Читать книгу The Vision - Linda Blum - Страница 10

The continuous gleam of light bulbs flashing made spots appear before Judy’s eyes. She was thankful this was her last shot as she had enough. It had been a busy day with impatient customers who couldn’t stand waiting for their pictures to be taken. For the company it was profitable, for the customers it was unbearable and for the photographers it meant putting up with disgruntled patrons, as well as working with few breaks.

Judy’s already crabby mood didn’t help matters either. She was upset by the fact that she fell asleep and didn’t speak with her mother. Now, she wondered if the chance would ever present itself again.

She was hot, sweaty and tired as she emerged from the camera room. She stretched trying to ease the tension of the past hour while her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting in the front reception area. Reaching for a bottle of water, she placed it on her forehead then her throat. The coolness felt good against her hot skin. She put the bottle to her lips and gulped it down, feeling the wetness re-hydrate her parched throat.

Grabbing the appointment book, she looked to see how many more shoots were scheduled. She sighed with relief when there was only one more.

She grabbed a bottled water before heading back to the camera room. Just as she was setting up the last of the props, Martha appeared, handing over a clipboard with an information sheet regarding the clients. Judy reviewed it quickly as the young couple entered. She was a bit nervous since this was her first engagement shoot. Her apprehension soon faded when the couple began gushing over the pictures that were taken. In no time she was done and the couple were ushered off to the sales table.

Feeling satisfied with her work, she walked to the time clock. Sorting through the small stack of cards, she found hers and was about to punch out when she heard the sound of the door chime. Peeking around the corner she noticed a woman standing by the empty reception desk.

She smiled as she greeted the woman. “Sorry to keep you waiting. May I help you?”

“Yes,” the woman smiled back, handing her a slip. “I’m here to pick up my pictures.”

Judy took the paper and began searching until she found the photos. She pulled them out of the drawer and gently removed them from the envelope. She gasped in surprise as she saw piercing green eyes staring back at her. Frantically she reviewed each picture to find that the only feature in all of them were those damn eyes. Her vision began to blur and she felt dizzy as she stared down at them.

The woman watched Judy in concern. “Are you all right?”

Just then Martha appeared, waving Ann over. When they approached, Martha whispered instructions for Ann to take over. Dutifully she did as she was told and began serving the customer, while Martha led Judy to the employee’s room. Once they were out of the customer’s sight, she sat Judy down and proceeded to get her a drink from the water cooler.

“What’s wrong?” Martha asked handing her the cup.

Judy looked at her wide-eyed. “Did you see those pictures?”

“Yes what about them?”

“Didn’t you notice how bizarre they were?” Judy asked

“Everything looked fine to me,” she replied.

Her response rattled Judy, so she stormed to the front hoping to review the pictures again. When she arrived, the customer was gone. Judy turned to Ann.

“Did you happen to look at the customer’s pictures?” she asked hysterically.

Ann hesitated before answering, “Yes.”

“Was there anything different about them?” she questioned.

Ann shook her head then stopped. “Come to think of it, there was something wrong.”

She bent down, opened the damaged photos drawer, and pulled out a picture.

“For some strange reason this portrait had a blue streak through it so I had to put a reorder into the lab.”

Judy grabbed it and was baffled by what she saw. Staring at her was a green-eyed woman with full facial features.

“This isn’t the portrait I held in my hand earlier,” she commented. “Are you sure this is the same woman?”

“Yes,” Ann replied confidently.

Just then the chime above the door rang and Ren walked in.

“Hello ladies.”

When Judy didn’t answer he waved his hand in front of her.

“Earth to Judy, are you in there?”

She shoved his hand away. “Yes, I’m here.”

Judy wanted to get the hell out of there. Grabbing her purse, coat and Ren she said her goodbyes then made a quick exit. Her stride was brisk as she walked towards the car. Ren found it hard to keep up, so he lagged behind at a comfortable pace until he finally met up with her.

“Why the speed walking?” he asked as he unlocked the passenger door for her.

Judy slid in and waited for Ren to enter before answering. “I was frustrated so I needed to walk it off.”

“Are you still frustrated?” he asked.

“A little.”

A small smile formed on his lips.

“I know a sure cure to end all this tension.” He leaned towards her whispering naughty thoughts in her ear.

“I can’t wait,” she said breathlessly.

They stopped to pick up Jay from school. Mrs. Bright was standing in the hallway when they arrived.

“Good day Mrs. Bright,” Ren said.

Mrs. Bright smiled at him. “Hello Mr. Storm.” When her eyes turned to Judy her smile lessened and her tone of voice became trite.

“Hello Mrs. Storm.”

Judy forced a smile. “Hello.”

Jay was just coming out of the classroom. He was in deep conversation with one of his classmates and didn’t notice them standing there.

“Hi Jay,” Judy’s voice trailed after him.

Jay turned around in surprise. “Oh, hi Mom, Dad. I’ll be right with you.”

Jay spoke with the other boy for a few more minutes before joining his parents.

“Okay, I’m ready,” he announced as he headed towards the door.

On the ride home, Jay announced his class was going on a field trip to the bank next week and asked if one of them could come along.

“Mrs. Bright said they needed helpers,” he advised.

“When is it?” Ren asked.

Jay reached into his knapsack and pulled out a form. He handed it to Judy.

She scanned it over and told him.

Ren shook his head. “Sorry bud, I can’t. I have a fitness class to teach then.”

“What about you mom?” Jay asked hopefully.

“I’ll try.”

As Judy read the form she harrumphed in response.

Ren glanced at her briefly. “What’s wrong?”

Judy explained about the trip.

“Sounds pretty cool to me, what’s the problem?” he asked.

“It just seems like everyone wants children to grow up so fast. Why can’t adults leave them be and let children be children instead of shaping them into mini adults?”

“You mean go back to the simpler days,” Ren said.

“Would that be such a bad thing?” Judy questioned.

“Not if you greet me in a dress with pearls. Better yet...” he whispered provocatively, “You could just wear the pearls and nothing else.”

Judy shook her head grinning. “Do you always have a one track mind?

“You bet,” he replied wholeheartedly

It had been a long day for the both of them, so they decided to stop by her uncle’s restaurant for supper. They were surprised to see the place bustling so early in the week. When they entered, Hazel, one of Will’s long-time employees greeted them at the door.

“Hello,” she gushed. “It’s so nice to see all of you.”

“Hi Hazel.” Judy smiled. “How are you?”

“Great.” Hazel beamed.

“How’s Henry?” Ren inquired.

A dark look crossed her face at the mention of her husband.

“He’s a son of a ...” Hazel stopped realizing Jay was there.

“What’s wrong?” Judy asked.

She raised her chin in the air. “I haven’t spoken to him today.”

This didn’t surprise Judy since those two were always disagreeing about something.

“What did he do this time, forget to put the toilet seat down?” Ren joked.

Hazel ignored him. “I don’t know why I stay with that man.”

Here we go, Judy thought, trying to feel sympathetic yet falling short.

“Why, what happened?”

“Yesterday he went out and bought himself a new set of golf clubs.”

“What’s wrong with that?” Ren asked.

“He used some of our vacation money to buy a set of Dings,” she snorted.

Ren corrected her glaring mistake of the make of the golf clubs.

“Whatever,” she said irritably. “Any ways, he spent seven hundred and fifty dollars.

Ren’s eyes grew wide, “Sweet deal.”

Hazel sharply turned and frowned. “What do you mean?”

Ren snickered. “Those clubs normally cost a lot more. Be glad he got them for the price he did, or you may not have had any vacation money at all.”

Hazel was still glaring at Ren when Will appeared.

“Well if it isn’t my favourite family,” he said.

Will noted Hazel’s sullen expression.

“She must have told you about Henry and his new set of golf clubs,” he said.

“Yeah, what a good deal,” Ren sighed dreamily.

“No kidding,” Will agreed.

While the two of them stood there, with visions of golf clubs dancing in their heads, Hazel huffed off to the kitchen.

“Good going you two,” Judy scolded.

“Don’t worry about Hazel,” Will said. “She’ll find something else to get mad at and forget all about the clubs.”

The loud sound of applause diverted their attention.

“You sure are busy tonight,” Judy commented.

A smug smile formed on his face.

“My restaurant is hosting The Second Street Church’s annual fundraising dinner.”

Judy’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.