A Single Mom Meets Someone New Ch 103

Tina walked into the Hilton and up to room 496.

“There you are.” The blonde opened the door. Tina walked in and kissed her letting the door shut hard behind her. 

Gillian walked into the lobby dressed like the she belonged in the ritzy hotel. She strutted up to the desk. 

“Welcome to The Hilton. How can I help you?” The female concierge asked. 

“I was supposed to meet my mom here. I’m a little early, I can’t remember what room she was staying in could you tell me?” Gillian said. 

“Sure what’s her name?” The girl asked. 

“Tina Kennard.” Gillian said. 

“I’m sorry we don’t have anyone by that name registered.” She said. 

“She sometimes uses an alias. She’s in the business. I don’t know what it is she has so many. What if I showed you a picture would that help?” Gillian said. 

“Sure, but I just came in I don’t know if could be much help.” She said. Gillian showed her a picture of Tina on her phone. “No, I don’t recognize her. I’m sorry.” 

“Thanks for trying. I guess I’ll just wait down here.” Gillian said. 

“Hey wait Jay do you know this lady?” The concierge asked. Gillian held the phone up. 

“Yeah that’s Ms. Kennard. She’s in room 496.” He said. 

“Thanks so much.” Gillian said and walked off towards the elevators. 

Gillian lingered in the hallway on the 4th floor. She ducked in a corner when she saw Tina leave. She waited until Tina was in the elevator and then knocked on the door to room 496. 

“What did you forget this time?” The blonde answered as she opened the door. “Oh, uh,  Gillian right?” She was half naked. 

“Stay away from my family.” Gillian said sternly. 

“I’m sorry.” She said. 

“Stay away from my family. Next time I ask you it won’t be so nice.” Gillian said and walked off. 

*********

“So today we going to discuss the unknown artist.” Bette walked in front of Gillian’s pieces at MOCA. About 30 students sat and stood around the gallery. “There are many artists in history who decided to use pseudonyms when signing their work.” Bette was finishing a tirade on artists who wanted to be anonymous.

Gillian sat against the back wall sketching in her book. 

“Why would someone not want to claim such amazing pieces?” Grace asked. 

“That’s a very good question. It could be for any number of reasons, but no one but the artist themselves know the answer, and its different for each artist.  Which brings me to today’s assignment, today I want you all to look really look at these pieces and then we are going to critic them, You have 10 minutes.” Bette said. Gillian hadn’t looked up from her sketch book, but Bette noticed but didn’t say anything. 

“Okay who wants to go first?” Bette asked. Kelly, Bette’s favorite student, volunteered. 

“I really love the one in the center. Its so full of emotion dark and twisted. The artist must have really been in a dark place when they painted it.” Kelly said. 

“I can’t take this. I’m going for a walk.” Gillian told Grace. She stood and started to leave. 

“Class isn’t over.” Bette said. Gillian turned and looked at her with tears in her eyes. 

“You know Kelly you are exactly right about that painting. I was in a really dark place when I painted that. See my grandmother had just died and the rest of my family had turned their backs on me. That one over there. I painted that after having sex for the first time with my long time girlfriend. The one next to it was after I broke up with my first girlfriend. My heart was broken for the first time. And this one back here, well it’s super special. I painted it the night I saw my mom marry the… the…” Gillian looked at Bette. “The night she married the love of her life.” Gillian said and walked off. Bette knew this was the breakdown she was dreading.

It was so quiet that you could have heard a pin drop. Grace jumped up and followed Gillian out of the room. Tears ran down Bette’s cheek. 

“Class dismissed.” Bette said and the students quietly filed out of the gallery. Bette looked around seeing the artwork in a totally different light.