Page 42 of Curtain Call
“Well, I can’t stay long as I have an early train ride back into the city, but I wanted to see the show and give you the news in person.”
“What news,” Colin says before thinking. He knows that it’s not really his place to interrupt and ask. But, he has.
“Well, they moved the auditions up to the 20thbecause they want to start rehearsals the first week in January,” she tells them both.
“Wait, less than a week away,” Riley feels damp around the collar.
Colin’s hand finds its way to Riley’s lower back, and he presses firmly. Riley’s body relaxes at the touch.
“It’s actually six days away and since tonight is almost over, it’s five days.”
“That doesn’t help, Jules,” Riley frowns at her.
“From what I witnessed tonight, you’re ready. Just have fun and show them who you are not only as an actor but also as a person.”
Colin wishes he could stand in for Riley and introduce him to the casting directors. He knows everything there is to know about him, and if the directors could see just a glimpse of this guy standing next to him, they would hire him. Besides his remarkable talent on stage, Riley is kind, and looking around at all the people placing bids on items in the silent auction of about twenty items, he is also selfless.
Colin knows that Riley was in love with him once, and he needs Riley to know that he has always been in love with him too. He just wasn’t sure what kind of love it was until now. Colin knows that he needs to seal the deal if he’s going to take this relationship to the next level before Riley leaves again.
Colin knows they can make the long-distance thing work since New York is only a few hours by train. At least Colin wanted this to work. Maybe they could call Rockport home. After all, Riley’s family still lived there, Colin’s house is there, and it’s where all their memories are stored. He also thinks maybe once the theater is back on track, he could even get a little studio in New York City for him and Riley so they could have homes in both places. Homes to make new memories together.
Colin thought he had more time to work all this out. He doesn’t want to rush things, but with Riley’s audition date moved up, he is going to need to act quickly. He remembers what Mac asked him earlier about Christmas gifts and thought about it more than he should. He knows Riley likes museums and there is a new exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston. It would be an experience, and taken directly from Mac’s playbook, they could stop at the gift shop before they leave.
Colin was so far deep in his own thoughts; he didn’t notice at what point Jules left along with half the other patrons. The lobby crowd was dying down, and Colin felt a warm hand slip into his.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Riley whispers.
“Just wondering if you were busy tomorrow afternoon or evening?”
“If it means spending time with you, I’m free.”
“I have an idea.”
Colin’s not sure what tomorrow will entail, but he’s hoping to be inspired at the museum enough to open up to Riley and ask Riley to be his wholeheartedly. He thinks proposing is a bit premature, but if Riley would say yes, Colin would probably ask. He is so in love with this guy but doesn’t want anything to overstep Riley’s big night, so Colin keeps it tucked inside. For now.
Scene 15
Setting: Boston Museum of Fine Art
Boston, Massachusetts
Colin
Taking the green line to Heath Street station was a bit crowded for a Saturday afternoon. Colin didn’t mind because Riley was tucked under his arm for most of the trip. With nowhere to really hold on, Riley used Colin’s arm as his personal safety device.
When they stepped off the T, Riley’s smile was genuine which creased the edges of his eyes. When they crossed the street and he saw the pillar in front of the cream stone building reading MFA Boston, he leaned over and kissed Colin on the cheek.
“Seriously? You had no idea?” Colin asked him.
“No, I wasn’t sure where we were heading. I haven’t been here in years,” he tells Colin.
“Well, there is another little surprise when we get inside.”
“What is it?”
“I’m not telling you,” he shoved his shoulder next to Riley’s, “hence the word, surprise.”
Once they walked into the grand entranceway flanked with urns of flowers, and Colin had their tickets scanned on his already opened app, they headed down a side hallway. While waiting in line, Riley already had his coat off and draped over his left arm while reading a painting across from the sign that read coatroom. The painting is called The Violin Maker from 1888. It was oil on canvas by an artist named William H. W. Bicknell. The gray-haired man in the painting holding a violin looked focused on his craft. Upon further reading, Riley discovered that the man’s name is Jerome Bonaparte Squier, and he was from right here in Boston.
