I sat down at a table in the gallery and read over the contract.  It appeared in order so I signed it.  Meghan made me a copy and then hurried off to the printer.  Meanwhile, Paul showed me around Blooming Bud.  The community hugged the bank of a small stream and the walkway jutted out over the cliff in several places.  Most of the stores were taken by artists of various disciplines.  At the end of the row of shops, right next to the Glassworks sat an empty pottery studio.  A small courtyard lay next to it; a perfect place to put my kiln.  The shop’s view looked out over the creek and the meadow.  I imagined my equipment back behind the protecting rail and my handiwork lining the shelves.

But even the best fantasy has to come to an end.  When I arrived home later that day, I was greeted by my orange tom cat, Simon and the answering machine flashing five messages.  As a person who believes in putting the most important things first, I went into the kitchen and opened a can of Tuna Surprise, Simon’s favorite food.  He curled around my arm and purred as I dumped the wet, smelly meat into his bowl.

“You know Simon, I had the most amazing experience today.  I didn’t go to work!  Instead I went someplace wonderful.  It reminded me of my childhood.  My folks are artists and they always have creative people around them.  And here I was in an entire town of people just like that.  I also met this really cute guy.  His name is Paul and he is so nice.  He introduced me to this art dealer, I think she’s his girlfriend, and guess what.  She wants to represent me.  I’m so excited.  Paul showed me all around town.  They have art studios with connecting lofts for apartments.  I saw a vacant studio that was next to Paul’s place.  I had such a good day; I wish we could move there.”

Simon listened to me while he ate and then jumped off the table.  Since I had lost my audience, I went to check my messages.  I pushed the play button.  In the background I heard a woman giggling, then Richard’s voice broke in.  “Emy, I tried to contact you at the office today.  Grace said you were out sick.  I wanted to tell you that Jennifer and I are coming over Saturday afternoon to measure the windows for new drapes.”

“Don’t forget about all that junk of hers in the shed.”  Jennifer chimed in.  “I want to use that space for my garden equipment.”

“Um, yes Emy.  If you can’t find a place to take all that stuff, maybe you could put it into storage.  There are several of them in town.”

“Maybe she could sell it for salvage.”  Jennifer giggled again.  Then the line went dead.