This is one of the biggest nights in my career. As I stood there on the side stage as Franklin was speaking, my mind wandered. I love where my life is, I wouldn’t change it, but something was missing. Nikki stood, side stage as I was about to make my speech.

Nikki and I decided it was best that we weren’t seen together. There was a lot of press, and she was there for her work and not for my ego boost. And I also didn’t want to get caught with her. I laughed at myself, caught with Nikki? Please. I haven’t seen Tina in over five years and I felt like I was cheating on her. How sad am I? Still holding out for someone I know isn’t there.

"I started out in art twenty years ago. As an adolecent, I painted like a crazy girl and took pictures of everything. In college I majored in Art History with a minor in film production. Somewhere, I lost myself. I worked in the movie industry for a while then a spark ignited in my heart one night. The love of my life convinced me not with words, but in a picture of her I took the last night we spent together, that art was where I was meant to be."

I paused…I paused for what seemed like forever. The words that escaped my lips reverberated in my brain. The love of my life. Still to this day, that is what I think of her. I looked around, maybe she was here. And I shook my head, of course she’s not. She’s off in Nashville, with her family, probably had another kid and enjoying life. Why I was I still hung up on her?

"And now here I am, bringing you one of the biggest and best shows in the world. Elizabeth Pernao’s work has been featured all over the world, but only offered Provocations this one time. And I am proud to bring you, Provocations."

As I finished my speech, thunderous applause rang through the museum. I felt like I was in slow motion. Walking off the stage, grabbing Nikki’s hand and walking to the exhibit, I was on a cloud, I was amazed that I got it all done. I was sure I would fail, but the memory of her was my encouragement. It’s true, the picture I took of her that night changed me. I have it framed in my bedroom. She was wrapped in a sheet, her blonde locks framing her face perfectly, her arms and hands resting carefree above her head and a smile of utter content was splashed across her face as she slept. It was like she wanted me to take that picture. It was the most gorgeous picture I’d ever taken or seen. I was sure when I had taken that picture that she was in love with me. But, I was wrong.