Chapter 15
15
Why was Cinderella so hopeful about her photos?
Belinda looked down at the text message and grinned. She quickly responded. I don’t know.
She waited, anxiously staring as the three dots danced on her phone message app.
She knew her prints would come one day.
Snorting, she quickly typed, That’s so punny! Yuk yuk!
When her phone rang, she saw Aaron’s name on the caller ID and quickly hit accept. “Yessss?” she answered with great exaggeration.
“Punny? You made a joke about my joke,” he complained.
“I thought after all the texts you’ve sent me where you’ve obviously spent a great deal of time looking at photography jokes, I could at least be a little bit amusing.”
He chuckled, and the sound reverberated through her. “I admit I have spent time looking at photography jokes. You know, there’s not a lot of them out there, and some of them really aren’t funny at all.”
“Then I commend you for your diligence since the ones you’ve sent me have been good. I assume you are being just as diligent in serving the citizens of North Heron as a detective, keeping us all safe?”
At that, he sighed heavily. “Oh, don’t you doubt it. Sam and I seem to be doing nothing but working one crime scene after another.”
Her mirth instantly disappeared as she thought of what his career entailed each day. In a much gentler voice, she said, “I’m sorry, Aaron.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. It’s the job that I was trained for and want to do. I guess if there weren’t any criminals, then I wouldn’t have a job. On the other hand, it would be nice to have a slow day every once in a while.”
Just when she was getting ready to say something else, she heard noises in the background.
“Sorry, Belinda. I have to cut this short. We’re getting called out again. I hope you have a good day.”
They said their goodbyes, and for several moments, she just sat, staring at her phone and thinking of the strange new change in their relationship.
For several weeks, he’d come into the shop for his early morning coffee fix and started sending her texts again. Sometimes just wishing her a good day, and other times, like today, sending a silly joke. She had no idea where he found them, but it was endearing.
Ever since he’d come in to apologize for the rude girlfriend and to let her know that she was no longer around, he’d become a constant presence in her life in subtle ways. Texts were exchanged most days, and he’d brought in his new partner, Sam, to meet her.
Belinda jerked out of her musings and looked at her watch, hurrying out to her car. She was meeting Daniel at Easton Historical Courthouse again, this time with the photography club. They had worked on nature photographs and individual portraits, but today, she would give them a lesson in color versus black-and-white photography.
Once there, she couldn’t help but smile at Daniel's wide grin. Climbing from her car, she reached into the back seat and pulled out her camera cases. Greeting the students that she had come to know, they walked over to the historical buildings.
“I realize that Daniel has already taught some of you in his history class, so you’re familiar with this area. If not, I would advise you to walk around and read the information plaques to understand the significance of these buildings. Is that always necessary to capture a perfect image? Not at all. But in this case, understanding the architecture, the time of its building, and what it housed can give you a perspective.”
“But does it really matter?” one of the young men asked. “How will my perspective of this building show up in a photograph I take?”
“That’s an excellent question, especially since we’re discussing color versus black and white today. You’ll find that black and white requires more focus on the composition of what you want to photograph. For example, architecture is often photographed in black and white. It’s usually associated with the past. Obviously, because, at one time, that was the only choice the photographer had. Also, if you’re photographing outside, the light might guide your decision and how to control it. In bright sunlight, black and white will bring out the contrast. On a cloudy day, black and white allows you to play with the nuances of gray. But as always, the choice is yours as the photographer.”
Daniel walked with the others as the students spread out, answering their questions about the area's history. She peered at the screens of their cameras to make comments and suggestions on their photographs. With the early fall sun beaming down, she jogged back to her car to pull out her floppy hat.
“Hey! I didn’t expect to see you over here today.”
Looking up, she smiled as Aaron walked toward her with a confident air, dressed in navy pants, a light blue shirt, and a navy tie.
As she inclined her head toward the historic area, she said, “I’m working with the photography club again.”
Aaron’s gaze moved beyond her and then back to her face. “I only have a few minutes before Sam will join me, and we have to roll out, but can I watch?”
“Sure!” She pulled her hat onto her head, then playfully shoved his arm when he grinned. “Okay, I know it’s not going to win any fashion awards, but I hate to sunburn. And God knows I don’t want any more freckles.”
“On you, freckles are adorable.”
Rolling her eyes, they walked together, stopping when they got to Daniel. Aaron thrust out his hand. “I’m Aaron, a friend of Belinda’s.”
Daniel shook his hand with enthusiasm. “I’m Daniel. I work at the community college. Belinda’s been a super friend to help out the photography club.”
One of the students called Daniel over, and Belinda cast a side-eyed gaze toward Aaron, wondering what he was thinking.
“He seems nice,” Aaron said. “I would’ve done better in school if I’d had enthusiastic teachers like him.”
She nodded slowly. “He is really good with them.” She hesitated, then dragged her tongue over her lips. “He and I went out a couple of times, but it was evident that we were better as just friends.”
Aaron didn’t say anything, and she felt the heat of blush flame across her cheeks, having nothing to do with the sun. She wasn’t sure why she’d given him that tidbit about Daniel. Aaron had given no indication that he was interested in more than just being friends with her, either. She glanced down but wasn’t lucky enough for a large hole to open in the middle of the grass so she could fall into it.
“I’m glad,” Aaron finally said.
Belinda remained silent, not certain what exactly he was glad about.
“I saw you out one time with him and assumed you were dating.”
“Oh…” Once again, words failed to appear.
Aaron turned to her and sighed, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. “I was jealous but knew that I had no one to blame but myself. And even though I was jealous, I was glad you had someone who seemed to be into you. But, now, I’m very glad to know that you and he are just friends.”
They faced each other, and the sounds of the students around them faded away. Their eyes remained locked on each other as past regrets melded into hoped futures.
“Aaron!”
They both jumped at Sam’s voice calling from the parking lot. Aaron grinned and shook his head. “Bad timing, sweetheart. I have to go, but we’ll talk soon.”
He turned and jogged away, and she stood, stunned and silent. It was the first time she’d heard him call her sweetheart in a long time. And it warmed her heart just as much as ever.