“Mind if I join you?” the man asked. He had never seen the man before.
“Sure,” William replied.
“Ted,” the man said introducing himself.
“William,” he replied.
“First time for you?” Ted asked him.
“At a gallery?” William responded. “Yes.”
“My wife does this stuff every summer,” Ted confided. “I come to these types of
events and she lets me go fishing and golfing.”
“Ah, that must be nice,” William replied. He wasn't sure if he should ask follow up
questions or even what follow-up questions he could ask.
“It is,” Ted said. “Are you a supporter or work at the gallery?”
“Neither,” William responded. “My girlfriend is the artist.”
“Ah,” Ted replied. “My wife was the one who suggested her for the spot. She was our
granddaughter's art teacher last year.”
“Well, tell her I said thank you,” William said. “Casey is thankful for the
opportunity.”
“Dad!” Sam ran up and gave William a hug, interrupting the conversation.
Sasha and Emily followed behind. Sasha seemed awestruck at the paintings on the
wall.
“William,” his ex-wife said, taking off her sunglasses and placing them in her
purse. “You clean up nice.”
“I do try sometimes,” William responded. “Emily, this is Ted.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand.
“Thanks for coming,” William told her.
“Well, come on,” Emily said. “Show me your girlfriend's artwork.”