Part 34 (2/2)
The patio was arranged with baskets of flowers; chairs had been set up in the yard for the guests. The wedding cake was ready to cut and the punch was chilled. This wedding was going to take place, ready or not. So how important, Novalee wondered, could film really be.
And then she remembered Aunt Effie who had died for her wedding pictures taken sixty years ago.
Novalee floorboarded the Chevy, followed the directions she'd been given and found the tiny camera shop-closed and locked up tight. From a 7-Eleven on the corner, she got the shop owner's number and ten minutes later, a gnarled little man with eyebrows like steel wool unlocked the door of the Shutterbug and let her inside.
”I was taking a nap,” he growled.
”I'm sorry, but your wife said-”
”My wife said you were shooting a wedding, but you didn't bring any film.”
”And the ceremony starts in about half an hour, so-”
”Why didn't you bring film?”
”Well, I meant to, but I forgot it. Look, I'm really in a hurry and-”
”You're a photographer? A professional photographer? And you forgot the film?”
”It's my first job.”
276.
”Might be your last. Now. What do you want?”
”Vericolor. A pro pack.”
”What are you using for light?”
”I'm shooting outside.”
”Aren't you going to use fill flash?”
”Well, I . . .”
”You have any idea what I'm talking about?”
”Sure!” Novalee tried for bold, but couldn't quite pull it off. ”Sort of.”
”h.e.l.l.” He jerked a flier off the wall, then slapped it down on the counter. ”Dr. Putnam! She teaches photography here at the college.”
”Oh.”
”That's eighteen dollars and sixty-six cents, but I'll settle for twenty seeing I don't have any change in the register. But then I didn't plan on opening up on Sunday.”
”I appreciate it.” Novalee pushed two tens across the counter, then took a step toward the door.
”Here!” He flipped the flier in her direction. ”I didn't take this down for the exercise.”
”Okay.” Novalee grabbed the paper and backed across the room.
”Thanks,” she said, then she pulled the door closed behind her and ran to the car.
On the way back to Carolyn Biddle's wedding, Novalee thought of a dozen comebacks to the old man in the camera shop, a dozen ways to cut him down . . . and they were all clever.
h.e.l.l no, I didn't forget the film! Someone stole it.
Who do you think you're talking to? You ever heard of the Greater Southwest Award? Greater Southwest Award?
277.
You d.a.m.ned right I'm a photographer! Now give me that film film before I cut your throat. before I cut your throat.
Benny Goodluck broke into a run when the Chevy rounded the corner and he had the door open before the car had rolled to a stop.
”Hurry!” he said. ”They just started the music.”
Novalee loaded the camera as she ran for the backyard and she took her first shot as Carolyn Biddle, her pink dress floating around her, stepped out of her mother's door and into the sunlight of her wedding day.
”Yeah,” Benny said, ”but I never knew she was so pretty.”
”They say a woman's her most beautiful when she's in love.”
Benny took the last bite of his Chicken McNugget, then licked away a smear of ketchup in the corner of his mouth.
”Well, she never looks that good at school.”
”Here.” Novalee shoved her french fries across the table. ”You eat these. I had too much wedding cake.”
Benny took a fry, then paused, waving it in the air. ”It just seemed so weird watching my teacher get married, watching her kiss.” Benny's face reddened.
”I thought it was romantic.”
”Novalee, you think you'll ever get married?”
”I might. If someone asks me.”
”Not me!”
”Oh, you'll fall in love someday, Benny, and when you do . . .”
”I don't know nothing about love.”
”I'll bet you do.”
”No. I've thought about it, but I just can't figure it out.”
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