Page 5 of Free to Live
“I know,” she sighs. “I’ve heard the complaints.”
“If I hadn’t been there taking photos behind the scenes, we could have taken some serious hits to our reputation with that kind of feedback.”
Ali taps her nails against her desk in frustration. “I thought you were crazy putting your own interns through a trial-by-fire like that. And then when I saw some of the photos? They were amateurish. It’s like they didn’t know what end of the camera was up without you there.”
“And let’s not mention the situation where…”
Ali visibly shudders. “I still can’t believe he took off with the maid of honor during the reception. I mean, seriously? First, he had a girlfriend whom we’d met, and second, he was working. Thank God you were there doing one of your crazy interviews.”
I shake my head. “If I wasn’t, I guarantee you it wouldn’t have been just a breakup scene downstairs we’d have had to endure. I guarantee we would have had the mother of the bride demanding a full refund for not capturing all of the special moments of her daughter’s wedding.”
“I was happy to defend the termination of his internship, draft your letter indicating why you would not sign off on his coursework, and defend to RIT why we stood behind this even if it meant their not presenting him for graduation.”
“And you wonder why it’s so hard to find someone to hire?” I scoff.
“I’m just pointing out the fact you’re looking at the same situation Cori was a few years ago, sister. Your services are becoming more and more in demand. And not just for weddings. Look at this schedule.” Ali spins her monitor around. As much as I want to be blasé about it, I’m a little taken aback by the amount of time my name is popping up on the schedule. “Even if you do the events and bring in someone for the editing, won’t that help?”
I tap a finger against my chin. “I’m going to have to do at least that. Jesus. When did I suddenly become so popular?”
She grins. “I took advice from Jenna,” she says, naming Emily’s future stepdaughter, who is a sophomore at UConn and a marketing savant.
I roll my eyes. “Of course you did.”
“Some of our interns,” she says haughtily, “don’t need to be vetted like they’re escapees from the local prison.”
“That’s because some of our interns are members of our family—or soon will be. While your daughter has shown an incredible interest in photography for being three, I really don’t think I can send her out on any of my shoots,” I retort.
Ali throws me a dazzling smile. “It’s super cute, isn’t it?”
I grin back at her. “Totally. Think Keene will get pissed if I give her a camera for her birthday?”
“Meh. He’ll be fine. Especially since he’ll be too busy wondering if this new baby is a boy or a girl,” Ali pats her stomach even as she drops a bomb as casually as if she just told me she bought a new pair of Jimmy Choos.
“What?” I screech at my older sister so loudly, I’m unsurprised when I hear footsteps in the hall.
“I can’t believe I’m about to say this and not Cass, but what on earth is wrong with you two? People are working in this building. Namely, me.” Phil stands fuming in the door.
I point at a very smug Ali. “I…she…” I can’t even form a sentence. I can barely catch my breath.
“Yes?” Phil leans against the jamb. It’s not more than a second later before Cassidy, Corinna, and Em all stroll up behind him. Em’s sipping her drink, even as she hands Phil his. Cassidy gives me mine. I take a large gulp as I try to gather my bearings, wondering if Ali’s going to share with the rest of the family.
“Here.” Corinna hands Ali her drink. Ali inhales and is about to take a sip when I yell out, “You can’t have that!”
Everyone’s heads turn toward me. “Why not?” Cassidy asks curiously.
Ali’s laughter bounces off the walls of the room. Standing up with her drink in her hand, she gives me an arrogant smirk that rivals those her husband is notorious for.
“You just got through telling me you’re pregnant and you’re drinking coffee? I don’t think so, sister.” I stand up and snatch the cup out of her hands. The room gets eerily quiet for a heartbeat. I turn just in time to see Em’s drink come dribbling out of her mouth as she tries to speak. She wipes her mouth on the shoulder of Phil’s shirt. Instead of being followed by cursing, he’s in shock, whispering, “Ali? Is it true?” Corinna’s dancing while trying not to drop her cup. Cassidy is crying as she shoves her way into the room to throw herself into Ali’s embrace, and I realize it’s perfect. How Ali told us is just perfect. Instead of accusatory, I’m beaming when I say, “You planned it this way,” remembering her phone call yesterday. She had likely just come from the doctor confirming her pregnancy.
My sneaky, brilliant, pregnant sister.
“Of course I did.” She’s wiping tears which are flowing copiously down her cheeks. She hugs Cass one more time before stepping back. “I didn’t get to tell you all the first time I found out I was pregnant, so I wanted to memorize your faces when I knew the second. And I didn’t want a damn camera blocking yours,” she teases.
I take her ribbing in good spirit because if she told me at any other time, she wouldn’t be wrong. I’m so used to having my camera in my hand, it’s like an appendage to my body. When we’re all together, even if it’s just for lunch, my camera is there even for the everyday moments. From work to anger, to hysterical laughter, I’ve got them all.
And for once, I’m glad I don’t have the camera in my hand so I could give my sister her moment just the way she’ll always want to remember it.
* * *
