Sabine's eyes were a glassy mess as she stared at the ceiling, blinking faintly, trying not to allow the tears to spill from her sockets. Wallowing in a mixed bag of happiness and melancholy is a difficult position to be in, being happy and sad at the same time, can sometimes bring you to indifference.
Sabine never aspired to live a life of indifference.
On and off for weeks, Sabine has been like this most mornings and there was no sign of it retreating anytime soon because those dreams were becoming more aggressive. Brutally aware that she was staying in REM sleep longer than what is considered normal, the clues continued to swirl repetitively as if she would suddenly understand what the angels were striving to communicate.
Today, waking hours were dedicated to being thrilled for Clive. This evening's gallery show was bound to open all sorts of new doors for him, and he deserved it because he had been on pause waiting for a break for as long as they've known one another. There was just one thing about his joy that was burdening her conscience.
Tonight, her body was meant to rest and repair itself. Instead, her dreams felt like an elephant sitting on her chest. Sometimes when she woke she could barely breathe, sweaty and panting. The images were becoming more ominous and that had her heart gloomy and clueless as to what to do. It wasn't just affecting her sleep and heart, it had her so distracted that she hadn't done much creatively...even Clive has noticed.
Disturbed, unsettled is how she felt. The only recourse she had was to sleep in the hopes more would be revealed to her but that would only trouble her heart more than it already was, thus the melancholy setting in.
A ringing cell phone jolted Sabine out of her daze, it was her grandmother Valeria.
Sitting up in bed to take her call, "Hi abuela."
"Granddaughter don't you, 'Hi Abuela' me. Do you realize it's been three weeks since I've heard from you? How are you? I've been worried. You don't have time for your abuela? Eh? Eh?"
While there was snickering on the other end of the line, Valeria was also serious.
"You know I joke with you. How are you love?" Valeria's voice was full of comfort and love.
"I'm good. I'm good." She declared very non committal.
"That's it? I don't hear from you in weeks and all I get is I'm good? Come now...tell me. Tell me some exciting news." Baiting Sabine to admit something, anything to give her a clue as to what was going through her mind and resting in her heart. The tone of her voice told Valeria that she was troubled and she was willing to bet angels were involved.
"Well...Clive is doing an art show tonight." Genuinely sounding excited temporarily distracted Valeria. She didn't want to talk about the dreams, at least not yet.
"OOOOOOOOOH how wonderful for him. How did this happen? He's been waiting so long." A relieved Sabine was pleased to throw Valeria off her scent.
"Yeah...you know he really has." Sabine joined in agreement.
"Sabine...are you going to the show?" Valeria asked sensing some uneasiness in her voice.
"Of course." Surprised that her grandmother would speculate that she might not go.
"Then what is it?" Abuela questioned with tinge of concern.
"What? Nothing..." Sabine responded dripping with a fakeness that was as thin as tissue.
Valeria was quick to interrupt, "Don't you know child...nothing is always something."
The silence was everything to Valeria. Even as a child Valeria knew when Sabine felt guilty, nervous or upset about anything.
"Spill it Sabine." Firmly stated but with a grandmotherly love.
"I kind of made his show happen." Quietly shared and almost ashamed, Sabine hoped her abuela would have some pity.
"Exactly how did you do that?"
"It was by accident really. About a month ago I had a date with a gallery owner, not the one that's showing Clive's work but a different one."
Sabine paused.
"Go on. You're doing fine." Interested in Sabine's confession.
"A lot of times when I go out on a date, Clive works late and I thought he might be here when I got back, but he wasn't."
Sabine paused again, even longer this time.
"And..." Valeria nudged.
"Well I kind of showed him some of Clive's work...and asked if there was someone who might be interested in showing his work. I feel awful that I showed his work without his permission abuela but it did give him the break he has so needed and deserved."
"Sabine...your intentions were good...but...are you aware how fragile the male ego is. A man likes to do things on his own and definitely without the help of a woman. You'd better hope he never finds out...not to mention you shared his work without his permission. An artist's work is very personal, you should know that being one yourself."
"I know. Maybe I should tell him. Secrets are never good." Biting her lip and weighing what might be the best thing to do.
"I would let it go. It will ruin his night. I mean he thought Clive was talented right?" Providing as much consolation she could.
"Very. He was surprised he hadn't heard of him or seen his work before."
"That's what matters. Well what will you wear?"
"I'm not sure but Clive really liked this backless red dress so I may surprise him with that."
"Surprise him. What does that mean?"
"It means nothing. I'm saying he likes the dress, it's his night so I'll wear something he likes."
"If it's his night, why will he be looking at you?"
"How are mom and dad abuela?"
"Wondering how you're doing. If you've disowned them as your parents. You don't call. That's why I think something is going on." Valeria laughed again but wanted to entice her to say more.
Valeria knew there was more...much more than what her granddaughter was disclosing.
"Why can't I just be busy? Life is busy sometimes." Staunchly defending her lack of communication as of late.
"Back to Clive. Why he looking at you in this red dress? Backless hey sounds muy caliente eh?"
"I think we may be seeing one another." She divulged timidly.
"Ooooooooh Sabine! People don't may be seeing someone. Did you sleep with him?"
"Abuela!"
"That's a yes if I ever heard it. So tell me..."
"Tell you what?"
"Was he any good?"
"Very...now next topic."
"I knew it! When are you coming home? We want to see you...oh and bring Clive."
"Ahhh here we go again. Maybe this summer."
"Uh huh that's what you said last summer."
"I know. I'm sorry abuela."
"Sounds like the angels or God himself needs to intervene in order for me to see you."
"No I promise. I'll look at the calendar and let you know by the mid next month."
"Bring Clive with you even if you aren't together. I want to meet him. You've been great friends."
"Why wouldn't we be together?"
"I'm just saying. You never know what God has planned for you love."
"Hopefully something good abuela. Listen, I gotta go. I promise to call soon. I love you."
"Call...you need to come visit. Aaaah! I love you too. Goodbye love."
Turning the shower on while hanging up gave the water time to warm while she brushed her teeth.
In preparation for tonight, Clive was gone most of the week but he made sure to let Sabine know how much he cared and missed her.
Tuesday afternoon she started to find random notes placed around her apartment and studio. He finally started to open up and share little memories and what he was actually thinking during their last three years together as friends.
Other notes had some naughty things he wanted to do to her and how happy she made him.
Wednesday he left a single pink rose on her studio desk.
Thursday he called so very excited. Apparently a wealthy local wanted to see his gallery showing privately and that he would stop by afterwards for a goodnight kiss, but he never did.
Honestly she was becoming impatient. She just wanted to see him.
She missed him.
Clients kept her busy. She also went dress shopping for the gala at Paisley Park. While Annie said she was gonna find something purple to wear, Sabine thought otherwise. She thought all the women would be in purple, so she wanted to stand out. That's another reason Clive called her spicy, she dared to always be different.
Today, Sabine found a card with a photograph on her studio desk. This cute gesture made her understand how much he had kept to himself through the last three years. He kept more than just his thoughts to himself.
Sabine,
I snapped this pic the summer before last when we ran back to the studio. I've had this on my desk at home. You are stunning...even in the rain.
I can't wait to see you tonight.
Clive
Staring at the photo he took of her, she smiled wondering if there were others just like this one, that would document how he fell in love.
Checking her watch, "Oh shit I'm gonna be late." Grabbing her camera bag, she left for 3M.
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Corporate America...never in her life had she seen so many people get away with not doing their job. The photo shoot at 3M went well beyond their scheduled time. Product marketers bantered about how the Scotchlite reflective material should be photographed, this should have been decided prior to her arrival instead of burning through her contract time. If that's the way they'd like to spend their money, she thought.
Sabine kept looking at the clock and knew she would be late to Clive's show unless she took control.
With a calming and quiet tone Sabine asked, "May I make a suggestion?"
"Sure." The marketers said in unison.
"It seems to me the best solution is to photograph at night and in the early morning hours, outdoors and in the product's true element to ensure that we capture the benefit and value of the material. Indoor simulation would only appear that we are somehow skewed the results with fancy lighting. I think car headlights can let the product speak for itself.
Dumbfounded that they hadn't thought of this themselves, and more than a little embarrassed at realizing their behavior, they quickly agreed with Sabine.
"Perfect then we'll start shooting at dusk on Monday." The communications manager barked and quickly added, "I'm sorry we took so long to decide. We should let you go so that you can start your weekend."
"Thank you. I'm glad we were able to come to a decision. Enjoy your weekend." Sabine said while exiting the conference room.
3M's main offices are like a compound, full of escalators and walkways. It was another 10 minutes until Sabine made it from the office to her car in the parking lot.
Starting her car, it was already 6:30 p.m. and she had a 25 minute drive, if not more depending on traffic, back to the Minneapolis warehouse district.
She decided to text Clive quickly.
I'm just leaving 3M. I'm so sorry I'm going to be late. I promise I'll hurry.
Setting her phone in the cup holder, she started her travels back home.
The radio kept her company as the DJs mixed some of her favorite current tunes, 'You Don't Own Me' by Grace came on. Singing it to the hilt while tapping the steering wheel to the beat, she passed the time thinking about Clive and their rough, spontaneous first encounter in her studio.
"Sometimes the best things in life are unplanned, yet right in front of you." She whispered in between singing the words to the song.
Commercials galore spewed over the line, but Sabine paid no mind until the DJs started discussing their weekend and she heard Paisley Park from one of them.
Increasing the volume, "Yes I am very excited to attend the Prince Gala tomorrow night. He always puts on a helluva show and this is the first time he is solo, no band, no backup vocals just him, his purpleness in his pureness. From what I understand he'll be inaugurating a brand new Yamaha purple piano for the tour. To further our excitement, let's play one of his tracks that got him rolling, an oldie but a goodie, '1999.'
The DJ and the beat had Sabine getting excited for her weekend. First Clive then Annie and her at the concert tomorrow night. So many wonderful things to look forward to, people to see.
It was a wonderful distraction from the dreams.
Finally home, she tossed her bag on the floor and was welcomed by a half a dozen red roses and her cell phone dinging signaling she had a text, it was Clive.
Celebrating doesn't truly start until I see you, so take your time.
Picking up the card with the roses, it read, "Someday I'll buy you a full dozen. Until then, know that none of this could've happened without your years of support.
Always, Clive
Giddy was all she was, and the dreams, were not on her radar.
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Walking into the gallery, she was met with a handsome promotional photo of Clive, one Sabine had taken last year and she was flattered he decided to use it. She remembers making him laugh and snapping the pic, complimenting him that you could see his personality in it.
One of the things that she loved about Clive was he was part Lebanese so he wasn't like the rest of the Scandinavians that inhabited these parts. He was exotic and darker skinned taking more after his mother's side than his father's Danish and Norwegian surname.
"May I take your coat Miss?" The coat check gal asked.
"Oh yes thank you." Sabine replied slipping it off her shoulders and handing it to the young lady. The check ticket slipped inside her clutch for safekeeping.
Amazed at all of the pieces hanging, some she had never seen, she was excited to take in each piece of Clive's hard work.
Offered a glass of champagne, Sabine graciously took it and then her gaze locked on the first piece of art. Showcased right up front for visitors to see immediately, Sabine's nude. Ready to down the champagne once she saw it, she wondered if anyone would recognize her. Suddenly a tad shy that people might know it was her, she wished she had her coat to cover herself. American modesty suddenly set in.
Peering closer, she noticed the piece was marked sold, which made Sabine proudly smile so ecstatic for him.
"She is beautiful, isn't she?" Sabine smiled hearing Clive's voice behind her.
"Oh I don't know, perhaps the artist took a bit of poetic license in his rendition of her." She modestly protested.
Still standing behind her, Clive cradled her exposed low back with both of his hands causing her to gasp and eyes to gently close.
She missed his touch.
"Come." He commanded, sliding his hand in hers and slipping down a narrow hallway into a smaller unopened exhibit.
Up against a wall he placed her carefully, "I missed you," he tenderly spoke with pecks that were mindful to not mess her lipstick to much. Sighs emitted from each of them who clearly wanted more, but knew that this was not the time or place.
"The sketch sold already." He whispered while kissing her neck.
"I saw. Did you get to meet the buyer?" She smiled while he continued to kiss her neck, squeeze her bottom and share the details.
"No. He came in earlier than expected and he bought it immediately for much much more than the asking price." Clive was laughing. "Apparently he sees in you what I do." Pecking her lips, "God I love that you wore this dress."
"Much more?!
"Can you say half a mil Sabine?"
Pushing Clive back a bit, "Are you serious?"
"Mmmhhhmmm." He moaned deeply into her lips. "The first thing I'm gonna do is give you $35,000 for studio rental for the past three years."
"Don't Clive. It'll make me feel..."
"Quiet love. Quiet..." A light whisper in her ear pled.
She was in aw that he called her love. Am I in love? She asked herself.
I'm so happy for you." Hugging him tightly, he swung her around as they both giggled about how the show was working out thus far.
Kissing her forehead, "Thank you for wearing this dress."
Why Sabine felt shy she'll never know. The crook of his neck is where she nuzzled taking in his freshly showered scent.
"I thought you might like it."
"You remember that night, don't you? It was hard for me to see you leave with him wearing this dress."
"Definitely some things were made known when you danced with me the way you did."
"Promise me I get to take this off you later."
Biting her lip, "Yes."
"I have to get back." He was disappointed.
"I know." She shared in his displeasure.
"Afterwards, I want to take you to dinner."
"Oh you don't have to..." she protested knowing money was tight.
"Love...I just made an obscene amount of money on your charcoal sketch. I think I can take you to dinner."
"Obscene? I still wanna know who would buy my..." Sabine was in complete disbelief.
"I don't know who bought it. Someone else thinks you are as beautiful as I do."
Just trying to comprehend where that picture of her would go was strangely worrisome to her. She now felt odd knowing it was going to be in some stranger's house that she would never cross paths with.
"You ok Sabine?" He was concerned she regretted sitting for him.
"Oh yeah...yeah I fine." Managing to give him a big smile.
Walking back into the exhibit, Clive's hand slipped from Sabine's and shook hands with Prissy Marshall, a New York art critic.
Prissy was gorgeous, African American, statuesque, light golden eyes and curly hair similar to Sabine's. She wore an emerald green midi dress that only enhanced green flecks in her eyes.
All beauty and brains, but like a lioness' paw Prissy could take down an artist's career with her written word.
Sabine was starting to feel a little green with envy. Subtly latching onto Clive's arm, Sabine thought she could assert some status and be clear about him being her man.
Unprepared for her direct response, Prissy took Clive's hand leading him straight out of Sabine's clutches all while making direct eye contact with Sabine.
Just as Sabine was ready to resign herself to a night alone, she felt Clive's hand aggressively grab hers pulling her with him. When they arrived to the group of people Prissy wanted Clive to meet, he formally introduced Prissy to Sabine.
"I'm sorry Prissy, we moved so quick back there I didn't get to introduce you to my girlfriend Sabine Devries. She too is a very talented artist in her own right: photography, painting and plays the piano beautifully as well."
"Ah...it's a pleasure to meet you Sabine." Prissy had no choice but to acknowledge Sabine lest she look like a wicked witch.
Clive never permitted Sabine to leave his side that night, solidifying in actions and within the words of his introduction exactly who Sabine was, his girlfriend.
That night, when Clive made love to Sabine, she could tell his ego boost even in his kiss. While she wished she had told him about orchestrating his art show right when it happened, she no longer regretted it, especially because of the way he loved her that night. In her mind, it happened exactly how it was suppose to.
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Every muscle in Sabine's body went from tense to relaxed after making love with Clive. The first time they were together was urgent releasing three years of built up tension, this was purposefully slow and loving.
Slowly, like a feather drifting back and forth, Sabine fell into a deep slumber. Little did she know there really was a feather resting on her chest while she was wrapped in Clive's arms.
The angels were ready for her tonight, revealing three new items. A dazzling cane that shimmered as the light bounced off of it, almost doing a twirling performance of its own, like a child's toy top.
Oddly enough, there was also a closet full of shoes. They were all the same in style like a shoe mixed with a boot, a shootie. The only difference in them was the variety of fabrics used exhibiting simple to crazy patterns.
Then there were voices, two strong male voices arguing. She couldn't make out what they were saying until the end. The baritone that she heard from the shadows in her previous dream clearly bellowed, "You're done. After this...you're gone. This is your last one with me."
These three along with the previous puzzle pieces revolved in Sabine's head all night to the point of exhaustion.
At the end, when the light came it was faint but firm, "7801 Audubon."
When Sabine woke, Clive was gone and she was panting and laying in drenched sheets.
The pad and pen from her night table was snatched and she scribbled 7801 Audubon.
Tracing over the seven in the address repetitively, she tossed the sheets back while an anger overtook her.
"I'm going there this morning, enough is enough." Lack of sleep and the pressure of these dreams was making her a scattered mess.
Not even stopping by the studio to give Clive a good morning, she left.
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"Why the hell would I be dreaming of an address in Chanhassen?" She wondered.
The GPS announced, "Destination is in .5 miles on the right."
Bare winter trees and pines lined the right side of the street as she approached the address. Without any traffic behind her, she inched herself forward until clearing the vast wall of trees. There is was, the white compound from her dream.
Swallowing hard, Sabine had no idea what to do next.
"What is this place?" She whispered to herself while shifting the car into park.
Happy Monday! I hope everyone had an enjoyable day!
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