Chapter 44
I FIND THE ONLY PRINT SHOP IN THE D ESIGN D ISTRICT THAT’S open on a Sunday. “Give me a second,” says the twenty-something-year-old in a denim apron. His name tag says “Dash,” but he takes his time, ambling down the hall and into a back room.
Yesterday, I slept in and then Meri dragged me to a dance class. It turned out to be, more specifically, a pole-dancing class. She had never tried it before either, but Meri wrapped her legs around the pole like a pro and got a lot of height. I mostly got friction burns. When the teacher told us to crawl on the floor, but “make it sexy,” I looked like a soldier trying to save Private Ryan. But baby steps, right?
Overnight, there’s been a monumental shift between us. I’m no longer the only person who gets to play caretaker. Meri’s become my rock, and her solution in my time of need is to get me dancing.
Tomorrow, I’ll go back to work. It won’t be easy promoting René’s album launch, to hear him sing in the footage, and rewatch his interview over and over so I can distribute the best sound bites to the press.
Dash returns and places an enormous paper bag flat out on the tall counter between us. I pull out the 32-by-23-inch color print and swell up with pride at the photograph of the family I took in Culebra, knee deep in crystal blue water, waddling like ducks in a row.
I went with a white frame, white matte border, and museum-ready, reflection-free glass.
“It’s really nice.” Dash leans over and rests his elbows on the counter. “Did you take it?”
“Yes, in Puerto Rico.”
“Cool composition.”
“Thanks.”
In the image, I’m directly behind them, so it feels like the viewer is heading off to the island too. The little girl sitting on her dad’s shoulders turns back toward the lens with a huge smile, happy we’re coming along.
I’m proud of it. And actually happy to let Mom gush over something I’ve done and hang it on the wall.
I can’t help but admire the details and quality of the print. The colors are more vivid than I remember. The family’s excitement and anticipation for the day ahead leap off the paper. There’s a sense of movement and clarity of purpose, and your eye travels along naturally to where they’re headed. A stunning island covered in palm trees.
Now that it’s this size, I can see the small, sandy beach they headed to, surrounded by a wall of palm trees tightly packed together. There are also a few other people on the island I hadn’t noticed that day. I lean down, filled with curiosity about one particular figure. My mouth drops. There’s a person standing just off the edge of the island, far from the shore. And seemingly walking on water.