Fiction Short Story

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Fiction Short Story

by Stephen D. Rogers

Exhibition

The sign in the gallery window announced a reception, the mat in front of the door bid visitors welcome, and trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres inside promised satisfaction.

"I think I like this picture the best—the sun rising over the nearly empty beach. Or is it setting?"

"That's for you to decide."

Pamela nudged her roommate. "Don't play art psych games with me. When did you shoot the picture?"

"I think it was a Wednesday."

"Ginny Ji, you are so impossible."

"But really, the exact hour of the day doesn't matter. It's how the photograph speaks to you that's important."

"In other words you were drunk at the time and can't remember any of the details."

Ginny shook her head in mock frustration. "Why do I bother trying to explain art to a business major?"

"Because some day my corporate headquarters will need a dozen pictures of fuzzy people to fill up the walls."

A hand landed on Ginny's shoulder and she turned. "Dad."

Her father kissed Ginny on the cheek. "Your mother is taking a quick tour. Wonderful exhibition."

"Dad, this is my new roommate, Pamela. Pamela, my father."

"You must be proud."

"We are. I can't even take a picture of the lens cap."

Ginny's mother joined them and raised a half-empty champagne glass. "To Ginny. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Mom." They hugged.

Ginny introduced her mother to Pamela.

"Neither of you are Chinese."

Ginny's father laughed. "Nobody's perfect."

Pamela blushed. "I didn't mean to blurt but I just assumed...." She turned to Ginny. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I forgot."

Her mother finished her champagne. "Anyone else thirsty? No? I'll be back then."

Dad took Ginny's hand. "I still remember the first time we set eyes on Ji-Ji. I don't know who was crying harder, my little girl or the orphanage employee who put her in my arms."

"How could you not mention you were adopted?"

Ginny shrugged. "It never came up."

Pamela's eyes flashed. "Artists."

"You have to forgive my daughter. She sometimes talks best through her photography."

Pamela glanced at her watch. "Yikes! I gotta go."

"It was nice to meet you."

"You too." She turned to Ginny. "I'll talk to you later. And good luck with the reception."

Ginny's father waited until Pamela was out of earshot. "She seems like a nice girl."

"Pamela's a hundred times less intrusive than Alicia. I was so relieved when Miss Nosy Parker decided to drop out."

"Are you happy with the exhibition?"

Ginny clapped her hands together. "Oh yes. I never dreamed I'd have my own showing in a gallery, not until I'd amassed a larger body of work and paid my dues. Of course my advisor is part-owner—but still."

"You're very talented."

"Thanks, Dad. Let me just remind you that you said the same thing when I glued colored macaroni to your favorite shoes."

"It was true then, too."

Ginny laughed. "I really should be circulating."

"You do that. Your mother and I will be just fine, basking in your glory while forcing down the free food and drink."

"Thanks for coming."

"It was either that or mow the lawn."

Ginny's father was examining Pamela's favorite photograph when his wife returned.

"Where's Ginny?"

"Circulating." He smiled. "The adoring masses were clamouring for her."

Mom sipped her champagne. "It really hits you when you see them all displayed like this."

"What does?"

"The figures. They're not even people after she blurs them. Every other detail in her photographs are crystal clear but the people have no distinguishing characteristics."

"That's art for you. It's also a great protection against lawsuits since Ginny probably doesn't walk around with releases for people to sign. And what if they refused? Scrap the perfect image? This way she doesn't have to worry about legalities."

"You're defending her again." She pointed at the signature. "Ginny Ji. She doesn't even use the family name."

"Would you be more comfortable if we left?"

"No. This is her big day."

"Just because she's growing up and becoming her own woman doesn't make her any less your daughter."

Her mother sniffed and finished the champagne. "Sometimes I forget that we actually adopted her. I forget that I didn't experience the pregnancy, the pain of delivery. All these other people in her life, they see her as separate from us. They pull her away."

"Ginny will never stop loving you."

"I still worry that her birth mother will come forward, that US or Chinese officials will find a fault in the paperwork, and they'll take her away saying we're sorry but there's been a terrible mistake. We never should have let you leave the country with her. We're sure you understand. We're sure you agree."

He cupped his wife's face in his hands. "You don't have to worry yourself. Ginny isn't going anywhere."

"She is. That's us there on the beach, watching the sun set, dreading the darkness. When Ginny slips off and disappears from our life."

"Maybe it's sunrise. The joy of a new beginning."

"Without us you mean." Ginny's mother shook her head. "I shouldn't have had all this champagne on an empty stomach. It's making me maudlin."

"This is a difficult time. Our little girl is spreading her wings and leaving the nest. That's the normal course of things which unfortunately doesn't make it any easier."

She nodded. "When Ginny was a little girl, people saw us and were surprised when she was Chinese. Now people see her and are surprised when we're not."

Ginny's father threw his arm around his wife. "You're a wonderful mother and everything that Ginny achieves will be in some measure because of you. I love you."

"I love you, too."

He gave her a gentle squeeze. "And Ginny loves you and always will."

"I hope so. It would kill me if she didn't."

"Excuse me?"

The couple stepped apart as a strange man came forward.

He held out a hand. "You must be Ginny's parents."

"Yes. We are."

Copyright © 2004 Stephen D. Rogers

About the Author
Over three hundred of Stephen's stories and poems have been selected to appear in more than a hundred publications. His website, http://www.stephendrogers.com, includes a list of new and upcoming titles as well as other timely information.