Cassandra Rees

Up in the Hollywood Hills

CLARA 1 pm My back is killing me. I’ve been sitting in this chair for at least five hours now. I scoop up a thick glob of Naples Yellow oil paint with my palette knife and add one last final detail to a sunflower petal. I stretch my arms out wide and turn off my murder mystery podcast. Pleased with myself to have finally finished this painting, I head to the fridge to refill my mason jar with cold filtered water. Gypsy follows and takes a seat on the cool kitchen tiles. “It’s a hot one today, ” I tell my dog. His ears are perked and he’s ready to catch any crumbs. Disappointment takes over his sweet little face as he watches me chug my water. “We’ll have a snack later, Gypsy.” I think we’re both in need of a good long hike.