Both Rick and Rob were already dressed and sitting in the suite's living area when Maura entered. Both men stood up, and broke into a smile as they took in the sight before them.
Rob's hand went up to his cheek. "You. Look. Fabulous!"
"You look like a million bucks!" Rick said with glee.
"Is that a Carolina Herrera?" Rob asked.
"Yes!" Maura answered, smiling. "You've got a good eye, Robert!"
Jane came in a few seconds later, "And mine's BCBG." She was also wearing the long silver and onyx earrings and matching bracelet Maura had bought her.
"And it's exquisite! You both look absolutely stunning!" Rob continued, "Look at those fringes! Are they silk?"
Whether or not they were, the fringes on Jane's dress were begging to be touched! Soon Rob was playing with them; then Rick ran a couple fingers through them. Then Maura played with the fringe at the back of Jane's dress, (effectively running her hand back and forth across Jane's behind).
After about 30 seconds of this, Jane was feeling slightly ticklish, and started batting their hands away. "OK! Everyone! Stop doing that!"
They didn't stop. But as they took a few seconds tapering off, Maura gave Jane's behind one last light tap, all of them still laughing at their silliness.
"And you my dear Maura," Rob continued, "are an artistic masterpiece! Look at all those shapes, and stones, and things on your dress!" He started to touch a few of the shapes a bit more gingerly than he did Jane's silk fringes; but still indulging his curiosity about how the dress felt to the touch.
"We're all ready kinda early," Rick pointed out. "We don't need to be there until 7:00, do we, and it's only 6:30 now. I have to buy a tie. I brought a couple with me, but the one that goes best with this suit," he gestured with open palms toward of him, "has a loose thread. Thought I'd stop at the men's shop in the lobby on our way out."
They exited the elevator and meandered in the direction of the small men's clothing boutique off the hotel's lobby; a space they now realized was really too small for all 4 of them to stand around in.
"I'll just go in and choose something. Why don't you all wait for me over there." Rick said, looking towards to one of the seating areas.
"Rick, I'd love to help you choose your tie, if you don't mind," Maura said. "I love choosing ties, and have been told I have a pretty good eye for it."
Looking surprised for only a few seconds, Rick smiled and said, "No, don't mind at all. I'd love it."
Jane and Rob, shrugged, and smiled as they went to have a seat.
If she and Jane looked 'stunning', Maura had not failed to notice how sharp her male companions also looked. At the moment she focused on Rick's fashionably cut, black and navy blue pin-striped, single breasted suit. The fabric looked to be of top quality, it fit perfectly, and enhanced his style impeccably! His shirt was white with a muted grey pin-stripe, and a solid white collar. Finding the right tie, she thought, is going to be almost too easy..
Entering the boutique, the sales clerk who was finishing with another customer, smiled and nodded briefly at them. They went over to a wall with a few dozen ties hanging in a colour co-ordinated display. As soon as they reached it, Maura immediately pulled a couple off the rack, and held them against Rick's chest for a few seconds to see how well they matched.
Since they were standing in front of a full-length mirror, Rick could see as well. After 8 or 9 selections being rejected, Maura grabbed one, that Rick was also reaching for; a blue, yellow and grey wide stripe in silk. When Maura held it up, they both nodded in agreement.
"This is the one," Rick said, satisfied.
"It's perfect!" Maura agreed. "That royal blue goes beautifully with your eyes." Rick smiled at the compliment, and thanked Maura for her help with a kiss on the cheek. After paying for it, Rick put it on, and tied it before leaving the store.
Meanwhile, as the other two waited for their companions, Jane couldn't help but admire Rob's energy and sense of fun as he described the places that he and Rick had gone that day. Every so often at a pause in the conversation they looked around them, people-watching in the busy lobby with it's Saturday night buzz.
When they looked at each other, they both appreciated each others appeal. Like Jane, Rob was very easy on the eyes. He was boldly dressed in a black and charcoal muted-plaid suit, with a slight silver sheen, that picked up his silver-grey eyes. He wore a light pink shirt, and pink and burgundy paisley tie; having fun with fashion, all the way down to his long-toe black shoes.
And only Rob with his innocently bubbly personality could have his admiring glance roaming all over a woman without her feeling even slightly uncomfortable. Still, Jane couldn't help wondering: 'is he just admiring my outfit, or actually undressing me with his eyes?'
Rejoining their companions, Rick and Maura sat down beside Jane and Rob respectively. Jane turned to Rick, and seeing the new tie, touched it briefly, saying, "That's nice. Good choice, you two." Rob looked over, and nodded in agreement, as he turned to Maura on his other side.
"Robert, yours is also quite lovely." Maura said as she lifted it in one hand, while stroking it with the other. "Which designer," she said as she turned it over to look at the label.
"Yes, Rob," Jane said, as she reached over too. "I was looking at it while we were talking, and wanted to touch it."
Realizing that they had Rob's tie in three of their hands, Maura and Jane started laughing. Maura said, "I'm sorry, Rob. Maybe, we're being a bit forward?"
"No! Not at all. Do you see me complaining?" Rob said as he sat back quite relaxed, with his arms along the sofa-back behind both women.
"Well, I'm complaining!" Rick said, pretending to be very hurt. "My tie is starting to feel ignored!"
They all laughed.
"Anyway, we should really be going", Maura said getting up from the long thick lobby sofa.
It was a clear evening and a perfect temperature, and since the gallery was just a few blocks away, they decided to just walk up University Avenue to Dundas Street. The first significant building they passed as they stepped out onto Richmond Street, was the new modern home of the Canadian Opera Company, admired for it's exquisite acoustics. Continuing a short block they crossed Queen Street, walking along the ornate iron fence around the park surrounding the prestigious Osgoode Hall Law School.
Looking around they could see that University Avenue had 4 traffic lanes in either direction, separated by an island that continued all the way in the direction they were headed, (north), and looked as though it would have shrubs, and flower beds in bloom in a few weeks. There were also benches, making it like a park area right up the middle of the road. At this intersection, (Queen and University), there was also a large pedestal with a statue of 3 soldiers in 18th century uniforms, and an obelisk behind it.
University Avenue was mix of buildings: a couple of them ornate old-world grandeur with huge stone columns, a couple of them beautifully modern; but most just ordinary and utilitarian.
Some stretches had park and garden areas with lots of trees between the buildings; as well as the ubiquitous construction scaffolding here and there. They passed subway entrances, storefronts, offices, a large multi-story courthouse building, and the Consulate General of the United States.
Once they got up to Dundas Street they walked three short blocks west, and by about 7:15 found themselves in front of the recently remodelled, dazzling front side of Art Gallery of Ontario. As they approached, Maura pointed out that the building exterior was the recent work of world-famous Canadian architect Frank Gehry. Perhaps the most eye-catching feature of the building, 2-football-fields-long, was the bulging glass facade overhanging the sidewalk between the second story and the roof of this section of the building, 3 stories above.
At street level, concrete pillars advertised the gallery's exhibits with pictures and captions of the works; in addition to the gallery's full name in both English and French, the signage included "AGO" in red letters about 2 metres high.
Directly across from this glossy modern edifice, stood Victorian-style row houses, some currently under renovation, and long since turned into offices, and upscale residences. The Chinese signage on some of these, and the neighbouring buildings identified the area as a part of Chinatown.
Maura, Jane, Rob and Rick went through the AGO front doors with a flutter of anticipation and excitement. Directly inside they saw a curved stair, and a sign directing them to their event, one level up. With a sense of occasion at climbing the stair alone, they made their way up.
The reception was being held in an area called Walker Court. It was a sunken indoor courtyard surrounded by 2 story-high arches, and a high ceiling partially open to the floors above, and ultimately to the glass roof a few of stories above.
The striking focal point of the area was the huge Baroque Stair that led to levels above the court. A clean modern design in light wood, it resembled a thick giant wood-shaving, suspended in mid-air, and extending out above the middle of courtyard.
Approximately 3 stories above the courtyard floor, a faux ceiling marker of double layers of crown moulding protruded from the walls around the room's perimeter. Complementing the bold modernity of the Baroque Stair, the markers were classical dentil-style cornices.
The area was lit with muted coloured lighting, and was already abuzz with at least 60 people standing around with drinks, as cocktail waiters circulated among them. As Maura, Jane, and the guys slowly walked further into the area they could see a bar set up in a corner of the courtyard. In another corner was a long table with what appeared to be hors d'oeuvre and finger food. Between the two corners were a few high tables with bar stools, occupied and lively, with laughter and conversation.
Clearly audible, yet unobtrusively in the background above the growing roar of voices, was the sound of drums and strings; traditional and contemporary Kenyan music played live by the quartet at one end of the room.
Even in the few minutes it took the Maura-Jane-Rob-Rick 'quartet' to walk in and look around, another 20 people had arrived behind them. Even in a gathering like this, filled with wealthy well-dressed sophisticates, these four managed to turn a few heads.
Aside from the lighting, the area had very little decoration of any kind, except the guests themselves. Most conspicuously absent from the area, was art of any kind! However, there were signs beside a few of the archways directing guests to the room housing the actual exhibit.
"I don't see my mother. And the exhibit seems to be in another part of the building." Maura said as her eyes scanned the room. "Let's get a drink, and go find her."
The sight of the hors d'oevre table reminded them that they hadn't eaten anything since brunch, and they eagerly went to grab a few quick bites, taking 4 glasses of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter. After hurriedly popping a couple mini-quiches and artichoke hearts in their mouths, and wiping their fingers, they set out to find Constance and the exhibit.
The exibit room was considerably smaller than Walker Court, but by no means small. It was a lower ceilinged room with white walls, and a metal grid frame just below the ceiling, with several spot-lights attached, and pointed at the pieces of art. About a 10 metre square, the walls on 2 sides of the room had paintings, photographs, and other objects displayed. Positioned at various points in the middle of the room were L-shaped room dividers, about 1-2 metres wide, with artwork mounted on them.
There were 4 small sofas against two of the walls, small tables, and a couple large leather ottomans. About a dozen people sat talking; a few business cards changed hands; and one person made notes on a brochure.
Within a few seconds of observing the room and the colourful art laid out around it, they spotted Constance standing with a young man and woman in front of a painting, gesturing towards it as she spoke. With the others slightly behind her, Maura slowly moved into Constance's sight-line. her eyes brightening as she spotted them. Constance discreetly beckoned them forward without shifting her focus from the couple she spoke with.
In a few seconds the couple moved on to another picture. As Maura and the others reached her, Constance immediately took Maura's free hand in hers, then standing back at arms-length, said, "You're wearing it! And doesn't it look lovely on you."
"Yes, Mother. We all love it! I even think some of the people here love it!" Maura said jokingly, as Jane nodded in agreement with a big smile.
"You look lovely too!" Maura said as Constance looked back at her smiling, an arm going around her daughter's waist.
Constance wore a simple 3/4 sleeve business/cocktail dress. It was solid black, possibly a long-standing practice of not competing with the art she was so often around, while looking versatilely professional. Giving her ensemble a bit more 'pizzazz' was her chunky gold necklace, and the matching topaz ring on her right ring-finger. Her simple high-heeled pumps were stylish, and looked comfortable.
"And you look beautiful, Jane!" Constance said warmly; her admiring glances at the men telling them she thought they did too!
Taking a deep breath, she continued. "Well, where do we start? You obviously got some champagne. Are you hungry? Of course there are things I'd like to show you, and a few people I'd love you to meet."
"We grabbed a few nibbles in the other room, but we haven't really eaten since late morning." Rob said. "Between one thing and another, I just don't know where the day went!"
The other three looked as though they wanted to say something to back him up, while understanding the need to not appear as though they were here just for the food and open bar.
But before any of the other 3 voiced these thoughts, Constance said, "Well you'll enjoy the exhibits more if you're not hungry. Why don't you go and help yourselves to some more hors d'oeuvre." Speaking more softly, "Unfortunately, you can't bring food in here, but you can bring your drinks."
They politely took their leave to go and get and some sustenance.
Once they were back in Walker Court, they relaxed and took in the scenery a little more. There were now probably over 120 people mingling, laughing, clinking glasses, and balancing finger food on napkins as they stood in little groups.
People were as dressed-up as Maura, Jane, and the guys: some of the men in tuxedos, some in traditional dinner jackets, some in flamboyant coloured jackets, bright bow ties with matching cummerbunds, some in ordinary business suits. The women displayed an almost infinite variety of cocktail dresses, some wore dress suits, and a few wore informal floor-length dresses.
There were those wearing highly unusual outfits, and even a couple of men, one young, one middle-aged, who had paired a dinner jacket with jeans!
Their hair styles also ran the range from traditional to the latest, and craziest styles and colours! There were people of different races, but this was mostly a 'white' crowd. There were a few women in hijabs, and a couple in saris. There were a couple of men in suits with shemaghs on their heads.
And although it was the kind of gathering that might have had a 'celebrity' or two in attendance, none of them were famous enough, or behaving conspicuously enough attract attention.
As Maura, Jane and the guys sat for about half an hour at one of the high tables, making occasional trips to sample more of the food, they noticed the steady flow of traffic in and out of the area, as people moved between the party and the exhibit.
"So is everybody having fun?" Maura asked in a tone that indicated that she certainly was.
Since she was chewing at the time, Jane answered by smiling with her eyes as she picked up her glass and tilted it toward Maura and the guys. The guys smiled and answered enthusiastically that they were having a ball!
Apart from the serving and catering staff, there were a few individuals blending somewhat inconspicuously with the guests, but giving the impression of being somewhat 'on the job'. Jane's eye in particular could identify them as gallery officials and security. They went about their business in a relaxed, yet alert, and solicitous manner.
There was one woman in particular who mingled confidently, and seemed to be known by many of the people she approached, who hugged and kissed her as she greeted them. She wore a black dress suit with white trim, and stylish and black and white pumps. She appeared to be about Constance's age, elegant looking, with above-the-shoulder expertly cut blonde hair.
With her was a slim black woman in her mid 30s, whom she introduced to the various groups she approached. The woman had shoulder-length corkscrew curls, and striking eye-makeup. She wore a long colourful sarong skirt and a short black jacket, with black sling-back shoes. The party guests appeared delighted to meet her, as they shook her hand enthusiastically.
As he observed the two women, Rob said, "I'll bet she's the artist," referring to the black woman.
"Yes, Dalia Michienka," Maura added.
"Beautiful woman." Rick observed. The other three nodded, "Um-hum," in agreement,
They sampled a variety of finger-foods for about 20 minutes. Then looking at their empty plates, and guessing that her companions were finished eating, Maura eagerly suggested that they go back to the exhibit room.