::Chapter Nine::
The guys crashed at my place.Zak took my bed and Nick took the couch, both Aaron and I were nottired so we spent the night chatting in the kitchen as to not disturbNick. Turns out Aaron and I have a lot n common. It was really nicegetting some one on one time with him. He showed me his brand bigsteppin which was just awesome, he showed me his photography and Iexplained how I was into photography and showed him some of my own.
"Why don't you try making itinto a career?" He asked.
"Oh no, I couldn't do that I'mreally not that good."
"Well I have to disagree, I'vebeen in the photography industry for close to half my life and I haveto tell you, I think you have what it takes, I mean look here at thisone. Everything from the chosen angle to the perfect amount of zoom.I'd buy this piece in a heartbeat if it was on sale." He saidtalking about my portrait of Aberdeen harbour on a dark stormy night.
"Really?"
"Hands down."
"You really like it?"
"No.... I love it."
"Here I want you to have itthen."
"No! I couldn't take it unlessyou were to sell it to me."
"I don't want to take afriends money."
"I insist, I want to buy it."I looked at him.
"I wouldn't even know how muchto sell it for, please just take it."
"Here." Aaron went into hispocket and handed me £300. "250 for the painting and the otherfifty will cover printing."
"Aaron I-" He shushed me
"Can I take this one?" Heasked pointing to the one I took of the church down town one night Itook a walk, it was all light up including the bell tower and Ithought it looked beautiful as the lights were a pale aqua blue.
"Sure, why?"
"I want to take it back homeand I guarantee you I can get 400 bucks for you."
"Okay this I have to see."
"As for this one, think I canget a signature seeing as I am a close personal friend of thephotographer?" I chuckled and grabbed a sharpie and signed it forhim.
"Thanks Aaron." I huggedhim.
At 3am I woke the guys up andthey go get themselves ready and I drive them to the airport as youhave to arrive an hour before departure. When they were checked in weheaded to Starbucks that as located inside the airport for a coffee.Aaron happily showed off his new art. Of course he only had thedigital copy right now. I was going to print and send him his fullcopy once I got to a print shop. The others were impressed and alsogave me a speech about how I should pursue this as my career. I toldthem the idea was good in theory but photographers are not exactly onhigh demand around here. But to shut them up I told them I would tryand I would try, as I would love it if I could do it professionally.
4.30am came around all toquickly and their flight to California was called. Aaron was thefirst to hug me telling me to take care and we would speak soon. ThenNick telling me to behave and again we would speak soon. They slowlyheaded to the gate leaving Zak and I alone.
I couldn't hide the fact I wassad. "Ugh sorry, is it weird I'm so sad to see you go?"
"Not at all, I've never notwanted to leave for the next location before. But I promise you Iwill be back to see you and I will keep in touch, I'll try my best totext you every day."
"Ugh I'm gonna miss you somuch." I wrapped him in a hug just as the second call came over theintercom. He had to go. Before he did his lips came crashing down onmine. My eyes closed and I imprinted this moment into my memorybefore he slipped away. My eyes opened and I saw him running for thegate. I stood there until I saw their plane take off. I could nolonger hold in the tears and let a few fall before composing myselfand heading home to catch a few Zzz.
I woke from my sleep severalhours later to a text from Zak.
Hopeyou're okay. I'm bored of this flying already and still got ninehours to go. I'll call when we land. Take care Z x
Thismade me smile and I replied.
Doingokay, sorry for delay I was sleeping, missing you all already. Hoeyou're all okay, look forward to hearing from you. B x
Placing my phone on my dock Iput music on turned it up full and headed for a shower. Once I wasdried and dressed I grabbed my car keys and took a drive to go seeJack. I wanted to make a point to visit him as often as I could.
Upon arriving I took a seatbeside the freshly turned soil and placed a hand on his tomb stone.
"Hey Jack. I'm alone today,The others had to leave unfortunately." I spoke aloud. "I willcome visit you as much as I can. Next time I'll be sure to bring someflowers."
I sat and spoke to him a shortwhile before I decided I best go before it got dark and I got lostknowing my luck, plus I was starving. I headed to KFC and got aboneless box and took it home. I grabbed a beer that was left overfrom the other night and plunked myself down on the couch and Iturned to really where there was a ghost adventure marathon onleading up to the new series which the episode we just filmed will bepart off. Seeing as I've never really watched the show, I've heard ofit but never really watching it I thought I would check it out andsee how other lock downs have gone.
After the sixth episode my phonerang and Zak's face came up on my screen. I answered quickly.
"Hey stranger, how was theflight?"
"Ugh long and boring, I wasn'teven able to catch a few hours sleep. Anyway as I said I would callwhen we landed. We've literally just arrived and waiting for ourequipment to pass security. How are you?"
"I'm okay. I went to see Jacktoday now I'm on my 7th episode of GA, noticed a marathonwas on so thought I'd finally check it out."
"Awesome, we've had somepretty intense episodes, but none compare to the other night."
"Really? I'd say Bobby Mackeyswas pretty intense."
"Well that one yeah actuallythat one is a close second, but a spirit has not physically tried tokill us."
"Well I don't do things halfassed." We laughed.
"Oh there are our things, Ihave to go I'll call you tomorrow after the lock down." With thatwe signed off. I continued my GA marathon.
