Jennifer had gotten to bed late the evening before after rushing out of Union Central when Ryne went to meet his teammates. She knew Lauren wanted to stay longer, but Jennifer feigned a headache and fled the bar.
When she got home, she changed into her pajamas, scrubbed her face clean of make-up, and headed off to bed. Sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned for hours. She remembered glancing at the clock at five, and the next thing she was aware of was her alarm clock bellowing. It seemed louder than normal, but she attributed it to her lack of sleep. She knew it had nothing to do with alcohol since she’d barely had one sip of her beer the night before.
She pried her left eye open and noticed it was almost six o’clock. She’d barely slept forty-five minutes. Groaning, she launched herself from bed and headed off to take a hot shower. Less than a half hour later, she jumped into her car and drove directly to the nearest gas station where she filled up the tank and grabbed a much-needed coffee. “Rough morning?” the clerk asked.
“You could say that,” she answered, pouring creamer into her cup.
“Sorry to hear it,” the chipper clerk responded. “I hope you have a better day.”
“Thanks.” Jennifer groaned as she walked through the doors.
She took a sip from her cup as she started her car. The warm coffee eased down her throat, jolting her awake, and that’s when she remembered she was supposed to meet with Johnston at some point during the day. She hadn’t a clue what he wanted, and she hoped she hadn’t ticked off a parent. She had a few challenging students in her classroom, and in fact, she’d sent one of them to the office the day before. She decided she wouldn’t worry about what he wanted. Her mind was on the night before. She still couldn’t believe she’d almost run down the Generals’ new star player. And to top it all off, she was even more surprised when he recognized her and sought her out at the bar. In the short time she was around him, she’d realized how handsome he truly was.
Ryne Ferguson was well over six feet tall. He definitely towered over her five feet two inches. She’d had to look way up to find his face after almost hitting him. His height became even more apparent at the bar. She remembered his darkish colored hair brushed the collar of his coat. His hazel eyes intrigued her. She’d never seen eyes the color of his.
She pulled into her parking place, realizing she didn’t remember driving the rest of the way to school. Her mind had been focused on Ryne Ferguson. She grabbed her backpack from the backseat and reached for her coffee. “I’m definitely going to need you today,” she said as she took a swig from her cup. The caffeine hadn’t begun to hit her system, and she hoped she wouldn’t fall asleep standing up.
She made her way to her classroom and was immediately greeted by Johnston. “Jennifer, you’re late.” She looked at her watch. The bell hadn’t rung, and her classroom wasn’t filled with her students yet.
“It’s just a little after seven. In fact, I think I’m early for the day.”
“Don’t you normally arrive before seven? Late night, was it?”
She glared at Johnston, not sure what he was implying. “Is there something you needed before I begin my day?”
“I’d like to meet with you during your break. Ten o’clock, my office.” With that, he spun around and exited her classroom. She was in a mood with her lack of sleep. He’d better not push me today.
Before she knew it, she was dropping her class off for music and was on her way to Johnston’s office. Her headache that had appeared once he’d left her classroom had intensified. She knew it was from lack of both sleep and caffeine. She prayed she’d get through the meeting.
Johnston’s door was closed, so Jennifer knocked. Just as she was ready to walk away, he threw open the door. She took one look at his face and thought she was in trouble. “Come in,” he said as he made his way to his desk. “Please, close the door behind you.”
He used the word please; maybe I’m not in trouble. Jennifer sat down and waited for him to speak. She became more nervous by the second as she sat in the utter quiet of the room.
He took a deep breath and blew it out. Pursing his lips, he looked her directly in the eyes. “Jennifer, I need your help with a special project that’s near and dear to my heart.” He paused. “I’m not sure if you are aware or not, but this is my second marriage.”
She was surprised by his comment. She didn’t say a word, listening as he spoke.
“My first wife was killed in a hit and run accident.”
“I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
“Thank you. It was a long time ago. She loved this school. In fact, she helped me come up with the concept. Her father was a professional hockey player, and she was forced to transfer schools several times when he’d been traded. She wanted to create an environment that helped a student when they were forced to transfer. Help them discover ways to make friends and adjust to their new surroundings.”
“Wow, that’s remarkable that she felt that way and wanted to help others.”
“Yeah, that was my Helen. She always focused on the youngsters. She died a few weeks before Lakeview opened and never got to see it filled with students.” He paused momentarily. “Anyway, this fall will be our fifteenth year in operation, and I want to have a fundraiser. Not a typical one but something different. I know you could be a professional photographer.”
She’d given up her dream of working in her father’s profession when her parents were killed. A little embarrassed by his comment, she flipped her hair behind her ear. “Not really.”
“Oh yes, you can. I’ve seen your work. I know your father was well known before his passing. Anyway, I thought about doing a showing of some kind, maybe an auction. One thing for sure, I want to showcase some of the photographs we’ve had throughout the years, and I’d like you to coordinate it. A book of memories.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“I am and I’d like you to take photographs at all the special events the remainder of the year. I want you to have a camera glued to your neck. You have an eye and I want you to use it. I plan on using your photographs along with some I have in the archives for the showing. In fact, I want to make them available for purchase. I think this would be a fantastic fundraiser. We could have a dinner, auction; the sky’s the limit. I want to celebrate Lakeview, but I also want to celebrate Helen and her brilliance behind the school. We’ve had many professional athletes walk through these doors, and I hope some of them will be able to attend the event. So, what do you have to say?”
“Um…I’m not sure about my talents as a photographer, but I will help in whatever capacity I can. When do you plan on having this event?”
“I’m thinking in the fall, maybe around Halloween. I haven’t narrowed that down yet, but for sure before the holidays.”
“May I ask who else you’ve asked to be on this project?’
“No one, yet. I wanted to speak with you first. Maybe we can get a member of the Generals to co-chair.”
“That’s a thought.”
“Any suggestions?”
“Ah, I don’t.”
“We have some time to figure that out. I wanted to run this past you. Think about it over the weekend, and maybe we can meet again the first of next week. I’d like to announce it before Spring Break, if possible.”
“That’s just around the corner.”
“It is, but I think it’s doable.”
“I have to say I’m shocked that you asked me to participate in this.”
“Yesterday was Helen’s birthday, and my mind was on her.” He stopped and smiled. “Don’t get me wrong…I love my wife and my life today, but I still miss Helen.”
“I understand. I still grieve for my parents, and they died almost eight years ago. No matter how hard you try to move on, it’s still difficult. The pain may lessen but it’s always there.”
“It is,” Johnston said as he stood. “It’s almost time for you to get your class. Thank you again for agreeing to do this, Jennifer.” She smiled at him and opened the door.
As she walked down the hallway to get her students, she thought of her parents and how their loss affected her day after day. They’d been killed the night of her high school graduation.
The day flew by after meeting with Johnston. She drove home in a blur and spent the night on the couch. Her parents had been on her mind off and on since her earlier meeting. She missed them so much and believed the ache would never fully go away. She replayed her conversation and decided to pull out some of her father’s albums. He’d had volumes of his work, and she took inspiration in reviewing it.
The more she thought about the project, the more excited she became, especially after going through her father’s photographs. Since several of the parents at Lakeview had ties to the Generals, she decided that she’d focus many of the photographs on the Generals’ players. She’d contact Ed Talent, the owner of the team. He was a friend of her father’s, and she still remained close with him.
She texted Ed, and before she knew it, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and was surprised that he was returning her call so quickly. “Hey, Jen, is everything alright?”
“I’m doing well, Ed. I wanted to run something past you.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“Johnston met with me today. Did you know he was married before Alana?”
“I did. Helen, in fact, was the driving force behind Lakeview.”
“That’s what I learned. Anyway, he wants to have a celebration in honor of the fifteenth anniversary of the school, and he’s asked me to have a showing.”
“A showing? Of your dad’s stuff?”
“No, mine.”
“Jen, are you sure you want to go there? I know you haven’t been behind the lens much these days.”
“I haven’t and I really don’t know how he discovered that I was a photographer alongside my dad, but he did. He thinks my work is good enough to auction off.”
“No question, it is.”
“Thanks, but Ed, I don’t know.”
“I think it’s a fantastic idea. Stop worrying. You need to jump right in. Now, what do you need other than my words of encouragement?”
“I was thinking of focusing on the Generals. Since several of the players, along with members of the management team, have children at Lakeview, I thought I could showcase them. I could take photographs at practice, games, and the like… I know I’m rambling.”
“I think that’s a great idea. And no, you aren’t rambling. When the team returns from their road trip, I’ll speak with Jacob and his management team. Sound good to you?”
“Yeah, thanks, Ed. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“I think I do. And Jen.”
“Yeah.”
“Your dad would be proud.”
“Thanks,” she muttered as tears formed in the back of her throat.
Jennifer hadn’t taken her photography seriously in a long, long time. Not since her dad passed away. She really had no idea how Johnston knew about her photography, but she was taking his interest as a sign. Maybe this was a sign that she needed to put the sadness behind her, pick up her camera again and make a change in her life.