Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Kris POV: Is this us?

I hopped out my car and headed for the building Vinne told me to show up to. I'm so excited to see her work. She had invited Binny to come as well, but she couldn't get out of work today, so she's gonna come at a later time. Divinity wanted both Binny and I to see it before the opening. The art building was huge. Out front was neatly cut grass that was on either side of the walkway that was created with red bricks. On either side of the path were huge granite slab towers running along the path length. In each slab was a small section cut out that held lights in them.

That's gonna be gorgeous at night and for the grand opening.

The building was beautiful in itself. It was a work of art. It was made with smooth brown granite walls with huge windows that covered the front of the building with two huge glass doors with gold accents all over the entire building, even the towers. The building was abstract. Everything about this place spoke art, and it made me truly happy for my friend. Little by little, her dreams were coming true. And I'm so happy I'm here to see it.

I walked into the art gallery, and the inside was just as sophisticated. Beautiful decorative chandeliers hang low at different levels, and art pieces hung up on nearly every wall from the moment you stepped in. I turned right down this long hall that was right next to the windows facing the front of the building, and I was met with a desk attendant guard securing the place.

"I'm sorry, but the building is closed. You're gonna have to leave."

The man stood up to escort me off the premises when I stopped him.

"Hold up, sir! I was invited here. Divinity will be having an exhibit here, and she asked me to come."

He stopped at hearing my words, but not before hemming me up by my arm like I stole something. That's when Divinity showed up with some other man. She came barreling over.

"Uh, excuse me. She's a guest. I invited her. The hell you doing? Let her go right now!"

He let go of me quickly, and Vinnie came over and checked on me quickly.

"What's your problem? You just go around manhandling people? I told you I was invited."

I was pisssed. Like, what the f**k. Why people always tryna try me?

"That's my fault. I'm always super cautious and protective of new artwork before the opening, especially with Ms.Loore here bringing in the rest of her artwork today. I apologize."

The older gentleman came to stand in my face and between me, Vinnie, and the guard. I gave the guard the stink eye, and Divinity checked my arm cause I bruised easily.

"I'm good, Vin, let's just go. It's all good sexy man. I may not look like it, but I can handle myself."

I looked up at the sexy ass man and side eyed the guard before I turned, walking further into the building.

"You wouldn't even have to worry bout all that cause the moment he would've tried something, his ass would've been on the floor. Keep your hands to yourself."

Divinity played no games when it came to people putting their hands on her or anyone else. With the things that happened to her, she takes being aggressive or violent physically very serious. She followed and caught to me, wrapping her arm around mine.

"You ok, lovebug? You're not hurt, right?"

I looked at her and smiled. It's always so funny to watch her go from this stone wall of protection to a ball of cotton candy that melts in the rain.

"Yeah, I'm good, sis. You know I can handle myself. Now forget all that nonsense. I wanna see your work and then let's go eat cause I'm hungry. I miss my baby, so catch me up on anything new."

We walked arm in arm as Divinity guided me to the furtherest part of the gallery. Everything was covered. There were about 8 different paintings hung up around Divinity's portion of the gallery. She stopped me in front of a wall.

"I named it "Phases of Life. " I honestly didn't need to create new works of art, I just used previous paintings and sketches that I've created through the years and just added to it, recreated it, or just evolved it."

She clasped my hand and held it tight. I squeezed her hand in return. I looked away from the wall and to her. A single tear fell from her eye.

"So much has happened to me. Most I wish could be forgotten. But because of you, mama, and papa, and our baby Binny... I'm still here. I'm still standing."

She walked me over to one of the first paintings that was covered. She pulled the sheet down, and I immediately gasped and covered my mouth with my other hand. I couldn't stop my tears from flowing down my cheeks, and I couldn't take my eyes off of the painting before me.

"Y-Y-You. You di-did this? Is that us? Mommy and Daddy?"

The painting had a black background. Two large figures, a man and woman, stood next to each other to the left, picking and holding pieces of a little girl's body. In the woman's hand was a smaller hand reaching out to the little girl facing the man and woman, and the little girl reached back. A door that was opened had a bright light coming out if it that cast against the little girl's back and the floor she stood on, reaching to the man and woman, also casting a faint, warm glow on them. On the other side of the opened door and door frame, the light was brighter, the blackness of the background less present. There was a little girl that was more put together, but still picking up a piece here and there. The further she walked, the more put together she became and the taller she grew, until she was a full adult, walking into the light. I've never seen anything more beautiful in my whole life. She's showed us a few of her artworks before, but I've never seen this. It took my breath away, and I was overwhelmed with emotions. I couldn't take my eyes off of it. She turned my head with her hand gently so my eyes could fall on hers. She, too, was in tears, but she wore a beautiful smile.

"I wanted you here to see this because I needed you to see how much you and your family have affected me in so many positive aspects. In my darkness, at my lowest, you've always reached out a hand to me. You've never allowed me to fall too far behind. You and your family have become a light in my darkness, and there's nothing I could ever do to repay you for that level of kindness and love. You shared your parents with me. You shared in my grief. I would be remissed if I allowed this opportunity to go by and not allow you to share in my success as well. I love you so, so, so much, Kristiana."

I've never cried so hard in my life. I didn't know what to say, and I knew anything I could say wouldn't be enough. I covered my face with my hands and wept as Vinnie wrapped her arms around me and cried with me. I wrapped my arms around her and held on for dear life, fearing if I let go that she would somehow disappear.

"You are not, nor ever been a burden to me or our parents. We love you with our whole hearts, Vinnie. They are not my parents, but they are ours. They love you as much as I do."

I pulled back to cup her cheeks and gazed into her eyes.

"You are my sister. There's nothing and no one that could ever change that. Thank you! Thank you so much."

I pulled her back into my bear hug, and we just rocked. She started laughing after a while.

"What's so funny?"

"Mommy and Daddy gonna be blubbering too when they see this, and you know dad is an ugly cryer."

We both laughed and pulled apart, wiping at each other's faces and laughing more when we saw how horrible we both looked.

"I'm happy you two were able to have this moment."

I looked back to see the older gentleman from earlier. I completely forgot he even existed. When did he get back here. He walked close to us and gave Vinnie a side hug that she had returned. He lifted his eyes to the painting and stared.

"I remember when I first saw it myself. It took my breath away. I had never seen such beauty, but I could tell it came from sadness. I've only known the little miss for a little, but she brings so much joy and warmth with her, that's it's hard to fathom the darkness this was made from. Thank you for being willing to share yourself with us and with the world. This painting is staying up in my gallery. It will not be sold. If you ever want it back, just let me know."

He looked down at Divinity with sincerity in his eyes. She smiled up at him.

"Thanks, but will you stop calling me Ms. Loore. Just call me Divinity or Vinnie."

She smiled and laughed. I looked at the man. He's tall around 6'3. He has beautiful dirty blonde hair that was pulled up into a man bun, with a close to the face full beard. He was muscular and had the most piercing green eyes I've ever seen. He smiled, and damn his smile could make you weak.

"Ummm, I don't mean to be rude, but why does it seem like all the men around you these days are fine as hell. Cause who daddy is this and do he want to be mine?"

Divinity flipped around to look at me then back to him and the started laughing. The man smiled and turned his gaze to me.

"Girl, I swear you're stupid. This is Lemont Dickens. He's Damien's uncle on his mother's side. And I know he's super handsome."

My eyes widened in shock.

"Uncle? Maybe older brother, but you're definitely not giving "Unc" vibes."

Divinity busted out laughing.

"Tell me why I said the same thing when I first met him. He had me blushing."

We all laughed, and he looked down at Divinity.

"I can still make you blush."

He winked, and she sure did blush. She slapped his arm playfully.

"Oh s**t. We gotta watch out for uncles now. Damien better be careful before he loses you to him. Damn, if his uncle is this fine, what does his mama and daddy look like?"

"Fine as hell too."

Vinnie looked back at me and smiled. We all chatted for a bit, and I learned Lemont is freaking 42, with no kids or a wife. He kept flirting, and I had to tell him to move around because he wouldn't be able to handle my ass. I'd get pregnant hella quick f*****g with him. Vinnie showed me the rest of her artwork and how the show would go. We were finally left alone. We began to get ready to leave and get some food. I got here around 3, and it's was already after 6 and dark.

"Kris. Let me tell you how this man had me laid out, ass up, screaming and squirting like someone just popped a fire hydrant open on a hot summer day in his f*****g office. Girl, he had me orgasming so muthafucking hard, I thought I was gonna pass out. And I was on a desk, bitch."

I looked at her wide eyed and a huge smile on my face.

"Damn, who did that? Raphael?"

"Naw, we haven't gotten there yet."

"Damien!? I didn't see that coming. He seems so docile and goofy."

Vinnie laughed out loud, throwing her head back.

"Girl, I thought the same thing. But he's a totally different beast in the sack. He was spanking my ass like a nun in a Catholic school, choking me, and had me calling him daddy."

"Oh s**t!"

We walked and talked and continued our conversation over dinner. I thought back to the painting she showed me first and smiled. I couldn't wait for Robin to see the one that represented what she meant to Vinnie in her life.