Would you believe the girl I met ten years ago is now having her own solo exhibit? Gabriel said as he walked up the steps with her by his side.
She laughed. It’s one of the 20 exhibits for this festival and I’m the smallest one. Ida said. I was just really lucky that my work was seen by the festival director during our graduation presentation and that he liked it. Also that it matched the themes they usually look for – something to do with the sea.
Lucky or not, your work deserved to be seen. I mean it. Gabriel said. Your dad must be proud. And I think probably your mom would have been too.
My dad definitely. My mom, maybe she would have been surprised. She would imaginle me to be a writer someday but never an artist. Although I feel weird calling myself an artist. I am not sure even if it’s something I’ll be able to identify myself as.
Why not?
I don’t know. It just had to express myself and I did it through photography. And I’m afraid that if I have nothing else to express, I won’t be able to create.
Ah, artists and their doubts. I am sure it’s inside you, this creative impulse. Now that it has come out, it will unleash in other ways – like an exploding volcano. He said, making a boom sound.
She laughed. But maybe my mom will be proud of the work I’m doing now.
And what is that exactly? Gabriel said with a smile. She told him about the social enterprise she started with her friend eight years ago. He can see that she’s passionate about the topic, with her hands talking.
So you found your path in the end. Gabriel said.
I guess so. I was really happy doing that especially the first 3 years where I traveled around Asia and wrote the stories. I was inspired to tell their stories.
I imagine the stories need to be compelling to attract funders. Gabriel said.
Yeah, I think stories make people relate more than statistics or graphs. Although since I studied, I’m was more managing than writing. We have grown a bit, and now we have volunteer writers cover the new projects of the NGOs.
Sounds you’re making an impact as you wanted.
Yeah, it does give me fulfillment every time I think about it. Though I feel a bit guilty not putting more time in it, to expand it maybe to South America. To replicate the model. My friends wants to but I am hesitant to take an active role. I did not expect something else to be triggered in me. I feel that there’s something else I want to do. I don’t know which way to go, to be honest.
I get it. Gabriel simply said.
Gabriel and Ida passed through the alleyways where street-side lamps have just been lit. They climbed up and at some point they were in front of a church at the top of the hill.
Do you mind if I pass by quickly? Ida said. There’s also an exhibit here. I’ve already seen it during the opening but maybe you would like to see it.
Sure, they went in. They walked down the center aisle, looking up the grand ceilings of the church until they arrived at the main altar.. The exhibit is right there, Ida said pointed to the right. I’ll just light a candle here. Gabriel nodded and looked at the exhibit and he later joined her at the candle stand. He caught her with her eyes closed.
You lit a candle for your mom? Gabriel said when she opened her eyes.
Yeah, I always do when I pass a church, but I wasn’t able to the last time. I talk to her when I do that. Right now, I just told her I met you again, can she believe it? She said, with a hint of smile.
They exited the church and continued on the alley. By the way, I also lit a candle for Ollie. Ida said.
That’s nice of you. He said. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t remember you being religious.
No, not at all but I grew up Catholic. But no matter what I believe now, I still believe it’s a quiet solemn place that brings people together. I also like that about mosques. I just went once in Turkey the only mosque where non-Muslims are allowed. It was in fact an old church. I’m drawn to the idea of them – a place we can connect with something higher than ourselves. Or it brings us someplace deeper within us. She paused. That was the night sky, centuries ago.
The celestial dome. Gabriel said.
Ida smiled. How did you like the exhibit inside?
I like it, I like her world. Everything is blue. It’s surreal for sure. It fits the festival. Gabriel commented. How does she do it?
I think her work is wonderful. Those are photos of cadaques and the surrounding areas. Her own version of Cadaques. With the help of a chemical, she exposes it under the sun and it turns blue.
I like that, the sun literally helped in creating the work. It’s interesting that her world is blue and white and yours is black and white. He said. How did you get into that style of photography?
I’ve always liked surreal stuff. Dali. Picasso. Then someone taught me to just let my imagination run free. I mean I saw it from his own process and that inspired me. It made me feel I’m allowed to do it as well.
That someone is…your teacher?
Yes. My boyfriend.
Ah.
Ex. we actually just broke up.
I’m sorry. Gabriel said feeling really sorry for her more than he wanted to be. Are you OK?
Not really, because it just happened last weekend…but I’ll be fine.
Sorry to bring that up. Gabriel said.
It’s OK. It’s good to finally say it. It’s hanging over my head the whole week. She looked away, clearly avoiding the topic.
They continued to tread up the hill. The street lamps cast their shadows on the white walls.
Oh we’re here. Ida said when she caught the glimpse of the car park. When they’ve arrived at the parking lot, Ida looked at her watch. it was almost 730. Oh no, won’t you be late?
No worries, I should be able to make it with some to spare. But I got to go very soon. Gabriel said. Can we exchange our correct email addresses this time? And oh, your number too. He added, remembering what his sister said.
Of course. Ida got her phone out from her bag. So tell me…
Let me type it for you, he said. And type yours in mine. No room for errors! He said.
She laughed as she gave her phone but it suddenly rang. Oh excuse me, one minute. It’s my dad. He rarely calls me. She said holding the phone to her ear. Hola, papa? Que tal? She then spoke in Spanish.
Ida looked to the west of the sky but she couldn’t find it. A comet? I don’t see it. She spent few more seconds of looking at the sky. Papa, I have to go because I’m with my friend. It’s Gabriel,…no, no, papa he’s going now. Okay, I promise I won’t go alone. Ciao. Besos.
Sorry about that.
No worries. I heard something about a comet? And a hermit? Was that me?
She laughed. Yes he like to call you the son of the hermit. My dad told me that there’s a comet visible in the sky tonight. Apparently it’s in the west sky. He suggested that there could be a chance to see it from the lighthouse, a cliff we can climb. I might go….do you want to go? She said then realized. Oh, you have to be back for your trip.
Actually it’s on Tuesday. I just have this lunch tomorrow and the signing on Monday. I would love to see this comet. I heard you promise you won’t go alone. So let’s go. He said with a grin.
Really, okay. Ida said expecting him to change his mind but he didn’t. I just wish I had a telescope…
That I don’t have…but I have something else. Gabriel said. He went to the back of his rented car and got something from his backpack
Tadaaa, he said while he present her a binoculars. This was my dad’s gift to me when I was 6. It was easier to see the moon with this, when you’re that young. It should work to see the comet.
Wow, what are the chances that you have that with you? Ida said.
Well, you won’t believe but I also have…my handy warm sleeping bag. Do you remember that? I’ll bring it too.
No way. Did you know that a comet is passing by tonight? She asked with a tone of suspicion.
You mean if I set it all up? I wish I did but it really was just a coincidence. I had to take stuff back to Paris before selling the house. And these are the only two things I wanted. That I could bring that is. The telescope was too big. We’re selling it together with the place.
I would have loved to see it up close and take photos with it at the Night Sky.
Do you want to go ? I still have the keys.
Umm, my dad said it’ll be only visible up to 2 hours after sunset. So it’ll be too late. Besides, I still have to take down my exhibit tomorrow. The binoculars will do.
OK, Come on then. We don’t have much time. Gabriel said.
Don’t get too excited, we might miss it. But it’s still a place you might want to see.