Earlier chapters

by Mike Schwarcz, text and art

Aisha burst through the studio door. "Metamorphosis? How would that be?" "What, the painting? I like it, the snake of the past, vanquished by your Baywatch hero Mitch, you morphing in the middle."
Aisha was getting used to just hanging around, like any friend. Miguel's tremors were becoming infrequent.
"It just dawned on me, it's Yom Kippur today, the Jewish day of atonement," Aisha said.
"Should I have asked if you're orthodox?" Miguel joked.
"No, no, just trying to atone for myself and my misspent youth. It's been on my mind a lot lately. Another childhood memory."
Aisha's phone rang.
"Hello"
"It's Hayden."
"It's Sunday, Hayden." She looked at Miguel, who wasn't paying attention.
"That may be, but the deadline for the premier is approaching. I want to make it crystal clear that Miguel Angelo's pieces better be ready for the grand opening," Hayden said.
"They will be. We're going to open with his "Deer, Dear, Dead" series. The opening date is November 1st, the day between Halloween and Day of the Dead."
Miguel's ears perked up at the mention of his "Deer, Dear, Dead".
Aisha listened to Hayden explain that there was little time left to solicit clients for a new Miguel Angelo syndicate, threatening that if he had to purchase all the paintings himself he was going to bury them in his yard.
"You're overreacting."
"Am I? I don't want any hiccups; I need you out there until the opening. Am I clear?"
"That's a month!"
"Whatever it takes," Hayden hung up."
Aisha looked up sheepishly at Miguel. "Sorry you had to hear that."
"So am I. Was that the Hayden from the Hamptons?"
"The same."
"Well, no atonement there, what a dickhead."
He held his arms out and Aisha stepped into them for a long hug. When he relaxed his hold, she clung on looking up at him.
"Forget Hayden, I have something else to celebrate, and I've decided I want to celebrate it with you. Can I take you to dinner tonight?"
"What are we celebrating?"
"I'll tell you tonight, I promise. It's something special, I think you'll love it."
"Same place as last time?"
"If you like."
"I do. What time?"
"I'll pick you up at eight."
"What do I do for the rest of the day?"
Teasing him with her enigmatic smile. "Use your imagination."
"See you at eight," she said on her way out the door.
"Till then, Ms Peel," Miguel grinned.

Aisha spent the remainder of the day at the Four Seasons spa, and then went outfit shopping. She was in the mood to splurge. It was time to give the Titanium Card accessing her newest offshore account a workout.
Adjusting to her shifting lifestyle, she went vintage. A boldly patterned Mexican skirt in ochre and maroon with an embroidered Oaxacan pheasant's blouse. It was casual to her, but if she guessed correctly, in Santa Fe, it was dressy. She thought of buying Miguel a watch, but decided that was probably the last thing he wanted, or needed. At eight, she pulled up in front of Ron's house. Miguel stood outside, wearing a tie and jacket.
"Hi, my new look. What do you think?" he asked, getting in the car.
"You look great, we should dress you up more often.

They were seated in a small booth at the back of La Pinon, huddling as if in conspiracy, their backs to the dining room, they both got a sense of deja vu.
Aisha ordered their best champagne followed by the tasting menu with the wine pairing.
"Imagine. Our dinner here was only what, four months ago?" Aisha asked.
"Something like that, a lot's happened since, that's for sure."
"More than you know, Miguel. That's what we're celebrating."
"Am I missing something? Fill me in."
"Okay, you know Rachel's story," Aisha began.
"I know what you told me, she was on a yacht, right?"
"Right. What I didn't mention was that she found an original Basquiat hanging in the crew's mess. A painting worth a hundred and fifty million dollars."
" Really! Holy Shit!"
"Really." Aisha paused for maximum effect, waiting anxiously for the champagne to arrive.
"Even better, Rachel and her new friend Vanessa convinced the owner to sell the painting because it scares his child."
"Sounds like there's more to Rachel than meets the eye."
A server poured the champagne as Aisha went on.
"Guess who handled the sale?"
"Umm—would that be you?"
"It would." Her smile clicked to high-beam, she raised her glass in a toast.
"You've left me speechless again. That's twice now. Nobody's ever done that to me before." Turning, he put his arms around her, and they hugged for the second time that day. "Congratulations!"
"So, Rachel is now in her new home in Miami with her partner Vanessa, trying to adapt to being one of those people she always made fun of."
"Meaning?"
"She's rich. She made a five percent commission on the sale."
Miguel made the mental calculation and let out a low whistle.
"That's a big deal. Why didn't it make the news?"
"Wasn't meant to, it was a private auction, invited bidders only."
Miguel took another sip of his champagne, reaching for the bottle. "What are we drinking?"
"No idea, I just said I want the best, I'm celebrating."
"Krug Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs, I'll have to remember that," Miguel said,
"Let's eat," she said when a charcuterie board of wild boar, cheeses and baguettes were served.
"Let me just say this first, using an old California expression: You blow my mind! Having met you, and now, getting to know you; it's been one of the great privileges of my life," Miguel said.
Aisha blushed, then they ate.
"This Hayden guy, you're not telling me everything, are you?"
"No. The truth is, Hayden is my client, he owns fifty-one percent of SpACE Gallery International. I didn't mention it because he insists on a low profile."
"So I work for him?" Miguel looked shocked.
"Technically, yes. Hayden cuts the checks."
"What about the Goodmans? You led me to believe they were the owners."
"They own forty-nine percent."
"I see."
" I wasn't lying, technically."
"I'll survive, your forgiven"
"Thanks."
"But, Hayden, Rockwood, Rookwood, whatever. He stays my shit list."
"He's on mine as well. Believe me, I've been with him over twenty years, I know his operation as well or better than he does, and yet you heard how he treats me."
"A perfect example of why I prefer to work alone." Miguel said.
"Sometimes I feel Hayden is just a rerun of my youth trying to please my father."
"Well, if you want to change that you better hurry. Time's just going to speed up the older you get." Miguel noted.
"I'm going to be making some changes; they may surprise you. I'm going to live for myself from here on out."
"Brava."
"As soon as I find out who I am." She laughed sardonically.
"I'd love to help with that." Miguel went out on a limb.
"Meaning?"
"I don't know. I like being around you. You inspire me, I guess I was hoping I could do the same for you somehow. Maybe teach you how to be a kid again?"
"We could open a Santa Fe wellness retreat. Exclusive, with only two members."
"Intriguing. Or buy a yacht and sail away?"
"So many options."
The server delivered the next course, a venison saddle served with a port reduction, perfect for tempering their alcohol intake.
"Are we still going to be able to paint together?" Miguel asked.
"Absolutely, you're good company. I enjoy it immensely."
"I have to confess, I feel the same way. Listen to me! I'm starting to see why they call it this stuff truth serum," he said, sipping from the red.
"Money and freedom, the ultimate dream. I always thought you had to be born to it, that it was mutually exclusive for us mere mortals," Aisha said.
"Well, maybe we could pull it off, if you dare. Do You?"
"Seems I asked you that question not too long ago."
"Everything is telling me that's what I'm looking for at this stage of my life." Aisha put her hand on his arm.
With the meal finished Miguel turned to Aisha and took her hand. "One last question."
"Go on."
"How do you feel about public displays of affection?"
Starting to smile, turning her head, his lips found hers before she could time to answer, kissing her deep and long. Looking at each other, they both knew it was on. He kissed her again.
Things were happening, happening fast. She was falling for Miguel. Not part of the plan, but there it was. His kiss convinced her he felt the same.
"Lets get out of here." he suggested.
He asked the server to pack their desserts to go include a bottle of the Krug.
Aisha's anticipation of what was to come was reaching its own climax. "Lets just get a room here," she whispered in his ear. He smiled. "Fine."
She spoke to the server, who nodded and left.
He whispered in her ear, "I want to create a new art form tonight, with you."
"Can't wait, tell me more." Her hand dropped to his thigh. She squeezed.
"Something wet and something hard," he hinted.
"Tea and biscuits?"
He looked at her, shook his head and chuckled. She stared back, her dark eyes shimmering orbs of pure desire in the low light. Her hand wandered, Miguel watched the server approach.
A key slipcase was laid on the table. "Bill says 'Thank You,' your dessert and champagne await in your Casita."
Aisha glanced at the key. "Casita, nice. Thanks Bill."
"Who's Bill?" Miguel asked.
"Bill Gates, he's a SpACE client, he owns Four Seasons Resorts" Aisha smiled. "Most people don't know that."
Miguel took the key, she took his arm. They traversed the dining room, ready to paint a new version of their relationship in the Casita, when Miguel heard the crying tones of a bandoneón, pulling him toward the lounge, where a slow tango was being played.
"Dance with me," he said. Leading her to the empty ronda. "My dad was a big Tango fan."
Aisha looked bewildered. "I've never—"
Miguel took her in an abrazo and pulled her tight. He whispered, "I'll cue you, walk, figure eight, turn. Just let me lead, and stay loose. The musicians were happy to have someone on the ronda, playing a simple Milonga as the next thirty minutes became pure foreplay, Miguel seducing Aisha on a dance floor.

Questionnaire on the story

To be continued

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