Check, Please?

Chapter 28

“Harry, I can’t do this.  This is so stupid.” I threw a picture down onto the floor of the studio and kicked my foot, scattering some of the other delicately placed pictures around the floor.  I turned to Harry and placed my hands on my hips exasperatedly, watching him and waiting for him to encourage me once more as he sat at the computer and printed out pictures for me.  He clicked the mouse a few times more and then reclined in the chair with his hands behind his head.  He rubbed the back of his neck and scratched under one of his armpits.  

What. A. Babe.

“Seriously, we’ve been trying to figure out this freakin’ portfolio all damn day and we’re not getting anywhere.  Maybe this is a sign that I’m just not supposed to be at Wentz.”

Harry jolted up from his chair. “Woah now, you promised-“

“I know,” I interrupted, holding up my hands in front of me defensively.  “Dammit, I know I promised.” I hadn’t realized that over the past few weeks I had taken so many pictures, but what irritated me the most is that they were all shit.  All day I had been looking at shitty picture after shitty picture and I was just done with being disappointed with each print.  There was no way that I could turn any of this in.  I was mentally thrown off from seeing my father too and all that went down in front of Therese’s.  I had been trying to spend as much time as I could away from the apartment, even if I knew Therese was working at the hospital.  I couldn’t stand to see her or any of her filthy friends.

Harry’s face softened as he looked at his watch.  “It’s 4:30.  Just take a break, Scotty.  You’ve been trying to organize for hours.  Just go take a walk and clear your head.”  He glanced around at the piles of photos on the floor that I had just scattered all around.  “I’ll clean up here and print the last few shots and then we can go get dinner.  Just go take your time.  Clear your head.”

I sighed and nodded.  Harry kissed my forehead gently before I slipped on my Keds and stepped outside into the cool air.  I crossed the street and walked toward the much taller buildings in the busy city. 

I was too busy observing all of the people I passed to notice how far I really walked.  I loved listening to the fast-taking, fast-walking business men who would speed past me and spit fire at some poor intern over their expensive cell phones.  I loved picking out the tourists and watching them take pictures of all of the buildings and with different people.  I loved watching people get flustered when they couldn’t get a taxi.  I made it to Central Park before turning around.  I would have taken a stroll through the park, but I realized I had never been to Central Park without Harry and didn’t want to mess up what we had going.  Central Park was our place to make memories.  What if he proposed to me there? I giggled when I felt my face flush at the thought.  Him on his knee… all dressed up in a suit – no wait – no suit.  Just jeans and a tee.  Laid-back Harry was my favorite.  Suits reminded me too much of the clubs.  Would I even marry Harry?  Were we ready for that?  Was I ready for that?

The fresh air definitely cleared my head, especially as the sun went down and the night got cooler.  However, I realized that I had no money and forgot my phone at the studio, and my heart leapt as I realized that the people walking past me all had their heads down and were much quieter now.  I quickened my pace as I got closer to the studio, remembering that the studio was near a few different dark alleys.  I tried not to look down the alleys as I scurried across the street and then sprinted through the small parking lot to the studio, slamming into the door, ripping it open, and spinning into the studio. 

“Holy shit,” I laughed as my heart pounded in my chest.  “Okay,” I said out loud.  “We either need to invest in a light for the parking lot or maybe just a new studio with a better location…” I looked at some of the peeling paint on the wall near the door. “… and nicer walls…”