Aperture

Chapter 4

The next morning I woke up refreshed. I wasn't really mad anymore but after the tenth episode of Queer Eye last night Jonathan had me thinking I need to keep a half wall up. Let him in a little bit but not too much yet. I mean we went from meeting to sleeping together in two days. I was feeling inspired but I really need some cool down time from him.

I make my way to the living room and see the mess we left. I take a deep breath and make a pot of coffee. While it was intoxicating the room in caffeine I cleaned up our dinner and wine glasses. I fixed the couch and all the pillows and got out our dyson and vacuumed the crumbs off our yellow, orange and tan rug. I hear Aaron wake up and go to the bathroom.

I pull out my phone while pouring a glass of coffee. I threw in some creamer and sat at the bar. Aaron wakes out in a tank top and boxers. I feel her walk by me to get a cup of coffee. We both have this way of just being in the morning no big fuss. No questions unless something big happened. I love that about us. We have been friends for a few years now but I feel like I know her better than anyone else.

I hear the cupboard open and close. I hear the toast start its heating process. I can smell breakfast in the air. I am still scrolling through my phone looking to see if there are any emails that need to be addressed. I see one from Drew. He wanted to make sure we had in writing the ones we picked. We trust each other but it's always best to have it in writing and I understand that. I emailed him back that he was right and moved over to see two job offered. One for a wedding in three weeks and another for engagement photos in two months. After checking my schedule for those weeks. I answer back my info of payments and schedule times and everything they would want to know or need.

Just as I hit send Aaron is sitting by me With the paper and slides a pop tart over to me strawberry. My absolute favorite. If I get anything with a fruit it's usually strawberry. Apple and orange are ok but strawberry flavor is amazing. I look over at her with her black winged glasses and smile. She smiles back and I see a picture on the front page of another photographer that I am always a bit in competition with. The last three years I feel everytime I have a great show he has one either right before or after me. He does a lot of landscapes and animals. They are always so beautiful. I almost bought one once but decided not to.

" So what is your plan for today?" I ask Aaron

" I have to write my article so I can get it to print for next week's issue. I might also go see my dad today." she answers

Aaron's dad was a writer for many years. He's older and has dementia now and lives in an assisted living home. She visits him all the time. I think she is more afraid of losing him than she lets on. Her mom is a little bit younger but she remarried years ago and moved to Italy. She only sees her when Aaron flies to her. Which has only been twice since she moved there.

"How about you?" she asks me

" Drews studio with my prints and then I have a boudoir shoot at one. So basically I'll be in the studio most of the day." I answer

She takes a big sip of her black coffee and a bit of my poptart and walks to her room to get changed.

I get dressed as well throwing my hair in a messy bun and putting on my overalls and a white shirt. I go to my office and pack up everything I could need for the day. I grab my three bags and put all my prints in my holder so they don't get ruined. I brush my teeth quickly and run out the door.

My studio is not very far from Drews so I decided to drop everything off first and then go to his. I walk about fifteen minutes and head up to my loft I share with four other photographers. I use my studio a lot but this is another one I like to use. It has a lot of different windows and lighting and I share it with other people so it's a lot cheaper. I open the door and see Greg doing a shoot. He does newborn photos. I walk over and set all my bags down and walk to my desk.