CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
(part four)

Sunday evening — 8:15 P.M.

Panicked, Mike looked around to see if he could get some help. He was standing in front of a painting talking to a man – a random man, a stranger! – when the man asked to buy the painting. When Mike mumbled something vague, the man became more insistent. This stranger was willing to pay whatever Mike asked. He even pulled out his checkbook to accentuate his capacity to pay anything.

The man’s checkbook waving drew other people like a magnet. Two new strangers joined the conversation. While Mike panicked, the men began arguing over his painting.

Where was Adam Lerner? Even though Adam was now head curator at the Denver Art museum, this exhibit had been his personal pet project. Mike saw Adam backed into a corner by a checkbook waving woman.

Where was Jake? Jake would know what to do. Mike caught Jake’s eye. Jake nodded and moved in Mike’s direction. But there were so many people that Jake very slow progress across the gallery.

Mike took a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his forehead. He was about to bolt when he felt someone touch his elbow. He saw an elderly man move between him and the growing group of men.

“May I help you gentlemen?” a heavily accented Russian voice asked.

Otis. Grandfather. Friend. Mike saw his mother standing next to her father. Anjelika gave Mike a beautiful smile.

“I certainly understand your interest. They are beautiful,” Otis said. “I flew all the way from Russia just to have a chance to gaze on their beauty.”

Otis turned to wink at Mike then led the men away. Mike felt like he might vomit with relief. Jacob arrived a moment later.

“What happened?” Jacob asked.

“They want to purchase the paintings,” Anjelika said.

“Of course they do,” Jacob laughed. “I thought you wanted to sell them.”

“I wouldn’t mind them sold, but selling…” Mike shook his head. “This is an art museum! They should have some respect.”

“Is that your grandfather?” Jacob asked.

“My father,” Anjelika said. “He didn’t want to miss the opening. Mike’s father is also here… somewhere… with the Hargreaves, of course.”

Anjelika pointed to a group of laughing people near the middle of the room.

“It’s really crowded,” Mike said.

“Let’s get some air.”

Mike followed Jacob through the crowd to the wide patio outside the front door. Standing near the door, they couldn’t help but hear people’s comments as they trickled out of the exhibit. The early spring air was filled with praise after knowledgeable commentary after glowing review of Mike and his paintings.

“Sounds like you have a hit,” Jacob said.

“When are we playing hockey?” Mike asked.

“Wednesday,” Jacob said.

“Let’s play tonight.”

“Midnight pickup? I’m in if you are,” Jacob said.

“The police have my stick. But you don’t really need one do you. You can move the puck around with your mind.”

Jacob gave Mike a sideways look. Mike shrugged his shoulders.

“I have a couple sticks,” Jacob said. “You can have one of my extra.”

“You don’t want to talk about your powers?”

“I don’t.”

“Mike Roper is a God,” a woman said as she left the exhibit.

“Yeah, I saw that Valerie Lipson. She’s tiny. I bet I could take her,” the woman’s friend said.

Laughing, the women walked to the parking garage.

“Yeah, I’ll borrow a stick,” Mike said.

Denver Cereal continues tomorrow…