JT recalled what shed said about marrying as a teenager, but didnt share the information with his friend; it seemed like a violation of privacy. Why exactly are you here? Please dont tell me its to ask if Im painting anything. I was up until dawn, sketching and mixing colors on a canvas until my vision blurred.
About that. Sean squirmed, looking uncomfortable, which was worrisome. Sean rarely let anything discomfit him. Now dont be mad.
Lemonade missed its destination, splashing on the counter rather than into a glass. JT narrowed his eyes. What did you do?
I was thinking entirely of you, Sean said. Well, mostly of you. Partially. We are business partners. Financially linked?
Im aware. Cut to the chase.
Sean swallowed. I accepted a commission for you.
You what?
This older couple, the Owenbys, came into the gallery last night. Youd like them. Real marine-life enthusiasts, big contributors to the aquarium
Sean!
They saw the abstract seascape mural of yours in Tennessee and want to hire you to do a much smaller version for their home.
No.
I told them they could leave a down payment with me and that Id work out the details with you. Think of me as your agent.
Which you arent!
Dont you even want to know how much theyre paying?
You had no business accepting that check! JT thundered. Hed contact them and tell them no. Sean would refund their money. That would be that.
Im trying to help. Sean had raised his voice, too. It was unlike him to show such blatant emotion, which made his angry insistence doubly effective. In case you havent noticed, youve bottomed out.
Gee, that escaped my attention.
JT, Im the best friend youve got, so get your head out of your ass and think it over. This doesnt even require the creativity of having a new idea. All you have to do is duplicate what already exists.
Pathetic. People were really willing to pay him money for that?
He wondered absently what his checking account looked like these days. Hed been coasting on some previous investments, what hed made on the house sale and his part of the gallery proceeds. Gallery earnings, according to what Sean told him at lunch the other day, had steadily dipped for the past quarter. God, he was pathetic. Sean essentially did all the work in what was supposed to be a joint venture, picking up JTs slack for two years. Shame burned in his gut.
Maybe this was a way for JT to step up to the plate. Skulking around his apartment and waiting for his next great idea hadnt netted results.
I thought it would help get you back in the habit, Sean pressed. Kick-start your artistic drive.
Oh, well then, Ill just slap some blue squiggly lines on a canvas and well all be happy, wont we? But JTs sarcasm had lost its venomous edge. If he revisited a former painting, might it help him recapture what painting had been like back when he actually had inspiration?
He would do the painting, but he was still infuriated by Seans high-handed techniques. Infuriated that hed been reduced to this. He took a swig of his lemonade and walked past Sean, carrying both glasses.
Where are you going with those?
JT didnt bother glancing back. To my studio to see if I can find something toxic to mix into yours.
So is that a yes?
You should leave before I change my mind.
The front door opened before JT even finished his sentence, followed by a muffled whoop of triumph from the hall. JT was alone with two glasses of lemonade and the sudden fear that the only thing more pathetic than repainting something hed already done would be painting a version that sucked.
Then again, at this point, what did he have left to lose?