“Sure thing,” she said. Something was on her mind.
“She changing?” I asked.
Kelly nodded. “Yes sir. She’s trying on the first Swimsuit. And actually, about that…”
I powered the camera off. “What’s wrong? It doesn’t fit?”
“It fits fine. It’s just something we really didn’t plan for.”
“Then what is it? It’s too skimpy for mom?”
“Well, no. I mean yes it’s pretty revealing, but she doesn’t seem to have an issue with wearing it. It’s just… She didn’t shave down there.” Kelly waved her hand in front of her lady parts.
I blinked. “Come again?”
“Look, she’s a little embarrassed about it. I told her you can probably fix it when you edit the photos.”
“How bad is it?”
She tapped her foot. “I don’t think she’s ever done it, to be honest. I mean, it’s nicely trimmed, but it’s still puffing the fabric and… Do you want to see? It’s kinda weird with me describing it.”
“You think me studying Mom’s crotch is less weird?”
She shrugged and laughed. “I really don’t know.” She looked at me. “Tell you what; she can probably hear us anyway so let me ask her if she’s comfortable with you taking a look.” She turned and began walking away.
“Whoa! Wait a second!” I said chasing after her but she was already there.
“Mom it’s me. Jason’s here and I told him about the situation.” Kelly said looking at me.
“Oh great,” Mom said through the curtain.
Kelly indicated I should speak.
I looked at my sister and shook my head. “Hey mom, it’s Jason.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Kelly’s saying you’re concerned about… Look, we’re adults, at least you and I are.” Kelly scoffed at my remark. I continued, “Do you want me to take a quick look.”
She hesitated. “I don’t know.”
I shrugged, looking at Kelly. “You know, we got a lot of shots today, and I think some really solid ones. Let’s call it a wrap and finish the rest next week.”
“No-no-no-no-no!” Kelly stammered. “I can’t do that, these need to be in by Tuesday.”
“Sorry Kiddo,” I said to Kelly.
We heard Mom sigh. “Honey, it’s fine. I’ll just take care of it in here. Do you have any scissors or something?”
“Yeah, I have-” Kelly’s eyes went wide. “Shit,” she said scurrying to her kit. “God damn it!” She began to rip through her tiny pink bag.
“Kelly, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“I’m an idiot, that’s what,” she said. She stopped and looked up at me. “I fucking left them on the counter.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
Her lips tightened. “Yup,” she nodded. “I remember setting them down after final touch ups.” She laughed at herself. “I even made a mental note to put them in the bag. Fucking rookie.”
Mom’s voice carried over to us again. “Look, it’s not a big deal. I can just tuck it in or something.” I had to shake my head. Never thought the three of us would be having a critical conversation about Mom’s pubic hair.
Now, don’t ask me how, but for some reason that sparked an idea.
“Oh shit,” I said softly. “I think I got something.”
Kelly looked up, deflated.
“What?”
“I got a bag in my car.”
“You carry scissors with you?”
“No,” I said. “But it is an emergency kit, so to speak.”