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American Contemporary Sad

 “Gina! Hi, how are you?”

I saw you in the line for soup. I wondered if you’d come over. I’m good thanks Tim. You?”

“Older. Wondering why I put up with the winters here.”

Still living in Chicago then?”

“Yeah, well I’m still working. One day a week anyway. Could I join you, or are you waiting for someone?”

Sit down. No, I’m here by myself.”

“I thought you were in Madison.”

I am, I’m just visiting. I wanted to see the Stanley Spencer exhibition they have on.”

“I saw the sign about that, but the name didn’t mean anything.”

He was a British artist, early 20th century. Jerry and I visited the village where he lived and worked when we took a trip over there a few years ago.”

“How is Jerry?”

Fine, I think. We’re not together any more.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

Really? Well it was never going to last, was it? Fourteen years is a big gap and, well, you know.”

“Mmm, yes. Changing gears, have you talked to the girls lately?”

Gemma texts every day. Lindy, well she might call once a week. You know how she is. What about you?”

“They both called on my birthday, but that’s about it. They always took your side. Blamed me I guess.”

Well, maybe let's not go there. How’s your soup?”

“Surprisingly good actually, you know, for a museum cafe. The bread’s good too. How’s the salad?”

I’m wishing I’d got the soup. It’s too cold for salad.”

“That’s the high ceiling and wall of windows.”

And the five degree windchill!”

“That’s Chicago. You never did like the winters here. I was surprised when you moved out to Madison.”

Well Lindy was studying there. It’s nice, a bit of an arts scene, and I found a teaching job.”

“And then you met Jerry.”

Yes, I met Jerry there. He’s still there. Moved in with a dance instructor I believe.”

“Ohh! And how do you feel about that?

Honestly, I’m okay. It was fun while it lasted. I mean, after us ... after we ... well he was different, younger, obviously, and I think that’s what I needed. What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”

“I think um … no. Two divorces is enough for anyone. The girls told you about that didn’t they?”

They did.”

“So it’s just me now. I bought a place in Lincoln Park. Small, but more than enough for me, and I can get into the office when I need.”

You said one day a week? Still working with Bill?”

“That’s right. They won’t let me retire so I go in occasionally to consult on new projects as they need. Well I don’t think they need at all. I think they’re just doing me a kindness, keeping the old man busy, you know?”

62 isn’t old these days. You look well. The gray makes you look distinguished. I like that tan sweater too. When we were together you never wore anything but black.”

“Thank you. Well I had my Design Director image to maintain. I got one of those fancy exercise bikes, you know, where you go online for classes. What do they call them?”

You got a Peloton?”

“Yeah, yeah that’s it. Lot of money but I use it almost every day.”

It shows. Keep it up. So what brought you to the Art Institute today?”

“I had a meeting in the Loop, just for an hour. Potential new client Bill wanted me to wow, but I think it was a waste of time. Then I walked down to the lake but it’s so cold. So I came in here.”

Want to come round the Spencer exhibition with me? I haven’t done it yet.”

“Oh, yes, I’d like that. What’s he like? His work I mean. Tell me what to expect.”

Well he’s a bit of an oddball, artistically speaking. Did some landscapes, mostly of where he lived, Cookham. It’s a bit west of London. Jerry and I did it the same day we went to Windsor. There’s a gallery there with some of his work. But his real passion was religious paintings. And sex. A lot of sexuality in his work. So perhaps, yes, it might be your kind of thing.”

“Ha! Well maybe I’ve changed a bit. Age does that. But yeah, I’ve finished my soup so I’m ready when you are.”

* * * * *

So what did you think?”

“It’s um, different, weird. Some of it’s pretty intense. I mean some of those, there’s a lot to take in.”

You didn’t like it then?”

“I liked the landscapes. What I really liked was hearing you talk about the paintings. I never knew you had such a passion for art.”

I learned a lot from Jerry, you know, art history was his thing. I guess I was always interested but there was never time, what with raising two girls practically on my own.”

“Ouch. I was home sometimes.”

But you traveled a lot, and had client dinners … Anyway, um … I don’t want to be driving back in the dark so …”

“Yeah, I understand. It gets dark so early. Well look, it’s been really good spending time with you. We haven’t done that since…”

Lindy’s graduation.”

“Is it that long?”

It is.”

“I wonder, what would you think if…”

Tim, let go of my hand.”

“Sorry. Sorry, I was just wondering, I mean, Gina, could we do this again some time?”

Oh Tim. It’s been good to see you. You should make more effort with the girls. They’d be happy to see you now ratface isn’t on the scene.”

“Ratface? Really? That’s what you called her?”

Gemma came up with it I think. I mean she did have that like, pointy face and beady little eyes.”

“She had a strong chin and dark eyes, if that’s what you mean. But she’s out of my life now, has been for over a year. So…?”

So?”

“Could we do this again some time?”

Oh Tim. This was just a chance thing…”

“A happy chance. And I don’t think I said, but I like what you’re doing with your hair. Makes you look younger.”

You mean letting the gray show? Hardly, but thank you. Happy chance or not, the answer’s no Tim. I’m not going down that road again. Back down that road. I need new roads.”

“I’m not asking you to move in Gina. I just ... this afternoon … well it was like going back to before we were married. Your face lights up when you’re enthused about something and I’d like to see that happen again.”

Tim, we’re not the same people we were back then. It’s been lovely to see you but we can’t wind the clock back, we can’t pretend the last twenty years didn’t happen.”

“Not even lunch, like this again? Or I could come to Madison. We could visit an art museum there.”

I’m going now Tim. Goodbye.”

December 11, 2024 22:18

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2 comments

Marty B
00:08 Dec 19, 2024

Poor Tim. He's been an ass his whole life, only thinking about himself, and still doesn't know why all the women in his life wont stay with him. He's reaping the neglect he sowed.

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S. Hjelmeset
16:47 Dec 17, 2024

I like how you told the couples story so effortlessly, and also that there's no room for a last hurrah in the end. Nice!

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