Page 100 of The Calendar of New Beginnings
And so she began. Halfway through her story, Moira extended her hand to Lucy. When Lucy’s voice broke at this small gesture of compassion, Moira knew she had been right to give it. Usually when someone was telling her a difficult life story at her work, she tried to keep a step back from them. But this was her brother’s girlfriend. One of her idols.
Moira felt tears gather in her eyes as Lucy described her fears about taking photos again. She found her heart breaking a little for this brave woman she admired so much. Moira enjoyed photography, but it was Lucy’s life and blood.
“I’m going to do the calendar,” Lucy continued after drinking more water, “but I talked to my mother about having you help me. You…understand what it’s about. Because of Kim.”
She really had to blink back the tears this time. Kim had been a shining light in all of their lives and when she’d died, ithad felt like the sun had been stolen from their family.
“I’d be happy to help,” Moira told her, clutching her hand. “Lucy, I know I’m not as good as you are. I never could be. But I’ll do my best.”
“We’ll figure it out together,” she said, returning the grip. “I don’t want these photos to suffer because of my current limitations, and I know you can help offset those. I’m still adjusting to the electronic finder, but the biggest issues are that it’s hard for me to see whether the lighting is right and if the picture is blurry as I shoot. There could be a problem?—”
“But you can’t distinguish it as easily on the fly,” Moira finished. “I can’t imagine how horrible this must be for you.”
Truthfully, she was amazed Lucy had even agreed to do the calendar in the first place. Now she understood why Andy had told her to give Lucy some space.
“The only people who know about my…situation are your brother, Tanner—because he’s been in the same hot spots and gets it—and my mother,” she said, “although I expect my dad will know soon enough. I need to tell him the whole story myself, but it’s…been a day.”
Moira nodded. “No doubt. I’ll help you any way I can. I don’t want you to worry. I have your back.”
Lucy gave her a weak smile. “You Hales.”
The way she said it made Moira smile back. “What are you going to do long-term? About your career.”
“That’s the million-dollar question,” Lucy answered, suddenly pushing out of her chair like she couldn’t be contained any longer.
Moira let go of her hand and stood. “You should head on home, drink some wine, and take a bath. We can talk about the calendar in more detail when you’re ready.”
Lucy reached for her oversized bag hanging on the back of her chair. “I wanted to show you my choices for the three volunteers so far. I…showed Andy, but he doesn’t have a photographer’s eye. And your mother liked them… We won’t talk about what my mother said yesterday. We came to a new understanding today. They need to be touched up a lot more than usual, but I hope what they’ve captured is as good as I think.”
Lucy’s hand was trembling as she drew the photos out and arranged them in a row on the kitchen table. Moira immediately zeroed in on the photo of Jill.
“Wow! You captured Jill perfectly. I’ve never seen her softer or more timeless.”
“Whew, that’s a relief,” Lucy said, a smile dancing on her lips like she couldn’t quite sustain it.
Moira peered closer, studying the remaining two. “The one of Old Man Jenkins almost breaks your heart, doesn’t it? It should be funny, right? A ninety-year-old guy is sitting with nothing but an American flag in his lap. But there’s wisdom and power here. You want to sit at his feet as he tells you how to navigate this thing called life.”
“Exactly!” Lucy said, and Moira heard excitement in her voice.
She turned back to the third photo. “I don’t know Rhett as well as Jane, but I’ve gotten to know him some. I have to say you captured a vulnerability I expect few have ever seen in him. He’s such a force of nature, you know?”
“But here he is, holding the poker cards given to him by the uncle who taught him the game.”
“It’s wistful and haunting and ridiculously sweet,” Moira said.
“But technically,” Lucy pressed. “I still think there are a few places toimprove.”
Moira leaned over them, starting at the outer edges of the photo and then going to the center. “There’s the smallest shadow on Jill’s left cheek. And I would sharpen the color of the fruit in her hat a little more to add punch.”
When she straightened and looked up, she realized Lucy was brushing tears away.
“Hey!” Moira said, putting her hand on her arm. “I can’t tell you it’s going to be all right, but I’m here to help.”
Lucy bit her lip and nodded bravely. “Can I leave these with you? I have other copies. I’d like you to take your time with them. I can send you the electronic files when I get home.”
“That would be great,” Moira said, giving her an encouraging smile.
“Well, I’d better run. You’re right. It has been a long day. And I haven’t even talked to your brother yet.”
