“When?”
“A minute ago. When you were holding up the picture of my topless grandmother.”
“Comparing you and her?” I smiled.
“Yeah. You said… about me in the future.”
“Yeah. I was getting an idea of what you’re going to look like. And I must say, I give it two thumbs up.”
“Stop. Wait. You’re thinking about when I’m in my sixties. You think we’re going to be together that long?”
“Oh, love,” I said. I reached out and touched her left cheek. “We’re having a baby together. We’re already together. Forever. That’s how this works.”
Hazel blinked a few times.
Then she swallowed hard.
I realized what I had just said and done.
It even shocked me. Almost as much as the topless picture of Hazel’s grandmother.
I was just romantic.
I was just sweet.
And I didn’t mind it.
“Okay,what do we do with this?” Hazel asked.
“It’s your grandmother. I mean, either burn them or save them. If you save them, get a safe and hide them there.”
“I just don’t get it. Or maybe I do. I don’t know.”
I scooped up the handful of pictures and flipped them over.
That’s when I saw something written on the back of one of the pictures.
Remember this one?
With a heart. And a handwritten wink face.
I looked at the picture.
Hazel’s grandmother in a long t-shirt, pulling it tight against her body.
This picture was meant for someone. Or given to someone and given back?
I found a flap inside the folder and opened it to find pieces of paper.
“Hazel,” I said. “I think…”
I took the papers out and opened one.
Dearest Evelyn,
Your beauty makesmy heart race.
As promised, I looked, smiled, and am returning these pictures.