Heart Of Stone Read Free

what I want to do. I take the photos because they sell, and frankly I need the money. But the painting is what I want to do. I use my photos as my guides, rather than having to continuously pay the models. But when I sell the photos, I hope to make donations to the funds they are a part of, they need the help, especially now that we’re not really over anywhere, but everywhere you know?”
    “Mmm… I think I could get behind something like that.” She strummed her fingers on the table. “But you’re not there yet , and I’m not really taking on photographers right now.”
    Matthew blinked at her, the stunned look on his face apparent. “You kept me out there for three hours to tell me, no ?” The words dripped from his lips with a tremble of anger he could not hold back. “You could have let me leave with my pride intact.” He stood his fist balled, hands shaking. “Instead you give me hope, you ply me with complements. What kind of heartless bitch does something like that to another human being?”
    “Easy there, I’m the kind that can make or break you, everywhere. One call form me and no one will touch you. Like I said, I like your passion .” She scrawled something on a post- it note, tacking it to one of the photographs. “Be at this address, tomorrow night, after having seen a razor and a clean shirt for Christ’s sake. We’ll see just what you’re made of, shall we?”
    ***
    “So she just handed you this paper and said be there or be square? Is that the gist of it?” Janet took a hit off her hand held water bong, holding the smoke before coughing hard with a laugh. “From the looks of ya, I’d say she was smokin’ hot too.”
    “I don’t’ know that I’m going to go.” Matthew sat on the couch slumped down, taking the bong from her, he leaned forward, taking the lighter to the bowl. Pepper the puppy nuzzled up next to him sound asleep.
    “Why the hell not? Woman invited you to schmooze with some of the big boys. It’s an actual shot.”
    “Yeah but at what price?” Matthew coughed. “Besides what the hell am I gonna wear?”
    “Ah, see there I can help. Raj!” She screamed through the apartment. A few moments later their front door swung open and a minuscule thin man entered. His hair shone like onyx, with bangs parted just off center to cover one of his large almond shaped black eyes. His skin was a tawny sort of auburn, accentuated by the vast amount of silver and gold jewelry he loved to wear in excess. “Yes, my lovely girl!” He squealed with zeal. “What can I do for my favorite neighbor?” He closed the door behind him, padding over to them, waving away the smoke, and plopped down to the cushion on the hardwood floor.
    “We need your help.”
    “You’re finally going to let me give you highlights?” He bounced in his seat.
    “No.” Janet deadpanned. “Not me, Matty boy here. He’s got a meet up with the Village crowd, tomorrow night.”
    “Ooh, my people!” Raj shook out his hair. “We can do something I’m sure.”
    “No Raj. Think Donnella Stone… Literally, she actually extended the invite.”
    “O-M-G! You met her ? What? Get out! I don’t believe you, you’re having a fun with old Raj. Trying to get an old Queen worked up.”
    “Seriously, Raj. I’m hopeless.” Matthew took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
    “Not hopeless. We just have to take you shopping for a few things.”
    “I’m flat broke. I got like twenty bucks till the first, when I get paid again.”
    “I’ll float ya.” Raj smiled. “Can’t have my starving artist actually starving. C’mon we’ll go over to the Palisades. Pick you up a few things. I’ll even drive, since you two stoners are well, too well stoned.” He laughed.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
    3
     
    Donnella sat the lounge of the Hotel Wyatt-Arms, her father having bought it almost thirty years prior, it was one of the few places