Page 51 of Something Like Forever

“What do you think of thebeer?” Marcello asked sweetly.

“You probably wish I wason my third already.”

“Not really,” Marcellosaid. “I’m confident that we’ll reach the same conclusion, onceyou’ve been presented with all the facts. Before we get too deep,we’ll first address your concerns.”

Hell yeah they would! “Ihave my own gallery to run.”

“One that, thanks to yourdiligence, is a well-oiled machine. I’m sure we can find someonecompetent to take the reins during your absence.”

“How long would thatbe?”

“Difficult to say,”Marcello replied. “You know, I must apologize. Kristallweizen isnormally served with a slice of lemon, although I prefer lime.Would you care for either?”

“If you were forced toguess,” Tim said, refusing to be sidetracked. “Howlong?”

“A month at the veryleast. I really do insist on a citrus slice of some variety. You’llbe surprised what a difference it makes.” Marcello rose and went tothe wet bar on the other side of the room.

He was giving Tim time tothink, but he didn’t need much. “Sorry,” he said when Marcello hadreturned. “I can’t. If this had happened earlier in the year, Iwould have taken Ben with me and had an awesome adventure. I can’tpull him out of school.”

Marcello smiled. “That does sound adorable.Like he’s your little boy. Do you have any photos of him when hewas young? I bet he couldn’t leave the house without his cheeksbeing pinched.”

“I mean it,” Timsaid.

“At least try a sip withthe lemon.”

“Marcello!” he pleaded,but it was hopeless. He indulged in another swig. The beer reallywas delicious. Even though Tim was more careful about how much hedrank these days, it took more than a few sips to make him sway,literally or figuratively. “I can’t.”

“You can,” Marcello said.“All that remains to be seen is if you will. Are you certain thatBen can’t delay his educational pursuits for onesemester?”

“He’s already a monthdeep, and it was hard enough to convince him to go back to schoolat all.”

“Still, at least he wouldbe occupied. Young Jason continues to settle into his new life, Itrust?”

Tim nodded. “He’s doingreally good. Entire days go by without us hearing fromhim.”

“A healthy sign if everthere was one,” Marcello said, eyes steadily boring into Tim’sown.

He nearly gave up then andthere, just to save time. “Tell you what, I’ll sit down withsomeone you trust. Someone like Nathaniel. I’ll tell themeverything that I would do and what to look for. Hell, they canshadow me at the gallery for as long as they need. I’m staying herethough.”

“Allow me to show yousomething,” Marcello said, setting aside his glass and reaching fora tablet. He didn’t have to navigate long before handing it to Tim.Knowing him, the device had been primed and ready to go. “Pressplay.”

Tim did so, confused at first by what hesaw. The video revealed a crowded gallery. The attendees wereprimarily Japanese, although they weren’t evenly distributedthroughout the room. Two pieces of art were getting the mostattention, clusters of people jostling for a better position fromwhich to see. “What is this?”

“A temporary exhibition toshowcase what has been produced by the new selfie studio. Not justphotography, but pieces created by artists who were given a spaceto work in. And do you see what has become, without anyexaggeration, an overnight sensation?”

Tim looked closer, pausingthe video just as three people were moving away. Then he looked upin disbelief. “That’s one of mine.”

“Indeed it is. So is theother, although you’ll have to take my word for it, since thecrowds never seem to part long enough to see itclearly.”

“But my paintings weren’tcreated in that studio.”

“They were made in theAmerican equivalent. Your work stole the show! I’ve managed to keepthe wolves from the door, but you’re in a number of publicationsnow.” Marcello gestured to the table, where Japanese newspapers andmagazines sat in a small stack.

“Not all of those,” Timsaid.

“Each and every one. Thisis just the beginning. But only if you make this trip.”

Tim stared. Then he shook his head. “No way.No amount of fame or money is going to tear me away from Benjamin.Not even for a month.”