Appointment with a Smile Read Online Free PDF Page B

an isolated soul wearing paint-smudged shirts and possessing a well-nourished imagination.”
    Esther frowned at me. “Calm down and dry off, for God sakes, Danielle. Stop with the inferiority crapola. You’ve kept up with your reading. You’re certainly not the gatekeeper of astrobiology, but I’ve tried to keep you up to speed in the sciences. Pain blocks the view of ourselves. Your parents ignored you. Molly dumped you. But you’re too damned sensitive. Think about how great your grandparents were.”
    “They were wonderful.” I had lost my beloved grandfather while I was in college. And my sweet and kind grandmother died right before Molly left. I was in a constant state of mourning when she died and often wondered if that contributed to Molly’s leaving. But looking back now, it probably wasn’t the case.
    “I also loved them,” Esther said quietly. “They were better than most parents. That’s for sure.”
    “My acrimony with my parents has softened over the years. They were too young to raise a family. The old saying about if you’re going to have a baby, you can’t be the baby, in their case was absolutely true. That might be why my mother turned to illegal additives and some legal ones that pour into a shot glass.”
    “Additives and not illegal drugs,” Esther repeated with a sharp cackle. “At least you still have a sense of humor. When your mother died she couldn’t have been over forty.”
    “Forty-two. Died alone in a creepy, rat-infested hotel in Kansas. And my father died in Texas. His new family hadn’t even contacted my brother and me. I heard it long after the fact from an aunt.” I blinked a few times to prevent the tears from falling. “But we survived. We’ve lit the candle inside our joy and made a party. Like now.”
    She toasted with her teacup. “To us.”
    “To us,” I repeated.
    “Now then.” She straightened and flapped open her daily planner. “What would you think about a day or two visiting the Isle of Wight? Maybe we could decide on Scotland or Ireland. Or be extraordinarily bold and see Paris. You’ve always loved visiting the Louvre.”
    “Beginning with a smaller agenda and then moving up to the continent?” I laughed and pushed my dessert plate back. The blueberry cobbler was delicious but very rich. “Not only that, you’re enticing me with promises of viewing magnificent art.”
    Esther chuckled loudly. “Busted. You could never turn down those full-figured seventeenth century nudes.”
    “They have them here in London. But Fiona wants me to work. You know, I’ve had my pieces exhibited with other artists in group showings. But until now, my work hasn’t been impressive enough to have my own exhibition. I’ve even been invited to lecture but didn’t want to travel.” I took a sip of my tea. “Maybe we can take a daytrip. Stratford on Avon, or like you suggested, maybe a day on the Isle of Wight. It’s lovely there.”
    “That’s an improvement over sitting in your hotel room all week. I really think getting out a bit would regenerate your spirit. If you’re not really interested in sightseeing, I’ll go shopping and check out the women.”
    “You’re going to chase the Brits?”
    “Brits are fine women. And I’ll allow them to chase me. I enjoy that more. What do you say? Shall we rush through London on a damsel hunt?”
    “I’d be hard-pressed to do much rushing.”
    “You’re in great shape for an old broad,” she teased. “But if you’re not up to it, I’m still going to scout out the action.”
    “So spread your net and snag one of those darlings. An English rose might be a great adventure for you. I’m afraid Fiona’s expecting more painting from me. I’m putting the painting I did this afternoon in the show.”
    “You finished a painting?”
    “Yes. Acrylic paints dry quickly. It’s a picture from the street market sketches. And Molly.”
    “I thought as much. She was in those street market sketches. Amazing that