“There’s normally a lot of mingling going on, but it’s up to you. If you want to just hang out and do some people watching, over by the door to the back room or near the counter is good.” Her eyebrows rose. “I’ll be back.” She hurried past him with a worried look toward a group of loud twentysomethings.
Leo looked toward the door to the back room. Several people were gathered there, one of them gesturing at a large glass sculpture. A spot near the counter was currently open, so he strolled over to it and stood with his back to the display case of delicate jewelry. It was a good place to see what was going on, but he didn’t need to wait long before Aud slipped out of a door on the east wall.
For a second, Aud stared in his direction and graced him with a huge smile. Then Aud cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I can have your attention, please. I know you have all come to see some of the finest art produced in the Front Range in years. Your wait is over. I give you Concinta.” He clapped and stood aside from the door as it opened and a tall, elegant woman with long black hair walked out.
“Thank you.” She smiled as the applause died down. “I’m so honored that you have all come out to see my latest work. I despise giving long speeches at these things so if Aud is ready, I think it’s time to let you all see what you’ve come here to experience.”
Aud did something to the wall, and Leo realized it was on a track. It folded up as Aud pushed on it. In the room behind the quickly disappearing wall, bright lights illuminated large paintings of stylized Southwest street scenes with adobe buildings and almost cartoon-looking vehicles. Everything was bright and cheerful. There were pedestals with smaller pieces on stands and even a couple of mobiles and decorative chimes hanging from the ceiling.
More applause rose up from the gathered gallery goers before they moved forth in a wave, flooding the room.
Aud smiled and said something to Concinta before he walked toward Leo, who was staying close to the counter, feeling safer as the art enthusiasts hurried past him.
“I’m glad you made it.” Aud hugged Leo and gave him a quick kiss.
“Thanks for inviting me.” It was all Leo could say.
“What do you think so far?” Aud took Leo’s hand and followed the crowd into the newly exposed gallery.
“I wasn’t expecting so many people,” Leo admitted. “Are these things always this busy?”
“Concinta has a wide popularity and a huge fan base. It makes for a great opening.” Aud stopped near a large painting of a mission with a bright yellow Volkswagen Beetle driving past it. “Some of these paintings are the best she’s ever done.”
“Are you trying to flatter me while my back is turned?” Concinta appeared beside Aud.
“Nothing I haven’t told you as you were getting set up.” Aud pulled Leo around so he faced the woman. “Concinta, I’d like to introduce you to Leo. He’s new to the world of art.”
She beamed at the two of them. “Then you’ve picked a great event to get your feet wet. Aud sets up a wonderful opening. He’s always the talk of the artist community for his galas.”
Aud chuckled. “Now who’s flattering?”
“Concinta, tell us something about this piece,” said a stately man in a gray suit that matched his hair. The woman on his arm was easily half his age. She didn’t say anything but stood there with a spaced-out smile on her face.
“This is actually one of the more controversial pieces I’ve done recently.” The artist gestured to the painting. “You’ll notice that the mission is actually a bit darker than how I normally depict them. It reflects some of the changes I’ve seen happening in the church of late. The yellow car is fleeing from the darkness, like so many open-minded people are doing right now. I decided a Beetle was the perfect car to use, since the Germans are more about thought than superstition. At least in my opinion.”
“That’s very deep.” The man patted the woman’s arm. “Don’t you think so, my dear?
“Yeah.” She never quite focused on the painting. “Deep.”
Rolling his eyes, Leo looked at Aud with a slight plea to escape them.
Aud smiled at him. “Concinta, we’re going to look at some of the other pieces. If you need anything, please let Heather or me know.”
She nodded but was already engaging another fan.
Leo let Aud steer him toward one of the pieces on a nearby pedestal.
Aud leaned in close to Leo’s ear. “Sorry about that,” he whispered. “We get all kinds in here. The old man, I think he finds a different ornament every couple of weeks. He’s got more money than most of the others in here, so they just flock to him.”
“Are they all like that?” Leo looked at the painting in front of them without really seeing it.
“No, this one must really not want to be here.” Aud kissed Leo’s cheek. “I hope you’re not feeling that way.”