Chapter 2 FRIENDS ARE FAMILY

FRIENDS ARE FAMILY

."Pick up the phone, Emma", Clara said redialing the phone. She was on her way to her little office down the road since she was already late for the interview at Camille's . "Hello?" said the voice on the other end. "Emma, hey. Can you come by my studio? I really fucked things up today ", Clara said frustrated. "Are you okay? I'll be there in twenty minutes. Take a deep breath, ok?" "Sure, sure. Hurry!" Clara replied and ended the call. " I'm starving. Let me order some food", she said and made another phone call. She arrived at her studio and sat down, throwing the keys on the table. "Shit! If only I had woken up on time", she said covering her face with her hands. "Fuck this! I would have still made it to Camille's had that big jerk face not tried to run me over," she said hitting the table. "I can't even call Camille to ask her for another chance. If I had submitted my collage, I'm pretty sure I would have become one of them. At least, a few weeks is enough to get some money to renew the lease on this goddamned studio. What will I do now?" she complained within herself. She stood up to get a drink from the freezer. "Hey there, sis" said a familiar voice. Emma had just come in. "Oh , you're finally here" Clara said giving Emma a soda. "Thanks. So what happened? You sounded so tired" "I am so exhausted. Can you believe I missed out on my collage submission to Camille's? That would have brought some income to renew my lease. I don't even know what to do right now", Clara said falling back on her seat. "I know you overslept, aunty Clara," Emma said laughing. "No, please don't laugh, Emma. What would I be doing now to get money to renew the lease?" Clara asked keenly. "Okay, okay. I'll stop laughing," she said suppressing the giggles. It went silent for a few minutes then Emma said, "How about you continue with your photography? You could cover events, weddings, birthdays...anything you can do at all. I'd even suggest you auction your 'Empty' piece. You know how that piece brought people in here. It will help. That portrait would cost about 3,000 grand. What do you think?" "That is one of my biggest work, Emma. I can't sell it. Maybe I'll continue with photography for now. Help me ask your co-workers if they need a videographer or something. I'll do it and I'll do a good job." Clara held Emma's hands, "Please, help me". Emma looked at her friend with pity, then she looked around. There weren't any new pieces in the studio, mostly because Clara has been too lousy recently. "How about you do some new work and hold an auction?" Emma suggested again. "New work? It has to come from within. You know I don't do this for the money, I do it for the love of art. You know how it was for us at art school," Clara replied walking around. "Yes, I know. But right now, you have to usher out your feelings on a canvas and paint your heart out. I know you'll create something beautiful out of it. Put your anger to good use, Clara." The doorbell rang. "I'll go see who's at the door. I think it's my pizza. Gosh! I'm famished." Clara said heading towards the door. There was a mail for her. She took the mail with anger. "Where is my pizza already? Those garbage delivery men!" She opened the mail. It was a letter. The look on Clara's face said there was trouble. "What's that? Are you okay?" Emma asked with concern. " I'm finished, Emma!" Clara said and fell to the ground crying. "What is it?" Emma rushed and picked up the letters. It was a notice of lease termination as well as notice of intent to sell. Which means she ought to vacate the studio as it had been bought by La Royale, the intending buyer. Her lease had already expired and she was given 30 days to renew the lease or vacate. What she couldn't understand was why it had to be sold before she even had a chance to renew her lease. "What the fuck is this? A 'vacate' notice or what? Your grace time isn't over yet so what is this?" Emma asked no one in particular. "How am I supposed to get the money for this lease? La Royale has already paid for this place and it's his now. If I can pay for the lease in less than a month, I know I'll get my studio back. Right, Emma?" Clara asked confused. "No, he didn't pay for this place. This has to be somewhat against the law! We have to protest or go meet the people who issued this letter for crying out loud. We have to stop them from taking this away from you." Emma replied and bent down to console Clara. "Mum will be very disappointed in me. How am I supposed to help Mauris and Jason? No, no! This can't be happening!" Clara said and started crying hysterically. "Don't worry. We'll go see the owner of this place tomorrow, ok? There has to be some sort of misunderstanding," Emma reassured.