Rock Hard Neighbor

“Sure,” he said.

“Why are you interviewing people to buy this property?” I asked.

“I want to make sure it’s sold to the right person. It took me years to convince this city that an art gallery could do it some good. The only reason I’m selling it is because I’m getting older and my arthritis is getting worse.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said.

“It is what it is, but I won’t sell this space until I can find another gallery owner to take it. And the right one at that. It took me too long to sell this idea to the community. I’m not letting it go that easily. I’ve seen the power of art. I watched children in this area grow up as they came in and out of my shop. I’ve hired some of them to work part-time in the summers, and I taught them about all the wonderful artists of history. I can’t let that be buried. I won’t.”

His passion brought tears to my eyes. It had been so long since I’d stood in the presence of somebody who was as passionate about art as I was. I hadn’t been looking for a gallery to purchase. I wasn’t even in the position to purchase one. But the more I stood and talked with this man, the more at home I felt with it. The more he talked and the more I listened, the more I figured out that I was standing in the middle of something I didn’t know I needed.

“I really like your vision and the path you’re on,” he said. “I’ll keep your information and give you a call. I have one more person to talk to about this place.”

“Wonderful. I hope to hear from you soon,” I said.

I took my leave and walked out. Now, I found myself hoping he would call. I still had no fucking idea how I would be able to buy a space like this, but I figured it if was meant to be I could go from there. I kept thinking about all the paintings I would hang and all the classes I could advertise. I thought about what it would be like to settle down in this area and live in my grandmother’s cabin for the rest of my life. I breathed in the fresh mountain air as I pulled my coat around my body, then I was halted in my tracks when I ran full steam into someone on the sidewalk.

“Oh, my gosh. I’m so sorry,” I said. “I must’ve just been in my head and not paying attention.”

I looked up at who I’d run into, and I saw my ex staring down at me.

“I see you still have that nasty habit as well,” Daryl said, grinning.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked flatly. “I thought you left.”

“I wanted to talk with you alone,” he said. “Without your boyfriend around.”

“Fiance,” I said.

“Funny, since I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

I looked down at my hand before I shoved it into my coat pocket.

“Please, can we talk?” Daryl asked.

“I told you. I don’t want to talk to you. Go home. Go back to your life,” I said.

“Not unless you’re coming with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you, Daryl. You never supported me, only beat me down and told me how stupid my art and my ideas were. You’re an elitist snob.”

“You used to love that ‘elitism’ in college,” he said.

“Well, when people graduate college, they grow up. Like me. I just had a wonderful interview with the gentleman who owns this gallery. I’m in the running to purchase it. What the hell are you doing with your life?”

“A gallery?” he asked, snickering. “You talk about growing up, and then you tell me you’re still chasing that silly dream?”

“Holy fuck, Daryl. Think about what you just said. If you really can’t see why I won’t take you back, then you’re a moron.. Another trait I don’t find attractive. Now move.”

“I don’t think so. I haven’t had a chance to say my peace.”

Daryl stepped in front of me, and I tried to get around him. With every step I took, he backed up. Every time I bobbed, he weaved. He wasn’t moving, and he wasn’t leaving me alone. I felt trapped on an open fucking sidewalk in the middle of the one town I had managed to preserve as safe.

“She told you to move.”

A tingling sensation crept up my neck as Brian’s voice hit my ears. I turned around and saw him holding Lanie as they stood behind me. What the hell were the two of them doing here?

“Brian?” I asked. “What are you doing here?”

“Lanie wanted to surprise you with lunch after your meeting,” he said. “There’s a pizza place a few doors down from the gallery.”