quietly knowing he was thinking and would talk to her when he was ready.
“You would be doing me a great service if you will agree to go to that auction and buy what you think we can handle.”
“Wow!” Liisa exclaimed, sitting up straight. “Are you sure I’m ready for a job like that? I learned a lot in University and you’ve taught me even more practical knowledge, but I don’t feel confident to take the responsibility. Suppose I make a mistake in what is authentic? Do you really think I’m ready?”
“You certainly are qualified, in addition you would be doing me a great favor to go and represent my gallery.”
Liisa knew that Arnold was highly respected as an honest art dealer. He had been in business over fifty years and was well known. She then remembered his chest pains. This might be his way of asking for my help without sacrificing his pride. Oh, should I tell him of my memory problem? No, not yet.
“Arnold, you don’t have to ask twice. If you feel I can do well, and it would help you, I’d love to try. Anything for you,” she finished with a grin.
“All right!” he said with a satisfied smile. “Keep an account of your expenses, including gas, and I’ll cover them.”
“Expenses? For a day’s trip to Danbury? Don’t be silly.”
“Maybe four days,” Arnold mumbled. Then straightening and squaring his shoulders, he said, “The auction is Thursday of next week I want you to go on Tuesday afternoon and scout around Tuesday and Wednesday. Find out what is being offered for sale and who else might be interested. Be careful of people who give the impression that they’re bidding when they’re just trying to drive up the price. You might find single items at other private properties. If you find items to buy, you might have to stay over Friday to make sure they’re packaged correctly and prepared for shipping to us.”
Liisa listened to his rapid speech and then slowly stood up. She started slowly out of the office and then turned to look astonished at Arnold. “This is the first time I have left you. Who’s going to help you here?”
“Martha Lawson used to work for me before you came. She left to start a family. Her baby is two and she needs some part-time work. She’s willing to fill in for a few days. Take your time in Danbury and be observant.”
“Okay. If that’s what you want.”
“That’s what I want. Martha will come in Monday to work with you and get reacquainted. Go home and pamper yourself over the weekend. The trip will be more tiring than you think.”
“Fine. I need to decide what clothing to pack, get traveler’s checks, and attend to all the little important nonessential things ladies do before a trip,” she said with a chuckle.
The weekend went quickly. Church in the morning and then Liisa had dinner Sunday night with Ben, Ellen, Paul and Ronald. After dinner she went into the living room with the family. She played the piano while Paul played the violin and the family sang old favorites. Liisa knew she should be thankful that she was basically healthy, but it still bothered her that she couldn’t remember making the second trip to Norway.
Later Paul and Liisa were alone in the kitchen. Paul hesitated to bring up an unpleasant subject. “Liisa, have you remembered any little thing?”
“No, Paul, I haven’t remembered. How could I possibly have gone off for all that time and not kept in touch with any of you?”
Paul looked sadly at her. “Honey, you did write to me practically every other day. I did wonder why you were so general in your letters and didn’t write as you had in the past. I never suspected anything like this was wrong.”
“I wrote to you?” she was astonished. “Paul, I don’t know what to say. I don’t even remember writing to you.”
“Don’t worry about it now, darling. It will sort itself out in time. Please, I don’t want anything else to make you unhappy. I would give anything I have to make your life sweet and free of burdens.”
“Oh, Paul, you’ve always been so good to me. I know you’re just as unhappy as I am. Uncle Ben says that, in time, I will remember when my mind is at peace and tells me that there is nothing to fear.”
I know. I’m so sorry that I brought the subject up, but I am concerned and I -”
“You what, Paul?”
“Nothing. Forget it. It’s time for you to start home. Tomorrow is a working day and you need your rest.”
“Just one working day. I’m going in Arnold’s place to an estate auction in Danbury on Tuesday. I’ll be back on Friday or Saturday at the latest.”
“Take warm clothing. We’re promised a snow this week even though it has been unusually warm for December. I uh -”
“I’ll dress warmly. I’m getting excited thinking about the responsibility Arnold has given me. I’ll also be able to do some Christmas shopping while I’m away.”
“Just take good care of yourself. I uh -”
“Paul,” she laughed, “you can’t seem to finish sentences.” “Yeah. Some lawyer I am.”
He put his arm around her and walked with her to the hall closet to get her coat. Ben and Ellen met them to give Liisa a hug. “Call me when you get to Danbury. I don’t feel comfortable with you going there at this time,” Ellen sniffed.
“Cool it everyone. Liisa’s an adult and is an intelligent one at that. I have faith in her,” Ben smiled and gave her an extra big hug. “Do keep in touch though.”
On the way home, it suddenly dawned on Liisa. Paul called me darling. Aw, I’m sure he didn’t mean anything by it.
The GALLERY - Art & Antiques, opened at nine, but Liisa was too excited to wait. She arrived at eight-thirty, surprised to find Arnold already at work.
“My goodness, man. Do you live here? Don’t you ever get away and rest? How many hours a day do you put in?” Liisa teased Arnold.
I don’t require much sleep and I hate to just lie in bed. If I wake early, which I often do, I just come on in. What are you doing here so early?”
“Excitement. I’m too excited, restless and fearful to stay still.”
“Fearful? What are you afraid of?”
I guess I’m suffering paranoia.” she laughed. “It’s my insecurity. I’m so afraid of letting you down and not doing a good job for you at the estate auction.”
“Oh, for Pete’s sake. You are as qualified as anyone I know. Stop that crazy thinking right this minute. Please don’t tell me you want to back out.” He was agitated.
“No! I’m not backing out, but it doesn’t keep me from being nervous about the job. I know I haven’t had a lot of experience and I don’t want to cause you to lose money over a decision that I make.”
“Liisa, Liisa, honey, do you think for one minute that I would send you if I didn’t have all the confidence in the world in you? I don’t think you can walk on water - yet, but I do think - no I know that you’ll do a splendid job.”
“Forgive me, Arnold and forget that we had this conversation. I’m just spouting off to relieve my own tensions. I’ll be fine. Don’t pay any attention to me.”
“Okay. That’s fine with me. Now, Martha will be here around nine-thirty. You can fill her in and tell her of any obligations we have such as wrapping and mailing packages. Be sure price tags are on the more expensive items. I’ll remind her to check with me before she sells anything or accepts checks. You’ll like Martha. She’s a go getter.”
Liisa dusted and checked stock while she waited. A customer came in and looked around. A few people stopped outside the GALLERY and looked at the paintings on the outside wall in the hallway.
Liisa