we keep this love in a photograph

Chapter 9

Another two weeks passed by, interspersed with dinner's at an Italian bistro and Iranian restaurant, Rosie showing up at J Corporations one night with phở and goi cuon as Jennie worked late and Rosie poked around in awe at the office. They went to the open air markets on Sunday, browsing stalls of homemade jams and leather wares, Jennie buying herself a new moleskine and flowers for Rosie.

The weekends had never excited her before, just another day to work from home instead of the office, to sleep in a little bit later and fit in the workouts with her personal trainer, but they were occupied with Rosie now. Jennie thought she would fall behind on her work, as distracted as she was, seeing Rosie six times within the last two weeks, but, if anything, she felt more motivated than ever.

On the following Saturday, they had plans. Rosie wouldn't tell Jennie what, exactly, but her ensemble required casual clothes and comfortable footwear, which Jennie took to mean there would be something physical involved. She settled on a half-zip olive green running top, grey leggings and her running shoes, putting her hair up and eyeing herself in the mirror with scepticism.

Rosie pulled up outside at nine o'clock, driving a silver hatchback and texting Jennie to meet her outside. Stepping out onto the stoop, Jennie locked up and jogged down the steps, slipping into the passenger seat as she smiled at Rosie.

"Good morning."

"Hi," Rosie smiled, leaning across the centre console to kiss Jennie's cheek before she held up a plastic cup. "I got you one of those juices you like. Carrot and ginger."

"Thank you."

Taking a sip as Rosie pulled out onto the street, nudging her glasses up her nose, Jennie leant against the door and stared out the windscreen.

"So ... are you going to tell me where we're going yet?"

"It's a surprise."

"Did I at least dress okay?"

Giving her an appraising once-over, Rosie beamed at her, "perfect."

She was wearing a faded Eagles t-shirt and shorts, a plaid shirt tied around her waist and battered sneakers. Jennie wasn't sure what to make of the ensemble but figured there would be some amount of walking involved and left it at that. The weather was nice, regardless, they sky azure and cloudless, the air the kind of dry that left her grateful for her juice as they took the exit ramp to merge onto the highway, after a series of stops and starts that left Rosie grimacing apologetically. She was not, in fact, a very good driver, a fact that seemed to amuse Jennie.

"So, I, uh, I got the news that I go back to work on Monday," Rosie said as she indicated to shift lanes, the news playing over the radio as they had the windows rolled down to let in the breeze.

She had her elbow propped up in the open window, her skin tanned and an air of nonchalance about her that belied the tension in the set of her shoulders. Jennie slowly sipped her juice before setting the cup in the holder and clearing her throat as she shifted in her seat.

"Oh? That's- that's great. So, um, where are you stationed?"

"Fort Falcon," Rosie said, biting back a smile.

"That's not too far, right? I mean ... we'll be able to see each other on the weekends, won't we?"

"It's only forty minutes out in the desert so I'll be staying with Alice."

Relief flooded through Jennie at the prospect of Rosie staying close by in San Francisco, and she felt the knot in her stomach unclench as she smiled.

"That's ... perfect. We should go out for dinner after work."

They talked the whole way there, brainstorming ideas for dinner, Jennie listening while Rosie explained some of the work she would be doing on-base, basking in the warmth of the sunshine as enjoyed the drive. They were heading north, through the hills crowded with mansions that paled in comparison to Jennie's childhood home, and through to the stretch of national forest just north of the city.