Chapter 184

Almara’s Pov

Arthur and I are still riding Friday night's high. We’re sitting in the parking lot of the diner which opens in approximately fifteen minutes and Derek is going to start his day off with me quitting.

The parking lot is empty except for me and Arthur’s old worn-out car that has served us for the better part of the year, and while anyone on the outside looking in wouldn’t guess it- it feels like we have the whole world and endless possibilities stretched out before us.

The best part is, those possibilities are bought and paid for by my hard work alone. My paintings sold for more than I could imagine. The last one of the night, after the booze had been drunk and the food turned cold, had sold for ten grand. Making it officially possible for Arthur and me to quit our jobs.

The on thing that I can’t quite seem to shake is how someone was able to bid that much. People from here don’t have that kind of money. Then again, the buyer wasn’t from here. In fact, he was pretty elusive when I asked where I should mail it to after I get it framed.

He insisted on walking out with it, so no mailing or framing would be necessary. I thought it odd at the time, but my mind was so completely warped with dollar signs that I could hardly think straight.

Maybe I should have questioned him a bit more, but Arthur said I was just being paranoid. I know he and Susan advertised the event, so it’s possible some fan from outside the town made the trip to buy one of my paintings. Isn’t that how these things usually take off?

Besides, Arthur swore he had nothing to do with the mystery man who wanted to give me ten grand for my painting, and I have no reason to not trust him. Maybe the moon goddess is shining upon us after all.

“I’ve never been so excited for opening,” I say through a giddy laugh. “Time is crawling.”

“I can’t wait to see the look on Derek's face when he sees me,” Arthur says, settling comfortably back into his usual position of dominance over others.

I look out the window that has since defrosted. There’s a light coating of crystalized snow on the ground. Usually, winter is a time of death, but I’ve never felt so alive. The sun is golden, slowly warming up to brighten the day. It’s early, only a few birds sing on the tree branches.

“I was thinking after we leave here, we drive around town and look for an art studio for you.” Arthur says tapping his knuckles against the glass.

“An art studio would be cool,” I admit. My bedroom is becoming a bit cramped with my canvases and Graces crib.

“But you had something else in mind?” Arthur asks.

“I think we should open an art school,” I suggest. “I never did get that job at the art supply store, but I haven’t stopped thinking about how amazing that position would be.”

“Done.” Arthur agrees. I smile. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t missed expressing a want and Arthor acting as if it’s automatically done.

“Oh! There he is.” I say and point to Derek as I duck in my seat, but it’s too late. I think he sees us. He pauses at the front door, putting the keys back into his pocket and trots back down the steps heading our way.

It’s barely seven in the morning and he already appears to be bothered about something. I can hear the way hits boots crunch the grass beneath his heavy footsteps. “Now or never,” I say.

Arthur and I swing our doors open and meet Derek half way. The cold morning air slaps me in the face. At least I won’t have to ever get out of bed this early to come to work again, especially in the cold winter when all I want to do is snuggle up next to Grace and Arthur.

This is what I have to keep in the forefront of my mind as we near Derek and nerves rise like bile in my stomach.

“Derek,” I greet with clenched teeth from the cold. His name is followed by a visible puff of air from my hot breath against the cold. Derek raises a suspicious eyebrow at me, then quickly his other eyebrow lifts and his face morphs into a combination of surprise and fear as he notices Arthur.

“What are you doing here?’ Derek asks looking between me and Arthur, probably aiming his question to both of us.

“I quit.” I plant my feet in the ground and raise my nose to the air.

“You quit?” Derek asks, but something in his tone makes it sound like he doesn’t believe me.

“Did she stutter?” Arthur asks slowly inching forward. Annoyance spreads across Derek’s face, but he’s smart enough to keep his temper level.

“No.” Derek says and grinds his teeth. “All right then. Bye.” He says as if he couldn’t care less where I go or what I do. I really shouldn’t have expected more from Derek, but I did. I thought he would at least be angry or make some snarky remark about how I’ll be crawling back.

Maybe if Arthur wasn’t standing right there he would. That was anticlimactic. Lily sighs and I sigh back in agreement.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Arthur calls out, and Derek’s entire backside stiffens as he stops in his tracks before slowly turning around.

“Arthur, what are you doing?” I ask in a hushed whisper, but Arthur just flares his nostrils and squares his shoulders.

“Like what?” Derek asks now clenching his fists at his sides.

“A thank you to a loyal employee?” Arthur says folding his arms over his broad chest. This time Derek doesn’t stifle his irritability. He lets out a snort.

“Loyal? She’s quitting,” He says practically spitting the words down at my feet.

“She served you well for the last year and for many years before that.” Arthur says with a shrug. “It would be the least you could do.”

I keep my eyes glued on Derek, who looks physically pained at even the thought of muttering any kind of gratitude. I wonder if he’ll actually do it.

“Will you leave and stay away if I do?” He asks looking down his nose at me.

“You won’t ever have to worry about me coming back.” I tell him, and mean it.

“Fine, thanks for your work.” Derek rushes to say and gives Arthur a look as if to ask if that’s all. Arthur gives a single nod and Derek turns to walk towards the entrance, his heavy foot-steps stomp on the snow-laden grass, but don’t muffle his aggravated mumbles.

I smile with delight, even if the thank you was forced. Arthur wraps his arm around my shoulder. “Let the good day continue on,” he says and gives me a wink. “We have a school to purchase.”

My body fills with warmth despite the increase of snowfall. It is going to be a good day, I decide. Nothing is going to ruin it.