Ten Years A Mistress

As a kid my mother talked of passion. Follow your passion. I followed my passion, art appreciation. I managed a job as a receptionist for a small modern art gallery. The owner, a woman in her sixties, had several pieces. Once in a while a piece sold. She made her money on the commissions of other artist's work.

She enthused me to give a try at making art. It was very poor. But it sold a few pieces. She said, art is in the eye of the beholder, and price us everything. Among thousand dollar pieces, one fifty sells better.

A man came in, a tourist waiting for another meeting. He said he could tell I was a neophyte. But had talent and I would get better. He bought a 'piece'. And told me to mail it to him.

That evening before closing he called and asked me to dinner. The owner said enjoy myself. It was a nice dinner, the on to his hotel room. It crossed my mind he had gotten me for the sum of 125.00 plus tax.

I continued to paint living with him. Got better and better, up to 250.00.

Being a 'girlfriend mistress', supported, kept, hidden wears on you. The world keeps turning, you get older. Experienced cook, arm candy, artist in residence. Sex did not define the relationship. If anything it was tense. His method is controlling. Overpowering.

I have no one to blame, a casual acquaintance, a professional mistress.