Chapter 4

“Yeah, I think so, too. Although, I do hope we don’t go all Gauguin and Van Gogh on each other by the end of the month.”

I usually didn’t get Jack’s references. His knowledge of culture, contemporary or past, was way over my head. He had a phenomenal memory and could retain information easily. I remembered the first time he’d mentioned Leonardo and Donatello to me, I thought he’d meant the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

“For a time,” Jack patiently explained, understanding I needed a little enlightenment. “Gauguin and Van Gogh—you know—the painters, lived together in Arles, France. The whole thing ended in violence and that’s when Van Gogh cut off his ear.”

I instinctively touched my left ear.

Jack took another sip of wine and laughed. “Oh, don’t be so worried. You’re definitely the Gauguin in this pair.” He tipped his head, watching me. “Hey, you look tired, Sebastien.”

I realized I was standing there, half asleep. “Yeah, I should go to bed.”