The Artist and the Actor – 11

 

Shane was restless as Saturday afternoon eased into evening. He needed something to keep him busy but was damned if he'd go to a movie, or spend a few hours hanging out at a bar. If he did the latter, he'd either drink too much and become depressed, or if it was that kind of bar and he over-indulged, he might try to pick up some guy, which he had no intention of doing. There was only one man he wanted and it hurt to know he couldn't have him.

 

He considered calling Colin, or casually dropping by his house, saying he'd been in the neighborhood and decided to see if he was home.

 

"Yeah, right. He'd hang up, or slam the door in my face."

 

Then, he had a thought. It wouldn't solve his problem, but it might give him some insight into how Colin was doing these days. Changing from his worn jeans and long-sleeved T-shirt into slacks and a decent dress-shirt, he checked to make certain he had his wallet and keys, and then took off to visit Colin's exhibition at the gallery. Because it was in LoDo, only a few blocks from the hotel, he walked.

 

There were several people there when Shane arrived. Buyers he hoped, for Colin's sake. As he wandered, he listened to the comments. They were almost universally positive about the majority of Colin's work. Eventually he got to the painting that had prompted one man, the previous evening, to imply he didn't like Colin's new style.

 

"I do," Shane said under his breath. It was definitely unlike anything of Colin's he seen before—and he'd seen his fair share of his ex's work, both tonight and when they'd lived together. He wondered what had prompted Colin to create it.

 

"The black sheep has returned," someone said from beside Shane.

 

Shane turned to look at the speaker. He was older, probably in his late fifties to early sixties. If he remembered correctly, his name was Thomas Michaelson, and he owned the gallery. "I suppose that's how Colin talks about me, now," Shane replied sourly.

 

"No, Shane. He's relatively circumspect in his comments when he mentions you, which is infrequently. I, on the other hand have several unflattering names for you, considering what you did to him."

 

"I'm sure he laid out all my…what's the word? Peccadilloes?" Shane shrugged. "Whatever you want to call them, Colin probably laid them out in detail as the reason we broke up."

 

"He did, right after it happened. Then you left town and it became a moot point.  Are you moving back?" Thomas asked, not looking the least bit happy at the idea.

 

"No. I'm with the company that's putting on a show at the Buell, starting next Friday. We'll be here for four weeks before we move on."

 

"Just as well, I suppose. He doesn't need any more stress right now."

 

Shane frowned. "Why is he stressed?"

 

Thomas shot him a look of disbelief. "You lived with him for how long and you don't know?"