’s simply missing Lucy.”

“Maybe.”