“Hispanic. Concinta Muniz. Beyond that, I don’t know exactly which country she’s from.”
“I know I hear some unusual names when I’m on the phone,” Leo replied. “I actually find it interesting nowadays how folks are throwing out traditional naming parameters and just making stuff up, or at least that’s what it sounds like. I actually talked to a gal the other day whose name was Raisin Dejonia Right.”
Aud blinked. “Okay, that’s odd. I wonder where her mother came up with that name.”
Leo laughed. It was a light cheerful sound that made Aud feel better. I wish he was here so I could kiss him.
“I asked her. She said her mother was craving raisins and Dijon mustard while she was pregnant and decided to name her daughter that.”
Aud joined in Leo’s laugh. “I guess she should be lucky it wasn’t beer and pickles or something like that.”
“Exactly.”
They dissolved into a simple conversation about whatever came to mind. Aud’s phone beeped a low-battery warning nearly two hours later.
“Hey, Leo, my phone’s beeping at me. It’s about to run out of juice.” His throat tightened. He didn’t want the call to end.
“I had to plug mine in, but I’m getting a bit of a stiff neck. It’s been great talking to you.”
“Yeah, definitely. So I’ll see you Friday night?”
“Sure. It sounds like fun. But you still have to let me pick a place and pay for dinner.”
“How about Sunday again?”
“That’ll work. We can figure out the time and such on Friday.”
A giddy feeling filled Aud. He’d just managed to schedule two more dates with Leo. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Yes it does.” A soft yawn carried through their connection. Leo chuckled. “Okay. I was doing fine until we started talking about getting off here. Now I’m sleepy.”
“Then you go get some sleep. It was great talking to you tonight.”
“Awesome is more like it. Thanks for inviting me to the opening. It’s going to be fun.”
“Yes, it will. Good night, then?”
“Good night.”
Aud grinned like a fool as he tapped the End button and the phone went dark. He put his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling. How long has it been since I’ve been on the phone that long with anyone except my mother? Even just talking with Leo is wonderful. I only hope he’s not too bored on Friday night.
11
LEO PAUSED as he stepped onto the sidewalk. He’d had to park three blocks down from Bright Thoughts Gallery. Colorado Avenue was packed with cars and even the couple of off-street parking lots in the area were crowded. This can’t all be for the opening, can it? Maybe one of the bars in the area is overly busy. He straightened his dark green button-up shirt in the reflection of a candy store window. Across the street, music blared out of the bar on the corner. A few people lingered there, but it didn’t appear to be enough to account for all the cars.
He walked toward the gallery, his brain clicking through the worry that had engulfed him all week since Aud had invited him to the opening. Aud’s a really awesome guy, but things like this make me think he’s beyond me. I’ve never dated anyone who ate at fancy restaurants and held art gallery openings. I’m a simple guy who works in a call center.
The inside of the gallery was packed. Leo opened the door and paused again. For a moment the urge to turn and walk away hit him, but he didn’t want to disappoint Aud. Squaring his shoulders, he forced himself to walk across the threshold and into the crowd.
Unlike the bar nearby, the music in the gallery was soft and classical, barely audible over the tide of gentle conversation. The diversity of the crowd surprised Leo. There were young hipsters mingling with older folks whose wealth showed in subtle ways, like gold rings and expensive watches that were a contrast to their jeans or slacks. The youthful members of the crowd were louder than the mature ones. In one corner, several were talking loudly about a statue of a naked woman.
“Leo,” Heather, Aud’s assistant, called to him.
He looked in her direction.
She smiled at him as she waded through the crowd. “Glad you could make it. I know Aud will be happy you’re here.”
Seeing a familiar face helped him relax a bit. “Where is he? Or is he busy doing art stuff?”
“Art stuff.” She chuckled. “I’ll have to remember that one. Yeah, he’s back with the artist right now. But they’re about ready for the big reveal; then things will relax a bit and he’ll be yours until sales start.”
Leo glanced around, trying to figure out where he should wait. “So what should I do?”