Caraliza (13 page)
Authors: Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick
Shelly never felt the urges to follow the family name and become a photographer. In her heart, art seemed dead in photography, too much commerce in images now, which was why she did not take it up as a youth. But the shop was kindling a curiosity in her, which would become almost the passion her new plans for the building became. She wanted to play with the light in the place, and capture images within that light, as Papa Reisman had. Shelly decided, as she restored and renovated the place to her use, she would let it fire her imagination, and teach her the arts once practiced within. She would give as much back to the spirits as she took, or changed, and they would be pleased with her.
She would start her education, in the storeroom, up the narrow stairs. She knew, all the old materials for glass plate photography could still be found in the forgotten attic space. She would only need to learn their use, replace the decayed items, and she could be another Reisman photographer. Selecting one of the cameras to use was not necessary. She would learn the art with Papa’s Waterbury, which all Reismans held dear as the crown jewels were to the Windsors.
The Waterbury was still held by the eldest of the Reisman clan, Grandma Beth, but the fabled case was rumored to be in the storeroom at the top of the stair. Shelly planned only one task for the entire day, and it would take her up there to that room. She was aware she traveled back in time again, when she opened the door. She went up to that room often, and each time it seemed others were afraid to follow her, but she could never tell what the reason might be. She never remembered seeing Papa’s fabled box.
The stair to the storeroom was of the same dark wood as the great floor, and, without light on the walls, it was quite dark. Shelly climbed into the gloom and put on her shoes at the top, knowing the floor would likely be rough and very dirty. The door wore a lock but she did not need her key, it never had been locked. She opened the dark door, and warm, red sunlight greeted her.
The storage space was roomy enough, only shelves on all but the very back wall and the window. A single great shelf occupied the middle and ran to the back, but it did not seem to darken the room. The lovely large window on the west wall reflected the morning sun off the bricks next door, and then would lose the light when the afternoon sun hid behind the bulk of the building. Obviously, the Reisman Portraits was the oldest building among the three on this side of the street. Shelly was glad it survived, and had been kept unchanged, she instantly imagined this room as her office. It was certainly quiet enough, no noise from the street, no sounds from below. She loved this silence.
Around her in the upper room lay dusty items she did not understand. Shelves of camera parts, lenses, covers, and slides. Jars and jars of developing powders and a few liquids, brown and sludge like. A few of the jars seeped their contents from the tops and washed down the sides in replica of the rust rivers that were discovered on the metal of the Titanic, at the bottom of the ocean. As she took notes about her discoveries, she wandered the room looking at every shelf and into every box. She was back in the darkest corner when she spied the handmade box, which surely must have been Papa Reisman's treasure.
It was certainly the correct size to accommodate the Waterbury, deep beautiful carvings of branches, leaves and roses. The color was dark cherry, the same as she remembered on the legendary camera. The chest carried a delicate lock, yet it was nothing that could keep her out if she used a good screwdriver to pry it. But she would not do that. Her task was not to learn those secrets yet, but to inventory the room and determine what was truly junk after all the years of disuse and waiting. She giggled, and told herself what she really needed, was a boyfriend who loved glass plate photography, and her lessons would be learned as pillow talk. The giggles did not last and she felt the very first twinge of unease she ever felt in the building before.
It suddenly seemed too somber to show mirth in this particular room. She was looking into the darkest corner, beyond Papa's box and saw a stain on the floor that unnerved her, stopping the giggles. It was a water stain. But none of the room looked leaked, except above the window, and that seemed repaired, those stains above the window were very old, so was the stain on the floor. The shape of it unnerved her. It looked to her to be exactly what she would leave if she sat in her shorts there and peed the floor. The unease left her as suddenly as it appeared and was nearly forgotten as well, Shelly did laugh looking at the bum marks in the water stain in the corner, until she reached to move the box and spied just behind another, lighter, water stain. The print of a hand; partial, but a hand. No larger than her own hand.
This was the room where the two teenagers died. They cowered in this corner.
Shelly reached to move the box and the scraping of the wood on the floor chilled her. Her breath was the only sound in her ears before, and the scraping made a low sound like a voice. She paused and turned to look back into the room from that corner. No one was inside the building and she knew it perfectly well, but the scrape on the floor made her think she was no longer alone in the room. She felt someone was watching, beyond the middle shelf.
“
You are absolutely daft, Shelly. I will not find you a boyfriend so you can learn photography!” her aunt Dannie laughed into the phone. “We can meet for dinner at 6:30 if that is all right with you, Mom's making the cornbread we love. I told her to make two batches because you were coming along.”
You are absolutely daft, Shelly. I will not find you a boyfriend so you can learn photography!” her aunt Dannie laughed into the phone. “We can meet for dinner at 6:30 if that is all right with you, Mom's making the cornbread we love. I told her to make two batches because you were coming along.”
“
I love that stuff! Who else is going to be there tonight?” Shelly asked. “There are more than enough photographers in this tribe, someone will find me a guy who doesn't already have a boyfriend.”
I love that stuff! Who else is going to be there tonight?” Shelly asked. “There are more than enough photographers in this tribe, someone will find me a guy who doesn't already have a boyfriend.”
“
Oh, that's tacky. You won't find anyone who will help you with that attitude. Not after the junk you pulled on the cutie you should have married last year!” Dannie laughed. She knew it was a perfectly awful subject to bring up with her niece.
Oh, that's tacky. You won't find anyone who will help you with that attitude. Not after the junk you pulled on the cutie you should have married last year!” Dannie laughed. She knew it was a perfectly awful subject to bring up with her niece.
“
You forget, he got to marry the boob he got pregnant while we were planning our wedding. Or does pre-infidelity not rank as a flaw in the honeys you drag around?”
You forget, he got to marry the boob he got pregnant while we were planning our wedding. Or does pre-infidelity not rank as a flaw in the honeys you drag around?”
“
If you wanted any real help, Tiddles, you just lost it from Auntie. Bye now. Get out of that shop on time or I'm sending the ghosts to kick you out.”
If you wanted any real help, Tiddles, you just lost it from Auntie. Bye now. Get out of that shop on time or I'm sending the ghosts to kick you out.”
“
Oh, hey! That reminds me,” Shelly said. “you guys won't believe what I found up the stairs today when I realized I needed a Ken doll with a camera accessory kit.”
Oh, hey! That reminds me,” Shelly said. “you guys won't believe what I found up the stairs today when I realized I needed a Ken doll with a camera accessory kit.”
“
Tell us when you get here, won’t you? You have two hours and you usually can't tie your shoes in two hours.”
Tell us when you get here, won’t you? You have two hours and you usually can't tie your shoes in two hours.”
“
Oh, ha ha,” Shelly groaned. The accusation was well placed. She was known as the creepy, kooky, perpetually late Reisman.
Oh, ha ha,” Shelly groaned. The accusation was well placed. She was known as the creepy, kooky, perpetually late Reisman.
The invitation to Sareta’s for dinner was a cherished honor. Second eldest of the clan, Grandma Sareta married Papa’s eldest son, after his first wife and child died in the outbreak of typhoid in the slums, in the early twenties. Her family abandoned the same Ukrainian village the Reismans had fled, and the two families knew each other well. She came to the shop many times as a young girl, and always hoped someday she would join that family; Papa had two fine sons, the youngest was her age. But the youngest was lost in the horrible outbreak of disease as well, and the oldest Reisman son lost his dearest loves the same year. Sareta would come of age and be wed into the family at last, but to the son who was many years older than she.
Shelly would not be late, her Grandma Sareta would not stand for it, and she was nearly finished for the day at the shop besides. The inventory was completed and she brought down Papa's chest as well. She wanted to keep it in the studio until the Waterbury arrived, and then she would have an opening ceremony for it. She was right on time at Grandma's. Her mom and her aunts were already there, and it pissed her off they were already talking about her and the shop. She could hear their laughter as she came up the walk to Grandma’s front porch and she hesitated at the door, not wanting to be surprised by their subject.
“
Dannie says you asked her to find you a boyfriend today?” Her mom asked in shock, soon as Shelly’s nose came in the door. Her mother's sisters lost their composure and Shelly had to endure their abuse until the dinner was all set. They were still tweaking her when Grandma Sareta took the hands of her daughters to either side, and began to sing the prayer. It was magical how the silence came down over the table as the first note was sung. It was just as magical that the laughter began again, at Shelly's expense, the moment the last note of the prayer died away.
Dannie says you asked her to find you a boyfriend today?” Her mom asked in shock, soon as Shelly’s nose came in the door. Her mother's sisters lost their composure and Shelly had to endure their abuse until the dinner was all set. They were still tweaking her when Grandma Sareta took the hands of her daughters to either side, and began to sing the prayer. It was magical how the silence came down over the table as the first note was sung. It was just as magical that the laughter began again, at Shelly's expense, the moment the last note of the prayer died away.
“
If you preferred a man who wasn't gay, you got proof the last one wasn't!” and they roasted her alive until she gave in to laugh with them. She had never told a soul, but she did not grieve for the loss of the unfaithful groom, she was relieved to be rid of him.
If you preferred a man who wasn't gay, you got proof the last one wasn't!” and they roasted her alive until she gave in to laugh with them. She had never told a soul, but she did not grieve for the loss of the unfaithful groom, she was relieved to be rid of him.
“
So tell us what comes into the shop now the junk has been taken out?” Grandma asked her at last, to change the subject. Shelly gave her a thankful, if somewhat suspicious smile; the talk would turn to prying questions now, she needed to be on her guard.
So tell us what comes into the shop now the junk has been taken out?” Grandma asked her at last, to change the subject. Shelly gave her a thankful, if somewhat suspicious smile; the talk would turn to prying questions now, she needed to be on her guard.
“
I have a photo of Papa Reisman now, with the studio behind him. The morning light was luscious in that room.”
I have a photo of Papa Reisman now, with the studio behind him. The morning light was luscious in that room.”
“
Ooh, I would love to see that. He was dead some five years before I was wed to his son. There are only eight or ten photos of the man himself and can you imagine, he made his living with cameras!” Grandma replied. “Is it one you have seen passed around or is it a new photo someone has been hiding from us?”
Ooh, I would love to see that. He was dead some five years before I was wed to his son. There are only eight or ten photos of the man himself and can you imagine, he made his living with cameras!” Grandma replied. “Is it one you have seen passed around or is it a new photo someone has been hiding from us?”
“
I've never seen it. And with all the questions about why the windows were left when the alley was closed, this photo answers them. Papa love the light, it was stunning. It must have broken his heart when it got shut out. I bet he couldn’t bear to brick up those windows,” Shelly told them.
I've never seen it. And with all the questions about why the windows were left when the alley was closed, this photo answers them. Papa love the light, it was stunning. It must have broken his heart when it got shut out. I bet he couldn’t bear to brick up those windows,” Shelly told them.
“
So, ok,” Aunt Dannie began, and everyone stopped to listen. “I do have a kid in my class, about your age, he is so cute it makes you want to undress.” The other sisters took up a pack howl and hooted at Shelly. They were such nasty women, she thought; no wonder all their husbands abandoned them every Thursday night like this, just to get some peace without them. Through the uproar, Dannie continued,
So, ok,” Aunt Dannie began, and everyone stopped to listen. “I do have a kid in my class, about your age, he is so cute it makes you want to undress.” The other sisters took up a pack howl and hooted at Shelly. They were such nasty women, she thought; no wonder all their husbands abandoned them every Thursday night like this, just to get some peace without them. Through the uproar, Dannie continued,
“
I might introduce you to him cause, and get this, Sis, he actually told me he is a member of one of the oldest photographing families in New York!” and the ladies enjoyed a good laugh at that.
I might introduce you to him cause, and get this, Sis, he actually told me he is a member of one of the oldest photographing families in New York!” and the ladies enjoyed a good laugh at that.
Only one other family tried that claim.
“
What's the kid’s name?” one of them asked with mirth.
What's the kid’s name?” one of them asked with mirth.
“
Bryant. His name is Evan Bryant!” Dannie gushed.
Bryant. His name is Evan Bryant!” Dannie gushed.
“
Never heard of them at all!”
Never heard of them at all!”
Suddenly the cackling started, and the ladies forgot the reason his name was even mentioned, as they set about discussing his family’s history, and if his claim to fame could even be real. If you sold pictures in New York City, your last name had to be Reisman - it was said by the clan. The Reismans never acknowledged the Bryants even used cameras.
Dinner was no less wonderful than any other time Shelly was invited. It was a rare treat for any grandchild to sit at Grandma Sareta’s on those traditional Thursday nights. Shelly seemed to be the most often invited. She was after all making a bit of history herself with the family building, such an endeavor to restore it, and such a secret! It was hoped she would drop some hints. When she spoke up and asked about the famous Waterbury, it got particularly quiet at the table. She was after the prize.
“
Oh, you’re not gonna get that!” one of her aunts taunted her. “That wing of the family will cut off their arms before they deliver the blessed Waterbury.” Grandma Sareta nodded her head and said some of them could use the surgery much higher up and they would be much improved, and the group lost their composure again. But she winked over at Shelly and assured her,
Oh, you’re not gonna get that!” one of her aunts taunted her. “That wing of the family will cut off their arms before they deliver the blessed Waterbury.” Grandma Sareta nodded her head and said some of them could use the surgery much higher up and they would be much improved, and the group lost their composure again. But she winked over at Shelly and assured her,
“
I will call Beth again tomorrow and demand she should get off her posterior and bring you that heirloom. Papa's studio is incomplete without it and she knows it. It should be there on the night you open the doors again. She is only hesitating because she is eldest, and that is a hard honor to relinquish.”
I will call Beth again tomorrow and demand she should get off her posterior and bring you that heirloom. Papa's studio is incomplete without it and she knows it. It should be there on the night you open the doors again. She is only hesitating because she is eldest, and that is a hard honor to relinquish.”
The ladies laughed good-naturedly. It was well known, the firmest hands and the strongest wills in the family sat tonight at opposite ends of this table. Sareta and Shelly.
“
Please tell me you’re opening a day care!” Aunt Tess yelled to Shelly at the end of the table. “Headless ghosts! And - babysitting! That will bring clients from Philly just for the novelty!”
Please tell me you’re opening a day care!” Aunt Tess yelled to Shelly at the end of the table. “Headless ghosts! And - babysitting! That will bring clients from Philly just for the novelty!”
It happened at last; the ghosts were mentioned again.
“
Wow, hey guys, I forgot. You won't believe what I found above the stairs today!” Shelly shouted above the others. They were not much interrupted so she shouted again. “I found a hand print on the floor, like a stain, behind Papa’s treasure box,” and the table was suddenly as silent as during the prayer.
Wow, hey guys, I forgot. You won't believe what I found above the stairs today!” Shelly shouted above the others. They were not much interrupted so she shouted again. “I found a hand print on the floor, like a stain, behind Papa’s treasure box,” and the table was suddenly as silent as during the prayer.
“
The box was really there?” one of the aunts asked.
The box was really there?” one of the aunts asked.
“
I've always thought the box was just a story, like the ghosts we keep telling ourselves about,” another piped up.
I've always thought the box was just a story, like the ghosts we keep telling ourselves about,” another piped up.
“
Oh, the box is real, and beautiful. He must have worked on it for weeks.”
Oh, the box is real, and beautiful. He must have worked on it for weeks.”
Shelly raised some eyebrows when she told them of the other stain she found, the one which looked sort of like someone peed the floor there. No one thought she was trying to be funny and she did not say how unnerved it made her feel. She was famous for her lack of terror and did not want her reputation tarnished. Grandma got some very serious looks when she entered the conversation.
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