by Linda S. Mills

Created on: May 01, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

For Ellie Palmer, each day begins and proceeds like any other; a perfectly ordered universe, knitted together by familiar routines. Breakfast comes first. Always scrambled eggs and rye toast with real butter. After her meal and a multivitamin, she feeds her pets, cleans up the kitchen and takes a leisurely shower.

Visitors are rare, since Ellie has long since determined that most people are an unnecessary burden, best left at the doorstep of a more willing companion. Her mother, a brother and a nosy first cousin drop by on occasion, mostly to appease their own misplaced guilt rather than to satisfy any desire of her own.

She does not need much to live on, since it is only herself, the dog Lucy and a couple of vagabond cats that stay outside most of the time. With the help of the Internet, a few mouse clicks and a credit card number, any required sustenance arrives at her doorstep. It is a convenience she could not live without.

Her working hours begin with, a brief phone conversation with her agent, Pen. "Just checking in, it's Ellie."

Pen, is always slightly amused at Ellie's awkward social graces. "After 15 years, don't you think I recognize your voice by now?

Ellie laughs at herself; she is getting a bit spacey at the ripe old age of 40. "Of course you do, I just can't seem to forget my good manners, don't mind me."

Pen is sipping some kind of drink through a straw and Ellie can hear the slurping sound. "I have fantastic news for you! Remember the weird stalker dude who kept showing up at the gallery? Well, this morning, he put a hold on all 5 of your acrylic waterscapes. He's coming back at 3 to finalize the purchase. Owns some kind of office building in lower Manhattan. Says they'll be soothing and tranquil for the stressed-out brokers who work there."

Ellie finds humor in the irony of this, since she had painted them during an extended stay at Saint Sebastian Hospital, when she was anything but tranquil. Most days she'd been so out of it, she could hardly remember how to hold her brush. But that was before she knew how to bring more control to her life.

After Pen's commission, Ellie will receive a handsome $5,000. Pen will know to transfer the funds right into her bank account. This had been agreed upon a long time ago and makes things easier for everyone. While Pen chatters on for a few more minutes, Ellie loses herself in the beautiful morning light, beaming through her studio windows.

The studio was originally intended as a TV or family room, but she

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