"Who the fuck is that?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAIlwCUONbnI
427Please respect copyright.PENANA1PM6vzPh4M
427Please respect copyright.PENANAl4f4Evbifo
This comes from Rochester as he watches Shemarré, a man with perhaps the most ridiculous and pretentious name that I have ever heard, walk towards where I am currently standing, surrounded by his family members.427Please respect copyright.PENANAT6eCcpXhyB
427Please respect copyright.PENANA8K9JXREQoY
427Please respect copyright.PENANAUzZocbjSk3
"Another photographer," I say as nonchalantly as I can.427Please respect copyright.PENANAhjoe0dXRtn
427Please respect copyright.PENANAcONvp49HOa
427Please respect copyright.PENANA9W7QULpJRe
He chuckles deep in his throat.427Please respect copyright.PENANAGmAiBho4ln
427Please respect copyright.PENANAKjr51uOia0
427Please respect copyright.PENANAAKR5lpO1bS
"Ms Anderson, did I say that I wanted anyone else to come to this... gathering?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA5h9UmmoHgT
427Please respect copyright.PENANAiY0jkFL73Y
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgrDwBqiNzp
I have to hold back my chuckle, because I can hear the anger in his voice. This man does not like to be overruled. He enjoys getting his own way.427Please respect copyright.PENANARexalNgJlA
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzmmYPrunoM
427Please respect copyright.PENANATAuGSsMnBz
Well, so do I.427Please respect copyright.PENANAa2SP1YBvtb
427Please respect copyright.PENANApdICjxT2DE
427Please respect copyright.PENANAATuuXubden
"David," I say, emphasising his first name just to piss him off, "you gave me a job, and I'm simply doing it. If you have certain... quirks, you should have had the decency to sit down and discuss them with me, rather than bulldozing me with demands the way you did."427Please respect copyright.PENANAjicRhcZYVA
427Please respect copyright.PENANAFHjn7PujAT
427Please respect copyright.PENANAv7HLmxNQaC
I walk off, and leave Rochester with his jaw ticking and his hand shaking around his glass. I keep walking until I'm face to face with Martin.427Please respect copyright.PENANAifMpT4U1lj
427Please respect copyright.PENANAxJVJ9Ibhov
427Please respect copyright.PENANAIgUm5XaDEJ
"Hello, Leah," he says, shaking my hand with poorly concealed enthusiasm.427Please respect copyright.PENANAGUp2r3oM16
427Please respect copyright.PENANAPUlyvGvYSD
427Please respect copyright.PENANAApfNcJ9rRF
"Shemarré Martin. It's a pleasure to meet you."427Please respect copyright.PENANA75IReLQk5I
427Please respect copyright.PENANAhkPE5KAf0T
427Please respect copyright.PENANAqDKlwpNbK2
His smile broadens. "Please. Call me Shem."427Please respect copyright.PENANACiSlqbEkVk
427Please respect copyright.PENANAQFvoGdXUCf
427Please respect copyright.PENANAfGHkwmyoo9
***427Please respect copyright.PENANAR7liXtYYCQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAimuAqXxLNM
427Please respect copyright.PENANA164x7LJ6vg
As I circle the family reunion several times, taking photographs, Shem passed on whatever he felt necessary to me.427Please respect copyright.PENANAdJsDFgPK9p
427Please respect copyright.PENANACeAXcgfjfm
427Please respect copyright.PENANAZ9rAj3Ri0M
"Stay in the background. Make them forget you're even there."427Please respect copyright.PENANAbsgVeKxZEi
427Please respect copyright.PENANAiTlxtET0HT
427Please respect copyright.PENANAuPT61tKyPb
"Candids are always better; they speak the truth."427Please respect copyright.PENANAXSvsHsMLXc
427Please respect copyright.PENANAU3FM7AB0X5
427Please respect copyright.PENANAlEXw1kPcgD
"At events like these, the ratio of candids to posed photographs should be approximately ten to one. That should be your aim."427Please respect copyright.PENANABfz6pMdgJm
427Please respect copyright.PENANARk7k0NjqAd
427Please respect copyright.PENANA00KhY0wMlU
Now, everyone is packing up, and Shem has to leave for his daughter's cello recital. 427Please respect copyright.PENANAEbSekI1k3t
427Please respect copyright.PENANA5z7gX4jmeL
427Please respect copyright.PENANA4BMe7YUOBg
"Um... Shem?" I say, unsure of how to phrase the question that I want to ask.427Please respect copyright.PENANAdGVa6ZbUTw
427Please respect copyright.PENANANgyQnIooxr
427Please respect copyright.PENANAaGK2l9wtWa
"Yes?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAXGiws8IwFD
427Please respect copyright.PENANA4zoNwNuieQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANASRfSO6227n
"Um... Why?"427Please respect copyright.PENANASfKIW63BVy
427Please respect copyright.PENANAu1nWGzFogA
427Please respect copyright.PENANA0ENhZLuldJ
He looks at me as if I'm stupid for a few seconds.427Please respect copyright.PENANAn4BMBCTBQh
427Please respect copyright.PENANAPgl6k0QxnQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAJE7XCSirKp
"Huh?"427Please respect copyright.PENANACvgl4QOxvC
427Please respect copyright.PENANAqbnwZ7WBds
427Please respect copyright.PENANAXCFIDmEkrc
"Why did you do it? Help me? You're so busy, but you went out of your wa—"427Please respect copyright.PENANAgpcoNrBonb
427Please respect copyright.PENANAbbKNshlf4q
427Please respect copyright.PENANAy1QDqY4doV
"I saw one of your photographs at a show two years ago. It was called 'Wheels'; a photograph of two children, playing in a meadow. One on a bicycle—"427Please respect copyright.PENANAzK8gPym298
427Please respect copyright.PENANAkAMorHnmgr
427Please respect copyright.PENANAH7ACM361J1
"—and one in a wheelchair," I finish.427Please respect copyright.PENANAbEww6tD4pE
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7zMxoUuLXF
427Please respect copyright.PENANARvvWwvMpd4
"Yes," he says with a smile. "They looked so... happy. I loved how... it was just not what you would expect. Wheelchairs and joy... And I knew that I had to meet you. So when your agent called..."427Please respect copyright.PENANASjYEdMvI23
427Please respect copyright.PENANAmYuUzVFeow
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2L9UufHzwX
He shrugs, and then looks at his watch. 427Please respect copyright.PENANAWkmhnx3pfQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANA9NRmIp6TyH
427Please respect copyright.PENANAcaLw7kgrr9
"Shit! Kelly—"427Please respect copyright.PENANAdrhgfZc9PB
427Please respect copyright.PENANAa2qRdXx0kx
427Please respect copyright.PENANAO9stQ8j8wE
"Go," I say, as he walk-runs to his car, in a desperate attempt to not miss his child's recital.427Please respect copyright.PENANAv5qslJvJCx
427Please respect copyright.PENANAjk0sFc4WlD
427Please respect copyright.PENANALapmQYGvDv
I let out a shaky breath, all too aware that David Rochester has been stabbing me with his eyeballs for the past five hours, and I now have no one to protect me.427Please respect copyright.PENANACT1bguLM7e
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMzmUbCD5Uy
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMht4P59EdR
***427Please respect copyright.PENANAzzyk1LIGUY
427Please respect copyright.PENANAskz8ZmcZtt
427Please respect copyright.PENANAsvFYqAm2K5
Since Shem, drove off approximately three minutes ago, David has been giving me this "you're mine now" look, with a fucking smirk, which, if I'm going to be honest, is starting to creep me the fuck out. 427Please respect copyright.PENANAMxvWifUf4p
427Please respect copyright.PENANATVqmtaaWyR
427Please respect copyright.PENANAGS2wf5IcQZ
For the first time, I actually feel intimidated by him.427Please respect copyright.PENANAY8OkHUI7TN
427Please respect copyright.PENANAjPLnkU9DZy
427Please respect copyright.PENANAXY9eOw0Gte
Which means that I have to leave. Now.427Please respect copyright.PENANAxeKVFfEXbH
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7MwrFLo3Wu
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgJNKKXEk7T
As soon as I get the chance I sprint to my car, and throw my camera bag onto the passenger seat as soon as I sit. I let out a breath that I didn't know that I was holding, and then go to close the door, which is pulled back.427Please respect copyright.PENANAS5iVB6fdku
427Please respect copyright.PENANA3PhqhBPUC8
427Please respect copyright.PENANA8RLdhGLbBv
I don't have to look up to know who it is.427Please respect copyright.PENANAnuPguNBsKz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgJMj1BBzZb
427Please respect copyright.PENANAmsLKsborpQ
"I wasn't done speaking to you."427Please respect copyright.PENANA2B0Fqa77So
427Please respect copyright.PENANALI9YJkikdw
427Please respect copyright.PENANAjjOMwUTx6L
"Well, I was." With a shaking hand, I try again to close the door — and he pulls it back. Again.427Please respect copyright.PENANAuZnSgGW0lU
427Please respect copyright.PENANALQU2M0KxIW
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgMl2JhbD3A
"I think... it would be more... polite to speak to me outside of the car. Wouldn't you agree, Ms Anderson?"427Please respect copyright.PENANArngQxFSy19
427Please respect copyright.PENANA4us0pdlg9p
427Please respect copyright.PENANAe872s8gIJq
I gulp. "I have to go—"427Please respect copyright.PENANADV9xlWVeEZ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAnvBRC8KzL5
427Please respect copyright.PENANAuI9w3rOAyD
"I don't think you have to do shit. I think you're scared of me."427Please respect copyright.PENANAuXzetAOgqc
427Please respect copyright.PENANA6c1YxPsdpi
427Please respect copyright.PENANAOk4todqqlY
My face heats up.427Please respect copyright.PENANAf76HyynmBu
427Please respect copyright.PENANAwrjOBE1Wfz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAOMUaoQ3UAR
"I am not."427Please respect copyright.PENANA6QgIf9oqr8
427Please respect copyright.PENANAFhRQDrUDIm
427Please respect copyright.PENANAy8JINUgYZK
He smirks. He knows he just got me.427Please respect copyright.PENANA4mYttQJOqR
427Please respect copyright.PENANApKlYrVoTdV
427Please respect copyright.PENANAqlollJYSXl
"Prove it."427Please respect copyright.PENANAJeWmbhwdoL
427Please respect copyright.PENANAUSNLvGgB9U
427Please respect copyright.PENANAHUNQvisRcu
With a shaking hand, I push the door open and step out, sealing my fate.427Please respect copyright.PENANAEfIDtVFLLA
427Please respect copyright.PENANAUzb4S17aEc
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzyvcKhxZG8
"Much better," he says, with a look of approval.427Please respect copyright.PENANAn86JjhmkfI
427Please respect copyright.PENANACy8ddtuCss
427Please respect copyright.PENANATsol6tlOy7
"Fuck you," I growl, my irritation with this man getting the better of me.427Please respect copyright.PENANAJr8J5f1O7D
427Please respect copyright.PENANAwbHdIj8NGt
427Please respect copyright.PENANAUzZSt8Gckf
He just smiles at me as if I just said the most beautiful word in the world.427Please respect copyright.PENANAliGFQzBAku
427Please respect copyright.PENANAVkrRnARR51
427Please respect copyright.PENANAQPJwxQe0Xb
"Awe, I never knew that Little Ms Anderson was a potty mouth," he says, caging me in against the car making me feel so... small. 427Please respect copyright.PENANAOaLki4HbrI
427Please respect copyright.PENANAhR8CUQWFQE
427Please respect copyright.PENANA1eSWSL1O8b
"Now let me explain something to you," he says dangerously low, his lips against my ear, "when I give instructions, I want them followed. I don't strangers showing up at my events—"427Please respect copyright.PENANAN78RZyF85n
427Please respect copyright.PENANAmCxMjMWAIN
427Please respect copyright.PENANA3n6loj3CH9
"I was doing my job—"427Please respect copyright.PENANApUUFkIcr70
427Please respect copyright.PENANAsQvPytXviX
427Please respect copyright.PENANAEc1NLSMKbR
"And I get to say who can—"427Please respect copyright.PENANA8aZcZom9OI
427Please respect copyright.PENANA9z3zbCTZ8G
427Please respect copyright.PENANAszbrylIeGb
"Then don't ask me to do shit for you again! You're so fucking demanding! You can't even wait until the next morning for an answer, and I can't bring anyone along? Fuck you!"427Please respect copyright.PENANADYLTfQh5GX
427Please respect copyright.PENANAho4NoO98wO
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2W0LmjiY2m
I push his right arm out of the way and jump into my car. He's still standing there when I drive off.427Please respect copyright.PENANAU18rFlHXGN
427Please respect copyright.PENANAfrVTIebOiB
427Please respect copyright.PENANAfbCd4xZiFV
***427Please respect copyright.PENANAi47M0hMqbY
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzymn0zfNVy
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMKvPOmfhR9
Dear Leah,427Please respect copyright.PENANAY3PRtBtf0o
427Please respect copyright.PENANAAgqXFkW9i8
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtlSiz84Xko
I sincerely apologise for my prick-ish behaviour towards you over the period of time which I have known you. I can't promise that I will behave, but I can promise that I will try.427Please respect copyright.PENANAcwbSDTjaid
427Please respect copyright.PENANASA8LIvFNtv
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2EHCDP2UHr
I have your cheque prepared — I will be home all day today, so just come by and pick it up. If you want to have nothing to do with me, I completely understand.427Please respect copyright.PENANAovd8yaPeQp
427Please respect copyright.PENANAn8BVTPCjSq
427Please respect copyright.PENANAmkW20fhTsr
Sincerely,427Please respect copyright.PENANAUdMd2rn8Mp
David.427Please respect copyright.PENANAHLweDUHoy0
427Please respect copyright.PENANAF3V7BCWfso
427Please respect copyright.PENANAFhaJFG8PmD
Please note that this is a textmessage that I received from David Rochester at 3:57 a.m. this morning, a text that woke me the fuck up, and the only reason why I am going to his apartment at 9 a.m. on this lovely Saturday is because he has my money.427Please respect copyright.PENANA6nzSMu95Wq
427Please respect copyright.PENANAKPkOxjEwVV
427Please respect copyright.PENANAoN98YldOkh
Briefly, I wonder what the hell his new job would be. No amount of money, however, would see me working with that asshole again.427Please respect copyright.PENANAkmDjwCtqfy
427Please respect copyright.PENANATxE2KutZFA
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzIhoka70GL
The door opens before I can knock. 427Please respect copyright.PENANARvS5v90L2D
427Please respect copyright.PENANAKY5fDvxtRS
427Please respect copyright.PENANA0E9J66vHLh
"Good morning, Leah." 427Please respect copyright.PENANAme9vaFUW7g
427Please respect copyright.PENANA1ey1Amippl
427Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1yNgebBV0
"David."427Please respect copyright.PENANA2TiAK7AeF4
427Please respect copyright.PENANAB0dk5FsjJ3
427Please respect copyright.PENANA03K3T0zaT1
I take the liberty to sit down on the couch, noting that my photograph now hangs beside the television. 427Please respect copyright.PENANA8CRrRmlvtg
427Please respect copyright.PENANA1X32ofcYE4
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgBFAF64Eqq
"Beer?"427Please respect copyright.PENANASQ8yKMoSMF
427Please respect copyright.PENANAseVM40H6U8
427Please respect copyright.PENANAkslTbVaF07
"Yeah."427Please respect copyright.PENANAPBKMqsNLOF
427Please respect copyright.PENANA3lt0XiyIcP
427Please respect copyright.PENANAGKckkxmR4Q
And he gives it to me this time.427Please respect copyright.PENANAo0n5Al51ID
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgp5jkKlSRt
427Please respect copyright.PENANAmILOKq2OTE
He flops down in the chair perpendicular to mine, and fiddles with a piece of paper, that looks suspiciously like a cheque.427Please respect copyright.PENANAOCVCOwUJQj
427Please respect copyright.PENANAQCselcPH1r
427Please respect copyright.PENANASaNVRveHTX
"I... I just want to apologise. Again."427Please respect copyright.PENANAvsOuEL3A9v
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtJb46CwX2J
427Please respect copyright.PENANAvIj9Sa2gHO
"David, I really don't give a shit anymore."427Please respect copyright.PENANAUew5ybGvRG
427Please respect copyright.PENANAcjCLyczrCU
427Please respect copyright.PENANAefMDxVjr5C
He sighs, then looks up at me.427Please respect copyright.PENANAVlSn5ESWU4
427Please respect copyright.PENANAraTXpH62m1
427Please respect copyright.PENANAnbOZkXT4EC
"Leah, my behaviour was unacceptable. I can be an asshole and sometimes, I don't realise it, but that's no excuse."427Please respect copyright.PENANAPcEJ3CfdlJ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAY06fCZGpYh
427Please respect copyright.PENANAKUg2io59oe
I'm actually surprised by the sincerity in his voice and eyes. He actually has some degree of decency. Wow.427Please respect copyright.PENANAFWXZqUmwKj
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtnLv4KUozh
427Please respect copyright.PENANAf2mRHgpHFX
"I... I accept your apology David."427Please respect copyright.PENANA49DFYpzcvQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAqzu45fnnku
427Please respect copyright.PENANAhXJ5vOFOo0
His eyes light up.427Please respect copyright.PENANAbgHKR316cF
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7FKhijV6px
427Please respect copyright.PENANA4tIU9g0REi
"Really? So we're friends now?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA1pdpuL0mBl
427Please respect copyright.PENANACpeDUvxj7l
427Please respect copyright.PENANAy7T2rWK81v
I have to laugh humourlessly at that. Really? Friends?427Please respect copyright.PENANA8qehf7i6KT
427Please respect copyright.PENANAYsLvOHOoVG
427Please respect copyright.PENANAIQ5iAqGSEd
"Not even close."
ns 172.71.254.174da2