by Lowe, T. I.
I drop off the remainder of my banana contraband to Duke and fill him in on JP’s meltdown. This cracks him up. After hanging out a bit with my friend, I head back to the gallery and directly upstairs to wash my offensive banana-breath away.
~~~~~
The weekend arrives and I’m not too happy about it. Dad has a conference out of town so I decide to stay put at the gallery with hopes of buddying around with Duke, but he has plans in Bay Creek. Maybe a weekend alone might be okay, but then I find out JP is staying put, too. Great. This should be interesting with Mr. Anti-Willow.
I try to help out with the gallery on Saturday and it’s another slammed day. After the doors are locked, JP sets out to switching his art as I sweep and dust. We work quietly with the music turned up as we did last time. Once I put the broom away, I wander into the alcove to see what can be discovered this time. I’m sad to find JP’s family album gone, but it doesn’t take me long to get over it as I become captivated by the three huge photos adorning the space now. They are each at least eight feet in height and another five feet wide. They are shots of three very distinct trees and feel close to life-size even though they are nowhere close to the actual proportions. Each has a small plaque attached to the bottom, identifying what type of tree is in the photo. I grab myself a chair this time and sit before the artwork for a spell. My picture-walk begins with the Mossy Oak tree to the left. I’m pretty sure this was taken at Battery Park. I can feel its wisdom and grandeur as it looms over me. The photo in the middle is none other than a Weeping Willow tree. This makes me smile. The long waving branches dip and dance in the wind as sunrays peep along the frame. It feels very happy and whimsical, in spite of the name of the tree. I’m sure this is what he wanted to relay in this photo. The last is of a Palmetto Palm tree. An ocean and sandy beach keep company with the shaggy tree as it bows slightly in the sea breeze. Eventually I decide to call it a day and put my chair away. Once again, I find JP watching me, but I decide not to acknowledge him.
I walk past him and I’m about to head to my room, when he asks, “You heading home?”
“Not this weekend, but I won’t bug you.” I turn to continue on my way with him on my heels.
“I go to church at eleven in the morning, if you want to join me,” he offers before closing his door. He doesn’t wait for my answer.
I think I’m too surprised to give him a response anyway.
As the morning arrives, I find myself dressed and ready to go by ten. JP knocks on the door at ten till eleven, and declares it time to go. He looks casual but nice in dark jeans and a white polo shirt, showcasing his tan. His guarded eyes roam over the maxi dress I’m wearing. This one is in a faded peach hue and extra soft. He seems to like it, but says no pleasantries, just heads out. I wonder why he would invite me somewhere, when it’s obvious he doesn’t care to be around me. It would look too weird to back out now, so I apprehensively follow him out the door.
I’m surprised when we arrive at Battery Park instead of a building. I reluctantly climb out of his Jeep as JP grabs a picnic basket and blanket. We walk close to the center of the park and find a small gathering of people. They are singing a familiar hymn as a guy sits on the edge of the platform of a statue, playing a guitar. JP spreads the blanket and motions for me to have a seat. Everyone is dressed casual as opposed to my home church and I see no offering plate in sight. This is quite unusual to me.
I try to get comfortable as we sing along to a few more hymns. Then another guy, who is also dressed in jeans, opens his Bible and reads Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
JP mutters, “Amen.” And this surprises me. I really didn’t see him much in the way of Godliness. Shame on me, again. My eyes keep being opened to my hasty judgment of people.
The young guy speaks about hope, of course, for a while and I find myself comfortable in this small crowd. I don’t worry about the clock as I do most of the time at church. I just sit back and let God’s message resonate in me as the sea breeze finds its way to us through the ancient oak trees. I’m reminded of the verse that says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." I feel God’s presence in this small gathering.
After another few songs and a closing prayer, JP gathers the blanket and picnic basket and relocates us to a less congested spot. I’m quite impressed he has made sandwiches and packed all of this on his own. We are about to eat, when JP looks over my shoulder and grins.
“There’s my girl!”
I look over my shoulder and find a middle-aged woman heading in our direction. I’m trying not to assume she’s homeless, but it’s hard not to think it. Her clothes are past worn-out and her salt-and-pepper hair is disheveled. She has a seat right beside JP and gives him a big hug.
“Janet, I’d like you to meet my friend, Willow.” He gestures towards me and I offer her my hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Janet.”
“Any friend of JP’s is a friend of mine,” she states proudly. Her voice is a bit weathered, but friendly enough.
JP hands her a sandwich and we picnic over the next hour as we exchange pleasantries about nothing that really matters such as how nice the summer weather has been and how glad we are the tropical storm didn’t make much mess. Before Janet leaves, JP loads her up with the remaining sandwiches and an entire bag of apples. It’s pretty obvious this is their routine. He just hands the food over and she silently takes it with no fuss. She gives him another hug before leaving.
We watch her walk off and my curiosity is getting the best of me. “What’s the deal?”
JP glances at me before looking in the direction Janet is walking. She’s a good ways from us now. He lets out a sad sigh. “I’m in love with her.” He pauses and I do not believe my ears. “She’s not as old as she looks. I met her a few years back and it was love at first sight.” He’s still looking in her direction wistfully. I’m speechless so I just sit stunned and listen. “I tried talking her into marrying me, but she doesn’t feel the same about me as I do her.” He shrugs his shoulders and gives me such a sad look with his eyes tearing up that it evokes a dejected sigh from me. “I figure if I keep trying, one day she’ll change her mind. But…” He pauses to clear his throat. “I don’t think I can take too many more of her rejections.”
JP says nothing else and so I feel I should. “I’m… So sorry. That’s just so sad.” Poor guy.
He gives me an undecipherable look before roaring in laughter. “If you believed a word of that, you’re more gullible than I thought.”
“You made it all up? Why would you do that?”
This causes him to laugh harder and makes me angry. “Sorry. I’m sort of known for my tall-tales. I couldn’t resist.”
I reach over and slap him on the arm. “That wasn’t funny in the slightest. Jerk!”
He eventually tamps down his laughter and explains what I’m pretty sure is the truth. “Seriously. Janet is just a lady I keep running into out here since I moved to Charleston. She lives in a home across town for battered women. She likes to spend her time out here and I honestly like her company. The poor woman has lived a hard life. Her husband nearly beat her to death a few years back.”
“Now, that is truly sad.”
“Yeah. She seems to need someone to talk to and I don’t mind.” He begins packing things up, but all I can do is stare at him. I’m seeing JP Thorton in a different light. Maybe jerk is too harsh a description. I think I’ll take it back… For now.
Hope appears as if on cue. “A female friend. Aren’t you excited?” She’s giving me her signature knowing smile and I’m confused for a moment. Then it hits me. Janet… Janet is my new friend.
“I don’t know about that,” I say without thinking. I’m in need of an easy friendship and all this angel wants to serve up is complicated.
“Don’t know about what?” JP asks, confused.
I just shake
my head and play my weird card and walk to the Jeep without answering him.
When we arrive back to the gallery, JP actually walks me to my room like a gentleman. He even holds the door open for me. Instead of leaving or coming in, he hovers at the door and takes in the space as though he’s seeing it for the first time.
“No photos?” he asks.
“I’m only here for the summer. Plus there’s an entire treasure trove of pictures just downstairs.” I shrug my shoulder while removing my sandals.
“You should still have your own artwork,” he mumbles as he walks away.
Chapter Twelve
Monday finds all three of us, plus one angel, in JP’s office. He is working on some barn photos, I’ve finally reached the halfway point of the second container, Duke is propped up in a chair against the wall scrolling through his phone, and Hope is sitting on the windowsill peering outside wistfully. JP keeps grumbling at the computer as he flips through the photo previews. He’s not happy.
“Duke, check out this photo,” JP says, drawing Duke out of his chair.
He glances over JP’s shoulder. I watch as the two of them study the photo of a weathered barn with the sun setting in warm hues behind it.
“That’s cool, man,” Duke comments.
“No, it’s not. What’s wrong with it?” JP asks.
I look back over to the photo and notice what he’s talking about immediately.
Duke studies it for a few more beats before pointing to a broken window. “That needs to be fixed.” He shrugs his shoulders.
JP sighs loudly. “Not even close, dude.” He keeps staring at the screen and asks me, “Willow, what’s wrong with this photo?”
I sort a few more pictures and answer, “The photographer didn’t clean his lens and now the photo has a slight smudge in the right hand corner of the barn. You won’t be able to properly edit it out.”
“I’m not a photography major,” Duke says in his defense.
“Then why do you hang out in a photo gallery all the blame time?” JP laughs.
“Your sister’s fault,” Duke declares with his own laughter.
JP quickly agrees with him. “It’s always Savannah’s fault.” He goes back to scanning through the barn pics. “Guess I have to reshoot these.” He heads over to the window, likely to check the lighting of the late afternoon. As he peers out, Hope leans in towards him. He shivers a bit, making her grin. A bubble of laughter threatens to escape me as I watch her tease the unsuspecting guy. She blows towards his ear, causing him to swat as though a fly may be the culprit. This angel has a sense of humor. She finally leaves him alone as he turns to face me and Duke. “The two of you up for a field trip?”
“Sure,” we both agree.
JP gathers his camera bag and Duke brings his sketch pad along. We pile into JP’s Jeep and head inland. We ride along with the sultry summer air rippling through the open Jeep for close to thirty minutes before we reach a private farm. JP pulls up to the gate and unlocks it before slowly driving down a narrow dirt road that eventually leads to the ancient barn.
The late afternoon is spent with JP taking hundreds of shots of the barn with the sunset casting rich orange and purple beams around the edges, stopping every so often to clean his lens. I’m guessing he plans to get it right this time. Duke props up under a tree and sketches quietly. He studies the old structure for long bouts then bends his head towards his pad and seems to escape into it. He’s very passionate about his craft and I wish I had brought my camera so I could capture him lost in his world. JP seems to feel the same way at one point and turns his camera towards Duke and snaps several before Duke grumbles at him to knock it off.
We both leave him alone after a while. The rest of the afternoon eases by with me spending it by JP’s side, trying to imagine the image he wants to capture with the barn. The entire moment here on this country farm is unrushed and is such a peaceful experience. I’m blown away when I realize the day has left us and the night shows up unannounced. The night sky is brilliant with radiant stars and a warm moon softly illuminating the farm.
I stand in awe as fireflies show up and lend their light as well. My Papa had a farm I visited quite often as a child, but I have no memory of a night as clear and alluring as this one. No city lights, nor traffic… Just nature’s pure light and its unique melody of crickets chirping along with a light rustling breeze floating through the open space.
I am mesmerized by the farm’s darkened beauty and slowly circle around to take it all in. “Wow,” I mutter to myself, catching JP’s attention.
“Here,” he says. I look over and find him offering his camera. “Just take in the view through the lens without taking any pictures.”
I do as he instructs and watch the country night sparkle through the camera.
“Readjust the focus until the background fades slightly,” JP advises. As I do this I notice he has come to stand closer behind me. Once I stop readjusting the lens, he says, “Watch for the fireflies. Be sure you see them with clarity. If not, readjust until you do.” Again, I take his advice and continue to work with the focus until the sparks of the flies are as sharp and crisp as I can obtain. I’m studying the view when I feel his hand brush past my fingers as he flips the flash off. He then secures his hand over mine and presses the button and rapidly captures the night scene.
This continues for several beats until he eases the camera out of my hand. I feel his breath on my cheek when he says, “Lie down and angle your body to the left.”
This confuses me, so I whip around to look at him. He points to the ground as he sits. I give in to the odd request and rest against the grass, but almost pop back up when he lies down and scoots his body firmly against mine. “Just relax and take in the view, Willow.” He motions over the night sky and I have to admit it is magical. The fireflies continue to burst through the night in quick soft flashes of their light but are now joined with the millions of stars from this view.
After a while, JP hands over the camera once more and reinstructs me to focus and fade the scene through the lens. He rests his hand back over mine. “Start low towards the left and very slowly move the camera to the right. If the image becomes unfocused, stop and readjust the lens.”
I do as he says and we begin a slow roll from the left to the right. The first shot captures low landscape and as we move the treetops and night sky join the view. I have to stop several times to adjust the lens. JP complies each time and stops pressing his finger over mine. Once my body starts to slowly roll again, he goes back to pressing it. We are capturing a magnificent panoramic view of this countryside night scape with the earth meeting the sky in various points. All the while, the fireflies dance and disappear in and out of the frames. I feel caught up in some night spell and lose the world while capturing it with this camera. Goose bumps scatter along my skin and my heart is racing by the time JP releases me and stands.
He silently offers his hand to help me up and we both seem to be in a daze until Duke speaks and snaps us out of it. I actually forgot he was even here.
“Is it my turn, JP?” he says in a mock prissy voice.
“You’re not a photography major, sweetheart,” JP teases back, sounding unaffected. He punches Duke in the arm and walks off. “Let’s roll.”
Later tonight, I’m lying on my bed unable to sleep. All I can do is replay the night over and over. It was just so magical. I’m in love with photography and there’s no way I could ever go back to pre-med. The beauty God has put in the world needs to be appreciated and it’s all I have the desire to do. Oh, how I wish I had brought my own camera tonight so I could look at those images again.
I’m so caught up in daydreaming of the country night sky, the knock sounding at the door actually startles me. I open the door and find a framed panoramic photo of the scene I witnessed earlier propped up by the door. A sticky note has been placed on the frame that simply states magical. A wide smile spreads across my face at this for it’s exactly how I feel about it, too.
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How on earth did JP make this so fast? I want to ask him, but I hear the shower start up. I close my door and seek out a place to hang the photo so I can admire it. I find a wall hook over my bed and place the artwork there.
I sit cross-legged on the bed and peer up at it. Words fail this photo. Somehow, JP has merged the images together to create one long scene. Fireflies dance in and out of the night and I can almost see them moving between the trees and flickering close to the ground. The stars shimmer and the moon casts a glow over the top of the tall trees in such elegant beauty.
I eventually lay back and gaze at the magical image until my vision blurs and I surrender to sleep. Dreams of starbursts and fireflies keep me company until morning.
~~~~~
Tuesday morning shows up with a renewed sense of hope and excitement. All I want to do is explore and unearth more of God’s wonders. I practically skip to class and sit by Jace without Hope having to coerce me. I even get the opportunity to share the barn photo shoot with the class and promise to bring the photo in before the summer is over. Several students stop me after class and ask in amazement how my internship is going with the famous photographer. I’m wishing I hadn’t shared so much at this point.
I stop Jace before he gets too far out the door. “Would you like to join me for pizza? He seems hesitant. “My treat.”
He looks to Tony and shrugs in agreement. Tony escorts us but stays outside as we enter the pizza joint conveniently located on the college campus. It’s packed and poor Jace seems to clam up. We finally make it to the counter to order, but Jace won’t say what he wants. From his ramblings I know he is not a normal toppings kind of guy, but he just won’t budge. I look around for Hope to help me out, but she is nowhere to be found. I was so proud to get him to agree to go with me that the crowd issue never crossed my mind.
