Then one morning I looked at the calendar and realized that I only had one week remaining on my vacation.  I knew I could commute from here to my job, but still I didn’t want to go back to stress, frustration and Richard.  Just then Meghan stopped by with a check for $2350, profit on the latest pieces she had sold.

“You have become quite popular.”  She smiled, “This is good for both of us.”

Several months later, Paul and I attended a joint showing of our work at Meghan Presley 2, the chic gallery in town.  I had purchased a floor length saffron gown for the occasion.  Paul’s yellow tux and black ruffled shirt matched my dress.

That evening the gallery was packed with influential people.  Meghan moved among them like a cobalt sloop amid a sea of penguins. From my vantage point at the entrance I could see the entire floor.  Richard stood alone in a corner near a large blue and yellow vase.

“Hello Richard.  Where is Jennifer tonight?”

“Emy, it’s good to see you.  Jennifer is uh well um.  She is probably out with her new boyfriend.  She made partner last month and doesn’t need me anymore.”

“Oh, that’s kind of sad.”  I moved to the other side of the vase.  “I’ve always liked this piece.  It’s so happy.  Here at the base, these three red dots in a triangle pattern, they let you know that this is a genuine ‘Ember’.”

“Are you working here now?”

“Richard…This is my show.  Mine and Paul’s.”  I looked across the room.  Paul saw me and waved.

“Oh.  Of course, your real name is Ember.  Well you really look great.”

“I’m happy Richard.  I make a living doing something I love and I have someone who loves me and wants to share my life.”

“I’m envious.  How do you do that?”

“Well Richard, sometimes to get where you belong on the path of life you have to take a side road.”