THE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE

Big Apple Art Gallery, New York City – December, 2005 – Monday before Christmas

Chapter One: The Plan Begins

"Justin! Just the man I want to see. Great timing," Ron McHale, the owner of the art gallery, greeted the young artist as he opened the front door.

Justin set his portfolio down on a nearby desk as he approached the older man who had become not only his representative, but also a surrogate father. "Really? What's up?"

"I just got a call from a prospective buyer. Seems he saw some of your work at the last gallery showing, and he's very interested in commissioning you to create some custom art for a lodge he owns in Vermont." Ron smiled. "He must be pretty well-off, too, because he's even offering to PAY for you to fly there this weekend to meet with him. Looks like you've impressed yet ANOTHER patron."

Justin had been in New York City now for almost six months. He remembered the initial struggles when he arrived, from finding a gallery sponsor for his work to locating the proper studio space. Fortunately, shortly after arriving he had volunteered to display some of his work for a local gay benefit, which Ron happened to attend. One look at Justin's work and he was hooked. Ron had been representing Justin now for the past several months, which had turned out to be lucrative indeed, both for him and Justin, so much so that Justin had been able to move into a roomy brownstone loft a month ago in SoHo with an extra bedroom just perfect for his studio.

Justin's eyes lit up at Ron's announcement, but he looked at him warily. "That's great," he replied, "And it sounds like a terrific opportunity. But Christmas is this Sunday. I was hoping that I could fly home to Pittsburgh before the weekend so I could see everybody."

Ron smiled again. "You're not fooling me. You mean Brian. All the others take a backseat….." Ron was well aware of Justin's relationship with Brian. After all, most of Justin's artwork continued to be inspired by his boyfriend, and Justin's moods from week to week could be gauged by whether or not he and Brian were able to see each other.

Looking sheepish, Justin admitted, "Yeah, I guess they do. It's just that it's been so hard on both of us since I moved to New York. Talking to him on the phone every day helps, and I look forward to our visits more than you know. But it's so damn lonely without him." Justin sighed. "I knew it would be hard when we said goodbye in Pittsburgh, but I didn't realize HOW fucking hard it would be."

Ron looked at him sympathetically. "I know it's been difficult for you. And seeing how Brian looks at you when you're together, I know the feeling is mutual. It's obvious how much he loves you."

"And I love him more every day," Justin said softly. "That hasn't changed, except it's gotten stronger." Justin leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes briefly. "I mean, I realize how important it is for me to be here for my art, but I wonder all the time if it's worth it. Is being so successful with my art worth it if I'm miserable because I'm not with the man I love?" Justin's eyes glistened with unshed tears. I'm NOT going to cry in front of him, he thought.

Ron had listened to enough of these conversations before to know how tormented Justin was regarding this issue. Fortunately, being the sentimental gay man that he was, the gallery owner knew that there was a solution to his star artist's dilemma. And he was about to help set it into motion, even to his own possible detriment.

Getting back to the subject at hand, Ron peered intently at Justin. "I know how important it is that you get back home for the holidays, but this is important, too. The prospective buyer promised if you fly out there tonight, he will meet with you tomorrow and you can be back by the end of the week. I really think it's too good of an opportunity for you to pass up. He's already bought you the plane ticket."

Justin looked at him somewhat incredulously. "Pretty sure of himself, isn't he? What if I couldn't go tonight? That doesn't give me much time to get my portfolio together and pack. What time do I have to be at the airport?"

Handing Justin a piece of paper, Ron said, "I've already received the information from him via e-mail, and I've printed out a copy of the itinerary. Your flight leaves tonight from LaGuardia at 7:00 p.m. You will be flying into Bennington, VT. The prospective buyer owns a ski lodge in a nearby town called Dorset and the name of the lodge is the Dorset Inn." Ron smirked. "Original name, huh? Anyway, the owner wants some new artwork to go with a recent remodeling he did for the inn. It actually sounds like a pretty neat place – he said it was built in 1796. I saw some of the exterior and interior photos on their website. I think it would definitely appeal to your creative nature, seeing as how it's so romantic looking."

Justin rolled his eyes. "Sometimes I think you know me TOO well. You're just betting that you can talk me into this, aren't you? I never told you, but I actually DID get to vacation at a lodge in Vermont a few years ago. I really didn't have much fun at the time, though, because Brian was supposed to go with me, and at the last minute he had to back out. I was pretty mad at him at the time, until he later explained why he couldn't go. I was still really disappointed, though. It would have been the first real vacation we would have taken together. Now that I think about it, he and I have never really HAD a true vacation. It seemed like Life always had a way of interfering with it," Justin said wistfully. All this talk about the lodge in Vermont was just dredging up more sad feelings about being away from Brian.

Another sigh escaped from Justin's lips. Despite bringing up some sad memories, Justin realized how important it was that he continue to promote his work. And Ron DID promise that he would be back a few days before Christmas. Making up his mind, Justin turned to the gallery owner who had also become his good friend. "Okay, I'll do it. But he better follow through on his promise to get me in and out of there quickly. I don't want to miss the chance to see Brian. Knowing the workaholic he is, Christmas may be one of the few times I can actually get him to myself without his work interfering," he said ruefully.

"I understand," Ron said seriously. "But he DID promise to meet with you tomorrow and get you back here immediately afterward. I'm sure things will all work out. The last name of the owner, by the way, is Miracle."

Justin snorted. "Are you serious?" At Ron's affirmative nod, Justin said, "Well, if this all works out and I get back in time to fly to Pittsburgh, it WILL be a miracle." Standing up, he retrieved his portfolio before walking toward the door. "I'd better get back to the brownstone so I can pack in time to get to the airport. I'm trusting your judgment here, Ron. I hope this is worth the trip," he added as he opened the door and walked out.

Trust me, my friend. It WILL be worth it. Ron smiled to himself. The first phase of "Operation Christmas Surprise" had now been successfully carried out.