Strength After Him

Chapter 6 - The Exhibition

As we rushed into the room, we found her lying on the floor beside the bed.

“What just happened?” I asked, my voice shaking.

“She must have rolled off somehow,” Ms. Maria said, her voice calm but concerned.

But, she's just five months old…. I said softly, picking her up. I felt a wave of panic hit me, but seeing her move and start to feed brought a little relief.

“Tomorrow the gallery opens. My work will be out there, and I’m ready for whatever comes next. I couldn’t stop smiling.”

My phone rang. It was Mom. My heart skipped a beat. It had been a while since we last really talked, and suddenly, I felt a mix of nerves and hope.

I hadn’t spoken to her since I gave birth. She didn’t know about the baby or what my life had been like. I waited for the right time to tell her. When I mentioned the exhibition, she smiled and expressed her happiness.

Before the call ended, she said, “I may not know everything, but I’m always here.” Her words stayed with me. I felt a quiet presence. It was Maria.

“Your mom misses you,” she said. I know you’re waiting for the right time, but please call her often. It will mean a lot.”

“I will,” I replied. She gave my shoulder a gentle tap.

*******

The day of the exhibition came. My alarm woke me. I jumped up, nervous, excited. I can’t believe this is really happening. My paintings were finally going up on the walls. I packed everything with care, wrapped canvases, brushes in their box, paint jars sealed tight. The car boot was full and ready. I turned on my playlist and smiled. My victory song came on, and I sang along as I prepared.

I dressed comfortably in blue jeans and a T-shirt. Maria carried Ivy as we stepped into the gallery. The white walls and soft lighting felt surreal. I arranged my frames quietly, each piece telling a part of my story. The artwork stood bold, raw, and beautiful. As people began to walk in, my chest tightened, and I wiped my palms on my jeans, nerves stirring.

Maria leaned in, her voice steady. “You’ve got this.”

The first guest stopped, staring at one of my works, eyes wide with quiet wonder. I didn’t speak. I let art do that for me.

“I am truly impressed with your art, the way you capture emotions through the use of colors. This is so beautiful. Keep it up," he said.

Many more people trooped into my space, viewed my pieces and gave good reviews. I never had bad reviews. I watched people discuss, admire and ask me more questions about my work.

“Is this piece for sale?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said softly, walking over. “That one is for sale.”

“It is beautiful. "How much?”

I told her the price, but my heart skipped because I felt the quoted price was high. The woman smiled and didn't hesitate to ask for my account details. She made the transaction immediately and left.

Another man approached my table. He looked a bit older than all the visitors I had today. He was checking a piece and looked completely absorbed in it. The painting was a bustling restaurant table filled with people, soft lights, the feel of shared meals and laughter.

“Can I have this?” he asked. “I have a friend opening a restaurant, and I think this would fit the vibe perfectly.”

“Sure,” I replied. “Would you like this exact piece, or should I paint something customized ?”

“Yes, actually. "I would love some added details,” he said.

My heart jumped, but I kept calm. I was already picturing how I would bring his vision to life.

I noted the details – size, colors, theme. He made the payment right away. Another order was secured. I smiled, quietly humming my victory song from earlier.

As evening came, excitement grew. I wasn’t nervous anymore, more pieces had found new homes. A few remained, and I was amazed; I never expected this. But it was happening, right before me. The real surprise came near the end. A few visitors looked at one painting, then turned to me with wide eyes.

“I love this piece,” one woman said. “Can you do something like this for my office? It would be perfect there.”

I didn’t see it coming. I nodded, keeping calm, but inside I wanted to dance.

“I can come tomorrow, and we can talk more,” I said. I felt a golden opportunity knocking.

She smiled as she wrote her contact info on the paper I handed her. “Let me know when you’re ready. "It would be nice to have a piece that reflects our business,” she said. And that was how we sealed the deal.

My work was finally seen. I smiled and raised my hands a little, humming my victory song under my breath. Every line just felt right. I packed up my art materials, arranging everything neatly. The space looked just like when I got here, calm and ready.

As we left the Gallery, I remembered something. I was supposed to drop my business card at the galleries. We hurried back, and I handed it over to the gallery staff, a young woman with sharp eyes and a friendly smile.

“Did anyone reach out to you during the exhibition?” she asked, flipping through her notes.

“Almost all my pieces found a home,” I replied, trying to keep my excitement steady.

She spoke about future shows and mentioned inviting me again. I nodded, taking note of the dates and the opportunity to showcase my work once more. Her smile and words remained as we ended our conversation.

We made our way back to my small apartment. Everything from the exhibition to the arrangements had gone smoothly, marking a successful day and the start of more opportunities. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching, soft at first, then steadily growing closer.