The next day, I sat outside on our back deck in between two rain storms and called Pigmentation. I felt nervous as much as excited.
'Hi, it's Ivy,' I said.
'Ivy, how are you?'
'Good, good. How about you?'
'Great. People are still buying art, so I'm okay.'
'I was calling up to see about the studio assistant position.'
'Oh yeah? Great.'
'If you still need one, I'm interested. But I just need to know the hours and where it is and that kind of thing,' I said.
'Of course. Well, I was thinking maybe Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and a half day Saturdays. I could pay $15 cash. Oh and I'm in Malvern. It's near the train station, so it's easy to get to.'
'That sounds really good,' I said.
'I'll text you the address,' she said. 'How about you start next Tuesday?'
'Great.' I paused, then took a deep breath of courage. 'Ah, just one other thing my parents want to know. It's not my thing, it's their's ...'
'Yes? What is it?'
'What's your real name?'
Pigmentation laughed. It was a bright, healthy, full bodied laugh, the type of laugh that someone who is completely comfortable with themselves makes. 'Sophie,' she said, 'my name is Sophie. Very ordinary, yes?'
'Yeah, I guess.'
'Sophie Lombardi, my father is Italian. They can look me up on LinkedIn – if they want to read my more professional bio. It talks about my corporate jobs, and the commissions I've had, community work and all that. It might make them feel more at ease, if they need.'
'Thank you,' I said. 'They're quite protective of me, and not that familiar with the art world, I guess.'
'Totally understandable.'
'And my mum wants to meet you,' I said. 'It's kind of embarrassing.'
'I'll put on my best behaviour,' she joked.
'Thank you. See you Tuesday.'
'No worries. I'm really looking forward to it Ivy. This is a big deal for me too.'
After I hung up the phone, I leant my head back, looking at the stormy clouds in the sky and praised the universe for letting something good happen to me.