Although he nodded, George wasn’t sure he really didknow. Or that he was the kind of guy to give anyone advice on their love life. That was a joke.
“So there’s this girl. Maybe you know her. Marissa Thompson.”
“Sure, I know Marissa. She seems like a very nice girl.”
Collin’s face lit up. “Yeah, I think so too. Anyway, Nana suggested I invite her to the gallery show tonight. So I did.” His smile faded. “But she said she was busy.”
“Maybe shewasbusy.”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you ask her last minute?”
“Yeah. After school today.”
“Then you need to give her another chance,” George told him.
“But what if she turns me down again?”
“I guess that’s life.” George glanced at the kitchen clock, surprised to see that it was nearly nine. “But what if she doesn’t turn you down? What if she truly was busy tonight and was disappointed that she couldn’t spend time with you? And Marissa strikes me as a shy and rather serious sort of girl. Not the kind who would reach out to you. I think it’s up to you to give her a second chance, Collin. It’s the manly thing to do.”
Collin nodded. “I think you’re right. Thank you, Mr. Emerson.”
George pointed to the clock. “I should probably go. The art walk is supposed to end at nine and I left my umbrella downstairs.”
Collin thanked him again for the letter of recommendation while George thanked him for his unusual beverage and made his exit. But as he went back down the shadowy stairs,he wondered about this odd little family. Collin’s mother was a grunge band groupie. His grandmother was a hippie. These sorts of people were definitely not George’s norm ... and indulging in goat cheese and kombucha was well outside of his comfort zone.
four
The gallery traffic had thinned considerably, but George decided to use this opportunity to take a better look at the art, slowly making his way back to the refreshment table, where he’d left his umbrella.
“There you are,” Willow said cheerfully as she set a cracker and cheese on a napkin. “I hoped you hadn’t gone home. Did you see Collin?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “We had a nice visit.”
She held up a nearly empty cheese plate. “Here, help me finish this off.”
George started to protest, but stopped. He didn’t mind getting the taste of the kombucha out of his mouth. Even if it was with another strange sort of cheese. At least it didn’t look like the goat cheese. “Did you have a good showing tonight?” He took a cautious bite.
She shrugged. “I think it went well.”
“Do you actually sell anything during art walks? There were so many people, but they looked more interested in talking than buying.”
She chuckled. “We rarely make a sale at these gatherings.It’s more about connecting with the public. But sometimes a customer will return a few days later and make a purchase.” She turned to the young woman who was clearing up the refreshment table. “Mr. Emerson, this is my assistant, Leslie. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Leslie grinned. “Good, I hope you never find out.”
“How about if you lock up for me?” Willow set the cheese plate down. “I want to go grab a cup of coffee and put my feet up.”
“No problem.”
George reached for his umbrella. “Then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll—”
“Don’t be so quick,” Willow told him. “I thought perhaps you’d accompany me down to Common Grounds.”
“The coffee shop?”
“Yes. They’re having live music there until eleven. And I’d love a cup of coffee.”
