Surviving Valencia

“I just read about you in here,” the man said, waving a magazine I wasn’t familiar with. “I brought this from Grand Forks and here I am on the plane reading about you and it says you live in Savannah, which I find interesting since I am on my way to Savannah as I’m reading it, and now here you are. Impossible! So do you have any big art shows coming up? Say, would you folks like to g

et a drink? I’m here ‘til next Wednesday and I don’t know a soul. This must be your wife. Hello, hello,” he stuck out his thick hand to me which I shook reflexively. Then he took Adrian’s hand and pumped it hard twice.

“We’ve already got plans we’re about to head off to, so we’ll have to pass on that drink, but it’s certainly nice to meet a fan,” said Adrian. “I hope you enjoy your stay here.” He stood up, pulling me up with him, and started to walk away. I stumbled on the cobblestones keeping up with him. A splash of mint chocolate chip landed on my chest. Adrian was normally quite a bit chattier than this with his fan club, and I felt a flutter of panic in my chest. The man fell in step beside us.

“My name is Bob Chance, but everyone just calls me Chance. I’m staying just three or four blocks over from here. Say, what’s there to do around here? Any nightlife to speak of?”

“There’s plenty to do at night,” said Adrian, not looking at Mr. Chance. “You should pick up a paper and take a look. Well, we’re headed this way, so nice meeting you and you have a good stay.” With that, Adrian grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me sharply into a side street. I dropped my cone.

“Adrian, be careful!” I said, but he wasn’t listening.

Bob Chance stayed by our side. “What kind of projects are you working on right now, Adrian? Anything big? Do you have a studio where people can come and watch you work? That would be a big hit, I imagine.”

Adrian kept walking without answering, pulling me along.

“I used to paint,” the man continued, keeping pace alongside us, his camera bouncing wildly. “Dabble is a better way to put it. It takes a lot to make it. I got to hand it to you: Not many folks could make it like you have. You’ve got to ride the wave as long as they’ll let you. That’s just a little piece of advice from me to you.”

We reached our car and Adrian unlocked it with the little automatic opener and headed to the driver’s side without opening my door for me. I got in while Mr. Chance complimented our car and asked what kind of gas mileage we got. Adrian slammed the door and drove away, practically running over him.

“What was that all about?” I asked.

“People ought to learn to keep their distance!” said Adrian. His face was covered in welts.

“Adrian, you’re breaking out in hives!”

He looked back in the rearview mirror and slowed down a little. “Honey, you need to keep your guard up too,” he told me. “Not everyone is just some innocent fan. Some people are dangerous. It’s no joke.”

“Okay.”

He wiped at his forehead and exhaled, turning to me like he had something to say, but he said nothing.

“Where is this coming from?” I asked.

“I’m starting to think we need to take our security more seriously. Get one of those home protection services. Maybe put a fence up. Get a big dog. Whatever it takes.”

“You’re serious?”

He drove past our house slowly and kept going. “Do you mind if we drive around for a minute?”

“I don’t mind.”

“People know me. It makes some of the crazy ones want to mess with us, you know. We seem happy and some people don’t like that.” He looked over at me and touched my face. “I love you and it’s my job to keep you safe.”

“You made me lose my ice cream cone,” I said.

“I’m sorry. Should we get you another one?”

“No. I’m all right.”

Adrian wiped at a trail of sweat running down his temple. “Did you see the way he kept up with us? Most people would get the hint that they’re not welcome.”

“He seemed like a fan. Just a fan,” I said.

“You can’t always tell that easily.”

“So you think he wanted to hurt us?” I asked.

“No. I mean, I doubt it. But we need to be careful, that’s all I’m saying. Listen, the last thing I want is for you to become scared. I just want you to be aware, that’s all. That’s all I’m saying.”