by Patrick Sipperly (Night ~ Challenge ~ Last)
A hundred shades of leafy green raced past the windows of the silver Camry XLE. Gwen drove the winding highways the same way she aggressively lived her life. Every day was a new challenge and she refused to wait for the twists and turns to eventually come to her. She hunted them down with a subdued fury.
Daniel savored the unfolding landscape, watching how the scenery changed little by little with each significant change in elevation. He drove so much as a freelance photographer it was nice being a passenger for a change. Unfortunately, he always felt like a passenger around his fiancee.
“I've got the marketing taken care of, babe,” she reminded him. “You just take the pictures. That's what you're good at and why we make a great team.”
Gwen hit his leg and squealed with delight, “I can't believe Aunt Ashley's finally selling that big old house and I'm the listing agent! That'll be one sweet commission, Daniel!”
Only three things made Gwen beam the way she did at that moment and they all started with “C”: Carats, Cash and Commissions. Climaxes lacked a any real long-term value. Unless perhaps, she made love to a diamond.
Miles passed until Gwen turned west onto a upward sloping driveway where a white fence bordered a parcel of cut grass. The sun spilled in through the windshield as though protecting the property from nosy onlookers behind a fortress of glare. Once in the shade, their eyes quickly adjusted to the elegant, two story cut stone house set against tall pillars of green.
“This is stunning,” Daniel said shifting his gaze from right to left to take it all in. “Reminds me of a winery I shot in southern Oregon.”
“Uncle Richard had impeccable taste. Aunt Ashley...not so much.”
“But she had enough taste to use your services.”
Gwen smiled at him and looked up to the enormous porch of thick timbers and wrought iron. “Speak of the devil, there she is.”
Gwen was usually liberal details, but had failed to mention that her aunt was a mere five years older than she was. The woman leaning against a heavy rail didn't look like anyone's aunt. Clothed in a teal Cardigan and jeans and backlit by an adoring sun, the petite blonde looked like she belonged right where she stood. Beauty surrounded by more beauty.
As the ladies hugged, Gwen's phone chimed to life. “I better take this,” she said stepping away. “This is the photographer I told you about, Aunt Ashley.”
Daniel extended his hand. “Yes, I'm Gwen's photographer, also known as Daniel.”
Ashley laughed. “And I'm Gwen's aunt but let's stick with Ashley, Daniel. Nice to meet you.”
“Gorgeous place here, Ashley. Why on earth would you want to sell it?”
Ashley looked around with Daniel. “It is gorgeous, it really is. But it's just me here and so much more house and property than I need. Taxes don't seem to be going down either, so I think finding something more manageable makes sense, doesn't it?”
“I suppose. I'm sure Gwen will help you get top dollar for it.”
A holler and fast approaching steps across the porch caught their attention.
“Unbelievable,” Gwen said catching her breath. “I've got bidding wars on two properties at the same time! I have to drive back right now and hold everyone's hand.”
“Wow, Gwen,” Daniel said. “We have to go back now? What about the pictures for this property?”
“It's a freak situation and I have to be there.” Gwen's eyes roamed from Daniel to Ashley to the house. “What if you stay here and shoot? I should be back up by tomorrow afternoon.”
Daniel's gaze moved to Ashley. “Are you okay with a total stranger in your house?”
Ashley smiled. “You're almost family anyway, aren't you? I'm okay with it.”
Gwen had already chewed up a highway mile when Ashley led Daniel past a massive river rock fireplace to the room she'd prepared for her guests.
“Hope this works for you, Daniel,” she said.
Daniel looked around the comfortable bedroom and king sized bed centered along the back wall. “Somehow, I'll make due. Thank you.”
Ashley leaned against the wall and said, “I should warn you that I'm a lousy cook. I was planning to order pizza tonight and we'll figure something out in the morning.”
Daniel looked back to his generous host, admiring how the light reflected in her kind blue-green eyes.
“I seriously doubt you're lousy at anything. Pizza tonight and whatever tomorrow will be perfect. But for now, would you mind giving me a quick tour of the whole property while we still have good daylight?”
Moments later, Daniel was a passenger again but this time in a Kawasaki Teryx ATV. Ashley maneuvered over a wide trail to the back boundary, along the forested property line to the north, then beside the paved road and back up the driveway. On the trip, Daniel learned how Ashley met her husband, Richard, and how they discovered this property together during a terrible hail storm. He watched her tear up when she recounted the news of the plane crash that brought Richard's life and her brief marriage to an abrupt end.
“It's been just over three years,” she continued. “This place has been as much a friend as it's been my home. All kinds of flowers. Something new is always blooming somewhere. Birds chirping, animals moving around the yard. So much life right here all around me when I needed it most.”
When they returned to the oversized garage, Daniel snapped a few pictures of the back of the house and mumbled something while shaking his head.
“What's that?” Ashley asked.
“Oh...nothing. I'm just the photographer. I need to stay in my little box. Never mind me.”
“Never mind you about what? I see wheels turning. You have an idea about something?”
“Yes I do,” Daniel said. “But Gwen is the Realtor and I just take pictures.”
Ashley moved to face him. “But it's my property and ultimately I'm the one paying, right?”
Daniel nodded.
“Then let's hear it. Tell me everything.”
They walked up a short flight of steps to the deck overlooking most of the property.
“I could snap pictures of the house and property all day long and they'd look great. But a little bit ago, you spoke of life all around you. That's what we need to capture here, Ashley. If it were me, I'd show life happening. Your house was built for entertaining, so why not throw a big party here with lights hanging, and people enjoying themselves, classy food and wine. All the while I'll get pictures. Instead of just showing people where they could live, lets show them a great life they could have here one frame at a time.”
******
“You wanna what?” Gwen's voice shot through Ashley's cell phone. “Is this one of Daniel's ideas?”
“Gwen, I think it's brilliant. So much so that I'm paying for it. I may even have some contacts who'll put some pictures in their magazines.”
“He doesn't know the business, Aunt Ashley. I wished he would have kept his thoughts to himself that's all.” Gwen sighed. “I also have another problem.”
“What's that?”
“I won't be able to make it up there today or tomorrow. It's completely crazy here. I hope that doesn't put you in a bind.”
Ashley turned to Daniel who was looking out the large bay window. The simple presence of a man in her house brought a peaceful layer of comfort.
“No problem. We've got plenty to do.”
******
After breakfast burritos in town at the Blue Tortilla, Ashley and Daniel met with two full-service caterers who were available the following evening. Ashley began to see her house coming to life like never before. She imagined people enjoying themselves, laughing and carrying on... except for one thing. All the people in her mind were faceless.
“What's wrong?” Daniel asked as they strolled down the sidewalk.
Ashley looked up to him and said, “Who am I going to invite? This may sound crazy, but I really don't know too many people here. When I say my house was like a friend, I mean like my only friend.”
“You're one of the sweetest people I've ever met. How could you not have friends here?”
Ashley bit her lip.
Daniel put his arm around her. “I guess we'd better start meeting people.”
They visited different stores, shops, cafes and both coffee houses in town until they had confirmed twenty acquaintances and their significant others to be their guests. Daniel was in awe of her effortless ability to draw people to her. Before she finished asking, strangers responded. And soon, they were back at the house for pictures.
Daniel worked with the moving sun and started with the east facing portions of the house. Then he moved indoors where Ashley led him around the house and into each room. She admired his professionalism and the care he took in trying different angles to catch the light and more impressed when she viewed the pictures on her computer. In the afternoon he shot the west side of the house and more wooded property pictures. By 4:30 PM, the photographer was finished with real estate.
Then he turned to Ashley and said, “Now it's time we get serious.”
“Serious?”
“We need some shots of you, and don't give me the old camera shy line either. I'm thinking of a light colored dress to start with. Then, whatever you wear for that jacuzzi to finish.”
Ashley offered up only a mild protest. The truth was she'd seen what he had done with rooms and buildings and light. She wanted to see what he could do with her.
The first set of photos was by a window in the den. She wore white lace under her sandy blonde waves of fine silk. She looked down, then out the window, then into the hungry lens. Next, she was outside surrounded by flowers near the garage. Ashley's hair was on fire while her cheeks caught reflected light from the rock walls of the house. The remaining white dress photos were of a solitary girl in the woods walking with daisies in her hand and resting at the base of a tree.
Daniel's direction was clear and helpful. Ashley moved confidently to every new instruction. She was at ease with his voice and relished every gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder or arms. She wasn't expecting the attention. It was intoxicating.
When Ashley was ready for the remaining shoot, she met him near the in-ground spa wrapped in a burgundy towel that covered most of her body from the waist up. He sat on Travertine steps with his camera resting on his leg. She held her towel tight and watched him study her in silence.
She nervously dipped her toe in the warm water and said, “I don't think I'm ready for this.”
Daniel set his camera aside and looked at her. “These pictures aren't for the world to see, Ashley. They're for you. Just you. Maybe it's a way for me to show you the truly breathtaking young woman I see before me.”
Ashley stood just breathing letting his words soak into her heart.
“Your amazing house, beautiful grounds and twenty plus acres of trees and trails are worth a fortune for sure,” he continued. “But you, Ashley, you make this place priceless. If anything should be photographed, it's you.”
She relaxed her hold and let the towel slip through her fingers. It rested at her feet revealing a Caribbean blue one-piece. She followed his adoring gaze from the towel up to her legs, past her hips and shapely breasts, to her hair resting off her shoulders and finally to her eyes. She felt bathed in his affection from a dozen feet away.
“Ready?”
Ashley nodded.
The artist began with her tan legs and forced the background to blur into a shallow depth of field. Then frame by frame, he investigated the visual harmony between the lines of her suit and her own natural curves. He bounced his flash off the walls and ceiling creating moody shadows across her neck, shoulders and ample cleavage. He played with her, teased her, encouraged her, and made laugh, while capturing every silly, somber or sultry expression she offered. When the last lingering rays of sun cut through the tree tops, he moved her to the deck where the contour of her entire body would be ablaze in amber.
They sat close together on the edge of the spa looking at the view finder on Daniel's camera. Their legs dangled in the warm water as they reviewed over two hundred images covering dozens of different poses.
They talked in and out of the jacuzzi and late into the night. Every turn in the conversation was a new discovery of mutual interests or fond memories. In the morning, they both labored hard to remain focused on the party ahead. But it was too late. They were already more than friends.
Daniel helped the caterers set up shortly before sunset. Ashley went into town and picked up a nice dress shirt and a pair of slacks for Daniel who'd already worked through everything he'd brought. Ashley wore a low cut black dress and with a radiant smile welcomed every guest and friend of a friend. Daniel arranged his tripod and camera at various corners on the large deck and for over two hours captured exciting memories and festive slices of life.
According to the evidence on Ashley's computer screen, the party was perfect. She looked over Daniel's shoulder for a moment as he clicked through the pictures until she was bold enough to slide onto his lap. They laughed through some of the pictures and together selected which photos to keep.
When the picture show was over, Ashley looked at Daniel and said, “You made this happen. You made all this life happen on my porch, Daniel! Look at all my new friends to go with my beautiful house...”
The joy drained from her face as the words cut into her. She looked back to the screen, scanning each thumbnail memory again. Daniel moved his hand up and down her warm back watching a quiet conflict stir within her. Tears inched down Ashley's cheeks when she turned back toward him.
“I'm selling my house...” Her whisper sounded more like a question.
Ashley searched Daniel's eyes and moved closer. Daniel leaned forward and met her lips with his own and enveloped her in his arms.
******
The clouds tumbled in and churned overhead as Gwen's Camry climbed it's way up the driveway and parked. Ashley waved to her niece and joined Daniel on the porch. He smiled when she took his hand, then he turned to her and cleared his throat.
“This should be fun.”
A hundred shades of leafy green raced past the windows of the silver Camry XLE. Gwen drove the winding highways the same way she aggressively lived her life. Every day was a new challenge and she refused to wait for the twists and turns to eventually come to her. She hunted them down with a subdued fury.
Daniel savored the unfolding landscape, watching how the scenery changed little by little with each significant change in elevation. He drove so much as a freelance photographer it was nice being a passenger for a change. Unfortunately, he always felt like a passenger around his fiancee.
“I've got the marketing taken care of, babe,” she reminded him. “You just take the pictures. That's what you're good at and why we make a great team.”
Gwen hit his leg and squealed with delight, “I can't believe Aunt Ashley's finally selling that big old house and I'm the listing agent! That'll be one sweet commission, Daniel!”
Only three things made Gwen beam the way she did at that moment and they all started with “C”: Carats, Cash and Commissions. Climaxes lacked a any real long-term value. Unless perhaps, she made love to a diamond.
Miles passed until Gwen turned west onto a upward sloping driveway where a white fence bordered a parcel of cut grass. The sun spilled in through the windshield as though protecting the property from nosy onlookers behind a fortress of glare. Once in the shade, their eyes quickly adjusted to the elegant, two story cut stone house set against tall pillars of green.
“This is stunning,” Daniel said shifting his gaze from right to left to take it all in. “Reminds me of a winery I shot in southern Oregon.”
“Uncle Richard had impeccable taste. Aunt Ashley...not so much.”
“But she had enough taste to use your services.”
Gwen smiled at him and looked up to the enormous porch of thick timbers and wrought iron. “Speak of the devil, there she is.”
Gwen was usually liberal details, but had failed to mention that her aunt was a mere five years older than she was. The woman leaning against a heavy rail didn't look like anyone's aunt. Clothed in a teal Cardigan and jeans and backlit by an adoring sun, the petite blonde looked like she belonged right where she stood. Beauty surrounded by more beauty.
As the ladies hugged, Gwen's phone chimed to life. “I better take this,” she said stepping away. “This is the photographer I told you about, Aunt Ashley.”
Daniel extended his hand. “Yes, I'm Gwen's photographer, also known as Daniel.”
Ashley laughed. “And I'm Gwen's aunt but let's stick with Ashley, Daniel. Nice to meet you.”
“Gorgeous place here, Ashley. Why on earth would you want to sell it?”
Ashley looked around with Daniel. “It is gorgeous, it really is. But it's just me here and so much more house and property than I need. Taxes don't seem to be going down either, so I think finding something more manageable makes sense, doesn't it?”
“I suppose. I'm sure Gwen will help you get top dollar for it.”
A holler and fast approaching steps across the porch caught their attention.
“Unbelievable,” Gwen said catching her breath. “I've got bidding wars on two properties at the same time! I have to drive back right now and hold everyone's hand.”
“Wow, Gwen,” Daniel said. “We have to go back now? What about the pictures for this property?”
“It's a freak situation and I have to be there.” Gwen's eyes roamed from Daniel to Ashley to the house. “What if you stay here and shoot? I should be back up by tomorrow afternoon.”
Daniel's gaze moved to Ashley. “Are you okay with a total stranger in your house?”
Ashley smiled. “You're almost family anyway, aren't you? I'm okay with it.”
Gwen had already chewed up a highway mile when Ashley led Daniel past a massive river rock fireplace to the room she'd prepared for her guests.
“Hope this works for you, Daniel,” she said.
Daniel looked around the comfortable bedroom and king sized bed centered along the back wall. “Somehow, I'll make due. Thank you.”
Ashley leaned against the wall and said, “I should warn you that I'm a lousy cook. I was planning to order pizza tonight and we'll figure something out in the morning.”
Daniel looked back to his generous host, admiring how the light reflected in her kind blue-green eyes.
“I seriously doubt you're lousy at anything. Pizza tonight and whatever tomorrow will be perfect. But for now, would you mind giving me a quick tour of the whole property while we still have good daylight?”
Moments later, Daniel was a passenger again but this time in a Kawasaki Teryx ATV. Ashley maneuvered over a wide trail to the back boundary, along the forested property line to the north, then beside the paved road and back up the driveway. On the trip, Daniel learned how Ashley met her husband, Richard, and how they discovered this property together during a terrible hail storm. He watched her tear up when she recounted the news of the plane crash that brought Richard's life and her brief marriage to an abrupt end.
“It's been just over three years,” she continued. “This place has been as much a friend as it's been my home. All kinds of flowers. Something new is always blooming somewhere. Birds chirping, animals moving around the yard. So much life right here all around me when I needed it most.”
When they returned to the oversized garage, Daniel snapped a few pictures of the back of the house and mumbled something while shaking his head.
“What's that?” Ashley asked.
“Oh...nothing. I'm just the photographer. I need to stay in my little box. Never mind me.”
“Never mind you about what? I see wheels turning. You have an idea about something?”
“Yes I do,” Daniel said. “But Gwen is the Realtor and I just take pictures.”
Ashley moved to face him. “But it's my property and ultimately I'm the one paying, right?”
Daniel nodded.
“Then let's hear it. Tell me everything.”
They walked up a short flight of steps to the deck overlooking most of the property.
“I could snap pictures of the house and property all day long and they'd look great. But a little bit ago, you spoke of life all around you. That's what we need to capture here, Ashley. If it were me, I'd show life happening. Your house was built for entertaining, so why not throw a big party here with lights hanging, and people enjoying themselves, classy food and wine. All the while I'll get pictures. Instead of just showing people where they could live, lets show them a great life they could have here one frame at a time.”
******
“You wanna what?” Gwen's voice shot through Ashley's cell phone. “Is this one of Daniel's ideas?”
“Gwen, I think it's brilliant. So much so that I'm paying for it. I may even have some contacts who'll put some pictures in their magazines.”
“He doesn't know the business, Aunt Ashley. I wished he would have kept his thoughts to himself that's all.” Gwen sighed. “I also have another problem.”
“What's that?”
“I won't be able to make it up there today or tomorrow. It's completely crazy here. I hope that doesn't put you in a bind.”
Ashley turned to Daniel who was looking out the large bay window. The simple presence of a man in her house brought a peaceful layer of comfort.
“No problem. We've got plenty to do.”
******
After breakfast burritos in town at the Blue Tortilla, Ashley and Daniel met with two full-service caterers who were available the following evening. Ashley began to see her house coming to life like never before. She imagined people enjoying themselves, laughing and carrying on... except for one thing. All the people in her mind were faceless.
“What's wrong?” Daniel asked as they strolled down the sidewalk.
Ashley looked up to him and said, “Who am I going to invite? This may sound crazy, but I really don't know too many people here. When I say my house was like a friend, I mean like my only friend.”
“You're one of the sweetest people I've ever met. How could you not have friends here?”
Ashley bit her lip.
Daniel put his arm around her. “I guess we'd better start meeting people.”
They visited different stores, shops, cafes and both coffee houses in town until they had confirmed twenty acquaintances and their significant others to be their guests. Daniel was in awe of her effortless ability to draw people to her. Before she finished asking, strangers responded. And soon, they were back at the house for pictures.
Daniel worked with the moving sun and started with the east facing portions of the house. Then he moved indoors where Ashley led him around the house and into each room. She admired his professionalism and the care he took in trying different angles to catch the light and more impressed when she viewed the pictures on her computer. In the afternoon he shot the west side of the house and more wooded property pictures. By 4:30 PM, the photographer was finished with real estate.
Then he turned to Ashley and said, “Now it's time we get serious.”
“Serious?”
“We need some shots of you, and don't give me the old camera shy line either. I'm thinking of a light colored dress to start with. Then, whatever you wear for that jacuzzi to finish.”
Ashley offered up only a mild protest. The truth was she'd seen what he had done with rooms and buildings and light. She wanted to see what he could do with her.
The first set of photos was by a window in the den. She wore white lace under her sandy blonde waves of fine silk. She looked down, then out the window, then into the hungry lens. Next, she was outside surrounded by flowers near the garage. Ashley's hair was on fire while her cheeks caught reflected light from the rock walls of the house. The remaining white dress photos were of a solitary girl in the woods walking with daisies in her hand and resting at the base of a tree.
Daniel's direction was clear and helpful. Ashley moved confidently to every new instruction. She was at ease with his voice and relished every gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder or arms. She wasn't expecting the attention. It was intoxicating.
When Ashley was ready for the remaining shoot, she met him near the in-ground spa wrapped in a burgundy towel that covered most of her body from the waist up. He sat on Travertine steps with his camera resting on his leg. She held her towel tight and watched him study her in silence.
She nervously dipped her toe in the warm water and said, “I don't think I'm ready for this.”
Daniel set his camera aside and looked at her. “These pictures aren't for the world to see, Ashley. They're for you. Just you. Maybe it's a way for me to show you the truly breathtaking young woman I see before me.”
Ashley stood just breathing letting his words soak into her heart.
“Your amazing house, beautiful grounds and twenty plus acres of trees and trails are worth a fortune for sure,” he continued. “But you, Ashley, you make this place priceless. If anything should be photographed, it's you.”
She relaxed her hold and let the towel slip through her fingers. It rested at her feet revealing a Caribbean blue one-piece. She followed his adoring gaze from the towel up to her legs, past her hips and shapely breasts, to her hair resting off her shoulders and finally to her eyes. She felt bathed in his affection from a dozen feet away.
“Ready?”
Ashley nodded.
The artist began with her tan legs and forced the background to blur into a shallow depth of field. Then frame by frame, he investigated the visual harmony between the lines of her suit and her own natural curves. He bounced his flash off the walls and ceiling creating moody shadows across her neck, shoulders and ample cleavage. He played with her, teased her, encouraged her, and made laugh, while capturing every silly, somber or sultry expression she offered. When the last lingering rays of sun cut through the tree tops, he moved her to the deck where the contour of her entire body would be ablaze in amber.
They sat close together on the edge of the spa looking at the view finder on Daniel's camera. Their legs dangled in the warm water as they reviewed over two hundred images covering dozens of different poses.
They talked in and out of the jacuzzi and late into the night. Every turn in the conversation was a new discovery of mutual interests or fond memories. In the morning, they both labored hard to remain focused on the party ahead. But it was too late. They were already more than friends.
Daniel helped the caterers set up shortly before sunset. Ashley went into town and picked up a nice dress shirt and a pair of slacks for Daniel who'd already worked through everything he'd brought. Ashley wore a low cut black dress and with a radiant smile welcomed every guest and friend of a friend. Daniel arranged his tripod and camera at various corners on the large deck and for over two hours captured exciting memories and festive slices of life.
According to the evidence on Ashley's computer screen, the party was perfect. She looked over Daniel's shoulder for a moment as he clicked through the pictures until she was bold enough to slide onto his lap. They laughed through some of the pictures and together selected which photos to keep.
When the picture show was over, Ashley looked at Daniel and said, “You made this happen. You made all this life happen on my porch, Daniel! Look at all my new friends to go with my beautiful house...”
The joy drained from her face as the words cut into her. She looked back to the screen, scanning each thumbnail memory again. Daniel moved his hand up and down her warm back watching a quiet conflict stir within her. Tears inched down Ashley's cheeks when she turned back toward him.
“I'm selling my house...” Her whisper sounded more like a question.
Ashley searched Daniel's eyes and moved closer. Daniel leaned forward and met her lips with his own and enveloped her in his arms.
******
The clouds tumbled in and churned overhead as Gwen's Camry climbed it's way up the driveway and parked. Ashley waved to her niece and joined Daniel on the porch. He smiled when she took his hand, then he turned to her and cleared his throat.
“This should be fun.”