Page 16 of Triplet Tease

Her answer made me smile. I sensed perhaps thepull we felt toward each other was mutual.

Siena: “How did you find out about a charitylunch, when you’ve only been in town for half a minute?”

Me: “Our neighbor invited us. It’ssomething he’s involved with.”

Siena: “Your neighbor in New York?”

Me: “No, our neighbor where we are stayinghere at the Bretton building.”

Siena: “You’re in the Bretton building?Very nice.”

Me: “Do you know it?”

If she lived near, she might invite me over toher apartment, and we could continue this in person. My cocktwitched, very much on board with the idea. It stood to reason thatshe might live close as we met nearby.

Siena: “Everyone in the state knows themodern building. It’s iconic.”

Siena: “I’ve never been inside.”

My dad would like to hear her approval, as hewas the lead designer. Maybe she would tell him herself one day. Itwas definitely too soon to suggest anything about meeting theparents.

I considered my reply carefully. I didn’twant to sound boastful: here I was, staying in the prestigiousbuilding my father designed.

Me: “Our neighbor invited us to lunch. He’san up and coming photographer called Simon Bretton, and I think he’sselling photos. When I say us, my brothers will be there too.”

I actually typed out that my brother Harry hasa crush on Simon. But I deleted that as it gave the wrong impressionentirely. Harry was not a bit gay, none of us were; not that it wouldmatter to any of us. We hailed from New York, and we had gayfriends.

Finn goaded Harry earlier, but knowing mybrothers as well I do, I knew we’d all appreciate beautiful womendancing in bikinis or even less. Harry was pissed at thecircumstances that took him there, was all.

He had a crush in the professional sense. Headmired Simon’s and Cedric’s photography; apparently, they weredoing great stuff. Cutting edge original art. I didn’t know thedetails. I switched off when Harry started talking about hisprofessional work. I just knew he was excited about meeting theBretton brothers when our father asked us to stop off here to meethim.

Siena: “You know Simon Bretton?”

Siena: “He’ll be there?”

Siena: “Simon Bretton’s photos will be onsale!?! What sort of lunch is this?”

Me: “What do you mean?”

Siena: “He’s not known for family-friendlyphotography.”

How did Siena know this dude?

I didn’t know he was known at all. Harry knewof him, but he knew many other professional photographers, being inthat line of work himself. Photographers rarely become famous. Ourlate mother, however, was a world-famous exception, sadly cut shortin her prime by a terrible incident at work

My only knowledge of the Bretton family was asmy dad’s client. I guess the fathers bonded over the trials andtribulations of having triplet sons, although the Bretton boys were afew years younger than us. The only thing I knew about them was thatDecker was a documentary maker, and the other two were photographers.Lots of people made a living from photography without becomingfamous.

Me: “Tell me more. Tell me everything. How doyou know him?”

Siena: “Everyone in this town knows about theart of the Bretton brothers. It has gotten a lot of publicity thisyear, even out in Springfield.”

Me: “The news didn’t travel as far asEcuador.”

Siena: “Look up Bretton Twelve Angles. Thatshould tell you everything.”

Me: “OK. Stay right there. I will be back.”

I didn’t want the conversation to end, andperhaps we could discuss it once I’d found out what she was talkingabout.

---