Chapter 13 - RICHARD AND AMBER
People expected romance.
There was none.
Richard was twenty-one years older.
Widowed.
Amber was rebuilding her life.
Their relationship became something quieter.
Patron and artist at first.
Then mentor.
Then friend.
Richard introduced her to no galleries without permission.
Never paid her rent.
Never offered a job.
Once, when Amber’s car died, he offered a driver.
She said no.
He said:
“Fair.”
Then one evening she asked:
“Do you always accept no this easily?”
Richard laughed.
“Not historically.”
Good answer.
He had power too.
Different form.
Amber stayed cautious around it.
Then Richard told her:
“People think the kitchen was the reversal.”
“What do you think?”
“The reversal was when you signed the exhibition contract without needing your parents.”
Amber thought.
Maybe.
Then:
“No.”
“What was?”
“When I paid the eighty-six dollars.”
Richard smiled.
Her portion of the bill.
Small.
Chosen.
Not imposed.
That was independence.
May you like
Not refusing all help.
Knowing which obligations were actually hers.
