#Chapter 75: A Way Out

Iris I’m staring at my phone in disbelief, reading the email for the third time to make sure I’m not hallucinating. “We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected for the Abbott Gallery residency. Your work demonstrated exceptional promise and artistic vision…” My fingers tremble as I scroll through the details. A months-long residency. A stipend that would cover all of my basic expenses and then some. A fully furnished apartment on the premises where I can live and work. It’s everything I’ve been working toward these past weeks. It’s a step forward in my career, a chance for yet another fresh start, a way out of Arthur’s apartment. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time. I set the phone down on the kitchen counter and close my eyes, trying to think. After last night’s explosive argument with Arthur, the residency would be the perfect escape. A legitimate reason to leave this apartment without it seeming like I’m running away. But