Aperture

Chapter 1

My brown hair is blanketing over the tree roots. I take in everything the smell in the air, colors and the sounds of the animals playing in the trees around me. I look back on the past year and how I got to where I am right now. I think I could have done better but I also think a lot of it was out of my control. He controlled the situation from day one. He worked his way into my life so well. I now needed him. I didn't like how it happened but it did happen. Now I lay there still waiting. I feel my eyes close and I succumb to the lull of peaceful sleep.

Year before...

I was in Kennedy Park taking photos of life in motion. I wanted to get some good photos of people in everyday life. I found this spot on the lawn that was perfect. There I could see the massive stone steps to the upper walkway. It crosses over the lawn of the park.

There are always so many couples draped over the stone kissing and not caring at all that they are in public doing things they shouldn't be doing. I lean over and change out my storage card. I take a bit of my sandwich and place it back down. Just as a bird comes down and takes it from my blanket. I honestly didn't know what to do. Looking in the direction It flew and softly said. " Your welcome thief."

I move back to my position and start scanning for a person that is unique and kind looking. Maybe in love. I am not picky. I just like when they see through the lens and yet they don't see me. When one look tells so many stories yet none are true. That makes for a great conversation.

I was in the middle of taking a photo of a woman with a nose ring and shaggy brown hair when I felt like i'm the one being watched.

I drop my camera and look around. I look behind me and see nothing. After a minute of gathering my nervousness. I continue taking photos. After I get another good one of a older lady with her hair tied up in a handkerchief. I see a beautifully haunting man looking at me through the camera. The smirk he had on his face was saying everything without hearing a word. I lowered my camera and looked at him for a minute.

He was leaning on the stone wall of the upper level just at the top of the steps. His long sleeve blue cotton shirt was placed just right over his muscular chest . The two buttons were open and I could see his chest. The sleeves were pulled up on his elbows and I could see a tattoo. His hair was dark brown curls everywhere. He was beautiful. I put my camera back up and looked again. I take a photo and then I see him wave and turn walking away.

I stopped taking photos and placed my camera next to me. I drink the last of my coffee and I start picking up all my stuff. I figured it was time to make my way back home. I pack my camera bag and backpack and pull my flannel shirt back on. Pulling my hair up in a messy bun. I start walking back down the path. Getting smiles from a few people I had been taking photos of. I feel little pieces of hair fall by my face and I push them back.

I put my headphones in my ears and played a little bit of Indie rock. I can see trees for a mile. Then I can see all the tall buildings behind that. I love my city. It's a small city, but big enough to have everything you could ever need. I could never live in New York City but this is better. Plus rent isn't that bad. When you have at least one other person living with you.

I walk through the square and down the brick sidewalk to our stairs. I make my way through the sea of people to my brownstone. We have the upper level. Mainly because it has a lot of room. Plus a huge balcony we use often and an office for my photography work. I do a lot of weddings and events. I however do a lot of boudoir shoots. I do those at my big studio and process them at home. That is where I make the most money. Being a photographer in a city full of other photographers. I need to be able to change things up if I needed to.

I stopped at the mailbox in the hallway first before heading up the stairs to our emerald green door. I unlock it and walk in, pulling my headphones from my ears. I can hear Aaron talking on the phone. I can tell because it's been the same call lately. She is in the middle of a break up and it's the I need you back calls that get the loudest.