The local paper ran a follow-up story three days after the meeting. The headline said, "Mercer Arts Director Disputes Use of Her Images."
It was accurate, but the photograph beside it was an old one of me on the Bellwether lawn, standing between Julian and his mother. The caption called me a "former foundation partner."
By lunch, the comments were full of people asking whether I'd married Julian for money. A few said I was punishing a family that had given me everything.
Tessa came to my studio with coffee and a paper bag of sandwiches.
"You could answer every comment," she said.
"I know."
"Would that help?"
"No."
She set the food beside my laptop. "You don't have to keep reading."
"I know that, too."
I closed the browser.
The next morning, the foundation sent an email stating t
