Please Remember Me

Chapter 3

It took two weeks for me to feel comfortable enough to try and see the Celtic exhibit again. I  waited until noon to even begin heading towards the museum. 

It was hard to leave my bed today. 

Once upon a time, I would get up early on Sunday's to go to church. Once upon a time, I cared enough to put effort into how I looked. Now I only put makeup and nice clothes on when I had to go to work. 

Today, I decided on a pair of old ripped jeans, worn black boots, a gray hoodie with a quarter sized hole on the bottom right, and my coat. Throwing on a scarf I grabbed my purse starting my walk to the museum. The entire time I was begging whatever entity would listen, to not let me run into Gabriel Coleman. 

I assumed he wouldn't always be greeting people at the entrance; he had to take a break at some point, right? 

Once I arrived at the museum I made my way directly to the third floor and internally whooped in victory when Gabriel wasn't anywhere to be found. I quickly entered the exhibit, just in case he popped out of nowhere to insult me more.

Thirty minutes later, I was about halfway through the exhibit floor and completely in awe of its beauty and organization. The detail into the settings, figurines, and set-up was beautiful to say the least. 

The appreciation for the history and culture helped feed the fire for knowledge in my soul. 

Despite his attitude, I couldn't help but praise Mr. Coleman. 

 It was better than any exhibit I had seen before. I walked into a long, wide hallway that had various benches to sit among painted scenes and information plaques. I decided to sit in the middle of the hallway watching as others appreciated the art and information displays the same way I do. 

I was looking upwards at a painted starry night inspired sky, observing the craftsmanship, when I noticed the shift in air that told me someone had sat next to me.

"It's a lovely mural, isn't it?" The southern drawl was controlled; almost detached. 

I glanced at the man beside me. 

He was sitting on the other end of the bench leaving about an arm's length between us. He was a businessman; or at least his gray suit, crisp white collared shirt, and light blue tie suggested so. The man's hair was a dirty blonde, reminding me of of Mr. Green, but was cropped closer to his head and gelled back. He was observing the painted sky above us, as I had been seconds ago, before he focused his eyes on me. 

They were a steel gray and closed off; I knew that look intimately. 

It's the one I used almost every day of my life to hide my emotions from a cruel world. 

It was probably how my own eyes currently looked.

"Yes, it is. This entire exhibit is quite astounding. I am happy to finally get to enjoy it." 

I responded softly, not willing to raise my voice to a normal conversational level. 

I stared at him for only a moment more, before breaking eye contact, and returning to looking at another area of the mural. My focus landed on a scene of a beautifully strong Celtic man and woman sitting around a fire watching two children sleep among the glow. 

The longing threatened to overwhelm me; I found myself wishing I was the woman in the painting.

Signing, I shifted my focus back to the man, only to see he was still observing me. 

His gaze was unwavering, and it was like he could see into my soul. I felt like I couldn't breathe; he was intimidating . This man seemed close to my age, but wiser than I could ever be. His eyes shifted focus to someone, or something, beyond my shoulder that had caught his attention. I watched as a tenderness entered those steel eyes wondering what it was that could cause this serious man to seem almost happy.

"Mr. Blackborne, sorry I couldn't meet you at the front. I got caught up in a fucking meeting with..." Gabriel trailed off as he registered my presence. 

I stiffened exponentially. 

Great. 

Fantastic. 

Of course this mysterious, serious, man would know Gabriel. And of course, my luck would run out and I would have to face Mr. Coleman again. I avoided looking up at Mr. Coleman from where I sat, and began to think of the easiest way to leave both of their presence.

"No worries, Gabe. I was able to enjoy much of your exhibit while you were busy. I was just admiring this mural with Ms...." 

Mr. Blackborne, trailed off realizing we hadn't introduced ourselves yet.

"Tulip, and yes, I know it's a ridiculous name. It is nice to see you again Mr. Coleman." I greeted, as a blush slowly rose to my cheeks remembering our last encounter.

"Fucking hell, listen, I apologize Tulip. I didn't mean to insult you last time we met. I was having a bad day, but that's no justification, I shouldn't have been so rude." 

Gabriel's apology was surprising. I had expected more insults or rude comments; not a shameful looking Gabriel who wouldn't lift his eyes from the ground.

"Don't worry about it Mr. Coleman. It's nothing I hadn't already been aware of. I'm happy I was able to come see your exhibit; it really is very wonderful work." I said my words gently, and hoped they would reassure him. 

He only seemed to look more guilty. The entire time I could feel Mr. Blackborne observing our interaction. Whether he was curious or scrutinizing, I really could not tell.

"So, you two know each other? Does he also know Mr. Green?" I was desperate for a topic change, and this got Gabriel to finally look up at my face. 

His eyes made my breath catch in my throat again. They were the opposite of Mr. Blackbourne's; Gabriel's eyes showed every emotion he felt. Right now, they shined with determination. 

It was Mr. Blackborne who responded to my inquiry.

"Yes, we are brothers. You've met Dr. Green?" His voice was tinged with something similar to suspicion. 

Brothers? All of them? I guess it was possible, they looked nothing alike, but adoption exists.

"Uh, yes. A couple of weeks ago when I came to see the exhibit the first time. That's when I met Mr. Coleman, too." 

My voice was rushed, tinged with suspicion of my own. 

Realization seemed to smack his face as he glanced over to Gabriel frowning. The two seemed to have a conversation without saying a word. At that point I decided it was time to make my exit. These interactions were just too strange for my mundane life.

"Alrighty, well. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Blackborne. And to see you again, Mr. Coleman. Tell your brother I said hello. I'm gonna....go...now..." 

I said the last part while awkwardly shuffling backwards towards the direction of the exit of the exhibit.

"Wait! Would you like to go grab some food with us? I haven't had a chance to eat yet, and I was planning to go eat with Mr. Blackborne. Sean will probably be joining us too..." Gabriel trailed off when he noticed my confused, scrunched expression. 

Why on earth would he invite me to eat with his brothers? I was a stranger to them.

"Oh, no. I don't want to intrude on your family meal. Thank you though." I responded with a confused voice.

"It wouldn't be an intrusion, Ms. Tulip. I'm sure Dr. Green would enjoy seeing you again, as well." 

Mr. Blackbornes voice, and face, were carefully blank as he stood fixing his cufflink on his right wrist. 

Looking back over to Gabriel, I noticed that his eyes were pleading. He really wanted me to go with him, for whatever reason. I bit my lip, and not thinking too much on it, nodded my agreement.