Nina Black Emerges

Frowning Nina said, "Anything longer than a fling is unlikely to work because of the road miles between us."

"It would work Nina if we set our minds to it. Alternatively you could live with me and share my studio. I live on the upper floor of a warehouse so there's plenty of room."

"A studio, so you paint?"

"Yes I potter, mainly commission portraits. Some people think I'm very good."

"Are you?"

"Yes."

"And me?"

"You have the potential to be far better than me Nina. We must continue your development. You are likely to win our open class for portraiture with your mother's portrait. Just enter your grandfather's portrait in the unrestricted open section. That way you might win two awards and that should attract interest within the art community including fine art-focused media even if your award in the open section is placed third."

"I'll accept your advice and will request that change in writing to Victoria."

CHAPTER 3

Between 5:30 and 5:50 on Saturday with Rhys' arrival imminent, Nina changed three times. She could believe how nervous she was. Usually she was slightly off-handed with guys to indicate who was boss at running the date.

Between the second and third change she had a cold shower and that calmed her a bit. She finally chose to wear a dark blue sleeveless cocktail dress with a boat neckline, a cinched beaded waist and tuxedo back. When about to walk out the door she returned and took off the stockings and pulled on black leggings and suddenly she was approving her dress sense, just wishing to look reasonable elegant but not to smash him between the eyes by looking a raving beauty or at least as close as she could get. That would come later for a special event such as meeting his parents or more likely the art awards presentation.

When in the hall Nina had another mind change and returned to her bedroom. She pulled off her leggings and pulled on dark blue thigh-hi stockings with while lacy tops. She knew he wouldn't see the tops but she knew she'd feel good about her sexy look hidden from him.

When Nina arrived in the living room Raymond and Jessica eyed her, whispered and left without saying anything. When they returned, Raymond long before Jessica, both were more formally dressed.

"This guy is something eh?"

"I really have no idea daddy. I only met him the once and couldn't even tell you the color of his eyes."

"What is the color of his eyes?"

"Jade... daddy don't! You're making me nervous."

He grinned and handed his daughter a small martini and told her to get that down quickly to relax her. "I have not seen you so tense about a new guy arriving. He must be top shelf."

"Correct daddy."

"Your mom was top shelf; I couldn't believe she chose me."

That was news to Nina. "Are you telling me mom was a babe when she was at college?"

"It's the truth darling."

"B-but what happened?"

"I'm not sure except your grandma seemed to be at her more and more as time went by. She was also upset at how unhappy her father had become and became ashamed at his drunkenness and womanizing."

"I think grandma drove him to drink and into the arms of other women."

"I think so too but Christ don't let your mother know you think that."

"Yeah, that makes sense. Do you have other women daddy?"

"Keep your voice down. I'm not going to answer that."

"I didn't think you would."

Raymond looked at the doorway to the bedrooms and whispered, "There have been a couple."

"Or perhaps more. Be careful daddy."

Jessica swept into the room and said, "It's quiet in here. Have you two had a row?" And then noticing Nina's drink said, "Where's my drink?"

There were sitting quietly sipping their martinis when the doorbell rang and startled them.

"Let your daddy go."

"Oh mom."

"It's only proper dear one. I'm hoping this is the start of something big for you. It's time you left home."

That left Nina feeling crushed so she swallowed all of her second drink, choking and had a red face and tears in her eyes when her father said, "Look who I found at the front door?"

Rhys was in a shiny Italian blue suit and looked wonderful.

"I-I just choked," Nina whimpered.

"Oh my poor darling," Rhys said, and strode over and hugged and kissed her and still hugging Nina turned and said, "Good evening Mrs Black. I'm Rhys Wallace, your dinner guest."

Just before 10:00 Nina and Rhys were standing on the front porch with the light on. They had a long kiss goodbye. Reese went down the three steps and then turned back and said, "Lift up your dress. I wish to go home thinking about your legs."

"How far up?"

"You decide."

Well she wanted him and so she had to do it at the risk of turning him off by thinking she was a slut. Nina lifted her skirt above her hips and stood motionless, wondering whether he'd like her blue high cut panties.

"Jesus," Rhys purred. "You have fabulous legs and you have courage. You've capped a great night with an amazing preview. Good night. I'll be in touch."

Nina's phone awoke her. She noticed it was 1:15 by her beside clock. She dropped the phone and retrieved it.

"Hi," she said sleepily, knowing it would be him.

"Hi, I had a great night."

"Me too. Sorry about that appalling bad-taste panty show at the end. You are likely to think I'm a slut."

"Slut? You were embarrassed but decided to exhibit generously, knowing it was what I requested. Am I correct?"

"Yes I felt driven to exhibit fully."

"I'm glad about that."

She sucked in air. "Really?"

"Oh yes. I have a hand on my dick."

"Is it a nice looking one?"

He chuckled and he'd half-expected her to ask fruitily aroused was it a big one."

"Fruitily?" Nina giggle.

"A rich tone voiced with restrained lust."

"Ohmigod, am I able to speak like that?"

"We'll have to find out won't we?"

She didn't know what to say, almost overcome by confirmation he wanted to see her again.

"I'm jerking my dick."

Nine felt her eyes widen.

He said huskily, "I want you to touch yourself."

She bit her lip and took the risk. "You mean slide a finger in?" Oh shoot, what if he had meant to touch her breast?"

"Oh yes please. Can you manage two fingers?"

Ohmigod, he was going to make her get herself off.

There was a brief pause and then she said, "Yes, done that and I'm thinking of you."

"Good. Sleep tight. Good night."

The call was cut.

Nina could have screamed but she'd thought he might do that to show he was couth although a little naughty. She stroked away, smiling and fell asleep thinking she must draw his cock for him one day. That would require him to model for her and she would need to study it closely. Hmmm, perhaps she might draw him a flower instead.

* * *

The chairwoman of the trust of the Boswell Community Center where Nina worked four days a week and received a $12,000 salary invited, Nina to paint her portrait, head and shoulders, in pastels. Mrs Field asked for a price for the 24 by 18 unframed portrait.

Mrs Field said $2000 seemed rather on the low side because she required top quality. They settled on $3250.

Jessica came into the loft over the garage Nina used as a studio with a cool drink for her daughter and looked at the range of photos Nina was sketching from and said, "I went to school with Anna Field or Anna Shanks was called before marriage. She was a proper bitch as a girl but was tamed by her husband and is now very nice."

"Were you tamed mother?"

"I wish I had been but your father was too weak to accomplish that."

"Either weak or being too nice to reconstruct your character."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Jessica snorted, "Don't you think I don't know what you're getting at."

"Stop being a bitch mother," Nina said calmly. "Sit and tell me what you know about Anna in later years because they could help me define her character. I means things like does she coo at babies, has mood swings and does she always look so immaculately dressed and made up."

"Well actually I know her rather well because I serve on three committees with her and we are in the same book club and lunch twice a month with Beth Wilson. We three went round together at high school."

Nina smiled. Her mom was actually interested in something Nina was doing and had forgotten to be angry as being called a bitch.

"Are you being paid to paint Anna?"

"Yes."

"How much?"

"Do I even ask how much you rake in annually or have you ever volunteered that information?"

"Bitch," said her mom idly, and then began rambling on about what she knew about Anna.

When leaving Jessica shocked her daughter. "Do you mind if I sit here each day you are working on this picture of Anna. I'd like to see it develop."

"Yes I'd love that mom. I really would and talking won't distract me. I'm so pleased you are taking an interest."

"Those photos you took of me and you staring at me in a peculiar way as if I had egg on my face. You've painted a picture of me."

"Yes mom, it's called a portrait. I'll show it to you eventually."

"Eventually?"

"That's what I said mother."

"God you can be so damn frustrating at times."

With expertise in diversion Nina alleged, "You sound as if you need sex."

"Young girl, don't be so disgusting."

Jessica came and sat in the loft talking to Nina many times during the next three weeks. The day after Nina had taken her work for a three-hour sitting at Anna's home Jessica came in and viewed progress.

"Ohmigod, that's Anna and how she looked ten years ago."

"About five years ago, possibly, and thinner as well."

"It's wonderful darling. You are so talented. I must say I have made a great mistake about you. You were right, you were meant to be a painter, not an attorney."

"It's fine mom."

"And I'm glad you are more like your father than me."

"What?"

"Why do you say what every time I say something that seems to tax you."

"Mostly it saves me from saying something I might later regret saying but this time you actually have me confused. What should I be like either of you?"

"You are our daughter."

"Spoken like an attorney mom. I'm aware I have similar qualities of shared by at least one of you. I tend to be fairly predictable and usually unflappable like dad and I have your coloring and my insight comes from you."

"You think I have insight?"

"Yes mother but largely choose to ignore it or misuse it. It's like with law, you play at it whereas you may have been a judge by now had you applied yourself to imbed into law."

"Says who?"

"Judge Arthur told me three years ago when I baby sat for the Arthur's when they had grandchildren staying with them."

"Sidney thinks I could have excelled as a judge?"

"He didn't use the word excelled and it is three years ago since he said that."

"Well that doesn't matter. What don't you like about me."

"Like daddy I'm tolerant so no way will you get me to answer that. But I'll say this. You have been visiting me here most days for three weeks and never, never have you given me this much attention and shared yourself so much with me, apart from one thing. I have found this so wonderful and appear to know you much better."

"Well I'm pleased to hear that. Now young woman, what is the exception? And please don't tell me I won't wish to hear it."

"Oh there goes insight again and yet you won't wish to hear it. Let me sit down opposite you. Now mommy, tell me how you think your mother ended up almost ruining your life."

Jessica turned white and stood to leave.

"No mother. Sit! This is crunch time for you. Get it out and perhaps you'll begin to heal."

Jessica wailed to no avail. She then began talking and finished, heaving in sobs in Nina's arms.

"So you now readily admit grandma attempted to poison your mind, whether or not she knew she was doing it, because your father was mistreating her."

"Yes absolutely."

"Good girl. Physician heal thyself."

Weeping Jessica said, "That's a proverb from the Bible."

"Yes and you know what it means."

Jessica nodded and Nina said, "Come on, I help you back to the house. A good sleep will ease the pain. I have waited two or three years to do this for you mom and today the opportunity arrive. Regard it as a good omen."

When Anna was in the loft for the third and final sitting she mentioned the trust had received a $10,000 anonymous donation, the largest anonymous donation it had ever received.

Nina gasped and thought of something. "How many days ago was that?"

"Last Friday."

That huge release by Jessica had been two days earlier. "Mom's bank is Allied Royal. Which bank issued the check."

"Allied Royal. It has us mystified. Do you think it could be from your mother?"

"Perhaps. A long last my mother is taking an interest in my work and sits here with me most times I am working on your portrait and through that I've learned so much about you and her. Last Wednesday I seized the opportunity to force her to tell me what she really thought of her mother's treatment of her and it all came out."

"Ohmigod, that's why she looked almost ill when we lunched on Friday although I must say her mood seemed lifted. Look this is fitting together like a jig-saw. Are you aware your mother paid the center a thousand dollars to try you on trial as a salaried art tutor?"

Nina's mouth hung open.

"No I didn't think so," Anna laughed. "Inside her is a good mother don't you think?"

Nina, crying, ran to Anna and was hugged. "Please," Nina sniffed, "Don't tell her you told me. It was her intention to do that anonymously."

The Friday after Anna had received the completed portrait still to be framed she was at the center for her weekly meeting with the director. Mrs Mason said she's received another big anonymous donation that morning."

"For how much?"

"Thirty-two-fifty."

"Oh very nice," Anna said, knowing Nina had received her check for $3250. "What bank issued the check?"

"Allied Royal."

Later at lunch when lunching with Jessica and Beth Anna said her check went off to Nina this week. What bank is she with?

"Allied Royal. Why?"

"This is very confidential Jessica. I believe Nina has donated my check for $3250 to the trust."

"Ohmigod, after all that work and she really could do with the money."

"Don't worry, already two of my friends will be approaching Nina to do their portraits and more business is likely to follow," Anna said. "I'll suggested to Nina she charges less and finishes faster and if someone wants high quality and great detail including intricate background detail then they'll be charged through the nose for it. You have such a sweet daughter."

"And haven't I been reminded of that recently."

"Oh?" Beth said, sensing something juicy in the pipeline. "What was that?"

Anna said casually, "Yes tell us Jessica. If it goes deep it pays to keep it in the open."

Jessica looked uncomfortable and eyed the exit.

"Ladies I think we are in for a bit of a confession," Anna said. "Another bottle of wine?"

"Yes and I think champagne and it's on me," Jessica said. "This is something of a celebration. I'm coming to the conclusion my daughter may have initiated my unshackling."

"Ohmigod, this sounds like a two-bottle session," Beth said.

* * *

Nina said at breakfast on Sunday morning, "Guys I want you to leave here at 3:00 on Friday and take me to a cocktail party at the Cameron City Art Gallery that starts at 6:30. I think we should stay the night somewhere."

Her father asked would the judging results of the annual art competition be announced and presented.

"Yes and when I last visited Rhys he said in his view I ought to attend."

"Is he on the judging panel?"

"No mom, it's entirely independent of the gallery but he knows art of course."

"Will I see my painting on Friday?"

"Yes mom."

"What painting?"

"Wait and see dad."

On Friday night Nina called ahead and Rhys came bounding down the steps to greet them. He looked dashing in his tuxedo and the look he gave Nina in her black gown and her hair now in multiple blonde shades and piled high, made his stomach churn. He kissed both women and shook hands with Raymond.

"Welcome to my working home. We'll grab a drink and I'll take you to two paintings of interest to you."

"Two?" Jessica queried.

"I have two entries mom."

Jessica gasped when she saw her portrait hanging titled 'Jessica'. "Ohmigod, that's so much like me, only better. I have kindness in my eyes."

"Do you like it mom?"

"Nina darling, it's wonderful. Why does it have a red sticker on it?"

Rhys said red sticker paintings were finalists.

"What will this get a prize?"

"I'm not privy to the judging decisions but I should think so."

"Call me Jessica darling. May I buy it off you Nina?"

"It's already yours mom. It's your Christmas present and an expression of my love for you. Now I tried hard to make that my best painting ever mom and it would have been my best but sometimes one cannot control what happens in creative art. My next entry is probably the best painting I'll ever do. That usually comes late in one's career but mine appears to have come early. Take us too it please darling."

Jessica said, "You now call Rhys darling?"

"Yes."

Rhys led them to where a large number of guests were gathered, glasses in hand and looking at a painting. Raymond who was tall enough to see the painting clearly froze and said "Jesus."

"It's your Christmas present daddy."

"Jesus!"

Jessica stood on her toes, hand on Rhys shoulder and said, "Ohmigod."

A woman standing alongside her said, "We think it's the best portrait by far to have been entered in this competition since its inception. The silly artist ought to have entered it in the open portrait class instead of the unrestricted class which means competing against all classes. Landscapes have always won the premier award."

"The painting is of my late father-in-law."

"Oh you must be pleased."

"Thank you. Yes I'm absolutely thrilled. This is the silly artist my daughter Nina."

"Oh hi Nina, lovely, lovely work. I really meant ill-advised rather than stupid."

"It's okay. Although acting on advice I made a considered decision and am happy to live with it."

"Although I'm not privy to judging results in my opinion Mrs Maxwell 'Portrait of My Father' will walk off with the premier award.

And that's what happened. 'Portrait of My Father' took the premier award and 'Jessica' won the open portrait section. Nina was mobbed by well-wishers and was interviewed by a camera crew for local TV.

A big party of people went to a local restaurant booked out for late dinner. Rhys had reserved seats at a table that included Nina and her parents.

By then her mom had stopped weeping and clutching Nina had gushed, "Darling I still can't get over it's how you see me." She didn't appear to take in her daughter's repeated reply, "It's how you are mom; take a good look at yourself."

During dinner a portly guy in a tuxedo and white slicked-back hair invited Nina to the bar for a quick chat. She looked at Rhys and he nodded.

"Who is it?" Jessica asked.

Rhys said Nina would tell them when she returned but the guy sitting next to Jessica whispered, Max St Laurence, an art dealer from New York.

Nina returned looking somewhat dazed.

"What did Mr St Laurence offer?" Jessica asked.

Nina looked at her mom surprised, probably wondering how her mom suddenly knew who was who in the art world.

"I turned him down. He offered me $5000 for your portrait mom and $25,000 for granddad's portrait. He said in painting granddad I'd captured something one rarely sees in portraits produced these days. You guys better insure your Christmas presents."

Nina stayed that night with Rhys. They managed to only just get the door closed before falling on to the floor and groping.

Coming up the stairs Rhys had been kissing Nina in her most vulnerable place, just under her right ear. She was almost ready to climax and was aware she was dripping.