The Quiet Visit

Calista felt a shiver of curiosity for this old gallery as she stood outside the Brush and Vision Gallery. The morning having seen the file, she had come to a conclusion that before work officially commences at the place she had agreed to assist revive, she needed to go there to get a first-hand look on how it was. The double doors of the grand gallery creaked a little as she pushed them open and was greeted by the faint scent of paint and wood.

Her eyes studying the large gallery and she immediately felt that there were much fewer visitors than she had expected. She was expecting a very busy place of art lovers but the quiet space only highlighted the struggles of the gallery.

"So, this is what they have left for me." she muttered to herself.

She walked up the stairs to the first floor and her eyes caught a painting mounted on the far wall. She drew closer drawn to the bold strokes and the powerful imagery. The painting was of a devil with menacing horns catching an angel mid-fall with chaos and flames swirling around the painting's background. It was haunting yet captivating art.

"Strange choice for a gallery centerpiece." she thought tilting her head as she tried to interpret its meaning.

Continuing her tour, Calista observed the few employees. There was only one guide who took around the visitors, a couple of security guards were loitering in the corners and a cleaner was busy wiping the floor. The enormous gallery seemed under-staffed for its enormity. She also observed the schedule posted near the entrance four days a week it will be open for everyone from 6 AM to 10 PM.

"Sixteen-hour days? No wonder the staff looks drained." she mused. "This place needs more than consulting. It needs life breathed back into it."

As she made her way to leave, a deep friendly voice startled her.

"Ah, you must be Ms. Calista Moore!"

She turned to see an older man with a white beard and matching hair approaching her. He was dressed sharply with his physique betraying his age and made him look younger.

"Dex Drakmore" he introduced himself extending a firm handshake.

"Calista Moore" she replied smiling.

They exchanged pleasantries and Dex asked her to join him for tea and some snacks in the gallery's small cafe. Though not expected, Calista agreed because she had a curiosity regarding the man behind the gallery.

Over tea, Dex candidly shared with her how tough life was for the gallery.

"This is the worst year we've ever had" he admitted his tone tinged with regret. "Classic art doesn't hold the same appeal for the younger generation. They're drawn to other things, things I can't quite grasp."

Calista nodded thoughtfully. "The world's moving fast and sometimes it feels like we're all expected to mature too fast to keep up," she said. "But art... has the power to slow time to remind us of who we are."

Dex smiled faintly. "Wise words. You seem to understand exactly what this place needs."

After a while discussing about the gallery, Dex extended an invitation.

"Please, bring your family here sometime. I'd love for them to experience what this gallery has to offer."

Calista promised she would and after finishing her tea, she left with a renewed sense of purpose.

As soon as Dex returned to the gallery's main office, his mood shifted.

"Where is Elza?" he asked sharply glaring at the Art Director. "She was supposed to be here when I wasn't."

The director hesitated before pointing toward an office. "She's in her office, sir."

Dex stormed to the door and flung it open. Inside, Elza Hart was sprawled across a couch with a book perched precariously on her chest. She blinked lazily sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Do you ever knock, Dexter? Or do you just enjoy disturbing my sleep always?

Dex's eye flared. "While you were napping Ms. Calista Moore, the consultant who we hired to save this gallery was here and I had to entertain her because you were too busy dreaming."

Elza yawned dramatically. "You did a great job, I'm sure. My presence wasn't necessary."

Dex trying to keep his composure. "And Viktor's task? Have you made any progress?"

Elza shrugged and leaned back on the couch. "I'm the one who suggested Latmier Consulting and gave you some information from her workers when I visited remember? I've already sent Axel to dig for more details about Calista. Give it a few days."

Dex glared. "You're supposed to be the director of this gallery, Elza. Start acting like one for atleast namesake"

Elza waved him off. "I'm perfectly capable of doing my job, Dex. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have important thinking to do. It's exhausting being this brilliant."

Dex muttered something under his breath as he left the office leaving Elza smirking to herself.

Meanwhile, Calista arrived at her daughter's school relieved to see Nora Moore waiting for her.

"Mommy!" Nora exclaimed running toward her. "You said we were going to the park today!"

Calista gave her a hug. "Of course we will. Let's get some ice cream too. What do you think?"

Nora's face lit up. "Yes, yes, yes!"

The pair spent their afternoon in the park watching a dogs' group running around catching balls, splitting an ice cream cone and as a little puppy tried to lick her fingers. All of Calista's anxieties somehow just vanished for a moment.

"Mommy can we get a dog?" Nora asked suddenly.

"Maybe someday" Calista answered, "for now we do have Grandpa's old cat".

Nora laughs and nodded her head in amusement.

As the sun went below the horizon, they went back to the apartment where Eva was waiting for them with her arms crossed.

"You two are late." Eva scolded. "Nora needs her dinner and sleep, and you shouldn't be wandering around at this hour, Calista."

Calista rolled her eyes playfully. "We were at the park, Mom not a nightclub."

Eva shook her head but softened when Nora ran into the room to show her a picture she had drawn of the puppy from the park.

"Okay, okay. But don't make this a habit," Eva said pulling her granddaughter into a hug.

As Nora skipped off into her room, Calista turned to her mother.

"Mom, do you think it is okay to let go of the past and try to move on?"

The mother looked at her daughter deeply. "The past molds us Calista but it doesn't have to define us. Just don't let it catch up to you."

Calista nodded as she was getting ready for yet another day, her mother's words lingering in her mind.