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Abbie
I had an earlier shift, for a change. One of the other waitresses had an emergency dental appointment, so I switched with her last minute. I was glad to have something to do in the early afternoon. The cold and the snow were too much for me to go out and take photos for any real length of time, anyway. I had been pushing myself to go out a couple times a week with the camera and take some pictures the last few months. It gave me something to do even though the only things those pictures were going to end up doing was languish on my hard drive.
Marnie had brought up the boxes of Christmas decorations to the front of the diner, and when we had a lull, we were going to start putting them up.
I could hardly wait.
I loved Christmas.
I already had a roll of shiny red tinsel garland out, tucked to the side ready for me to string along the front of the counter. I’d just started a fresh pot of coffee when the chime over the door went, and I turned at a familiar female voice calling my name.
My favorite photography instructor, Professor Nelson, waved as she walked inside clad in a black pea coat with a cheery bright red scarf around her neck.
“I was hoping you’d be in,” she said with a big smile as she took a seat at the counter.
I smiled back. She always looked so put together every time she came in, during the school year or during the breaks. “What’s up? Can I get you a coffee?”
“Yes, please. Large. And a grilled cheese sandwich. To stay.”
That was rare. The last while, every time she’d been in, everything had been to-go.
I grabbed her coffee and set it in front of her.
“Do you have time to talk?” she asked, setting her purse on the counter beside her. “You don’t have a break coming up, by any chance?”
I looked around. The half dozen people that occupied the booths and tables were all settled and looked after, but I’d do a quick double check, anyway.
I gave a nod in reply. “I’ll just go around with the coffee and be back in a minute or two.”
I did my rounds, taking a piece of banana cream pie back to a couple in the far corner booth to share and headed back to the counter. I grabbed Professor Nelson’s sandwich from the grill and took it over. “What do you need?”
“Your expertise.”
I chuckled. “I have all the shifts I can handle.”
“I mean yourrealexpertise. Photography. We’ve got an event at the college, and our photographer is double-booked, scheduling conflict. I don’t know how that could happen when we had him scheduled since before the semester started, but I need someone who’s great with a camera, and I need them pronto. I immediately thought of you.”
I pressed my lips together, picking up a nearby rag and dusting an already spotless corner of the counter. This was one conversation I really didn’t want to have. I knew beyond a doubt where this would lead and the inevitable conversations which would follow.
Conversations I truly didn’t want to be a part of.
“What about a student?” I ventured. It would be a great opportunity for someone already on campus.
“I want someone I can trust for some fabulous photos. Someone who is a natural. I don’t want to have to worry about having to look over someone’s shoulder the whole time.”
I almost didn’t dare to glance at her. “I don’t know. I’m probably busy. When is it?”
“Saturday afternoon.”
I was free.
“It’s not a pro bono gig. We’ll pay.”
And she had me there. Extra money right now was definitely the way to my heart.
I stopped wiping the same spot on the counter for the tenth time.
“How long of an event is it? I'm working Saturday night.” I was working almost every weekend between now and the new year. The only days I had off were Monday and Thursday evenings.
