“This is one of my favorite spots in the world,” Dalia said as they approached the gallery. “Not only my gallery, but the street. I love the commotion. ”
Cindy smiled. She was glad to see Dalia in good spirits.
They crossed the street and went into the gallery, which was in a low, wood slatted building. The door had bells on it that rang as they opened it and walked in. Incredible paintings, in intense colors filled the walls, dazzling the eyes as soon as you entered.
“Wow,” said Cindy. “What a collection.”
Dalia smiled broadly. “I represent the best artists around. And some from other islands, too. This place is well known. It’s been written up. The paintings sell for lots of money. ”
“I’m honored to be here,” said Cindy.
“Let me show you around,” Dalia continued.
Down at the end of the main gallery were other large rooms. Some had more paintings on the walls, others had shelves with pottery, a big section for sculpture, and another section for handmade objects the locals produced. It was an incredible experience being here, filled with the fullness of life and its expression.
Dalia then took her to the back of gallery.
“The kitchen’s back here. We serve tea regularly, and at openings, cheese, crackers, fruit, cookies. This room next to the kitchen is a bedroom. Sometimes Nina sleeps here at night. She works such long hours at times, it’s convenient. ”
Just then, a young, beautiful, curvy woman, dressed in a tight dress, with creamy sand colored skin, giant eyes and full lips, stepped over to her and extended her hand.
“Cindy, this is Nina,” said Dalia.
“Hi, Nina,” Cindy said brightly. She was doing her best not to think of what Elizabeth had told her about her and Ames. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you from Dalia. ”
Nina smiled brightly, showing a set of pearl white teeth. She was beautiful and she knew it. She had no trouble claiming it either, or being who she was.
“Thank you so much,” said Nina. “Dalia is the best. She always says wonderful things about me. ”
Dalia smiled graciously. “Let’s make some tea for my friend,” she said to Nina.
The three of them walked to the kitchen and sat on little stools, while Nina brewed tea.
“So, do you spend very long hours here? “Cindy asked Nina lightly.
“Very Nina smiled. “But I love every one of them. The work here is beautiful and I meet amazing people. ”
“Nina is originally from another island, close,” Dalia said. “This has been a fantastic opportunity for her. And for me, as well. ”
“How fortunate for you both,” Cindy smiled.
“Do you have your own place as well?” Cindy asked.
“Of course I do,” said Nina, “about fifteen minutes away. And, sometimes I stay here, too. If it’s very late and I’m tired. ”
“The place stays open very late?” Cindy asked.
“No,” said Nina. “I stay late sometimes when there’s lots of paperwork to do.”
Dalia looked at Nina proudly, as if she were a daughter. “Nina’s such a hard worker,” Dalia said.
The tea in the pot boiled lightly and Nina got up and served them.
As Cindy sipped the tea there were endless questions she wanted to ask her. It didn’t seem hard to talk to her either; Nina seemed like an open book.
“I’ll leave you here to talk for a bit.” Dalia said, “I have a few things to do in town.”
Then she got up and went to the door.
“Tell my friend everything you can think of, Nina,” Dalia said over her shoulder, as she was leaving.
When Dalia left, Nina ran her hands through her hair, her bright smile fading.
“It’s a terrible time for all of us. I try to be cheerful for her. She’s a wonderful person, gives me everything -- work, money, a business. She treats me like a daughter. ”
“I noticed that,” said Cindy. “Can you tell me more about what’s been going on down here? Anything you can think of. ”
Nina seemed happy and relieved to talk.
“Dalia’s better now that you’re here,” she started. “But right after it happened, it was terrible. She was so depressed the first few weeks after Mr. Ames disappeared, I thought she would kill herself. ”
That frightened Cindy. “Why? What did she say? ”
“It’s not what she said,” said Nina. “She couldn’t get up out of bed, didn’t come into the gallery. When she finally did, she’d wander around like a ghost. I told her things would get better, but it didn’t look like she believed me. I never saw her so helpless before. ”
Cindy remembered those early days, how helpless she felt in the face of such a shock.
“Did she actually say she wanted to kill herself?” Cindy probed. She could understand having feelings like that, when everything seemed so desolate.
“She told me your husband went missing too.”
A pang of memory hit her hard again, then. Cindy remembered the long trip home on the plane without Clint. Even though they brought the body back, Cindy felt his spirit was still on the island. .
“Did it take a long time for him to come home?” Nina asked unsuspectingly.