Forty-three

“IF I DO THIS AS A COMMISSION, I won’t have anything to sell. All my work will be attached to the walls of the chapel,” I said.

“Are you having second thoughts about being able to complete it?”

“It’s not that,” I said. “Well ... maybe a little. I never expected anyone to take the whole project and say I had nine months to paint forty panels. But, I’m more concerned with what my agent has to say about me not producing anything salable in that time.”

“We need to worry about that. You did a good job last spring getting your two new suites completed, and we haven’t released all the Bacchanalia paintings. We still have prints from your first exhibition, and both the prints and posters for Allison’s show are selling well.”

“But at the end there will be nothing.”

“Not so. At the end there will be limited edition prints of the frescoes that we’ll sell, posters, and the book. We might create branded collateral materials. The Jesuits are enterprising. I wouldn’t put it past them to put a gift store in the entry that sold posters, postcards, and bobbleheads. There will be lots of salable material available,” Clarice said. “This is a great opportunity, Tony. You should take it.”

“Bobbleheads?” I croaked. “Now it sounds even more commercial than my other stuff. Okay, I guess,” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

“I need to go back inside. Relax with Bob for a few minutes.”

“I feel like I only know half of what’s going on,” I said to Bob. I feel overwhelmed—terrified—in shock.

“I doubt you know that much,” Bob laughed. “Let’s just say that you happened along just at the moment there was about to be a minor religious war break out between the local branch of the Society of Jesus and the Vatican. Not the first time the religious have been at odds with the hierarchy. These brothers have as much to lose as you have to gain.”

“What else are they discussing in there?” I asked.

“I think you’re about to find out,” Bob said as the door opened. We were ushered back inside as Kate, Doc, and Clarice came out. She had the same shell-shocked look on her face that I was sure was on mine. She grabbed my hand and squeezed hard enough to hurt. Ten minutes later, everyone had gathered back in the room and I was signing away the next nine months of my life.

“Tony, will you accept the commission to paint forty panels and provide a story for each for the Chapel of St. Jerome?” President Haywood asked when we were seated.

“Yes, sir,” I responded simply. “As long as my art is not questioned.”

“I think we have an agreement in principle and can work out the details with your agent. Father Andrew will be your guide and sounding board in the stories and funding will be provided for your work. As we understand that this cuts into your income as an artist, there will be a grant for your living expenses and necessities while you are working on the chapel,” Father Michel said. He seemed pleased with himself.

“Now, Ms. Holsinger—or should we address you as Ms. Mirela?—you’ve had an opportunity to go over the agreement with your agent,” President Haywood said. Huh? “Are you prepared to take this commission?” What commission?

“I am, sir,” Kate said softly. “I’ve been assured by Doctor Henredon that PCAD will supply the necessary student resources for me to complete the work. My agent has indicated that the stipend is fair.”

“Then we will be pleased to work with you, as well,” Father Michel beamed. “Father Andrew has his work cut out for him as the art advisor for the Chapel of St. Jerome this year. I have begun to see our chapel in my mind’s eye already. The Father Provincial will be pleased.” He stood to leave and the meeting broke up.

“Let’s go to Carmine’s. I know neither of you have eaten this evening. Call your wives and let’s relax,” Clarice said.

I sent a quick text home to Melody, Lissa, and Wendy that said, “Overwhelmed. Please meet us at Carmine’s. I think we’re celebrating.” Wendy responded immediately that she had a table for us. I forgot she was working. Melody and Lissa said they’d meet us there.

“So, what just happened?” I asked Kate as we drove over to the restaurant. “What did they just commission you to do?”

“Oh, God! Those quotes Clarice had me sketching? They’re the fourteen Stations of the Cross. They just commissioned me to do them and PCAD will support me with student volunteers.”

“That’s cool! Do you know how to do frescoes?”

“I’m not doing fresco. I’m doing mosaics. The ceramics department already proposed doing the stations, but needed designs. I have to create the paintings that will be the model for the mosaics.” I reached over and took Kate’s hand after I’d parked.

“It’s so good to have you back.”

“I’ll earn your trust, Tony. I promise.”

“I trust you.”

“But I haven’t shown myself trustworthy. I’m so glad we will be working on the same space.”

“Father Andrew...”

“Please just call me Andy, Tony.”

“Andy, I’d like to introduce you to Melody and Lissa Ames.”

“How nice to meet you. Are you Tony’s sisters?” Oops.

“No, we’re not religious,” Melody quipped. Sisters? “We’re married.” She kissed Lissa.

“Oh. Congratulations. No matter what the law says, we are still restricted from performing such marriages. One day, though, even the Church will catch up. It was your last names that threw me,” Andy said.

“We are all part of the same household,” I explained. “Melody, Lissa, Wendy, Kate, and I share our home and our lives with each other to one extent or another. This is Wendy Martin, who in addition to her many other talents will be our server this evening.”

“You know, I can’t wait to start going over your lessons with you,” Andy laughed. I think I’m gonna like him.

My opening in Las Vegas was at a gallery in the 18b Arts District downtown on Wednesday the ninth. Apparently, the Arts District functions Wednesday through Saturday and no one bothers to come there on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. There are a lot of wealthy patrons who attend openings as well as spouses of people who come to gamble.

That meant that about ninety percent of the attendees were women.

Clarice was displaying eight of my paintings from Bacchanalia, plus the masterpiece, fifteen prints, Delectable Morsels, and two paintings from Cherokee Nation. Though everyone was “dressed up,” it was a way more casual affair than New York. I dressed in my leathers and was accompanied by Kate and Wendy. Most of the women attending were dressed in a lot less ... er ... less formally. That’s what I meant. Right.

We stayed at a downtown hotel and walked under the Fremont Street Experience to watch the entertainment on the huge arched screen overhead. We walked through a couple of casinos, but we didn’t stop anyplace or play anything. Kate was still just twenty and even though no one stopped us, we were too nervous to tempt fate.