Creation

On the eve of my art show – the art show that would decide the rest of my life – I saw a ghost.  Or at least the closest thing to a ghost as I could get.  Donnie had disappeared from my life two days before we were to get married.  Disappeared without a word and had stayed absent for the last three years.  And now he was here, smiling at me like nothing had happened.  Like no time had passed at all. 

“Hey Andy.  What’s crackin’?”  Donnie smiled broadly and tried to hug me.  His smile faltered as I stepped back and scowled. 

“What, no hello?  No welcome?”  Donnie shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. 

I felt my jaw drop to the floor, but couldn’t think of what to say.  How could he just stand there and act like nothing had happened?  Before he could say anything else, I turned on my heel and headed toward the front of the gallery.  With each step, I could feel my fury rise.  If he came to the opening, I knew he would ruin everything.  He would see my paintings and know exactly what story I was trying to tell. 

If he told anyone what my paintings were really about, my life and future were over.