“So glad you noticed.” Bethany joined Val. Her tone had a faint hint of surprise to it, making Val feel that maybe Bethany didn’t get too many people who understood her artistic expression. “Color says so much about a person, don’t you think, and how it’s used evokes our emotions. For example, yellow is such a happy color—bright and warm, but it also causes frustration and anger. Babies tend to cry more in yellow rooms.” Bethany pointed to the sparse yellow accents in the room, then shifted her finger towards the plum-colored ones. “Purple is connected to power, nobility, luxury, wisdom… spirituality. But use it too much and it can also cause frustration. Some actually say its overuse is a sign of arrogance.” Bethany smiled wryly as if she just told Val a joke.

“What’s the psychology of red?” Val asked, looking at the stabs of it in the room.

“Ah, red is considered the warmest yet most contradictory of the colors. In fact, this hue has more opposing emotional associations than any other. Strength and power, aggression and dominance. Passion and love. Danger. Everything from valentine hearts to stop signs are symbolized by red.” Bethany laughed. “Anyway—it’s all in the eye of the beholder. That’s my goal here. My home speaks, gives you what you wish from it.”

“All very interesting,” Val said.

“You said you see balance. I find that interesting.”

“How so?” Val asked.

“We all want to have our lives in balance, but few do what’s necessary to place themselves there. I don’t blame them. Chaos is easy but balance is a challenge. That’s because you have to have control to have balance. To gain control, Val, you compete with everything,” Bethany smiled politely, “and you must fight hard. So, in my opinion, balance is won. Come now, let’s join Mel and Gwen. The hors d’oeuvres are out.”

“Bethany, you’ll have to give me the name of your cook. If this all tastes half as good as it looks, I’m stealing this person!” Melinda had walked over to the buffet. With a dish in hand she choose a few items.

It did look great. Val eyed at the spread before them. Warm Brie, hard cheeses, baguette, mini quiche, assorted crudités, and prosciutto. Room for salmon after this?

Once everyone was satisfied with their choices, they took a seat in the living room. Bethany and Melinda back on the couch and Gwen and Val on oppositely placed chairs.

“You’re probably wondering why Beth and I decided to meet here today, privately.” Melinda scooped some olive tapenade onto a baguette round.

“That did cross our minds.” Val tried to sound friendly and not flippant. It was a loaded question because really, what could she say? By the smiles on everyone’s faces, they all accepted friendly.