Page 4 of The Photographer

”Phil,” a voice says from the doorway and I whirl around.

I swallow then smile. ”Ellen…”

”Long time no see,” she grins before her smile turns stressed and she barges inside. ”Hope you don’t mind me showing up like this.”

”Not at all,” I say as my heart pounds. Hope you don’t mind me thinking carnal thoughts about your daughter. I wonder if Denise told Ellen something. If Denise thought I was acting inappropriate and my heart dips. Fuck, if I overstepped in a way I’ll wring my own neck and let the ladies decide later whether that was the right decision or not.

Ellen runs a hand through her hair and just like me, she has aged since college. ”Denise came home yesterday, and told me she’d been taking photos at your studio.”

My heart pounds harder.

”Well, it’s crazy isn’t it?” Ellen blurts and I stare at her. She lowers her voice. ”I mean can you imagine…a model?”

My heart slows down. ”What’s wrong with it? She’s a beautiful girl.”

Shrugging, Ellen mutters, ”Smart too. She has this insane knack for remembering all kinds of information, and I’ve told her again and again that I want her to go into stem- cell research but she refuses.”

I nod, cross my arms over my chest and listen intently.

Ellen lights up a cigarette and it’s forbidden to smoke in here but I don’t say anything. I need to cut her some slack considering the inappropriate thoughts I have about her daughter. Ellen shakes her head.

”You’re probably wondering why I’m here.” She drags another smoke and her shoulders are so tense they’re by her ears. ”The thing is, that I know Denise looks up to you. You’re part of a world she desperately wants to belong to. But you know what that world is like. You know what those girls go through, all the pressure that’s put on them. If there’s anyone who can talk Denise out of this then it’s you.”

Clearing my throat, I croak, ”I’m not sure that’s my place…”

”Please Phil,” Ellen says pleadingly, ”you have got to help me. I’ve tried everything and I don’t know what else to do. And Denise’s fixation with becoming a model isn’t a stupid teen girl dream. She’s obsessed. I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill but it scares me sometimes.”

”What do you want me to do?”

”Talk to her.” Ellen takes a step closer to me. ”Talk her out of this modeling thingy and talk her into college. Please.” Ellen puts a hand on my arm. ”As a favor to an old friend.”

”I’ll try,” I finally say, ”I’ll try my best with her but I don’t know…”

”Great! Then it’s settled.” Ellen grins at me. ”How have you been by the way. It’s been years since we saw each other. Did you marry?”

”Single as can be.”

Ellen laughs. ”We always used to joke about how stuck up you are. Nobody’s good enough for the great Philip Steinherr, right?” She cackles. ”But really, you should settle down. It’s time you find yourself a nice woman and stop running around like a randy boy.” She peers at me. ”Although, I will say time has been kind to you. You have to tell me what moisturizer you use.”

Whatever crap I’m gifted from the cosmetic firms I work for.

”Do you still hang out with the old crowd?” I ask and she nods.

”You should join us some night. It’ll be fun to catch up, but I suspect you’re too busy.”

”True. If I’m not working then I’m on a plane somewhere. Or sleeping.”

”Such a geezer,” Ellen cackles before snapping her fingers. ”Anyhow, remember what I said about Denise. You think you got it covered?”

No.

”Can’t guarantee anything.”

”I’m sure you’ll succeed. And Phil…you have my permission to do everything it takes to set that girl’s head straight. Everything.”

My cheeks heat but Ellen doesn’t notice. Her phone rings and she picks it up, firing orders at whatever poor guy or girl she’s talking to, then waves at me and stomps off on her high heels. My shoulders slump and I rub my forehead. Damn, why did Ellen have to show up? And why does she think I have the power to influence Denise’s choice? I’m not even sure if I want to but Ellen is partially right. The modeling industry is rough and I don’t want Denise to get traumatized. She’s a gorgeous girl that can do whatever she wants. I sigh as I take it upon myself to sort her out.

I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that Denise gets the best possible outcome. She’s worth it. I let out a curse. Fuck, I sound like a damn commercial. At the clearing of a throat, I look up and there’s Denise. This time she’s in her school uniform.

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