How Surreal

Note: Surrealist Rhea Hall explains to interviewers what gives her inspiration and even uncovers her uncanny ability to second guess people thoughts, objects and even stop electrical objects thanks to her magnetization.

“Blessed are the cracked, for they are the ones that let in all the Light.”—Unknown

Chapter 1—The Magnetic Rhea Hall

After having her recent masterpiece Flying Pigs showcased in the local gallery, she had been interviewed by a local newspaper. Many of them were impressed with her psychic abilities, and how well she could read them as well as their thoughts. Some of them decided to leave, since they didn’t want their private minds prodded by “some strange art lady”. Despite of those who were too close-minded to admit she could manipulate metal items and scramble technological items she continued to leave people stunned. Rhea had been married at one point and time, and her husband had passed away only recently thanks to the onset of pancreatic cancer. Of course, this had been a horrible shock to her and she did so much grieving during the first few months. To help her cope, she continued painting and put her husband’s beatific face in the background in each piece she completed. Only the very astute could see her husband Bill’s bearded personage as well as horn-rimmed glasses, grey eyes and commanding presence. Even in death, he was quite dramatic.

Chapter 2—Interview At the Gallery at the Courthouse

Rhea was welcome to interviews as well as talking about the inspirations for her former best selling and highly recommended paintings. Her works were often featured in some rather opulent homes in Beverly Hills.

“So, what do you think makes potential buyers so interested in your works, Miss Hall ?”, the interviewer asked over camera.

“If you must ask, Cameron, I believe they enjoy my humorist view on everyday objects in life, or my love of fantastical creatures. It isn’t often you find people who paint gargoyles, basilisks and the like.”, Rhea answered.

“When did you think you received the ‘gift’ of painting ?”, Cameron asked.

“It was when I was rather young. My mother, Linda, also painted, and I wanted to be just like her. She was a classical Impressionist, however. I enjoyed Impressionism, but it simply wasn’t for me. I wanted to let my imagination run wild on that blank canvas. Fortunately, since the time I was 8, it has never stopped.”, Rhea answered, with a chuckle. Cameron became more and more intrigued by Rhea’s sparkling personality as well as her optimism as he came to know her more. Coincidentally, she reminded him of his grandmother who was a fountain of information. Just like his beloved grandmother, Rhea was a detailed story-teller. She could wrap anyone in an opulent yarn, spun with glorious gold threads of humor, colloquialisms and that lulling voice of hers. Cameron had to remember where he was before he became awash in the delightful stories she was telling about her past and her fascinating present life.

“I hate to cut this short but the other media personnel are getting ready to leave. I have one more question before I go. Is there anything you wish to tell aspiring artists ?”, Cameron said, hating to have to leave his new friend.

“Of course there is, Cameron. Never give up, always follow your heart, aspire to your dreams and eventually they will come true.”, Rhea answered, in her usual tender tone. Cameron thanked her for her time as well as her friendship. She patted his arm, which was an unusual gesture, but neither one of them thought anything of it. She gave him her business card in good faith, just in case he needed someone to talk to. Touched by the gift, he carried the card in his pocket as if it were 24 karat gold.

Chapter 3—A Little Help from Cameron

As soon as the art afficionados left the gallery and Rhea began packing up her work to take it back home, she felt the slight chill of being alone. From time to time, this chill would creep up on her, but she knew she could never completely be alone in the true sense of what that word since Bill was watching over her. She could sense his presence with her even smell the Cuban cigars lingering in the air. As she packed her supplies up in her van, she received a call on her cell phone.

“I wonder who that could be.”, she thought until she saw the caller ID. The readout said, “Cameron Teasdale”.

“That must be that marvelous young man I met earlier.”, she thought to herself as she flipped it open and it turned on to receive his call.

“Hello, Ms. Hall ?”, came the tenor voice from a busy street somewhere.

“Yes, what is it, Mr. Teasdale ?”, Rhea responded, warmly.

“How did you know my last name ?”, Cameron said, impressed.

“I have caller ID. Wouldn’t it be funny if I had stated a little about my psychic ability instead of telling you that ?”, Rhea said, laughing.

“Yeah, but I already know that. It’s a power you are developing.”, Cameron recalled, with a light-hearted chuckle.

“What did you call me about ?”, Rhea questioned after the pause in conversation.

“I was wondering if I could look at the rest of your works at your house. I’ll help you get the ones you had in the Courthouse back into your home, if you’d like.”, Cameron offered. Rhea was a rather strong lady, but she thought it would be so much easier with Cameron’s assistance.

“Of course, and I’ll cook you dinner afterwards. I make a mean pizza casserole.”, Rhea offered, graciously.

“My dear friend, you’ve got yourself a deal.”, Cameron said, excitedly. As soon as he was able to get directions to her house, he helped her unload her supplies, artistic implements and tools. It took quite some time to get the cumbersome objects back into her basement, but after they were set up and put back into their original place, Rhea hadn’t lost a beat and wasn’t even out of breath. Immediately, she started cooking and Cameron took a breather on her couch in the living room.

Chapter 4—Just an Ordinary Joe

Cameron watched the news like any normal guy, and often watched it with gusto. He had been involved with the media biz as long as he could remember and found it enjoyable and fantastic. Seeing someone else covering his story on the air was a real thrill, even though they seemed to take credit for it. Not hearing her own voice or seeing herself on TV, Rhea acted like it was a typical news program and immediately prepared pizza casserole. Cameron couldn’t take it. The smell was so rich and decadent that he nearly drooled over the mixture of mozzarella, pepperoni, hamburger and Prego sauce. He read one of Rhea’s art magazines as he waited, and saw she had quite a collection of odds and ends when it came to magazines in general. She read National Geographic, Scientific American, Sky and Telescope, Angel Magazine, and Consumer Reports to name a few. Before Cameron knew it, the casserole was ready and she had set his meal out on the beautiful mahogany table she had. Even that was a work of art in and of itself.

The new friends sat down to chat for a bit and enjoyed some Pepsi to help wash down the casserole. Every bite of the casserole was light, fluffy, crunchy and scintillating to the palate. If Cameron hadn’t known any better, he would’ve considered the casserole art and never eaten it. But, being the fan of Italian food he was, he couldn’t turn a good meal down. And what made it even more heavenly is the fact that Rhea had made cheesecake for dessert. Cameron almost couldn’t eat it, let alone the feast that had been put in front of him. Not wanting to be rude, he took a small sliver of it and devoured it as if he were a starving orphan.

“You really didn’t have to pay me back, Rhea.”, Cameron stated, overwhelmed by her generosity.

“Oh, but I do, young man. No one’s ever taken time out of their busy schedule to help me. Usually, I put all the supplies back by myself. This time it wasn’t so bad, but if I have an exhibit or art show to go to, oy…”, Rhea complained somewhat. He could understand that it took a lot of time out of her schedule, but she had always put so much into everything that she did. She didn’t skimp out on details, no matter what the gig was. He admired her for that, and was surprised she still had enough energy to have other hobbies outside of painting.

“Here, have some cheesecake. My treat.”, Rhea said, placing the homemade cheesecake in front of him. It was traditional Italian fromaggio with raspberry dressing on top, not that store-bought crud that didn’t taste normal or natural.

“I couldn’t possibly eat this, but it would be rude to pass up something so decadent.”, Cameron said, as he began to eat the cake slowly. He had to leave half of the delicious cake behind, and felt slightly guilty because of it.

“Don’t worry, that won’t go to waste. I’ll finish it.”, Rhea stated, pleasantly as she made quick work of what was left. She quickly put the dishes in the dish washer and sat back down with her new friend. They had laughed most of the night away and Cameron suddenly realized how late it was becoming. He had to excuse himself quickly, but he added something before he left.

“Ms. Hall, since it seems that we get along so swimmingly, I was thinking perhaps we should make this a habit.”, Cameron said, in a chipper tone. Rhea thought the plan was a stupendous one, and took him up on his offer without even thinking about it. With that said, the two shook hands and said goodbye and goodnight for the evening.

Chapter 5—Unlikely Friends

Every Thursday night, the friends would gather and watch Eli Stone and enjoy some ice-cream together. They would laugh late into the night, talk about surrealists, especially Magritte, and what projects Rhea had planned for the future.

“Don’t you have any girlfriends, Cameron ? Seriously, why do you hang out with an old crone like me ? People might get the wrong idea.”, Rhea asked, starting to laugh heartily as she savored an ice-cold glass of fresh lemonade.

“I do have a girlfriend, in fact, she is more than that. We are to be married in the coming year, and you are invited.”, Cameron said, blissfully.

“You had mentioned Sally before, I remember. I didn’t know you were getting married.”, Rhea said, effervescently.

“With my schedule, it’s hard to know which way is up most of the time, but thankfully, she and I are doing our best to make it work.”, Cameron said, with optimism in his voice.

“I think you two will make it. I’ve seen how stunning she is. She is the light in your life, I can tell.”, Rhea said, patting her friend’s hand. It was reassuring to him to hear those words. Rhea had become like a second mother to him through all of his triumphs and failures, and in the future, she would become godmother to any children Cameron and Sally might have together.

Epilogue

The wedding came at a break-neck pace, but it had been as splendid as everyone had originally thought. Cameron had forgotten some of his vows when he took Sally’s hand, but he had been terribly nervous. She understood too, because she had been sweating profusely from every pore and giggling nonstop. Despite this, everything went well and the reception was outstanding.

Rhea hadn’t been dancing since her days with Bill, but she had gotten a chance to dance with her friend Cameron. She could still dance marvelously, so elegant on the floor and delicate in her movements. Strangely, she saw Bill’s face within Cameron’s for a moment.

“I know you still love me.”, she thought to herself with a tender smile. Cameron could only muse what she was thinking about, but he was happy that she was so cheerful once again. He hoped that many more moments of joy could come into her life as long as she lived and had a feeling that somehow that wouldn’t be so difficult now that she was considered a second mother to him. He felt fulfilled in that regard and knew that where he ended, she began and vice versa and honestly, that was all that was truly important in his lifetime and the only thing he needed to know.

The End