So there I stood; my face as blank as my mind before her, and this lovely goddess is waiting for me to speak. You want to talk about awkward; this could be a case study. Nothing was said; she just smiled, waiting as I struggled to even think of what her name was. It’s embarrassing but I still can’t recall. And so, to save myself, I thanked her, grabbed my gear and took off.
As soon as I was in my car and done yelling at myself in the rearview mirror, I heard my phone chime with a new text. It was from Kelly.
K: Hey Big B. I submitted my portfolio and they LOVED the photos! I can’t thank you enough! Thank you thank you thank you!
Well that at least brought a smile to my face. I typed out my response.
ME: No prob sis. Glad you liked.
I tapped on ‘Send’ and couldn’t even put the phone away before she responded.
K: I didn’t like them… I LOVED them. Everyone was impressed.
K: Can’t wait til we do it again!
I chuckled. We’d never talked about another shoot, but why the hell not?
ME: Sure thing. Let me know when you got more to show. It was fun.
I was about to put the phone away when she replied back.
K: Will do.
Then…
K: I’m bored. What you doin?
ME: Just got in my car. Had a session at that new place on Pine St.
K: What new place?
ME: Its a sushi bar. The food’s good.
K: That’s cool. How’d it go?
ME: Fine.
ME: Actually better than fine. It went great but I’m a little out of it.
K: What’s up?
I stared at the screen in the muted silence of my car. Fuck it.
ME: Nothing really. I just choked in front of this girl.
K: Like on the sushi?
ME: No not on the sushi.
ME: I wanted to ask her out and couldn’t for some reason. I think I panicked.
K: LOL!!!!!!
K: You’re kidding!
K: Oh man shouldn’t you have that down at your age?
My eyes were spitting darts at the screen.
ME: Wow. Thank you for your support.
K: awwwwwwwwwwe come on. I’m just joking.
K: Was she cute?
ME: Yeah. She was one of the main girls I worked with.
K: one of the models huh? look at you mr photographer.
ME: You’re forgetting I bombed miserably.
K: Yeah, but you were trying for it. What was she like? Why her?
I shrugged to myself then typed my response.
ME: She was cute and fun. Took a little bit for her to open up to the camera though.
K: Go on.
ME: I don’t know. She was funny and kinda sassy. She kinda teased me at times which I thought was a good sign.
ME: Pretty eyes. It was like she’d look straight at me through the lens.
K: Kinda like Mom did?
ME: I don’t know, maybe. She wasn’t as crazy as Mom, that’s for sure.
K: So why now? I thought you didn’t have time for the ladies? 😉
ME: Not sure really. It’s just been a crazy week.
K: …
K: Been thinking about the photo shoot with Mom, huh?
ME: … yeah, sure. A little bit. Why?
K: Nothin. I’ve kinda been a bit worked up this whole week myself.
K: Mom too, I think.
ME: why do you say that?
K: … promise not to freak out?
ME: No, but tell me anyway.
There was a pause… and then:
K: I caught her getting herself off.
My eyes went wide and I brought the phone to my chest, suddenly concerned for prying eyes in the solitude of my car. I chided myself and responded.