The big day had arrived at last. I was up before everyone, my mind on the evens that were soon to take place. I looked over at the clock on the nightstand. In less than two hours, Bennett Photography and Gallery would be officially open for business. I skipped over to my closet, carefully selected an outfit that would make me look as professional as possible. I chose a dark red sweater with blue buttons and a pair of black dress pants, then skipped over to the dresser and opened the top drawer that held my collection of hats. I selected a dark green beret with a blue pom on it, setting it on my head at a jaunty angle.
I heard movement behind me, and smiled into the mirror at my sleepy eyed husband. “Morning, love. How did you sleep last night?”
“Great. You're up early.”
I adjusted my hat and skipped over to him, grinning like a school girl. “Guess what day it is?” I sing songed, leaning over. Jackson laughed and kissed me.
“Yes, my love, I know what day it is. You've talked about little else since you decided to go on this crazy venture.” I pouted, and he grinned, tapping my nose gently. “Hey, no frowns. You know ow proud I am of you. I can rib you a bit if I like. It's my duty as your husband.”
“You're impossible, you know.” I gave him one more kiss and headed for the kitchen humming a happy tune. “Jackson, would you mind getting Rachel up and off to day care? I need to get to the studio early to make sure there's no last minute changes or emergencies that might have cropped up.”
Jackson was already out of bed and heading for the bathroom to splash water on his face and use the toilet. “Sure. Are you going to have anything for breakfast, or do you plan on running on pure adrenalin all day?”
“I'll fix myself something, I promise.” I called over my shoulder. I went to the kitchen to fix myself a quick breakfast of coffee with toast and jam. I sipped on the coffee as I waited for the toast to pop up. My mind went over everything that I hoped was going to happen today.
I had gone all out with advertising, posting fliers everywhere I could. I had told every local I met about the studio, and had even made a few appointments ahead of time. The night before, Gina had dropped by with an armful of her photos, framed and ready for hanging. The pictures consisted of shots of the town from varying perspectives, a few of the lake during the four seasons, the water either still as glass or choppy from the winds. They were in my car, along with a pile of photos of my own that I was going to be hanging up once I got to the studio.
Jackson came out of Rachel's room, carrying the still sleepy child in his arms. I checked the microwave clock, gulped down my coffee and toast, then grabbed my camera and ran out the door, calling over my shoulder. “Rachel, be good for your daddy, Jackson, make sure she eats something, I'll see you both tonight, I love you!”
I ran outside, nearly slipping on the driveway.”Note to self, get out the salt before I break my neck.” I unlocked the car and tossed my camera in the front passenger seat, then got behind the wheel and started the engine, heading for my new studio.
The streets had been plowed the night before, but the roads were still a bit icy, and I was very grateful that there were chains on the car. It made driving much less hazardous. A few people were out and about, braving the cold to take advantage of the clear day.
I pulled in front of the studio and dug out my key, my heart pounding in anticipation. I walked up and unlocked the front door, pushing it open. “Second note to self, oil door hinges.” I stepped into the dim interior and flipped on the switch, my heart soaring.
What had once been a clothing store was now fully transformed into a art studio and gallery. I could still smell the fresh paint and sawdust. The walls, which had once been covered with posters advertising the latest fashions, was now covered with the many photos I had taken over the years. I had wanted to post up a few of the more risque ones I had taken, but Jackson had rightfully pointed out that they might scare off the more staid denizens of Green Lake. I had settled for posting up a few more pictures of the Ferris Wheel at Coney Island.
The pictures from New York covered the wall to my right, and the pictures I had taken of Green Lake covered the wall on my left. Directly in front of me was a sign writ in large Gothic lettering. 'Bennett Gallery'. I sighed in happiness. Things were going to go well, I just knew it.
I went to my office and clicked on my computer, going into my email to see if I had any important messages. There were offers from magazines, a few pieces of spam, and an email from Josie that simply read 'Way to go, kid. Send me some pics and I promise to get them published,' I sent back a reply that I would do so and email them to her as soon as I got the chance.
I heard the door opening, then Gina's voice. “Kendra, you here?”
“Back here, Gina.”
Gina came into the office, smiling at me. “I, um, I know I'm technically not supposed to start until next week, but well, I quit working at the thrift store yesterday. I couldn't take being leered at by that creeper Frank any more. So I was wondering if I could start today?”
I grinned in relief. “You bet you can. You can start by helping me haul the rest of the photos out of my car.”
Gina looked around the already crowded walls. “Do you have anyplace left to put them?”
I pushed back my chair and stood. “You underestimate me. I can find room anywhere. Come on, let's get ready to open.”
It took two trips to carry all the pictures from the car into the studio. We piled them on a large table in the middle, covered with picture hangers, and a hammer. I began scrutinizing the walls, looking for a free space. “Hmm...what's the photo right on top?”
Gina looked down at it. “It's the one I took of the Fest last year.”
“Okay, that can go over on the east wall next to the one of the lake in autumn. Gives it a bit of a theme, don't you think?” I handed her a picture hanger and the hammer. “Go to it, I'll get the next one.” The picture below the first was a recent one I had taken of Main Street and the town fountain. I looked around, and decided it would look best right next to the 'B' in 'Bennett'. I hung it up, then stepped back to admire it. It was a little crooked, and I straightened it out. “There, perfect.”
It took Gina and I an hour and a half to put up the rest of the pictures. Gina glanced over at me, grinning. “It looks really good. So where's the spot for taking pictures?”
I pointed over my shoulder at a large empty space with lights and a large red chair with a overstuffed cushion. “Right over there. It's big enough to hold five people, plus any small animals. If anyone wants a picture of their horse or cow, then I'll have to traipse out to the barn.”
There was a knock on the door and Henry came in, laden down with trays of finger sandwiches. I took a tray from him. “Hey, you're early. Follow me, we can put these in my office. They don't need to be refrigerated, do they?”
Henry followed me back to the office. “No, they should be fine. But if you like I do have a cooler in the truck and a bunch of ice. Want me to bring it in?”
We headed back out front, and I nodded.“Yeah, that's a good idea. Gina?”
“Yeah?”
“Go help Henry bring in the cooler so we can keep some of these sandwiches cool through the day.” I blinked as a thought came to me. “Damn it, I forgot to pick up drinks!” I dug my phone out and rang up James. “Hey, are you at the store? You are? Great! Could you please, please bring me over five twelve packs of beer and...hmm..eight twelve packs of soda? Yes, I know about that stupid ordinance. I thought it was overturned. Fine, just the sodas for now. I'll swing by later this afternoon and pick up the beers. Yeah, I'm at the studio.” I sighed in deep relief. “James, you are a lifesaver. I owe you one. I'll see you in about twenty minutes.”
Once James arrived with the drinks, I set up a table with a pile of different sandwiches(ham, roast beef, turkey, chicken salad, and egg salad) , and put out an assortment of sodas, since there was a town ordinance that made it illegal to sell liquor before one o clock. I stepped back and admired the handiwork. “Okay, let's hope we get some customers.” I looked at my phone. Almost time. I unlocked both doors and opened them wide, letting the bright winter light spill in.
“Kendra! I thought today was the day you opened!” Jane came down the street, dressed as ever in the latest winter fashions. She was accompanied by six women who were also dressed impeccably. “I told everyone I knew about it, and even persuaded a few of my dearest friends to come along and check it out. Ladies, this is Miss Kendra Bennett.”
I held my hand out so Jane could see the ring. “Mrs. Kendra Bennett-Stone, actually. Jackson and I got married last week.”
“Good for you! Now, we would love to come in and see what you've got going here.”
I grinned and stepped aside. “Please do. Everything on the walls is for sale, except for the sign. I took most of the pictures, but quite a few were taken by this young lady here, “ I indicated Gina, who waved, looking slightly nervous. “Any that you buy that belong to her, she gets sixty percent. If you want to make an appointment for having your photo taken, I can set that up as well. Now, ladies, I don't know if Jane's told you the full details of the sorts of photos you can commission from me.”
One of the ladies, a prim looking blonde of about fifty, looked pensive. “Well, she told us some of it.” She walked over to picture I had taken of Central Park in winter. “Oh, that's lovely. Where is that?”
“Central Park. I'll take three hundred for it.” The woman blinked. “That's the lowest I can go, sorry.”
“I'll look around some more, if that's okay.”
I nodded. “Yeah, that's fine.” More people were starting to wander in, and I waved to them. “Morning, folks. Welcome to Bennett Studios. Feel free to look around. There's food and drinks over on that table, help yourself.”
The woman that had admired the shot of Central Park came over to me. “I was wondering about that picture of the lake over there. Is that one of yours as well?”
“No, that's Gina's. Gina!” Gina, who had been talking to a few of the new people that were coming in, looked over at us.
“Yeah?”
“How much do you want for this picture?”
Gina looked flustered. “Umm..gee, I don't know. Whatever price you think is good.”
I nodded. “Okay, how about two fifty?”
Gina frowned. “That doesn't seem like a lot of money.”
I cackled. “Gina, that's two hundred and fifty dollars, not two dollars and fifty cents.” Gina's eyes got wide, and she gaped. “Right, then we'll take two fifty for that photo. Did you want to buy it?”
“Yes, plus the picture of Central Park. And I'd like to make an appointment to have my photo taken.”
I beamed. “Yes ma'am.” I got the pictures down and carried them over to the counter. “OK, so that's four hundred fifty dollars.” I dug out an appointment book and opened it up to the first page. “Now, if you will just give me your name, I'll get you set up.”
The woman pulled a checkbook out of her alligator purse. “Who do I make the check out to?”
“Bennett Studios. Now, if I could have your name and what time you would prefer for the session?”
“Alma Walker, and would Tuesday at noon be acceptable?”
I jotted down the appointment. “Got it, Mrs. Walker. Tuesday at noon it is. Will it be just you, or will there be any other people?”
“I'm not sure just yet. Thank you so much for the photos.”
“Thank you for buying them. I hope you come again.”
Alma's purchase seemed to be the catalyst, and one by one the other women(including Jane) made their own purchases and set up appointments.
By now, the studio was crowded with people coming in and out, looking at the pictures and remarking on their favorite ones. I found myself very glad that I had had the foresight to stock up on photos, so I never had any empty spaces on the wall for too long. As quickly as one picture was sold, I had another one up and hanging in its place.
A young couple came over to me. The woman, who was almost as tall as me with thick brown hair and wearing a camel hair coat,spoke first. “Hey, um, I saw on your website that you do nudes?” I nodded. “Well, do you do couples, or just one person at a time?”
“Well, I don't do porn shots, if that's what you're asking. But yeah, I can do couples.”
“Great, I'd like to make an appointment for Mr. and Mrs. Dozier for Friday at four o clock.”
I opened the appointment book and jotted down the names, marking them with a red star. Mrs. Dozier looked at it. 'What's that for?”
“To remind me that it's a private session and to make sure that I either lock the front door or get a privacy screen. There you go, you're all set. Did you want to buy that?” I asked, pointing at the picture of a skyscraper that Mr. Dozier had in his hand. “I could let you have it for one hundred dollars.”
Mr. Dozier shook his blond head. “I dunno, Sammi, that seems like an awful lot of money.”
Sammi simpered at her husband, clinging to his dark blue sports coat. “Oh, please Jewwy? Buy it for baby? It's such a neat picture.” She batted her lashes, and I barely resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Jewwy” simpered back at her.
“Oh, you know I can't resist you, honey bear. I'll buy you the picture.”
“Thank you pootie pie! Now, I'm going to take one more look around and see if there's anything else I can't live without.”
Jerry gazed after her, then back at me. “She's so wonderful, don't you think?”
“Yeah, she seems very...exuberant.” Jerry nodded, oblivious to my dry tone. “Okay, so that's one hundred for the picture.” Jerry handed me a wad of twenties. “Thank you very much.”
Sammi came over. “How much for that photo of the Ferris Wheel?”
“Well, that one's a bit bigger, so the price is going to be a little higher.” I did a quick calculation in my head. “One eighty.”
Jerry opened his wallet. “Are you set up yet to do credit cards?”
“I don't have a reader, but I think I could rig something up.”
“Great.”
The rest of the day went just as well as the morning had. By the time Jackson and Rachel arrived at four, I had made appointments for the next two months and sold nearly eight hundred dollars worth of photos.
Jackson, carrying Rachel, wove his way through the throngs and over to the couch where I was sitting. “Looks like you're making a pretty fair go of it.” I nodded, and patted the empty seat next to me. He sat down, and I gave them both a hug and a kiss.
“Yeah, I definitely think this is going to work. I'm glad I took a shot at it.”
Jackson pulled me into a one armed hug. “I'm glad I took a shot at it, too.”
“A shot at what?”
Jackson looked at the girl sitting on his lap, then back at me.
“Love.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “I'm glad I took a shot at that too.”