Page 128 of The Muse
When she doesn’t respond, I finish my meal and go back to the hotel.
The next morning, I send off another text.
Flynn: Good morning. Are u spending the day with your grandma?
No reply.
Callie gave me a list of things to do here if I had time to waste while waiting for June to give me another chance. So I visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art first. I channel my inner Callie and find works of art that interest me, then I stare at them for fifteen … twenty minutes. Canting my head to the right then left like Callie does.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I quickly grab it. But my excitement dies when it’s Rupert texting me.
Rupert: Did you reunite with your lover?
I roll my eyes.
Flynn: No. She won’t answer my texts
Rupert: She performs tonight at Segerstrom Concert Hall with the Pacific Symphony
Flynn: Thanks
I look it up on my phone. It’s less than an hour by train or bus.
Rupert: Callie has a friend who can get you a ticket. Pick it up at the box office. It will be under your name
Flynn: Tell Callie thx
Rupert: Will do. Don’t forget to grovel
I send him the eye roll emoji. But yeah, I’m not beyond groveling at this point. Since she’s performing tonight, maybe that’s why she hasn’t responded.
Segerstrom Concert Hall is intimidating without June by my side. I feel like everyone is staring at me, even though they’re not.
“Hi, I think there’s a ticket here for me. Flynn Morley,” I say to the lady at the box office.
“Can I see your ID?” she asks.
I dig my wallet out of the pocket of my linen pants which Callie bought me.
“Enjoy the performance,” the lady says, handing me the ticket.
“Thanks.” I make my way to the concert hall.
“Can I help you find your seat?” an older gentleman dressed in all black asks.
“Uh, sure.” I show him my ticket.
“You’re in the front row.” He points toward the stage. “But on the opposite side. So you can go out this door and make your way to the other side and someone there will help you find your seat.”
“Thanks.”
Front row? Who’s Callie’s friend? Do I want to be in the front row? Will June’s parents be here? What has she told them about me and what happened between us?
An usher on the opposite side escorts me to my seat as a handful of musicians warm up on stage like they did in Minneapolis. I check my phone again.
Nothing.
Flynn: I’m thinking about playing my kazoo tonight. U have any plans?
