Sea Change - Guest Post: Phillip
I don’t want to be here, didn’t plan on being here but here I am.
Too many people, subdued but still too bright lighting, murmurs and the clink of glasses too loud, laughter too forced.
In short, another A list fundraiser.
I’d cut the check with no plans to attend. I glance around and marvel that so much of my life used to be involved in this danse macabre. Some of it still is, of course, these are the hunting grounds of the elite, the ones who can afford me and mine. I didn’t get where I am painting fifth floor walkups in Brooklyn.
I just don’t enjoy this life any more. I used to love it. Went to Pittsburgh to rub Brian’s nose in it, to say, “Look! Look at ME! Look who I know, look what I’ve become!” That was the plan, anyway. So much for plans.
Cat and I had plans for tonight, an early dinner and a quiet night in. He’s been haunting me to try Daisy May’s but decided we’d wait until “the gang” (his words, not mine) could join us for half a pig. Not my style at all but if it makes him smile, I’ll survive. Besides, Brian with his face smeared with sauce? Priceless.
Unfortunately, Cat’s management team called him in for some last minute tweaking. Since his CD is about to drop, they’re getting nervous about the “gay thing.” He just shrugs it off, says they knew what they were getting when they signed him. I nod and play the supportive partner but sometimes I have to turn away. So very, very young. There’s a sea change in the air, Cathan, you just don’t know enough to feel it. Yet.
I’m knocked out of my reverie by a cater waiter offering me something from a tray of arepas. I decline, not much of an appetite in this mood.
“Ah, Phillip!” Goldy Buckingham materializes next to me. It’s a fight not to roll my eyes but I manage. Years of practice and a vested business interest. She and her husband Reid are renovating their Southampton “cottage” and I wouldn’t mind the ticket: no heavy lifting on our part, the stable of IDs and landscape designers we work deal with the matron of the house and we all win. I smile and make inane conversation for a few minutes. She’s not at all knowledgeable regarding the subject at hand , not by several city blocks, but what Goldy wants, Goldy gets. Reid didn’t marry her for her piercing intellect. She natters on and a few of her friends join us. Much flirting ensues. On their part, not mine. I spot someone through a break in the mingling masses and excuse myself with a promise to follow up with Goldy tomorrow. My decision to stop by tonight was serendipitous; unless I am very much mistaken, Markham Architecture and Design has done it yet again.
“Justin! I didn’t know you were going to be here!” Poor kid looks grateful to see me and no wonder. Vartanian is obviously running true to form, holding court and parading his newest protégé.
“You and Justin know each other? I had no idea.” Eric forces a smile. Yeah, right.
“Yes. Perhaps you’ve forgotten but you and your wife and my partner and I were at Justin’s and Brian’s on Christmas Eve.”
“Ah, yes. I do apologize. My galleries take so much of my time and attention. I remember now.”
“Yes, I understand. Demands of business can be so overwhelming, especially as one reaches a certain age.” The acolytes in attendance exchange shocked glances and Vartanian himself laughs uneasily.
“Are you here alone tonight, Phillip?” Justin asks, hoping for another friendly face, no doubt.
I smile and shrug. “Yes, unfortunately, Cat had an unexpected meeting so I thought I’d stop by stag.”
“Did Teri happen to come tonight?” Justin has a devious look on his face and he glances sideways at Vartanian. Need to get background on this later.
“Not to my knowledge. Have you spoken with him recently?” I’m curious as to his demeanor with Justin.
“Yeah, yesterday. I needed some advice.” He looks at Vartanian and says, “He was very helpful to me.”
“He’s fond of you, Justin.” Just behind him, I notice a middle aged Asian woman smirking. What’s that about? I decide I need to find out. Now. “Justin, I promise not to monopolize your time, but might I have a word with you? I have a question about the renovations and Brian is unavailable, I understand.”
“Sure, Phillip. Excuse me everyone.” He nods pleasantly and follows me into a small alcove just beyond the garden.
“You want to tell me what the fuck that was all about?” I demand. “I don’t particularly care for Vartanian, but you certainly seemed to be baiting him, Justin.” He fills me in on the evening: Eric’s possessiveness, this Charlie person and, lastly, Vartanian’s apparent issues with Teri.
“You have any idea what that’s about?” Justin asks.
“No, none at all,” I reply. I have no clue. Unless he’s -
Justin follows my line of thought. “No. That’s not it. Teri said no. He didn’t seem to think much of them.”
“No one does, really. Well connected, seen in all the right places but not much liked. He has some cachet in his corner of the world, though. Which is what you’re doing with him. Right? Right?” I hold his glance and he stares back.
“I’ve learned a few things about them recently. Brian and I both have. Teri added to the picture. So has Brian. This is business,” he shrugs.
“Justin?” Something in his tone sounds a bit off.
“Thanks, Philip, say hi to Cat for me. Time to get back to the dog and pony show.” He leaves and I watch him rejoin the little clique Vartanian has gathered about him. They don’t escape me, those little possessive gestures Eric occasional makes toward Justin. Justin doesn't rebuff them. Yet another sea change?
“Phillip Markham. It’s been some time. How have you been?” The voice from long ago startles me and I turn suddenly to see the past standing before me. I recover enough to be civil.
“Charles Ryder! Yes it has been some time. You look well, very well. I’d no idea you were in town.” He looks, if at all possible, even better than he did a few years ago. The man ages well, I’ll give him that.
“It was an impulse. I was blessedly unscheduled for a day or two and thought I’d visit with old friends. I’m here as their guest.”
“Ever the collector, Ryder?” I laugh uneasily. Something about this man has always set me on edge and I have never once in all these years been able to ascertain precisely what it is. I do have my suspicions.
“Business, Markham, everything is business. Art is a business, one of the most lucrative when done correctly.”
I smile. Not much else to do. He’s looking at me as one would look at a child to whom one needs to explain things in words of one syllable. “Teri never mentioned that you were here.”
“He doesn’t know.” Ryder smiles. “I’d prefer to keep it that way. A surprise, as it were. You won’t mind if I steal him away from you for a bit, will you?”
“Not if he doesn’t mind.” I return the smile. “And you return him.”
“If he doesn’t mind,” Ryder replies with an enigmatic smile. “If you’ll excuse me.” He nods and leaves.
Sea changes indeed.