The Kiss

THE KISS

          When Izzy Lavigne was visiting the town of New Hope, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, she had hoped to locate a piece of art for the apartment she was planning to acquire in the not too distant future. Izzy had recently launched her career as a high school French teacher, and even though she had a wonderful relationship with her parents, she yearned to be out on her own. She envisioned finding an apartment during the summer months after the academic year ended.

          Izzy had already been squirreling away items for her first flat such as a set of Dansk dishes, pale blue glassware, and most recently a set of deep plum and navy-blue striped towels. Even at this early stage of her life, Izzy displayed an artistic flare.  

          On a sunny spring day Izzy and her friend Emily Vargas, who taught Spanish at the same school, ventured out from their southern New Jersey towns to spend the day browsing in the unique shops and boutiques, on New Hope’s well-known Main Street. They browsed in candle shops, tie-dyed clothing stores, and wares from an outdoor vendor selling mobiles of hanging sea glass in beautiful shapes and colors. After crossing the street, Emily entered a jewelry store of handmade items. She found a pair of turquoise and silver earrings to give to her mom for Mother’s Day. They stopped briefly at a custard stand to enjoy some delicious cones as they continued to stroll down the street. All of a sudden, as they came by an art print shop displaying reproductions of artwork, Izzy spotted a print of a painting that completely mesmerized her, and she stopped dead in her tracks to stare at the exquisite image. She walked closer to the print to see the name of the artist. The closer she came in contact with the image, the more enthralled she became at the feelings the image aroused. It was beyond beautiful. It sparked a feeling inside her that was awe-inspiring. 

          Izzy held up the print which measured by her estimates about 20x24 inches, and brought it over to the clerk. The young man told her the price of the print, and a little about the Austrian painter, whose name was Gustav Klimt. Izzy did not hesitate. She had to have this print, thinking she would have it framed, and it would eventually be the focal point in her own home.

          Izzy ultimately found her first apartment, and the print of Klimt’s painting entitled, The Kiss, hung in a prominent place in the living room. This was in 1974. Since then, Izzy had moved to a larger apartment, and the painting of the two lovers in a most tender embrace continued to bring such joy to Izzy. As the years passed, she learned more and more about the painter, Klimt. She became an admirer of many of his numerous discerning works of art. Throughout this time, Izzy continued to enjoy her teaching career, and filling her home with various objects of art that expressed her personality. Although many of her friends had married by now, Izzy remained single, not necessarily by choice, but she had a very romantic and creative soul, and had just never yet found the sort of man that could complement her view of the world, even as she was about to enter her forties. 

          To celebrate the arrival of Izzy’s fortieth birthday, another of her friends, Margo Collins, suggested they take a trip to MoMA, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It was only an hour and a half bus ride to get into the city from Izzy’s home. Margo had come across an advertisement announcing that MoMA was having an exhibit of Klimt’s works of art, and knew Izzy would love to view the exhibition. As soon as Margo mentioned her idea, Izzy was immediately on board, and very excited to see this retrospective. They decided to travel to New York City on the first day of their upcoming spring break from school.

          Even on the bus, Izzy could not to contain her excitement at the prospect of seeing Klimt’s works up close and personal. Margo was happy to have suggested this little outing to her, as Izzy had been a good mentor to Margo. When Margo, also a French teacher, first began to also teach at the school, Izzy was always available to answer any questions that Margo had. Izzy also gave her many ideas for lesson plans that was consistent with the instructional goals of the language department.  For all that, and for their endearing friendship, Margo was delighted to be spending this special day with Izzy.  

          They arrived at the Port of Authority in New York City shortly after 11am. Despite the fact that the weather was comfortably warm for mid-April, they decided not to walk the many blocks to the museum, and take a taxi instead. Upon their arrival at the entrance to the museum, Izzy spotted large posters displaying Klimt’s works advertising the exhibition. She was beyond thrilled already at the prospect of seeing the paintings and sketches, and anything else that would be revealed about her favorite artist.

          They entered the museum along with many, many other visitors despite it being a weekday. An attendant took their tickets, and directed them to the entrance of the exhibition. At the entrance, on the opposite wall, there is was…Klimt’s painting of The Kiss. Izzy froze, not expecting to come in contact with this painting so quickly. Its size alone was shocking. It went floor to ceiling. She had no idea the original painting was so incredibly large. The golden flecks shone so brightly, and bounced off the other colors. But the powerful sincerity of the embrace of the man and the woman was spelling binding. She just stood there motionless. Margo had already moved into the curved walkway to view the other contents of the exhibit, allowing Izzy to have her moment with the painting that meant so much to her. People walked around Izzy entering the exhibit as well. But Izzy was grounded there still, quiet, as she was overcome with immense emotion, as a few tears started to escape down her cheeks. It had been almost twenty years since she first had seen this image, just a print, and now it was magnified in all its splendor. It was such a special moment for Izzy.

          A short distance away, a man was leaning against a wall, near the entrance to the exhibit. He was dressed in a dark grey suit and jacket with a navy-blue turtleneck. He was focused on Izzy’s expression. He watched as Izzy pulled a tissue from her handbag, and blotted the tears that slid down her face. Before she took another step, the man approached her, and introduced himself. His name was Everett Turner, and he told Izzy that he was the curator of the Klimt exhibit. 

          He further mentioned how gratifying it was to observe her reaction to one of Klimt’s most distinctive paintings. As they shook hands, Izzy introduced herself, and told the curator how much she had been looking forward to viewing the exhibition. She told him that she had owned a reproduction of The Kiss for many years, but had no idea of the original’s considerable size, and that she was simply overcome with emotion. Everett told Izzy that he thought this particular work of art would certainly capture the attention of all those who were destined to view the exhibition. Izzy then told him how anxious she was to see the rest of the exhibit. Everett then stepped aside, directing Izzy to the other of Klimt’s works, and wished her a lovely afternoon. Izzy smiled back at him, finally noticing how very handsome a man he was, besides being so gracious.

          In a few minutes she caught up to Margo who had already viewed several works. Margo asked Izzy if she had recovered from her first encounter of The Kiss. Izzy laughed and told her that she had, and actually met the curator of the exhibit. Margo was impressed. Izzy continued to look at all the paintings and the many, many sketches that were on display. She was beyond thrilled to see all the gold and swirls that made Klimt’s works of art so very identifiable. From room to room of the grand exhibit, her eyes feasted on the superlative style offered by this talented artist.

          When they concluded seeing all that was on display of the Klimt retrospective, Izzy was more than content. Margo then suggested they stop at the museum’s Café 2 for a little lunch. Izzy was ready to just sit somewhere quietly, and contemplate all that she had seen on her splendid meandering around the several rooms that exposed the incomparable works of art.  

           Both Margo and Izzy ordered the classic Caesar salad with chicken. Afterwards, Izzy proposed that they splurge on the chocolate mousse for dessert with their coffee, and Margo was quick to comply. They relaxed for a while at the café a little longer, and then Margo suggested they visit the museum store. Off they went, and Margo found a few items to give her nephew for his upcoming tenth birthday. Izzy perused several art books with illustrations of Klimt’s work. She decided on one of them for herself, and found two mugs. One of the mugs illustrated The Kiss, for herself, and the other, Klimt’s Fulfillment painting that she would present to Margo on their way home as a thank you for organizing the trip. Izzy also bought several Klimt postcards, and a few bookmarks depicting the Portrait of Adele Block, another famous Klimt painting.

          On their way home, they chatted about how they both enjoyed this little getaway that ushered in their spring break. Izzy arrived home shortly after 6pm. She couldn’t help but begin to peruse the book she had purchased with a cup of tea. Izzy read about the pictures she had seen, and began to learn a bit more about the artist. She realized that she did not have any plans for the next day, and after much thought, made the decision to once again return to the Museum of Modern Art to walk through the exhibit once again at her own pace.

          Izzy’s bus arrived in New York City in the late morning. Before leaving the Port of Authority, she stopped at Au Bon Pain, the little café bakery. She had not bothered having any breakfast, and Izzy was hungry when she arrived in the city. She bought a croissant and some coffee and sat down at a table looking forward to the day ahead. 

          An hour later, she was at the entrance to the museum once again, and purchased a ticket to the Klimt Exhibition. This time as she stood at the entrance, she just took a deep breath, and smiled at the stunning work before her. Everett Turner, the curator, was walking in the area and noticed Izzy standing once again opposite The Kiss. With a smile on his face, he approached Izzy and greeted her. She smiled back at him, and told him she just had to come see the exhibition one more time. Everett told her he understood completely, and offered to escort her through the exhibit this time, and perhaps tell her about how the show was developed. Izzy’s enthusiasm was clearly on display, and they proceeded to walk into the first room of the exhibit.

          Whether they were viewing the portraits or landscapes or charcoal sketches, Everett had many stories to tell Izzy. He was also impressed by the knowledge Izzy had about many of the images that hung on the walls. Everett was becoming enamored with Izzy’s enthusiasm about art in general, and her charming manner. An hour and a half had slipped by when they exited the exhibition. Everett turned to Izzy and asked if she would like to join him for some refreshments. Izzy was more than willing, and he suggested lunch at the Terrace Café on the 6th floor of the museum. 

          They were seated at a lovely table with a view of Midtown Manhattan. At Everett’s recommendation, Izzy ordered the eggplant and goat cheese quiche with a side salad, while he ordered the roast beef sandwich. Afterwards, Izzy declined dessert as they both enjoyed some espresso. Everett seemed to want to know all about Izzy, inquiring where she lived and if she worked. Izzy was happy to give the many details about her life, and eventually Everett did the same. He was actually living near Hoboken, New Jersey, where he took the PATH train into the city every day.  But the most important detail was the discovery that both of them were single. 

          The more they spoke to each other, Izzy began to feel even more attracted to Everett. He seemed to be feeling the same way. Eventually Everett admitted that he needed to get back to the exhibition. Izzy thanked him for the lunch, and for escorting her around the exhibition. Then Everett looked at her and mentioned that he was off in a few hours, and perhaps they could meet a little later for a drink before she had to take the bus back to New Jersey. Izzy thought she could spend the rest of the afternoon walking around the city, and she agreed to meet Everett back at the museum at 5pm.

          He took her to a classy cocktail lounge at the hotel across the street where they managed to sit at a little table, as they both enjoyed a glass of wine. There, they continued their conversation, both revealing more and more about themselves. Eventually, they exchanged phone numbers and Everett told Izzy he would be in touch later in the week. When it was time for her to think about catching a bus to take her back to her home, they exited the hotel lounge, and Everett hailed a taxi to take her back to the terminal. Quickly, they said their goodbyes, and again Everett promised to call her soon.

          Izzy made it to the terminal with enough time to board the 7:00pm bus. No sooner did the bus pass through the Lincoln tunnel, that Izzy received a text from Everett. He wanted her to know how much he enjoyed spending time with her. Izzy found herself smiling with such a good feeling, almost too good to be true. Everett was tall, handsome, and had an enchanting smile and manner, and his job was fascinating. He seemed to have a genuine respect for her career as a French teacher, and appeared delighted at some of the stories about her students that she relayed to him. But most important, was he also had a strong fondness for Klimt’s works of art, along with other artists whose works she also admired. As the bus continued on its path, she thought back about the first time she had seen the print of The Kiss decades ago. Maybe meeting Everett was an act of fate. Maybe it was just time for both of them to find their destiny with each other. Izzy again read the text Everett had sent a little while ago. She wrote back her own little message trying to convey just how much she enjoyed spending most of the day with him. She then leaned back on her seat, and looked forward to whatever was to come. 

          Everett called Izzy a few days later, and they made plans for him to visit her over the weekend. She decided to take Everett to New Hope, and stroll around Main Street, which was still had an atmosphere where many artists gathered. They dined at a lovely restaurant outdoors, and their conversation continued to be engaging and still very pleasurable. Walking back hand in hand to the parking lot where Everett’s car was parked, he turned towards Izzy, smiled, and they kissed for the first time. Izzy knew she would always remember this moment and The Kiss forever.

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