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It was a dream come true.
I wish Jane was here with me right now. I wish I had picked her up for this. To show up with me. I wish—
“There he is, the man of the hour!” Freddie’s boisterous voice echoes in the room, interrupting my thoughts and I reach out a hand to grasp his.
“Man, this is… something else.” I take another look around and Freddie gestures for me to follow him.
We walk and look at all the pieces.
“I’ve got a good feeling about tonight. All the big donors are coming and this style…” He holds his hands out. “It’s prime Colorado art. They’re going to love it.”
It doesn’t take long for the gallery to fill up and I spend the night talking to each and every one of them.
My parents show up and I excuse myself from the nice couple I was talking to. My mom looks at me in wonder, her hands out to her sides and she gestures around her. “Warren! Just look at all of this!”
I smile. “Thanks, Mom.” I nod at Dad and shake his hand.
“Good work, son.”
“Couldn’t have done it without you, Dad,” I reply and think I shock the man speechless; he just gives me a nod and smiles.
I take them around the gallery, and when we stop at the one of my mom, she cries when she sees it.
I wrap an arm around her shoulders and squeeze.
“That’s…” Dad shakes his head, his eyes light. “Amazing.”
“Thanks,” I say, my voice low and shy. I leave them to it, just so they can get the effect together without my presence.
I’d planned to give my mother that one once the display comes down in a few months. All of this wouldn’t have been possible without my parents, without their love and support. And even though my father and I haven’t always seen eye to eye, he’s clearly seen my perseverance and seen how hard I’ve worked to make this dream of mine come true.
Similar to what he did with his construction business. He tried and tried, he worked his tail off and it paid off for him. He should be proud of what he’s done with his life, just like I hoped I would be proud of my own.
As people start to filter in, I smile politely and patiently explain pieces to anyone who asks, my eyes can’t help but dart to the door every few minutes, just hoping for Jane to make her entrance.
My friends finally show up and they are by far the loudest group of all, people turn to look at the ruckus at the main doors when they all enter.
“Holy shit!” Derek exclaims, looking around him. “Where’s mine?”
I laugh off his mock offense and slug him in the shoulder. “Maybe next time.”
“Warren!” April hugs me and says. “This is amazing, congratulations!”
I accept congratulations from everyone else and glance toward the door, again, disappointment coursing through me. There’s only another hour left and still no Jane.
Maybe I really did fuck it up.
April comes up next to me and gives me a sympathetic smile. “Have you two talked?”
I purse my lips and shove my hands into my pockets. “Not really.”
She puts a comforting hand on my forearm and leans in slightly. “She’s been going through a lot, just… give her time.”
I frown. “What is she—”
“Warren.” I turn to see Graham striding forward, Quinn and her little girl, Alex, behind him and CT bringing up the rear.
I stare in shock and take his offered hand. “I didn’t know you were coming. That’s a long-ass drive, man.”
