Chapter 41: Coming This Fall...

Many people turned out for Emily's open house. Her downtown art studio sparkled with new paint, and several works of art were displayed throughout. People mingled, going in and out of the three different rooms and enjoying glasses of champagne.

Emily was a little surprised that her brother showed up rather than staying at home as was his custom most of the time. She was even more surprised to see him talking at length to her student Katie.

Katie came over to her later, saying, "Your brother is hot, like a skinny Italian Gucci model."

"I'm surprised he stays skinny considering how much junk food he eats," Emily said.

"He actually gave me his number," Katie announced, "Would it be weird if I called him?"

"No," Emily said, "though I warn you, he is weird, so some weirdness is inevitable."

It seemed a budding teenage romance was about to unfold. Her friend Pam arrived with Mike, who was now her fiancé. Emily took them on a tour of the displays.

"This is Katie's work. Isn't it amazi