I thought back to that first expression. “I know. I’m sorry, everything was so beautiful in the studio, I lost track of time. Won’t you come see it? I know you’re going to flip.”
“Later, maybe.”
“Later?” This was a first.
“Yes, later. My needs get handled first this time, Lollie. We need some solution to this habit you have of forgetting the rest of the world. I respect your creative genius—I admire it, adore it, am continually amazed by what you draw into your art. And I recognize that a certain eccentricity goes with the title of artist, but I’m in your world too. And I assume you want me there.”
“Of course I do. I love you.”
“Well then, there are some things I need in return.” He was looking very dour.
“Ooo, ouch. You are mad, aren’t you?”
“Less so now.”
“But I really
