It was him

He turned and saw me at the door, smiled warmly and raised his head in a slight nod, as if to say, ‘sup. I walked toward him and opened my arms to a friendly embrace. We were both foreigners here, and I could tell from his sigh that he was relieved by my presence. We were always connected by Jay; neither of us knew the other well but we knew that we both loved Jay and that always endeared me to him. 

“Where’s Jay?” I asked, still scanning the crowd.

“Hell if I know,” he laughed. “I haven’t seen her but then again, I have been so focused on these pieces.”

“I know what you mean. I’ve seen a few in progress at the studio but being surrounded by her art all at once; it’s like she’s here. It’s a little crazy.”

He nodded. I spied a fresh tattoo on his neck just barely peeking out of his charcoal gray ribbed turtleneck collar. He wore a sport coat and jeans, a jade ring on his right ring finger. Against skin the color reminiscent of the rich earth tones Jay used in a nearby oil painting, it gleamed and I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. All of a sudden, I felt transcended. The calm lighting, the jade, Jay’s heart out on display in various visions, and the music of Sade was seeping through my spirit all at once. 

“I need to sit down.” I announced suddenly. As I said it, I realized it was true. I felt light-headed and I hadn’t eaten that day. 

He took me by the elbow to a nearby old wooden church pew. “Are you ok?” He seemed genuinely concerned. 

“Yeah. I just got dizzy all of a sudden, thanks.”

“Oh hold up,” he stopped a caterer and took a small plate of bruschetta, then two more, handing each one to me. “Eat something.”

“Thanks. I think that’s where I went wrong,” I joked. Tasting the food, I felt better. The atmosphere is mystifying, I thought, sitting with the man who’s image was represented on the four walls around me in one way or another.

“Champagne for my two favorite people?” Jaylynn was standing before us, a twinkle in those bright blue eyes, holding two champagne flutes out for each of us.

“JAY!” I almost upset an appetizer plate as I hurried to stand up and give my girl some love.

“Whoa, take your time there, Dizzy,” he teased. We all laughed.

“Uh oh, my gorgeous but clumsy friend forgot to eat again, huh?” Jay put a hand on her hip and eyed me scoldingly. She knew me all too well. 

“I’m straight,” I protested. “Babygirl, I now know why you’ve been MIA. You better be hustling some cash for these pieces. They are amazing.” She smiled. “No, Jay, I mean really, it’s kind of magical. You better be careful or someone may just buy this whole collection.”

Jaylynn put her hands together and pursed her lips, gearing up to make an important statement. “Em, someone DID.” We all exchanged looks of shock. 

“Who?” he and I asked it at the same time.

“An annonymous buyer. I haven’t met him yet but his rep says he is cordially inviting me for a drink tomorrow.”

“Are you going? You have to go. You have to see who this guy is. Oooh Jay take me with you, I want to sit in the corner and spy!!” She threw her head back and laughed. “I don’t know yet honey. I’m still so grateful that my pieces have all sold, it is really surreal.”

He raised his glass. “A toast then. To your creative genius.”

We toasted and sipped the champagne. “So where’s the afterparty?” He asked her, eyeing her whole body as he said it. She was stunning to take in, she wore a red pencil skirt and a black cashmere sweater that fit loosely around her shoulders, defining her hourglass figure where it tapered at her waist. 

“Oh don’t worry, you are definitely invited. I’m so glad you could make it tonight, with your busy schedule, sir.” Her flirtatious tone made me think maybe I should find an excuse to remove myself. Three’s a crowd, I thought. “Hey girl, are you going to be here for a sec? Ima run to the bathroom right quick.”

“Yep.” 

As I headed to the lady’s room, I looked over my shoulder at them. They were chatting and laughing, him with his arm around her, touching the small of her back, she had her hand on his shoulder. They looked good together, I thought. And they looked like friends. Fitting. I was happy for Jay tonight. She finally had everything she wanted.