Senior Year Box Set

I closed my eyes. Fritz had removed Paul from our detail, which meant he got shipped back to California for reassignment or even termination. This might be one of those unintended consequences I hated.

“I understand what you’re talking about. I’ll see what I can do about it,” I assured Jeremy and thanked him.

He’d given me some stuff to think about.

◊◊◊

“What did he say after I left?” Lexi asked as we walked to the car.

“That you could be the best PA ever, but you needed to step up your game. He suggested that I might need to find a new one.”

She looked at me skeptically.

“He did not,” she decided, and then switched into business mode. “We’re going to meet the woman doing your portrait.”

The gift bag from the Academy Awards had included a portrait. The artist had asked to meet me before she began painting it.

Like everywhere in LA, it seemed to take forever to get to her studio. She had space in the Artist Studios Los Angeles, which was close to the USC campus. It was a large building with murals painted on the exterior. When we pulled into the parking lot, we saw a photo shoot in progress. A muscular black man, made up as a boxer, was the subject.

My first instinct was to go over and tell them what they were doing wrong—the lighting was causing shadows—but Lexi grabbed my arm and directed me inside.

What I found was an artist’s haven. They’d taken a large, open, warehouse-like space and put up eight-foot walls to divide it into individual studios. The studios didn’t have ceilings, which allowed the natural light from the large windows above to come in.

Along the halls, each artist had some of their work on display. I particularly loved what one artist was creating. She’d taken blue jeans and used them as her canvas. She had three of them displayed in the hall. I made a mental note to come back and see if any of her stuff was for sale.

Allana Megginson had a studio at the end of the hall. Outside her space, she had hung portraits of different celebrities. I took a moment to admire them. Each painting had been done in a style that fit the personality of the person depicted. There was one of a well-known comic that was almost a caricature. Next to it hung one of a serious actress that was so detailed, it almost looked like a photograph.

While we were admiring her art, Allana stuck her head out the door.

“I thought that might be you,” she greeted me with a warm smile.

I was expecting an older woman for some reason. Instead, I found someone in her late 20s. She was a short, plump lady with a cheery smile. What made Allana so unique was the way her dark eyes flashed, like pinpricks of fire on a moonless night.

“Come in, and I’ll show you what I’ve been working on. I wanted to get your feedback before I got too far along,” she said and gestured for us to come into her studio.

On one wall, there were photos of my family and me. Grandma Dawson had volunteered to work with Allana. Grandma had obviously been in my cloud account, sorting through photographs.

I found Allana’s process interesting. We didn’t talk about the portrait at all. She sat me down at a small table and offered me hot tea while we talked. It was almost like a first date, as she wanted to get to know me. I rather enjoyed our time together. Allana had a wicked sense of humor that kept me on my toes.

Before I knew it, our time was up.

“Thank you, David. I know exactly what I want to do now,” Allana said.

“We didn’t even talk about what you’re going to do.”

She gave me a warm smile, and her eyes twinkled with mischief.

“That’s why it’s free. I get to decide.”

“That’s true,” I admitted. “Just be sure to make me look good.”

“I’ll give it my best shot.”

“Hey, before I go. The artist who does the jeans. Are those for sale?” I asked.

“You have a good eye. Unfortunately, she’s preparing for a show and needs them for that. I’m sure she would be willing to sell them after, though,” she assured me.

“Have her call Lexi.”

We said our goodbyes. I honestly had no idea what Allana planned to do, but I couldn’t wait to see.

◊◊◊

Our next stop was the MTV awards venue. Halle would be singing with the current pop idol, Billie Angell, and I wanted to drop in on their rehearsal. This was a big deal for Halle because Billie had a set of pipes on her. It would be interesting to see the two of them do a duet together.

The hall was abuzz with activity. The three of us found good seats in the middle and watched Too Late for Josie finish up their new song that was rocketing up the charts.

I all but swallowed my tongue when Halle and Billie marched out in matching leather bodysuits that clung to their bodies like a second skin. Someone was bringing sexy back. I stood and clapped as I let out a wolf whistle.

The lights were in their eyes, and both girls tried to make out who was making a ruckus. Then Halle recognized me.

“It’s just David,” Halle said dismissively.

“David? David who?” Billie asked.

“David Dawson.”

Billie smiled.

“Get up here so we can sing to you,” Billie said.