Let Love In

6

I'm outside, a text from Mikey reads.

Frank's not sure about going anymore, not when he's in the middle of a panic attack, but he knows that if he doesn't go, he'll have to stay home and listen to that depressing voice in his head telling him how pathetic he is. So he walks outside, and finds Mikey's car right away, and Mikey's laughing at him.

'When I said that you had to wear something nice, I didn't mean an actual suit and tie,' he says once Frank gets in the car.

'You think I overdid it?' He notices Mikey's wearing jeans and a dress shirt, with a leather jacket over it, which kind of answers his question. 'Should I change?'

'No, you look good. Let's go.' Mikey starts the car, and they leave, but Frank spends most of the ride looking at himself in the mirror, self-consciously fixing his tie, and uncomfortable as fuck.

'I didn't know you liked art,' he says, trying to start a conversation.

'You don't know anything about me,' Mikey replies with a laugh. 'I'm not into galleries and all that stuff, but I'm going in support of someone I know.'

'Oh.' They don't say much, other than work and insignificant stuff, and before they know it, they're parking outside an old building that looks abandoned. Frank just trusts Mikey, and follows him inside, Lois behind them.

As soon as they walk inside, Frank is shocked. The place looks nothing like he imagined from the outside. It's a huge, open floor room, filled with wealthy people. Expensive paintings covering each wall under dim lights. The shiny wooden floors contrast the broken windows and weatherworn walls outside. They even have someone playing a grand piano by the corner. 'Wow!' is all Frank can say, impressed. 'I had no idea a place like this could be hidden inside this building.'

'You learn something new every day, my friend.'

Mikey gives the tickets to the hostess, and she lets them in, until she notices Lois. 'Oh, she's my service dog,' Frank tries to explain. 'I kind of need her with me.' He hates having to explain every time, and that's why he prefers not to go anywhere.

'I get it,' the young woman says, even though she doesn't seem too understanding. 'But you know she can't be in a place like this.'

'I'm sorry,' Frank apologizes, and he's about to turn around and leave, when Mikey intervenes.

'He can't go,' he says. 'We're here with one of the artists. And I can assure you Lois behaves better than anyone else here, and she won't get near anything expensive.'

That doesn't seem to change her mind, and Frank is already short of breath, a second away from having a panic attack. He can't hear what anyone is saying, but he notice people giving him looks. It's not until an older man, probably the owner, walks up to the hostess and whispers something in her ear, that she lets them in, and Mikey pulls Frank by the arm. 'Everything okay?' he asks.

Frank just nods, even though he's still recovering.

'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you go through this.'

'It's okay. I'm used to it.'

'It doesn't mean it's okay.'

'I think I need a drink,' Frank jokes.

'No! I won't allow that.' Frank can't help but smile. 'C'mon, let me introduce you to someone.'

They keep walking around the gallery, admiring the exhibition. Frank takes his time, looking at all the paintings. They're good, he's not gonna lie, but he knows that their price is way higher than they're actually worth, and they don't make him feel anything. Empty painting after empty painting, lots of colors but not feeling. Frank can't help wondering if he's the only one who can't feel it.