He hurried away, forcing himself not to run, feeling as though he was fleeing in embarrassment. When he reachedthe mall’s main avenue, he glanced back to find Angelo still standing there, watching him. Colin waved and turned the corner, wondering if this was something adults learned. How to fit together words of gratitude that wouldn’t leave him feeling so inadequate.
Colin spent Christmas Day with Sandrine and Arnold. Mira’s family were on a West Virginia ski holiday. Roland’s were visiting his parents. Sandrine and Arnold lived in a lovely town house overlooking the Landfall golf course’s northern perimeter. The day warmed to where they could open the balcony doors. Colin gave Arnold a set of drivers the pro shop manager said he had been toying with for months. Sandrine’s main hobby away from school was cooking; she received a set of Swiss Victorinox kitchen knives and a Sabatier Maison knife stand. It was the first time he had shopped for others, focusing on what they would want, ignoring the cost. Their response touched him deeply.
He waited until the Christmas rush was over, then took an Uber to the Audio Advice specialty music store on Orleander. He told himself on the way over there was no reason to be nervous. He was not required to buy anything. If they wanted to treat him like a child, fine, he’d take his business elsewhere. Even so, when he entered the store his hands were sweating. He wanted this to be a unique event. Something that genuinely marked his entry into a new universe.
He drifted around for a while, until a skinny man in his twenties walked over and said, “You looking for something in particular?”
“Yes. I’m interested in a system.”
“A system. Well. You’ve come to the right place.” He wore rumpled jeans and a chalk-blue shirt and a goatee. “That’s what we specialize in. Systems.”
Colin started to walk out. He knew the man saw a child.He had debated coming with Arnold for that reason. But this was different from things in the past. This was …
“I’m very serious. I know what I want. The question is, are you willing to help me.” He knew he spoke overloud. He could see other people glancing his way. But he couldn’t help it. “This is important.”
Something sparked in the man’s intelligent eyes. “Sure. I get that. Buying a system is a big deal.”
“I’m focusing on jazz. Analog. The turntable will be the primary …” He hesitated. “What do I call it?”
“Conduit works as good as anything. Or source.” The guy studied him. “How old are you?”
“Fifteen.”
“Do you need a parent or guardian to help?”
“No. It’s just me.” Colin showed his debit card. “I can pay.”
“And you’re serious. And it’s important.” The guy grinned. “I bet you’re not interested in a set of ten thousand–dollar speakers tall as you are either.”
“Not now, not ever.”
“That’s about the only kind of kid client we get. A child of somebody rich, they come in here looking for something that will blow out the house windows. Impress their buddies.”
“I don’t have buddies like that.”
“And you’re not after show.”
He pocketed his card. “And I’ve earned the money myself.”
“At fifteen, no less.” The salesman appeared to be enjoying himself now. “You do realize we’re talking aboutseriousmoney.”
Colin found himself relaxing. “Yes. And that’s exactly what I’m looking for. A serious system.”
“You don’t strike me as Wilmington’s first kid drug dealer.”
“I’ve made investments.”
“At fifteen.”
“You’ve already said that.”
“Yeah, well, some things bear repeating. You know what you’re after?”
Colin released a tight breath. “I want the best small system you have for hearing analog jazz. The only one I’ve actually heard was Bowers and Wilkins. I liked the sound a lot.”
“That makes two of us.” He pointed to the smoked glass covering the rear wall. “Why don’t we retire to our soundproof room and make some noise.”
Colin settled on a full Bowers & Wilkins system for everything except the turntable. The salesman’s name was Liam, and by that point the morning’s commission almost had him dancing in place. Colin liked the way he handled the albums, a practiced motion that treated them like the gems they were. When it came to a turntable, he accepted Liam’s urging and bought the Sonos Pro-Ject with a Sumiko Songbird cartridge. Colin then added glass and steel shelves and matching speaker stands. They finished by walking down the two rows of analog jazz albums, Liam offering suggestions that showed his passion went far beyond the coming payment.
