4
“You have got to be kidding me? You’re into all this paranormal crap too?”
She laughed, “No, I don’t mean like that. I knew her a really long time ago, it just feels like another life.”
I still wasn’t totally catching on. “Like how long ago? I mean we’re not that old Joy.”
She took a deep breath and looked at me intently. “Alright, here goes nothing. You know how I don’t tell anyone in town how I came to own the gallery?”
“Yeah you explained that the first time I met you. You said that it helped people believe in the ‘charm’ of the place.”
“Yeah, the charm… Well, before I had the gallery, let’s put it this way, I wasn’t all that charming. I didn’t have a lot of money then. I bought the gallery when my parents died, they left me money in their will and I decided that I was going to live my dream with it. That girl back there? She knew me from before I had money. And let’s just say she wasn’t so pleasant.”
“So you’re still running from bullies?” That just didn’t seem like the Joy I knew.
She fiddled with the air-conditioning, turning it down lower. “Yeah I guess you could say that. I moved here after my parents died. I act like I grew up around here but really I’m from Virginia. I had no idea my past would follow me here, I think that’s what freaked me out the most. Not her in particular just that my past is catching up with me. And I don’t know that my fans would like to know that I’m just a girl from some podunk town in western Virginia.” She looked at me with tears in her eyes, it was hard for her to admit how difficult it had been for her growing up. I guess she didn’t really like the term “struggling artist”.
“I don’t think your fans would care either way, Joy. They love you. You’re like a freaking goddess to them.”
She laughed as a small tear rolled down her cheek. “I am not! I just got lucky, in the right place at the right time and all that.”
“Yeah, sure, and it doesn’t hurt that your artwork is actually fantastic. Or the fact that you can talk about it, something most artists will never be able to do. Don’t worry about that crazy chick. She’s got nothing on you.”
“Thanks,” she said quietly. “Now you ready to get out of here? I have a gift certificate to this amazing restaurant on the other side of town.”
I laughed, Joy would have a gift card. She’s the only bazillionare I knew and of course she clipped coupons.
After ordering some of the most expensive items on the menu, Joy and I sat and chatted for a while. I thought this would be the best time to ask about her parents. I knew it would be hard for her to speak about, but I thought it was worthwhile asking.
“Joy?” I asked on bated breath, “When did your parents pass away?”
I couldn't recall her ever mentioning them being deceased before today. I mean she had even gone to visit family recently. That would have been a prime opportunity to mention the fact that they were gone.
She averted her eyes and mumbled something before going into her story. “My parents died two years ago. They were brutally murdered by some crazy person. They caught him, he admitted to the whole thing.” She shook her head. “The worst part is I don't even know why he did it. The authorities figured that someone had sent him, but they have no idea why. I mean we had some money, but we didn't use it, so no one really knew. I was so shocked to be able to buy the gallery after they passed. I had no idea we had that kind of money, I was never raised in the type of household that appeared to have so much money. The guy committed suicide in jail only a few weeks after my parents’ death, I never even got to talk to him.”
I was flabbergasted and she had stopped talking so I said the only thing that came to my mind, “What would you have said to him?”
She shrugged. “I don't know. I guess I would've asked him why he did it.”
“Would it have made you feel any better? To know why?”
“I don't know, I guess it would've given me some closure though. I miss them. I miss them every day but I'm thankful for the time I had with them. I guess you're not the only one to experience some loss in your life Paige.”
I nodded. “I guess not.”
Finding my thoughts back on Nick, I remembered Ultan’s words at the gallery. I decided that perhaps I should question Joy, maybe she knew more than I originally thought.
“Joy, what do you know about Ultan?”
“Not so much actually. Just that he lives in my apartment complex. Wears a lot of dark clothes, and is completely delicious.”
“He's from Salem?”
“He's a transplant. Like most of us.”
“Do you know how close he is with Gran?”
Joy nodded. “Yeah, really close.”
“Got it. He was at the gallery the other night. Said something about a book. Know anything about that?”
“Nah.” She looked just as confused as I felt.
“He noticed my necklace too. Said it was pretty. It’s just a stupid pentagram, I’m sure a thousand stores sell them here.”
“Actually yours is pretty unique and it looks old.” I rolled my eyes at her. She looked serious for a moment. “Paige, I know that you think that all of this witchcraft stuff is just a big joke, but a lot of people around here really believe in it. Whether it's because it fills their pockets during tourist season, or because it’s their religion. You might just want to lay off the disbelief for a little while. Be open to things, that's all I'm saying.”
I could tell she wasn't trying to offend me, but she knew I didn't really believe in any of that stuff. But if Joy asked me to bite my tongue, I would. I still wondered about the book though and what it had to do with me. As Joy continued to snack on her salad I made the decision that I would at least try to find it. Maybe it had some of the answers I was looking for.