Love Hurts Read online

  Figaro helped give Anna somewhere to lavish her love and attention. Rob didn’t seem to appreciate how much love she’d stored up from a mostly arid childhood, so she gave it all to the cat and her nephew, Matty.

  After Figaro had gobbled up his quota of three treats, Anna rubbed his head and scratched his neck, laughing as his purr got louder. She patted his head and then went to her bedroom to finish getting ready.

  She’d just spritzed on some perfume when the front door opened. She smoothed down her long hair with a slightly shaky hand. She hoped Rob would appreciate how she looked. He had always loved her hair loose around her face, but lately she seemed to always have it pulled back. Anna aligned a couple of already straight towels, switched off the light and headed downstairs to the living room.

  “Anna?”

  “I’m all ready, Rob, so I’ll just have a drink and wait while you shower.”

  Rob’s tux lay on the guest room bed, all ready for him. He liked everything perfectly organized. It kept Anna’s life free from conflict to keep things the way he wanted.

  Anna poured herself a scotch on the rocks and stepped to the window. The sun just peeked over the mountain and sent streaks of light across the town. It would be dark soon. She reached down and minutely aligned a pillow on the couch. Everything in her house was clean and neat, and yet she still couldn’t stop feeling like something was out of order.

  Anna’s insides jumped and quivered, and she hoped the smoky scotch would calm her nerves. As she sipped, she planned how she would intercept her sister before Mel revealed the painting. There was no way she could allow Jilly to see it without warning.

  Anna took a large sip of the drink. It burned on the way down and then spread warmth throughout her insides. Mamma didn’t drink much, mostly wine or champagne, and usually only at a party. The dress seemed to have conjured up her mother’s spirit, and now it haunted her. It had been years since they’d spoken, yet tonight it felt like only yesterday. She remembered Mamma’s silences, her harsh words, her hospital stays that had been hidden from the art world in order to protect Mamma’s reputation. Why didn’t anyone try as hard to protect her daughters?

  Mamma only showed emotion when she painted or when she went into one of her despairs, as Anna called them. During those dark periods, Anna and Jilly never knew what Mamma would do. As the oldest, Anna would try to take care of Mamma and her little sister, but she always felt inadequate. She told herself that she’d only been a little girl, but it didn’t make her feel any less guilty. No matter what she tried, she could neither fix her mother nor keep her little sister from falling into the same despair.

  No matter that Mamma is the great Catarina di Rossi, an acclaimed artist. At home, she was just Mamma. No one on the outside ever saw her true self. They only saw the elegant, perfectly coiffed, beautiful woman. They raved over her paintings, saying she painted like some of the most famous Italian masters. Mamma told them she’d never taken classes, that she’d been trained by her father. The same father she never spoke of to her own children. Anna didn’t even know her grandfather’s name. She knew he lived in Italy, but nothing more. When she and Jilly were younger, they had discussed going to Italy and trying to find Mamma’s family. As they got older, they decided they didn’t want to know what Mamma was hiding.

  They both moved across the country to this small town. She had long ago given up thinking the name symbolic. It was just another promise that later revealed itself as fool’s gold. She now secretly called the town False Hope.

  When Rob’s hands smoothed over Anna’s silken shoulders, she jumped and the ice rattled in her glass.

  “Is this my wife I see in front of me or some impostor?” The smile in his voice gave her the courage to turn around.

  Rob’s eyes widened as she faced him. She looked down, unable to meet his gaze.

  “Wow. Who are you and what have you done with my wife?” He leered at her.

  His words unaccountably hurt. She didn’t want her looks to matter so much that for the first time in months, no years, he actually saw her. The scotch turned sour in her stomach. She moved away and set her empty glass on the bar. She looked at it for a minute and thought about taking it to the sink to wash it when Rob interrupted her thoughts.

  “Want to stay home instead?” he asked in his ‘sexy’ voice.

  “We better get going. I need to be there early to help Mel with a few last minute things.” Anna glanced at her husband and felt a little shame at the disappointment in his face.

  Rob moved in front of her and opened the closet door, pulled her jacket out and then handed it to her. He slipped his coat on, opened the front door and, without a word, headed to the car.

  Anna watched him go, wishing they could go back to the beginning of their relationship and start over. She twisted her wedding ring, and one of the claws surrounding the large diamond pricked her finger. The diamond was loose. She hadn’t taken it in for cleaning and maintenance in a long time. It had probably been a couple of years. Anna stared at it for a few moments, remembering the day Rob had given it to her. Then she left the house and locked the door.

  Anna walked to the car, where no gentleman held the door for her. She pretended it didn’t matter, while her thoughts turned to Jilly. She had no idea how to intercept her without causing a scene. Jilly could be very emotional, especially if the subject had anything to do with Mamma. Anna stepped into the car, buckled her seatbelt, and leaned her head back. They drove to the gallery in silence.

  Chapter 2

  Mel had strung what seemed like a thousand lights both inside and outside of the gallery. Anna smiled to herself, proud of her best friend’s artistic ability and passion.

  Rob pulled up to the curb in front of the gallery and, without turning his head, said, “You go and help Melanie. I’ll head to the Legion and have a drink. There’s no point in me waiting around for an hour.”

  Anna said quietly, “You could come in and help us.”

  Rob didn’t respond.

  Without another word, Anna got out of the car. She glanced back at Rob, but he didn’t even look at her. She closed the door and he took off a split second later. Anna stared at the car’s taillights, her tears blurring them into red streaks. How had they gotten to this place when she hadn’t even realized they had taken a turn down the wrong road?

  Rob often went to the Legion for a drink even though he was decades younger than most of the men there and not even a member. Anna figured the respect the men gave his family spilled over into respect for Rob. It didn’t matter that half of it depended on the money flowing out of his wallet and into their glasses. Rob had never learned that a bought friend is a fickle one. Rob proved time and again that looking too far into the future didn’t suit him. He never considered that he might one day have a need for true friends, the kind that can’t be bought.

  Anna dashed away the tears, stepped off the sidewalk and moved up the path toward the glass door.

  “Anna!” Mel launched through the door and came to a dead stop in front of her. “You look incredible. Wow, girl. I should make you the hostess.”

  Anna laughed, grateful to her friend for bolstering her sagging spirits. “Thanks Mel, but you’re every bit the perfect hostess. You look wonderful. That dress really is perfect on you.”

  Mel thrust a hip out, tossed her hair and posed. Then she dropped the act and giggled, her eyes sparkling. “Thanks, Anna. I really appreciate you buying it for me.”

  “No thanks needed,” Anna said.

  Mel grabbed her hand. “Come on. Let’s put the final touches on before people start arriving.”

  Anna stepped through the door Mel held open. Her breath caught in her throat like a bird in a snare. Her rapid pulse made her feel a little faint. The painting. She couldn’t see it, only its shape hidden under a purple silk drape, but she could feel its presence like a snake hidden in the grass, waiting for the right moment to strike.

  Why am I here?

  “Come, I’ll sho
w you around. You can let me practice on you.” Mel didn’t seem to notice Anna’s tension. Mel led her through the exhibit, explaining how she came to set up the theme.

  “This piece,” Mel said as she pointed out a sculpture that at first glance looked like a woman holding a jug, “is a perfect example of ‘The Faces Within’” She stood back and let Anna study the sculpture and laughed in delight when Anna gasped. The sculpture also looked like an old man’s face.

  “That’s incredible!”

  “Yes, I love art that isn’t obvious on the surface. That’s one of the main reasons I love Catarina di Rossi’s work.” Mel waved her arm in the direction of the shrouded piece. “The mystery behind the little face in each painting is so intriguing for me. Plus, her work has such intense emotion. She must be a very passionate person.”

  Anna shuddered as she thought of her cold, emotionless mother, but forced a smile onto her face. Regardless of the subject, she loved Mel’s enthusiasm. Jilly used to be passionate about her art, but she’d lost it after Matthew’s birth. Anna wished Jilly still painted, but maybe it was for the best. Painting had been the arena for some of Jilly and Mamma’s biggest fights. She wondered at herself. What took away her passion for words? Anna spent her days writing, but mostly on mundane pieces about news in their small town, or once in a while a human interest piece. Those were her favorites, but were often hard to come by. Anna used to love to write children’s stories for Jilly, stories she would tell her before bed. Jilly always begged for more, which made Anna proud. It had been a long time since she’d felt proud of herself.

  Anna followed Mel through the exhibit and did her best to smile and comment in the right places. Mel had done a really good job, so Anna felt guilty that she wasn’t giving her friend the adulation she deserved. She promised herself she’d make up for it later.

  They arrived back at the lobby, and Mel said, “So that’s it. What do you think?”

  “Oh Mel, you’ve done an incredible job.” Anna pulled Mel into a bear hug. “I’m so proud of you. This is going to be talked about for months, no years.” When she stepped back, Mel’s eyes were watery.

  “Thanks, Anna. That means a lot to me.” She dabbed under her eyes. “Now, stop making me cry! The caterers will be here soon. Would you help me set up the tables?”

  “Of course.” Anna put her clutch on a chair near the table. “The gallery looks beautiful. All these lights, they must have taken hours to arrange.”

  Mel spun around in a circle, her head back, laughing delightedly. “Isn’t it like a fairytale, Anna? I’ve always dreamed of putting on a first-class art exhibition. I never thought I’d get the chance to do it in this backwater town.”

  “Is it because of the painting?” Anna flapped her hand at the main attraction, unable to say Mamma’s name.

  Mel turned and looked at Anna, her face now serious. “Are you okay, Anna?”

  Anna started, surprised she hadn’t been able to keep her feelings hidden. “Oh, yes, I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”

  Mel studied Anna. “I don’t know. You’re definitely not yourself tonight. Something’s up.”

  Anna knew once Mel got a hold of something like this, she could be unstoppable. Anna decided to head her off. “I’ll tell you tomorrow. It’s nothing that can’t keep. I want to enjoy myself tonight, and I want you to as well. You’ve worked hard and you deserve a wonderful evening to celebrate.”

  Mel smiled. “Thanks, Anna, but don’t think I’ll forget.”

  Anna laughed, the sound hollow to her own ears. “Whatever would have given me that idea? Trust me, I never thought that for a second.”

  Mel wagged a finger at her but didn’t comment further. They continued setting up the tables in silence. Anna hoped she hadn’t dampened Mel’s spirits, but felt sure she’d recover soon enough if that were the case. Probably as soon as the first person stepped through the doors.

  The caterers soon arrived and began to set out the food and champagne. Mel had put a lot of effort and budget money behind the event. Anna hoped she hadn’t overextended the small gallery, but she had to admit, the overall effect did her great credit. Anna decided she would beg her boss for the privilege of writing the requisite article about the gala.

  Anna and Mel stood at the door, quietly talking while the servers prepared for the guests. “You ready?” Anna asked her.

  Mel grinned.

  Jilly’s husband, Gregg, happened to be the first one to arrive. He looked devastatingly handsome in a black tux with tails. My sister is a lucky woman. Gregg smiled when he saw Anna and gave her a hug.

  “How’s my second favorite girl?”

  “I’m good, thanks, Gregg.”

  He stepped back, studied her, and gave a long, low whistle. “You look terrific, Anna. Wow. I might have to rethink who my favorite girl is.” He winked at her, but Anna knew only Jilly held the key to Gregg’s heart.

  “Where’s Jilly?”

  “She ran across the street for a minute. She needed some stockings. I think Matty got into her drawer and played with the last pair she had. I heard a few choice words coming from the bedroom as she got dressed.”

  “Those are the hazards of having children. Where is the little scamp this evening?”

  “Angela has him. His favorite babysitter.”

  Anna nodded, “I know her. She’s really good from what I hear. Always in demand.”

  “Yes, we were lucky to get her. Good thing Jilly booked her as soon as we received our invitation, or someone else would’ve snapped her up. I’m sure babysitters were in short supply for this evening.” Gregg turned. “Ah, here’s my beautiful wife.”

  Jilly entered the gallery with a dazzling smile. Only the sister who knew her best could see the brittle edges. She and Gregg were probably the only ones who knew how much pain Jilly carried.

  “Hi, sis.” Jilly kissed Anna’s cheek. “You look wonderful! Hi Mel, wow, you’ve done a great job.”

  It was even worse than she’d thought. Maybe Matthew hadn’t taken away all the passion Jilly used to have for her painting. Otherwise, why would it hurt so much for her to come to the gallery? Jilly’s pain showed in the shadows under her eyes, in the slight droop of her lips.

  “What’s the mysterious painting all about, Mel?” Jilly asked.

  Anna’s heart leaped in her chest. She’d nearly forgotten. She had to pull Jilly aside soon.

  Anna waited while Mel talked about “the wonderful artist who’d so generously lent the gallery the painting for our event.” Her toe tapped an impatient rhythm waiting for Mel to stop talking. Once she got onto her favorite subject, it could be a while.

  People started filling the gallery, all dressed in their finest. They filled the room with beautiful colors, like they were competing with the paintings. Anna would have loved to paint a picture of an art show. It would show the contrast between life captured and stilled on canvas, and life moving and flowing in the people who smiled and chatted.

  Anna moved to Jilly’s side, who now greeted people she knew from her school, where she taught art to elementary students. Jilly had gotten an art degree in Toronto and taught others instead of creating her own.

  “Jilly?” she whispered. “I need to talk to you for a minute.”

  Jilly turned. “What is it?”

  “Can we go outside?”

  “Oh Anna, do we need to?” Jilly sounded impatient. She hated to be interrupted at a party. Jilly loved nothing more than a social gathering. The more people, the better. “We’ll talk later,” she said and turned back to Kathy, the principal of the school where Jilly worked. “Kathy, this is my sister, Anna.”

  “Hi, Anna. It’s very nice to meet you.”

  Anna shook her hand and gave an automatic smile. She could feel a sheen of sweat break out across her skin at the thought of the unveiling. She dreaded Jilly’s reaction. Jilly had never been afraid of making a scene. Anna had to make sure that didn’t happen.

  Jilly moved on to another colleague a
nd Anna followed, afraid to let her sister out of her sight. She began to fear she wouldn’t be able to tear Jilly away. A hand landed on Anna’s shoulder and she jumped and gasped.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Rob asked in her ear.

  Anna was tempted to say, “What’s wrong with you?”, but she held her tongue. “You startled me, that’s all.”

  “Very nice event. Mel has done a great job.”

  “Yes.” Anna looked around the room. People laughed, chatted and drank champagne while carrying plates of hors d'oeuvres.

  “Your sister looks great.”

  Anna winced at the tone in Rob’s voice. Even after all these years, Anna had never gotten used to seeing her husband undress her sister with his eyes. She’d tried to ignore it, but tonight she couldn’t take it anymore. He was her husband. Why did she stand by and allow him to disrespect her?