Page 14 of Something New

"Squares."

"I'm pretty square, don't you think?"

"No, I don't. Not at all. You're young, too. You seem young to be a math professor."

"I'm still a student, too. I developed an app with my college roommate. We sold it and made a bunch of money."

"Ah-ha! That's what it is," I said. "I knew you weren't a regular teacher."

"What are you studying?" he asked.

"I was a communications major—getting a degree for my parents. But I switched to photography."

"Were they okay with it?"

"No, not at all. I told them it was either that or quit so that I could pursue photography full-time. Switching my major was the lesser of the two evils, I guess, so they went with that option."

"You said you work in addition to going to school. Where do you work? Is it taking pictures?"

"Yes, I'm a self-employed photographer. I take photos of party scenes. EDM gatherings, mostly. Sometimes I get hired for private parties and things like that, but it's always nightlife. That's what I'm famous for—if you want to call it famous. I'm famous in that circle, I guess. I dance and party and I take pictures of my surroundings. I don't make multiple prints. I make one copy of each photo, and that's it. My stuff is one-of-a-kind. I choose the size of the print. Most of the time, someone in the photograph buys the finished product. I offer it to them first. Anything that doesn't get purchased, ends up in a collection on Etsy."

"It sounds like you have your business model figured out. I'm surprised your parents gave you a hard time about college."

"They're like my brothers. They don't like what I photograph. They're strict and don't want me going out, partying. They think that's all I'm doing when I work. They want me to set up a stand in the mall and take family portraits like JC Penny."

"What's wrong with family portraits?"

"I wouldn't know where to begin. If you saw my stuff, you'd know how true that is."

"Is that what the big movie-screen sunglasses were all about? An alter ego?"

I smiled. "If you want to call it that."

"Can you take pictures with those big glasses?"

"Yes, I'm actually really used to it. It's harder when I take them off. Sunglasses are part of my work uniform for sure. If it's not those, then it's another oversized pair."

"What was your stage name? Shy?"

"Yes. Sadie's fine, though."

"Well, I'm still glad I ran into you. At least now I won't be bugging you with a phone call about babysitting."

"I'm surprised you don't know anyone," I said.

It was a wonder that young women weren't lined up left and right to babysit for this man. Zoey certainly would have done it. I didn't say that to him.

"It's not that I don't know anyone. It's Ethan. He really likes you. I don't know what you said to him, but he talks about you for two days after he sees you."

"That's so sweet. What day do you need someone? I'm going to Charlotte Saturday night."

"It's for Sunday afternoon. I'll actually be home with him, but I have to be undisturbed in my office. We'll be recording an interview, so I can't be interrupted unless it's an emergency or whatever. I just need someone in the house with us for a few hours. I can ask one of my sisters."

"I was planning on coming back Saturday night, and I usually only like to sleep till noon or one on Sundays since I have school the next day," I said. "If you're in a bind, I could probably come by Sunday afternoon."

"I won't be in a bind. I don't want you to feel obligated since you have plans this weekend."

"I'll just give you my phone number… just in case… since I'll be back by Sunday."

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