Fate Will Wait

Zoe Steel loved art, being the only child of an architect and a designer, she lived and breathe art. Graduating from New York University with a degree in Art history, she was ready for the world. Zoe was ecstatic when she was chosen from a group of more than thirty eager future Art buyers, for an internship at The Walter Blaze Museum. She dreams of being an Art Buyer for all the top museums in the world.

Her Mom, designer to the stars Amanda Lee laughed and said, “Honey, choose one.”

Six graduates were chosen to travel all over the world to observe and learn about buying arts for museums.

At the Louvre in Paris, the final day of the auction, a painting by Louis Seymour entitled, ‘A Sunset of Promises,’ came up for auction. Zoe snatched the paddle from Mrs. Phelps and raises it in the air. No other paddle went up. The Walter Blaze Museum became the owner of a painting they didn’t buy. Mrs. Phelps was furious.

“You will have to pay for that painting?” she demanded.

“I know,” Zoe said handing over her Visa card. “I am sorry, I lost control,” she apologized.

“That’s not the only thing you will lose,” she said while paying for the painting.

“Someone will notify you when it arrives in New York. You are dropped from the program. And don’t try seeking employment in any other museums because words do get around,” she warned.

Zoe’s internship ended in pain and disappointment.

Back home in New York, Zoe locked herself inside her room refusing to come out.

On the eighth day, her mom knocked at the door and said, “Honey, do you plan to continue living, because you can’t do it from inside your room.”

“But I don’t want to work anywhere else,” Zoe protested opening the door.

“Girl, I didn’t raise you to give up because life closes the front door, go knock down the back door or another door. Hell! Go through the window or a keyhole if you have to.”

“Oh mom,” she cried. “I want to go through the door to the Walter Blaze Museum.”

“Well,” her mom stared into her eyes and said, “It’s not going to open if you don’t go out there and find a key, because it’s not in here.”

“Mom, you don’t understand,” Zoe persisted. “Mrs. Phelps warned me not to seek employment in the Art world because of what I did.”

Amanda reached out and hugged her daughter and said, “So what, you are giving her control of your life? Sweetie, Fate will wait, but it will not be denied. If that’s the door you should go through, Fate will let you in.”

Ten days later fate opened the door. Zoe sat in the office of Thomas Pitt the CEO of the Walter Blaze Museum.

“I’ll get to the point,” he said without urgency. “We will hire you if you sell us the Louis Seymour painting.”

Zoe nodded, got up, and walked towards the door.

“Wait,” he called out.

Turning around she let it all out, “I was dropped from the program, threatened not to seek employment in any museum in 49 of the fifty states, for buying a piece of art that I think you should have in your museum. Now you are hiring me if I sell you the painting that got me kicked out of the program?”

He sighed, taking a deep breath, then asked, “How did you know Louis Seymour was dying?”

“I didn’t, I love his work and I think he is brilliant. Your museum would benefit greatly from his work.”

“Any other artist you have in mind?”

“Yes, I got a few.”

“You are still hired, please, sit down,” he said. “When your painting came, I looked at it and bought three more of his work. No more is available. I was reading your profile; you will be hired as an art buyer. Mrs. Phelps has been transferred to Canada. We are willing to pay you to showcase your painting and pay for the insurance,” he said in open arms.

Zoe smiles to herself, thinking, Mom was right. If that’s the door you must go through, fate will open it, with the help of a Louis Seymour painting. This time, fate opened it wider.

Fate will wait, but it will not be denied.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.

Copyright 2020 Annelise Lords