Chapter 11 #2
Walking into the bathroom I spot the bag sitting on the floor tucked beside the shelf I have my skin care, hair, and other various products on. Now I remember setting it there before I did my hair and makeup.
Forget pregnancy brain, mom brain is a real pain in the ass, too.
Scooping up the bag, I sling it over my shoulder and meet Roe by the door.
“Did you put the Lunchable out?”
She nods vigorously. “A nacho one.” She clasps her tiny hands together and sways. “It’s on the counter.”
Setting my bag down, I grab her lunchbox and add in the Lunchable she chose, a bottle of water, and one double stuffed Oreo because my daughter is as addicted to them as I am.
Zipping it up, I pass her the box. “Here you go. We have to get out of here. We’re already running late.”
Swiping my keys from the table I have beside the door, I sling my purse over my shoulder and pick up my camera bag, opening the door for Roe so she can go out first.
She peers up at me with a curious gaze. “Is Daddy picking me up from school since he’s not taking me?”
I shake my head, locking up behind us. “No, Grandma is getting you like usual.”
“Fine,” she grumbles.
“What are you complaining about?” I ruffle her hair. “You love spending time with Grandma and Grandpa.”
“I do.” She fiddles with the strap on her Barbie lunchbox. “But I miss my dad.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck.
Dagger straight to my heart.
Spencer is a very involved father. Despite his career and constantly being busy, he always makes time for Monroe.
He sees her several times a week and three weekends a month.
But for her that’s still not enough, and it breaks my heart.
Co-parenting isn’t easy, even when you get along.
No matter what, your kid is always losing in some way.
“You can call him tonight,” I promise her.
Hopefully it’s not an empty promise. He was supposed to take her to school this morning, but texted late last night that he had to fly to Las Vegas for an interview earlier than he’d planned.
Luckily, Roe hadn’t known he was supposed to take her. Unfortunately, he has to cancel, and reschedule the days he takes her a lot, so I’ve gotten used to not telling her until I know for certain he’s showing up. I learned the hard way that I don’t like to see her disappointed.
Unlocking my car, Monroe clamors into the back and into her car seat.
She complains all the time about being a big girl and not needing a car seat, but with her height and weight she’s not quite ready for a booster seat, so she’ll have to continue to suffer with her teenage dramatics.
Car seat safety is non-negotiable for me.
She buckles herself in, but like always I supervise to make sure everything is strapped in correctly. I would never forgive myself if I got into an accident, or even a minor fender bender, and Monroe wasn’t properly buckled into her seat.
Starting the car up, I remove the sun shield from the window—a classic Star Wars one my sister got me after I watched the movies a couple years ago and wouldn’t shut up about how hot Harrison Ford was.
I mean, even for an older man he’s still good looking.
Adjusting the AC, it blows out hot air for a minute before starting to cool.
Despite it being fall, it’s still in the 80s and 90s.
It’s one of the things I love most about living on the coast, the weather is always warm.
The drive to Monroe’s school is a short one and I pull up in the line, letting her out of the car and waving at the aide who waits every morning to escort the kids to the door.
Pulling away from the school, I call Willa and let her know I’m on my way, and I’ll see them in about an hour and a half, maybe two thanks to traffic, at the park they picked to do their engagement photos.
When I get off from her, I turn on a podcast and listen to it as I drive to pass the time.
Pulling into the park, my fingers tap against the steering wheel with a mixture of both nerves and excitement.
It’s been so long since I got to dig out my camera and make use of it.
Too long. I’ve sworn to myself for years that I would make photography more of a priority and slowly build it into a full-time career.
Hopefully one day when I graduate, I’ll be able to put my degree to use.
Finding a parking space, I slide my car into it, having to back up and try again to get my car to fit. My car might be small, but the two behemoth SUVs beside the space make parking difficult.
Yanking my phone out of the cupholder, I text my sister that I’m here. Her reply is almost instant, letting me know they’re stopping for coffee and will be there in five. She asks if I want anything and I’m not about to turn down a free coffee so I say yes.
Grabbing my cup of water, infused with strawberries and cucumbers, I slide out of the car and go around to the other side for my camera. Trekking through the park, I look around for a spot I think might be perfect for photos.
When I find it, with a pond through a halo of trees, I call Willa and tell them where to meet me.
Sitting in the grass, I wait for them to get here and find me. The sun is warm, but I’m in the shade so I don’t have to worry about getting too hot.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I smile to myself when I pull it out and find a text message from Jameson.
Jameson: Did you make it there safe?
Me: Safe and sound.
Taking a selfie, I send it to him. I’m squinting in it, my tongue sticking out slightly, and my left hand holding up two fingers.
Jameson: Beautiful.
Me: Will I see you tonight?
A couple of minutes go by before he replies.
Jameson: Probably not. I’m going to be at the office late, so I’ll just go home. I don’t want to come by and wake up Roe.
Me: Yeah, you’re right. I’ll miss you.
Jameson: Miss you already.
I’ve barely put my phone away when I hear, “Low!”
Jumping up, I can’t control the smile that takes over my face at the sight of my sister.
I haven’t seen her in over a month when she and Jasper came home for a family barbeque.
Willa and I run at each other, meeting halfway as we tackle each other and fall to the ground in a tangle of limbs and laughter.
Jasper stands to the side holding the coffees in a carrier, shaking his head at us.
I’ve heard horror stories of siblings who don’t get along, but that’s never been Willa and me. Sure, we’ve had spats—who doesn’t—but I’ve always known no matter what, I could rely on my sister. She’s one of the best people in the whole world.
When we finally untangle ourselves, Jasper’s shadow clouds us. He shakes his head back and forth, lips curling in amusement. “You girls are crazy.” He holds a hand out to Willa and hauls her up, then offers it to me doing the same.
“Oh, man, I hope we didn’t get grass stains on your clothes.” I pluck blades of grass off Willa’s long skirt.
Both of them are dressed up for their photos.
Jasper in a pair of khaki pants and a pale blue button down, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. The barest hint of the tattoo sleeve he’s having done on his left arm shows.
Willa’s flowy skirt is a similar shade of blue embroidered with white flowers.
Her top is a fitted white tank that hugs her chest, making her look bustier than she is.
Though, if she’s anything like me, they’ll get bigger and stay bigger after she has a kid. If that’s something she wants to do.
With Willa’s outfit back in order, I walk over to where my camera bag is and pull out the expensive—too expensive—Nikon that Spencer bought for me years ago. It was a secondhand one, but even then, it was too much for him to spend. He used the check from his second or third modeling gig to get it.
Adjusting the aperture and taking a few test shots, I direct Willa and Jasper to where I want them.
Despite it being me taking the photos, I can tell Willa is still nervous.
I direct the first few poses and as she begins to forget about the camera that’s when I get the photos I really want—the natural shots, the ones that show the essence of who they are together and why they click.
I find myself smiling as I snap photos. The ease and happiness I feel behind a camera is unparalleled. Don’t get me wrong, I love working at Cool Beans. As far as jobs go, I could be stuck somewhere I hate, but working at the coffee shop has never been my end game.
Taking a break, I sip the coffee they brought me, while going through the photos I’ve taken already.
After a moment, I say, “Let’s find another area to get more shots.”
“There’s a flower garden around here somewhere. There should be a sign,” Jasper says, shielding his eyes from the sun.
I perk up at the visual of them haloed by flowers in a shot. “Sounds great. Let’s find it.”
I pack things back up and after locating a sign, we walk ten minutes to another part of the park.
It’s a bit more crowded over here, but luckily, once people realize what we’re doing, they remain a respectful distance away and make sure not to mess up any photos.
When I feel like I have all the shots I need, we walk back to our cars.
“Do you have time to get lunch?” Willa asks, stopping beside my car as I set my bag on the floor of the passenger side.
“Yeah, mom is picking up Roe so I can take my time.”
“I miss that nugget so much.” My sister frowns. “It sucks living so far away.”
“It won’t suck so much when you’re Dr. Hansen.” I poke her side. “Or will it be Dr. Werth?” I look from her to Jasper and back again.
She sticks her tongue out. “Dr. Hansen, thank you very much. My hard work, my last name.” She flashes a smile at Jasper. “But I love you, babe.”
He throws his hands up. “Hey, it doesn’t bother me one bit.”
“What are you in the mood to eat?” Willa changes the subject.
“I’m starving so I’m down for whatever. Is there a place around here you guys really like?”
They exchange a look and both nod. “Follow us.”