Where you from? I asked.
The states, Maryland, a little town called Kensington.
You almost sound Canadian but you don’t
Like what
You say ok when someone may say you know, but it was the ‘is all.’ I’ve only heard that down south.
She smiled. All you wanted to do is change the subject. Another frown, she pushed beside me a bit don’t worry, I won’t fall in love, ok, our hearts won’t break, you pretty much won’t let me. It’s weird you know, she laughed a little, does that make me sound Canadian? When I saw you at Virginia’s, I wanted to see if you’re ok. Now.. now that we know each other a little bit, I wanna make sure you are
I’ll let you humour you I mumbled
She almost pulled me onto her lap trying to hug me so hard. A kiss, her smile, see you’re still alive she said, a little smirk on her. I would she said, lifting her portfolio case onto her lap. I have the prints. I wanted to show you.
You would what?
I would care if they changed the station, it’s beautiful. I bet they would too. They see it, they know it, you just don’t see them seeing it, maybe they did the first time, now it’s a good friend. Someone who is always there, it helps them, like a close good friend.
Nice analogy I said, stop trying so hard.
She smiled, shaking her head. “These are the eight by tens. The black and white is ok, but doesn’t really do anything, it’s too uninteresting. This is great though, I hope you let me use it.
She handed me a glossy print. It was difficult to actually tell what it was. The colours were vibrant, the roughness of the skin apparent, it took a few seconds to distinguish my belly button.
See how the light fades on the other side of it here, her pointing to the upper edge of my navel, it creates a shadow in your bellybutton, it’s nice that you have an insie, its almost the focal point. The way the dark red around it fades to the purple here. It would be so different if you had pubes, I think because you shave people won’t know what it is. If they were there maybe it would have changed everything, the viewer may know.
She held it out in front of us, it’s not really a story, it’s a question, what’s going on, what is it? I want to show the prof, if it’s ok, I want to blow it up. This is a contact print, but I can get the money to make an enlargement. We can go pretty big. Ok?
Her enthusiasm was profound. I thought of Mike, those times when his idea would work, the filthy bear skin rug, the drawings and painting from that, he knew it was good. Libby knew this, I felt it. It’s good I said, us it, what are you going to call it?
She put her arms around my neck kissing me, thanks she whispered. I owe you big time.
I shook my head
I dunno she said, a title
Summer set I said.
She looked at me, her face brightening up, you mean like autumn?
I nodded.
Yeah she said slowly, a play on words.