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Artful Love - A short summer love story - by Jillian Leeson www.jillianleeson.blogspot.com Copyright 2013. All rights reserved. It was around 3.30pm on a Wednesday when I received the phone call that changed my life. “Jessie, darling, it’s me. I really must talk to you. Did you see me in People magazine?” I sighed. It was Kate, my little sister. “Little” was probably not the best way to describe her—she was taller, prettier, and worldlier. And she was in the midst of fulfilling her childhood dream: to become a famous actress. From talking to her, you’d think she was well on her way to become a big Hollywood star. I took my mid-afternoon apple from my drawer and said, “Yes, I may have spotted your face in that party crowd photo at the bottom of page sixty.” Of course Kate completely ignored what I said, as usual. “It’s been crazy around here, you can’t begin to imagine. When I finished shooting Fire Zombies, the director loved me, of course, and begged me on his knees to work on his next project, Ice Zombies.” I rolled my eyes and took a bite from my apple. Kate rattled on. “So I’ve been stuck in Alaska for a month now. Can you imagine me, suffering in the freezing cold? I really, desperately, need new clothes and more importantly, a new mink coat, but there are no shops here whatsoever. I can’t even get an internet connection in this hell-hole. There’s only so much I can bear.” “It all sounds very vexing, Kate. But I’m sure you’ll survive. Provided, of course, you have a decent-looking co- actor on set.” “Ha! Count on my own sister to know me best. I can’t complain in that department, I suppose. That’s the only thing keeping me warm right now. Talking about warm, that’s why I’m calling you.” I stopped chewing. Kate usually called me only when she needed something. What the heck did she want this time? “I’d been planning to have a relaxing break after this horrid shoot, so I booked myself a luxury cruise to the Caribbean. But just now my director told me that we’re going to be stuck here for at least another week. And after this, I’ll be flying off to Fiji for my new movie.” “So?” “So I was thinking that my lovely sister could take a break from her very busy life, and take the cruise instead of me.” I wrinkled my brow. Did I hear that correctly? Did Kate actually say I could take the cruise in her place? “When is this cruise? How long is it?” “It’s a ten-day cruise, and it leaves this Saturday morning. Everything is included: wine, gourmet food, entertainment. You can relax by the pool, have your nails done, or enjoy a whole- body massage, whatever takes your fancy.” “Coming Saturday? I can’t, Kate, you know that. I have a full-time job. I can’t just take a holiday whenever I feel like it. My supervisor will never approve my leave.” Kate’s voice turned downright icy. “You’re always worried about your golden call-center career. Just go. I’m sure your glamorous job will still be there when you come back.” “Really, I can’t. I’m not prepared. I wouldn’t even know what to pack.” “Darling, I’ve got it all figured out. I know what you’re worried about. You think your Walmart get-up won’t cut it on the cruise. And you’re right. So I’m going to courier you some of my old rags. They’re still perfectly fine, just not cutting edge enough for someone like me. You should receive the parcels tomorrow morning.” “But—but—” I thought I was going to choke on the chunk of apple that had lingered in my mouth, unchewed. “I’m also sending you a ticket to Florida and the cruise details. You’re going to have such a fabulous time, darling. You may even think twice about staying in dull-town USA.” Before I could object, she had already hung up the phone. Typical of Kate. She couldn’t care less about other people’s feelings, especially mine. From when we were little, she had been the center of attention. With her pretty face and ultra- charming personality, she always got own her way by winding people around her little finger. It was always about her, and her alone. In fact, it surprised me that she had given me the cruise. She must have been feeling guilty about forgetting my birthday last month. And she knew I had never been abroad, let alone on a cruise. The farthest I had ever travelled from home was when Kate had taken me on a shopping trip to Chicago. It would simply be insane to pack up and take a tropical holiday. But the thought was also thrilling, exciting— something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I’d been down in the dumps lately, worn out from the daily grind. It was utterly exhausting, answering call after call, day after day. The worst was the unwarranted abuse from rude customers. It had made me throw my headphones against the cubicle wall more than once. A break would do me a world of good; I just needed to get away from it all. The least I could do is try to get my leave approved. But as I had expected, my supervisor was less than thrilled with my request for leave. “Jessica, this is an extremely busy time. Especially now Practal has launched their new beauty line, I need every single one of you. There’s no way in hell I can give you leave right now.” “It’s only for ten days. I’ll make it up