Capturing Savannah (15 page)

“
Sorry to disappoint but the Paper Moon closed down years ago.”

“Somewhere else then. Your pick?” he says.

“I’d like that.”

“Great. How about tomorrow
night? I have a dinner to go to tonight.” He says.

“Sure. Tomorrow.
Eight o’clock maybe? At the
Gallery Espresso
.” I say.

“
Ok. See you then.” He says.

I can’t stop smiling the entire wedding.
I mean weddings are generally happy occasions anyways but this smile is about a lot more then the wedding I am covering.

I am seeing potential shots everywhere right now. So I am clicking the camera like crazy.
The ceremony is beautiful. Of course I don’t think I have gone to a wedding that didn’t have a beautiful ceremony though. The flower girl who is probably three is wearing a full puffy pink dress. Her dress matches the bridesmaids too. All the dresses are extremely puffy. Even the bride, but hers is probably the least puffiest. Her dress is a bright white with layer upon layer of ruffles all the way to the ground.

After the ceremony I get shots of the bride and groom standing next to one of the oak trees that are all over the park.
The big fountain is in the distance and I adjust the focus so it’s blurred some in the shot. The trunk of the large oak tree is in the left hand side of the shot and Spanish moss hangs down into the top of the frame. The groom then picks up his bride and starts walking back towards the fountain. I snap a photo. This is easily one of my favorite shots from the day so far. Probably because it’s not as formal.

It’s mid afternoon so the reception is between lunch and dinner.
It’s being held at
The Gastonian
, a historic bed and breakfast at the end of park. They will serve wine, cheese and crackers, and cake.

Instead of the traditional send off the couple wants me to capture shots from the top of the porch as they walk up the
faded red steps. Their guests are armed with rice and shower the couple with it as they glide up the staircase flanked with rod iron railing and guests cascading each step. He carries her over the threshold and through the large glass double doors. The reception is held in the private courtyard garden.

I follow the guests and the couple around in the garden.
There is a tiered fountain and lush vines covering the sides of the building overlooked by a rod iron landing and bridged walkway. Azalea, boxwoods and colorful plants lead to a second hidden garden housing a cozy swing and small goldfish pool. There is a rock fountain also with large gray and black stones covered with names and dates from married couples. A freshly inked stone lies on top inked with the bride and grooms initials, today’s date, and the words “I carry your heart with me. I carry it in my heart.” Made famous by E.E. Cummings.

The br
ide and groom share a dance to
At Last
by Etta James. The layered ruffles from the brides’ dress circle the floor as the bride spins. I get shots of it from above on the rod iron bridge. After the dance several other couples join them on the dance floor and I get images of them from the same angle overlooking them from above.

The bride and groom also ask their guests to all line up for a group photo that they ask me to take from above
once again on the bridge. I love seeing all of those faces smiling at the camera. Kids, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, the newly wedded couple, all so happy in this moment they won’t soon forget. And if they do forget they will have a photo to remind them. Remind them what the garden looked like, the details of the brides dress, the shade of pink the bridesmaids and flower girls wore. The way the fountain in the park cascaded water when they exchanged their vows. It’s every reason I became a photographer. I love seeing Savannah the way I get to. From behind the camera lens, helping capture big moments or small ones in peoples lives. To hold those moments still for them.

After the reception I head back to the studio to check out the film.
I also get the schedule for the rest of the weeks events. I process the images and load the images online for the couple to check out. Afterwards I get in my car to drive out to Grandpa’s house to have dinner with him and the boys. I stop and pick up some groceries on the way. I keep thinking about seeing David tomorrow night for coffee and thinking about how he is moving back here. And I am glad I may get the chance to apologize to him for not realizing what he was going through when he had to leave school. It does make me nervous though.

Grandpa catches me up on Kyle
while I make dinner. It sounds like he is doing really well and is happy with Cara. I am grateful he is getting support that is working for him. I chop up tarragon and add it to the sizzling pan along with freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic, onion, tomatoes, chicken broth and large peeled shrimp. I stir the grits in the other pot and then grade some sharp cheddar cheese and set it aside.

“Boys, come and help me set the table please.” I say.

“Ok. Ok mom.” Jacks and Cole huff.

“I invited the new neighbor over for dinner too. Set an extra spot for him Jacks.” Grandpa says.

“Well it’s almost ready.” I say just as there is a knock on the door.

“Come in. Come in.” Says Grandpa opening the
porch screen door.

I stir the cheese into the grits. Then stir the shrimp a few more times seeing that they a
re a beautiful shade of white and pink and fully cooked. I toss them and the tomatoes and broth over the grits and carry the pot out to the table.

“David this is Thea.” Grandpa says.

My mouth hangs open for a moment. I manage to set the pot down without anything spilling.

“Thea. This is my new neighbor, David.” He says to me probably noticing I am bit rattled.

“We actually know each other already sir.” David says.

“Oh ok. Let’s all sit down while the food is warm.
” Grandpa says.

“David? My mom has a drawing of an oak tree by a guy she used to know named David.” Said Jacks.

I glance at David and his lips go up into a grin on one side. His usual grin that gives me butterflies. I feel like my cheeks are blushing. Blushing from what Jacks said and from the way he is smiling at me.

All the guys eat quickly as usual.
I am still finishing my food so Jacks and Grandpa clear the rest of the table.

“
Thanks for cooking Thea. Shrimp and grits might just be my new favorite meal. It was delicious.” David says.

“So you are renting the place next door?” I ask.

“Actually I bought it. Always loved this beach.” David says. “You know I had no idea you would be here tonight right? Don’t want you to think I am a creepy stalker or anything.”

“I know. It is funny our paths keep crossing recently.”
I say.

I get up from the table and so does David. We take the remaining dishes from the table into the kitchen and give them to Cole and Jacks who are standing on step stools and washing and drying the last of the dishes.

“Mom. Can we go outside? Will you go outside with us?” the boys ask me.

“Ok yes.” I say. “David. Grandpa. Want to walk the beach with us?” I ask.

“You too go ahead.” Says Grandpa.

The boys run along the tide in front of us and David and I walk slowly.

“Grandpa seems nice.” David says.

“Ya. That’s my ex-husband Kyle’s father.” I say.

“So you said earlier you wanted to talk.” Says David.

“
You’re right. I did say that.” I say.

“Well what did you want to talk about?” he asks me.

“I talked to Naomi. Why didn’t you tell me about your mom? When we were in school I mean?”

“I didn’t know for sure how long she had before she passed. I knew I wasn’t going to leave her like that and I didn’t want to put you through another person’s tragedy like that
. You were still grieving your brother. I don’t regret keeping you out of that but I do realize now that it’s not something you ever forget or ever really get over. I didn’t know if I would ever go back to school again so it seemed like it would be easier for you.” He says.

“I wish you would have given me the chance to decide that.” I say.
“I wish I could have been there for you and I am truly sorry I wasn’t.“

“I did push you away and I am sorry for that.” David says.

“And the party. You did go to that party?” I say.

“I did.
” He says.

“The guys and myself thought I was crazy that night. I kept seeing you. I wanted you to be there
and I thought I was just seeing things.” I say.

“Well I thought you moved on. It looked like you moved on. My mom had just died and all I wanted was to see you Thea. I saw you and…
it hurt too much to see you with him or anyone. I know we weren’t together so you didn’t do anything wrong or owe me anything, but...” He says.

“So you saw
Dax kiss me. He kissed me twice that night. I should have slapped him both times, but I only slapped him the second time. He said he kissed me because I kept talking about you and he wanted to knock some sense into me.” I say. “I m sorry you had to go through that with your mom alone. I am sorry you thought…”

David surprises me and presses his lips against mine.
He lightly parts my lips slowly with his tongue as if he wants to make sure I am ok with him doing that. And I am. After a moment he stops. He stares down at me and I look into those cool blue grey eyes of his. I run my fingers along his arms and feel his muscles tense slightly.

“Thea I am
back here for good and I am not leaving. I am still in love with you. And seeing you again in Key West I realized that you are still in love with me.” He says.

“I don’t know, are you sure you want to stay? There just might not be any good key lime pie left in this town.” I say with playful sarcasm.

“
Ya but this town has something I like more. You. You and your boys. And I will have to see more of Savannah to decide if there is any more good key lime pie here. But, there is one thing. I am going to have to insist on this.” He says.

“On what?” I ask.

“We are gonna have to be more than just friends.” He says smiling his sideways devilish grin.

“
I think I would be ok with that.” I say smiling.

“
Would you maybe want to do this again tomorrow night?” he says. Asking just like he did when we first became friends.

“Well I already have plans for coffee. But I think I can squeeze you in.” I say.

I pull his face close and capture his lips with mine.