Let's go.

Part 18: The Gallery

"Do I get to meet your parents tonight?" He asks me.

"Nah, our parents died when we were young. But you will get to meet Brooke's Dad who is our Godfather," Ben interrupts.

Layne looks over at me and his eyebrows knit together in concern. "You never told me about your parents?"

I just shrug, "I didn't know how to bring it up."

We are all quiet for a moment then I add, "Brooke's Dad, Charles, is a judge. He helped me go to law school and practically raised us. I consider him family. So tonight, you are kind of meeting my father."

Layne threads his fingers through mine and brings my hand to his lips. He kisses my fingers softly and says, "I look forward to meeting him."

Brooke has placed a sign in the glass window that says, "Closed for a private event." Ben opens the glass door and soft jazz spills out. We carefully thread through Brooke's new exhibition and the glass sculptures to the back of the gallery where we can hear the sound of light laughter and the mumble of conversations.

The gallery's back patio is encased in old red brick and ivy is growing along the walls. A large oak tree hangs over and Brooke has threaded strands of white twinkling lights and hung lanterns from its branches. The patio is finished off with comfortable patio furniture, standing tables with white linen, and a small stage with a chair and an acoustic guitar.

The girls drop Layne's hand when they see their mother and rush toward her. Layne and I follow behind them and Brooke's eyes widen when she sees Layne. I know she doesn't recognize him but she clearly appreciates how handsome he is.

"Brooke, this is my boyfriend, Layne," I say to her and he reaches to shake her hand.

"And the man with his back to you stuffing his face is my cousin Brett," I say to Layne and he chuckles. Brooke elbows Brett and he turns around with a mouth full of crackers.

He coughs on his crackers and says, "Oh shit, Layne Staley! Ben and I saw you guys play in Oakland. Fucking incredible show."

"Yeah, that was a crazy one," Layne says and rubs the back of his neck.

Brett laughs and adds, "Yeah, you guys brought out all those topless strippers!"

Layne looks down at me and his cheeks are red.

"What happened?" I ask and chuckle.

"Uh..." Layne mumbles, his cheeks growing redder.

"A bunch of topless strippers came out and started dancing around, it was awesome," Brett says. Brooke elbows him.

"Can you please stop fanboying and remember that this is my goddamn business?" Brooke says under her breath to Brett. Brett apologizes and Layne chuckles.

"It's nice to meet you, Layne," She says and smiles at us. "Frank is over by the drinks," she adds and gestures toward a table with a white linen cloth and champagne flutes.

I take Layne's hand and we thread through the people to the drink table. As we approach, Layne catches sight of Frank and abruptly stops walking. He pulls me back into his chest and whispers in my ear, "Is that?..."

I nod eagerly.

Layne is speechless. "But, you called him Frank?"

I nod again, "Yeah, but in the Bay, he is just Frank to us. Just a local guy who happens to play some music and make cool art on the side."

Layne's eyes are wide. "He was one of my favorite musicians growing up. I listened to his albums constantly."

I take his hand and say, "Let me introduce you."