Something Like Lightning

by Jay Bell

  “Subtle,” Nathaniel said with a smirk. “If any girl of mine comes home, it better be a dude in drag, because I don’t swing that way.”

  Thank goodness for that! “You’re probably dying to know if I’m straight or not.”

  “Nope,” Nathaniel said, becoming distracted. “Zero, if you chase that squirrel, and especially if you eat it, I’ll wire your damn mouth shut!” “Gosh,” Kelly murmured, “you really love your dog.”

  “More than anything in the world,” Nathaniel said, fixing him with a stare to prove how serious he was. “Besides, he talks back to me in his own way. If I annoy him too much, he’ll chew up one of my Blu-rays when I’m at work. Just the case though. If he didn’t love me back, he’d ruin the disc too.”

  “You like movies?” Kelly asked.

  “I have a dog named Zero, don’t I?”

  Kelly wracked his brain, trying to catch the reference. “Nightmare Before Christmas?”

  “Very good. And I’m not into movies. I’m into cinematography.” “There’s a difference?”

  “Anyone can point a camera and start filming, just like anyone can smear paint on a canvas. But very few are capable of true art.”

  Kelly’s smile was subtle. “I’m a big fan of Michael Bay myself.”

  “I hate you.”

  “Or M. Night Shyamalan’s later films. Those are a real treat.”

  “Go away. Right now. I mean it.”

  “Ah, but you promised me lunch,” Kelly said.

  Nathaniel sighed dramatically. “I suppose I did. Come on, Zero. Time to open a can of dog food for our guest here.”

  Kelly was curious if the apartment had a sprawling floor plan or was finely furnished. Upon entering, he saw a hall that led past a bedroom on one side and a bathroom on the other. The living room had a balcony overlooking a stretch of grass that ended in a wall of trees. To the left was a small dining area and a narrow kitchen. Aside from the huge television and surround sound system, the home seemed average. The couch—which Zero quickly hopped up on—was worn, the wooden coffee table nicked, and decoration sparse. Maybe Marcello didn’t pay well. Then again, how much did a photographer earn? One who occasionally managed charity events.

  “What exactly do you do for a living?” Kelly asked.

  “Whatever Marcello wants me to.” Nathaniel opened the refrigerator and bent to dig around. Then his head reappeared above the door. “Wait, that sounds perverted. I don’t mean it like that. Marcello is a very successful man who has his fingers in quite a few pies. That can get complicated, and when he needs help, he knows he can rely on me.”

  “So you’re not normally a photographer.”

  Nathaniel tossed a pack of ground beef on the counter before he continued digging. “Nope. I’ve got a good eye and I know my way around a camera, but Marcello has plenty of professionals working for him.”

  “So how come I’m standing in your kitchen right now and not Rick’s?”

  Nathaniel closed the refrigerator, hands full of produce. “I was wondering that myself. I have a few theories.”

  “Such as?”

  “Remember when Rick asked you to pretend he was a hot guy?” Kelly nodded. “Yeah.”

  Nathaniel’s smile was slow. “With me, you don’t have to pretend.” Kelly recovered quickly. “Actually, I do.”

  “What?”

  “Yup. All day. I keep picturing this cute Asian guy. Short, slender, has a shy smile. So adorable!”

  Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. “That’s your type?”

  “Oh yeah!”

  “Your loss.” Nathaniel frowned. “Not that it would have mattered if I was your type.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Right.”

  Kelly smiled. “Need help dicing that onion?”

  “That would be great.”

  They started cooking together, Nathaniel working on a salad. After confirming that they’d be having burgers with it, Kelly washed his hands and worked on making patties.

  “How did you become Marcello’s right-hand man?” he asked. Amusement tugged at Nathaniel’s features. “I pulled his ass out of the fire. After that, it didn’t take him long to realize how useful I can be. Hey, make sure not to put onions in two of them. They give Zero gas.”

  “I didn’t realize we were cooking for the dog. And anyway, stop changing the subject. How exactly did you save Marcello?”

  “The past belongs in the past,” Nathaniel said dismissively, turning on one of the burners. “Would you mind setting the table?”

  “Sure.” Kelly felt puzzled while opening drawer after drawer to find the silverware. Why was the past so off-limits? How was he supposed to get to know Nathaniel if they were only allowed to talk about the present? His hunger to learn soon turned into a more traditional sort when the smell of cooking meat filled the air. He watched as Nathaniel flipped burgers while also working on vinaigrette for the salad. A grumbling came from below, one a little too low to be his stomach. Kelly glanced down to see Zero at his side, attention focused on Nathaniel as he cooked.

  “He puts on quite the show, doesn’t he?” Kelly murmured to him. Once they were seated—Nathaniel and Kelly that is; Zero had to eat on the floor—he decided to pry again. “Do you like working for Marcello?” he asked. “I’m not sure what to make of him.”

  Nathaniel nodded as he chewed and swallowed. “Marcello is very good at giving people what they want, and even better at finding people who want the same as he does.”

  “So what’s he give you that you want?”

  “Something to do. I know from personal experience how destructive downtime can be. I also get bored easily, so I need work, and I need variety. Marcello understands that, and it’s probably the real reason he has me playing photographer today. Otherwise he would have found an adorable Asian guy to keep your attention.”

  Kelly smiled. “Do you think I’m doing the right thing? Like you, I was looking for something to occupy myself with, but I don’t know if I want to be a model. I don’t know if I can be.”

  “Really?” Nathaniel stood and fetched the camera. When he came back, he sat next to Kelly instead of across from him. After pulling his plate close and taking another bite, he started pushing buttons on the camera, occasionally turning the display screen for Kelly to see.

  Kelly wasn’t arrogant. At least he didn’t feel that way, but the photos were good. Much of that was due to Nathaniel’s skill. He had a natural instinct for lighting and object composition. But also, for someone halfway up a tree, face sweaty and cheek dotted with a few scraps of bark, Kelly had to admit he looked pretty good. He struggled to remember the last time he felt that way about his appearance. Even the photos where he was clearly missing a leg didn’t dash his confidence.

  “You still unsure about modeling?” Nathaniel asked. “Maybe it’s not your dream, but don’t doubt for a second that you can do this.”

  “I’m starting college in the fall,” Kelly said. “No idea why. I don’t have a master plan. I don’t know if I want to be a model, because I don’t know what I want to do at all.”

  Nathaniel set down the camera. “So keep modeling until the end of summer. If you like it, great. If not, you’ll leave with an excellent business contact and some cash. I know people twice my age who still aren’t sure what they want. For most, it changes as they go along.”

  “So when did you figure it all out?”

  Nathaniel shook his head. “I told you, the past stays in the past.” Kelly scrutinized him a moment. “You don’t have any big dark secrets. I bet your past is so boring that you decided to act all mysterious just to make yourself seem more interesting.”

  “Is it working?”

  “Nope. I’m not falling for it. You’re dull, dull, dull.”

  Nathaniel’s jaw clenched. “Nice try.”

  Kelly pantomimed a yawn.

  “Fine. I’ll give you one last piece of advice. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because you can always start over. There c
ame a point in my life when I felt like everything was ruined. So I put it all behind me and started fresh. I promised myself not to look back, and that’s why I don’t.”

  Kelly didn’t tease him this time. The emotion in Nathaniel’s voice made clear the topic was serious. They finished their meal in silence. When they were finished, Kelly said quietly, “Okay, so maybe you are a little interesting.”

  “Very generous of you.” Nathaniel stood and collected their plates, taking them into the kitchen.

  “I’ll do dishes,” Kelly said. “You sprung for the food and did most of the cooking.”

  Nathaniel stifled a yawn. “You don’t have to.”

  “Go relax. I’ll take care of everything. Besides, all I have to do is throw them in the dishwasher, right?”

  Nathaniel didn’t need more coaxing. He went to sit on the couch, Zero hopping up next to him. Kelly did a lot more than just putting the dishes in the machine. He made sure the pans were rinsed first, wiped down the counters, and got a pot of coffee brewing, even though he wasn’t sure how many scoops to use. When he was finished and felt like the ultimate housewife, he looked into the living room. Nathaniel was still on the couch, except now he had rolled over onto his side and stretched out. Zero had too, his back pressed against his owner.

  Were they spooning? Seriously? As quietly as he could, Kelly crept over. Zero stirred and kept a wary eye on him, but Nathaniel didn’t budge. The guy had on a faded T-shirt, a pair of old jean shorts, and even passed out with his face half-buried in cushions, he looked good. The broad chest, the killer shoulders, the fine hair on his lightly tanned legs... Kelly even liked the white tennis socks covering his big feet. That summed up Nathaniel nicely. Big. He wondered if that was the case all over, but Kelly would gladly let that remain a mystery if it meant getting to cuddle up with him instead.

  “Lucky dog,” Kelly whispered. “I’ll make you another burger if you trade places with me.”

  Zero huffed and closed his eyes. Proposition denied.

  Rather than stand there and drool, Kelly explored the apartment, which didn’t take long. The bathroom had a cheesy safari theme, and the bedroom wasn’t too interesting: an unmade bed, a couple of houseplants, and a book about Alfred Hitchcock, opened to the middle and face down on the side table.

  Kelly didn’t remain in this room long, feeling a little creepy. Actually, he was okay with that. He just didn’t want to get caught. Instead he returned to the dining room area and sat at the table. He admired the camera and played with the settings. Eventually he pointed it at the couch. After considering the image in the viewfinder he stood. He kept checking the framed image, not pushing the shutter release yet. He’d only take one photo, and when he did, it had to be perfect. That was the game.

  After moving around and carefully considering the shot, he pushed the button. The camera clicked, Zero moved his head to follow the noise, and Nathaniel stirred. Kelly quickly returned the camera to the table and sat.

  “Ugh,” Nathaniel said, raising his head and letting it plop back into the pillow again. “Do I smell coffee?” came his muffled voice.

  “Coming up!” Kelly rose to fetch him a cup. “If you’re tired, we can call it a day.”

  Nathaniel pushed himself up. “Nope. We have to hit the pool before it gets dark.”

  “The pool?” Kelly asked.

  “Yeah. Marcello wants a swimsuit shoot. He didn’t tell you that?”

  Kelly paused at the kitchen counter. “No. I don’t have a swimsuit.”

  Nathaniel sighed. “That was probably intentional. How do you feel about nude photography?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  “So did you do it?” Bonnie asked.

  “The naked photos?” Kelly asked. “Or do you mean frisky time?” Bonnie hit the turn signal and gunned it past an elderly driver. “Either.”

  “Nope. I wish.”

  “So what happened?”

  Kelly sighed. “A disaster. We went shopping for a swimsuit, but all were too short to hide my stump. For some reason I got freaked out about him seeing it, so we ended up buying a pair of jeans. I still went shirtless

  “That had to get his attention.”

  “I guess, but I also got quiet. Like I couldn’t think of anything to say.”

  “Damn. I hate when that happens.”

  “Yeah. I made everything awkward. From the department store on.” Bonnie shot him a glance. “You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of.” “Easy for you to say.”

  “You have a beautiful nub.”

  “You’re a horrible person.”

  “I mean it!” Bonnie insisted. “It’s not like it’s all gnarled and twisted. The surgeons did a great job. And I hate to point out the obvious

  “You love to.”

  “—but it’s not like he doesn’t know. This isn’t a zit you can hide until it goes away. Unless you’re expecting that leg to grow back, you sort of have to get past this. That, or become a nun.”

  “He’s just so perfect!” Kelly moaned. “You should see him. There’s no way he’s interested in defective merchandise. Maybe I should aim lower.”

  “Or maybe you should get over it. Show some pride. Next time you meet, shove that stump right in his face!”

  Kelly grinned, then told Bonnie to take the next left. “If there is a next time. I haven’t heard a peep since Sunday. What is that, three days now? We didn’t exchange digits or anything, but I figure he has my number through work.”

  “Maybe he’ll be there today.”

  Kelly hoped so. He had made sure he was looking his best before Bonnie picked him up. Now, as they were pulling into the parking lot, his stomach filled with a mob of rioting butterflies. The front doors buzzed and unlocked when they rang the intercom bell, Marcello’s disembodied voice instructing them to proceed to his office. The elevator doors opened as if by magic, closing again and delivering them upstairs automatically.

  “Very James Bond,” Bonnie commented.

  Kelly supposed it did feel that way, especially when they marched into the office. Marcello remained behind his desk, gesturing for them to approach. After introductions were made and they sat down, Marcello slid a manila envelope across the ebony surface.

  “My next assignment?” Kelly asked.

  “The results of the previous,” Marcello said. “You can keep those, but first tell me what you think of them.”

  Kelly opened the folder and removed the photos. Each was as large as a piece of notebook paper, but he found only around ten in total. “Is this all?”

  “Quality over quantity,” Marcello purred. “In this instance, at least. Three unattractive men can do things one gorgeous man cannot.”

  Kelly tried to picture what he meant and instantly regretted it. Then he turned his attention to the photos, considering each before passing it to Bonnie. He had expected Marcello to choose the most sexually charged images, but most were artistic. In one he stood behind a chair, his hands on its back. The photo was taken at a low angle, and at first glance, everything appeared normal, except that only one foot was visible beneath the chair. He liked that one, since it reminded him of those old picture tests for kids where the reader had to compare similar images and find what was missing. Also included were photos of him playing shepherd or looking sultry while tangled up in a blanket. Some of the second day’s photos were in there as well: Kelly appearing unamused—Zero in the grass behind him with his head cocked as if questioning why. Kelly hanging from the limb of a tree, positively beaming at the camera. Or at the man behind the camera. He couldn’t remember ever looking so happy. Overall Kelly was impressed with the quality of the set.

  Then he got to the last photo. A dimly lit room, which wasn’t ideal, but the subject matter...

  “Is that him?” Bonnie said, snatching it away.

  His eyes followed, unwilling to leave the image. Nathaniel sleeping on the couch, one arm wrapped around a Siberian Husky.

  “How did that get in there?” Marcello asked
innocently. “Better yet, how did it get taken? I’d love to hear the circumstances preceding it, or perhaps what followed.”

  “There’s nothing to tell,” Kelly said defensively.

  “If one digs deep enough,” Marcello said, “a story can always be found. I shouldn’t need a shovel for this one. I have a right to know, since this photo was taken with company equipment while on company time.”

  “He has a point,” Bonnie said gleefully.

  “There really isn’t anything to tell,” Kelly said. “I’ll kill you both if you ever repeat this, but I wish I did have something to brag about.” Marcello became much more somber. “Did Nathaniel flirt with you at all?”

  He considered the question. There had been some banter, but nothing solid. “Nope.”

  Now Marcello frowned. “And did you flirt with him?”

  “I don’t know,” Kelly said with a huff. “I’m a little rusty, okay? And why is this any of your concern?”

  Marcello sighed. “I hate to see a good man go to waste. When it’s two good men, we’re entering the realm of tragedy.”

  “I’m sure Nathaniel could have anyone he wanted,” Kelly said, hating how defeated he sounded.

  “That’s precisely the problem. Nathaniel has convinced himself he doesn’t want anyone at all. I hoped that alone time with my new star model would cause him to reconsider.” Marcello glanced at the photo Bonnie still held, even though he could only see the back. “Well, don’t blame yourself. You can’t drink from a glass that’s already broken.” “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Marcello shrugged, seemingly done with the topic. “Would you say these photos do you justice?”

  Kelly glanced down at the desk, where Bonnie had laid out all of them. “Are you kidding? They make me look way hotter than I actually am!”

  Marcello smiled pleasantly. “I disagree. And when the world sees you on the red carpet, I have no doubt they’ll share my opinion.”

  “Wait,” Bonnie said. “Is he going to be famous?”

  “The potential is there. All your friend has to do is grab it.” Marcello opened a drawer, pulled out some clipped-together papers, and gently set them on top of the photos. “I took the liberty of drawing up a contract. All you need do is sign it, and together we can take the world by storm.” Kelly didn’t bother picking it up. “I’ll show it to my lawyer,” he said.