Monday, June 30, 2014

To Ben

ALAIN

The sun was hot. Alain rested against the wall in front of the mural. He looked at his watch.

It should have been a short walk ending with a cool beer., But Elena kept stopping to take photos. He'd long ago leaned not to point out anything because she'd stop and take endless pictures.

This time she was taking the angel statue.


Why oh why had he ever bought that camera for her?

ELENA

Elena focused on the angel's wings. Her collection for the exhibition was almost done.

Four years ago she would never have thought of taking any photo.

Then Ben, sweet ten-year old Ben, forgot once again to look both ways before crossing the street.

Why Alain thought a camera would lessen her grief, she had no idea. It hadn't.

What the camera had given her was a different focus on the world. She discovered the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Alain still didn't know about the exhibition. She wanted to surprise him. As soon as she added the last few photos, they would print up the programs with the words on the first page in ten point type: To Ben.