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Hadley was outside the following morning sitting opposite of Fiona enjoying their morning coffee, just as Megan had predicted. It was pretty cold but with the blankets and the steaming mugs, it felt amazing. From time to time, other guests would pass their location, and a group of children was already having a raucous time with a snowman competition on the lawn beyond their location.
“Sorry,” a girl who looked about fifteen went to pass with her head down.
“No worries,” Fiona said, causing the girl to glance up and then immediately home in on Hadley.
“Oh, my goodness,” the girl’s entire face went crimson, and she stood transfixed for the longest time. “You are–Had–Hadley–Oh, my goodness–Hadley Juniper?”
Hadley would have laughed aloud at the girl’s discomfort, but she appeared so earnest and out her element. She had the saddest eyes Hadley could recall seeing, other than her own mirror in quite some time, and her heart went out to the girl.
“Okay, so we established my name,” she said with a giggle. “What is your name?”
“Nina Grace,” she said eagerly. “I literally bought this camera in a store about three months ago, because I saw that you had a similar one at my age. I’ve read every article that you have ever written, and my dad paid for me to take your remote learning seminar last summer from Somali–it was life-changing.”
“Wow,” an older man came up behind Nina at just that moment. “That is the most words I have heard my daughter speak in a very long time,” he teased, holding his hand out to Hadley. “My name is Daniel Grace, and I even know who you are, and I’m not that into photography unless Nina took the picture.”
“That is so sweet of you,” Hadley said. “And this is Fiona Rayne.”
“Your writing partner. She has done some amazing stories, my best friend Shannon back home, works on our school newspaper, and we did an entire write-up about the two of you as women we admire.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Hadley said honestly at a loss. She hadn’t really thought about the impact they might have had on a child such as this, so far from any place they had ever been.
“Nina, I’m assuming you want to be a professional photographer someday?” Hadley asked and saw the light go out in her eyes as if she suddenly recalled something. “I haven’t been able to take pictures in–a while,” she said and, without another word, turned on her heel and ran.
Hadley glanced at Fiona and then Daniel with a question in her eye?”
“My wife was the one that always knew what to say and do in these situations,” he said as he swallowed hard. “She-she passed suddenly about three months ago, and Nina–well, needless to say, she is not adjusting quite yet.”
“That had to be super tough on her, at that age, especially,” Fiona interjected.
“I keep thinking if she would only pick up the camera, give me a sign that things are going to be okay. I might have a little more faith myself that we will make it.”
“I know exactly how you feel,” Fiona said, causing Hadley to glance her direction. She knew that things had been extraordinarily hard for her since the injuries took her legs, her freedom, and it would appear headed to her life. She sometimes forgot what Fiona was suffering at this time.
“It’s normally hardest on those left behind,” Hadley said softly. “If there is anything that we can do to help while we are here–feel free to let us know.”
“I will. This was our favorite Christmas tradition since Nina was a baby, and I hoped bringing her would be a good thing,” he sighed. “I just don’t know. Seems like nothing I try gets through to her.”
“You are trying,” Fiona said, leaning forward. “In the end, that will matter. Trust us, we didn’t have that and would have given anything for a small portion of what Nina has in you as her support system.”
He glanced between them for a moment, “thank you. I hope we maybe have some time to spend together. Honestly, she is probably your biggest fan,” he said to Hadley.
“I’m honored,” she said as he slowly turned and went after Nina.
“That’s got to be tough,” Fiona said, watching his retreating figure.
“Maybe we can find a way to get her help with this book project,” Hadley said as her brain tried to find a way to help.
“Not a bad idea,” Fiona said, nodding. “Speaking of the project, I did pick up your camera bag and a list of activities for today.”
“What do we have to choose from?”
“Well, there is a scarf knitting group meeting,” Fiona started.
“Pass!” Hadley said, knitting her brows together.
“There is yoga in the front parlor by the fireplace,” Fiona said.
“You go–do you remember what happened when you tried to get me to meditate?”
“Yes, I believe you and the instructor got into a small disagreement on your understanding of meditating, not including obnoxious monk chanting noises,” Fiona chortled. “What about children’s playtime, and kinesthetic learning with snow on the front lawn?”
“That sounds more my speed,” Hadley grinned at her. “I bet you it will be messy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.”
“Then the gingerbread contest starts at six p.m. tonight, so we want to be sure we make time for that, and I thought while you worked on a few things this afternoon I’ll join the Merry Snowshoers on a walking exploration of the area,” Fiona said joyfully.
“I might finally have a reason why being confined to a chair is a good idea. Is there anything on that list I might enjoy?”
“Yes, but I’m not telling you, my daredevil friend, for fear you will do it,” Fiona said.
“Come on, how bad could it possibly be?”
Fiona made a weird noise, “Saturday morning, a polar bear plunge for charity will be happening out here,” she said and exhaled.
“Oh, you’re right, that sounds fun–like right into the lake?”
“Yep, with snow and everything falling all around us. You do realize this is not a swimming season?”
“I think when we tried that Alaskan photo assignment, you said the same thing, and what did I say to you then?”
“Seals are mammals, and they are doing it, so why can’t I? After which I believe you told me something along the lines of –“...”
“What doesn’t kill you just makes you stronger,” Hadley finished for her.
“I’m surprised I survived half the adventures you decided to take us on,” Fiona groused good-naturedly.
“You made your living writing about it, and how much more boring would your writing have been without the anecdotes, I provided.”
“I’ll give you that much,” Fiona said, shaking her head. “You finished with your coffee, or are you going to sit a few more minutes?”
“Could you bring my bag to me when you have a minute?”
“Sure,” Fiona said, heading for the doorway.
Hadley sat sipping her coffee and taking it all in. She saw Nina and her father walking in the snow some distance away, and she thought back to how much she loved photography at that age. Everyone was always trying to take her cameras, but then one contest changed it all for her.
Ms. Balwit opened the classroom door to the auditorium. “Is Hadley Juniper in this class?” she asked the professor who was teaching the overcrowded Sociology class.
“Here,” Hadley said, putting her hand in the air with a small wave.
“Could you come with me?” Ms. Balwit, her advisor, said with a single gesture.
Hadley had sauntered down in front of a bunch of peering eyes. All the kids probably thinking she was in trouble or had done something wrong. She was too busy cataloging everything she might be in trouble for and coming up blank. Fiona kept her on a tight leash, reminding her what a college education would do for the two of them.
When she finally made it nearly to the entrance of the Advising Center door, that is when she saw the two men. Both in fancy suits, turning and looking directly at her. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest, and she thought she was going to be sick for the longest moment.
“Hadley Juniper?” The first man said with a manila envelope under his arm.
“Yes, who are you?”
“I’m Mr. Kerns and this,” he said, extending his arm to the other gentleman, “is Mr. Reynolds. We are with the New York Times sponsored photography contest you entered.”
“No, I didn’t,” Hadley said, remembering Fiona and her talking about this contest a few months ago. As usual, Hadley had chickened out on sending the entry at the last minute and just didn’t tell Fiona. She hated disappointing her, but losing such a prestigious contest would have disappointed Hadley more. Never knowing was better than trying and failing, in her opinion.
“Are these your photo samples,” Mr. Kerns asked opening the envelope to several shots she immediately recognized.
“Fiona!” She growled under her breath, there was no other explanation.
“Excuse me,” Mr. Kerns replied.
“My best friend must have sent in the submission when I–decided not to,” she finished, not wishing to tell him how scared she was, and that is why she had declined to submit the package herself.
“Well, in that case, I’m assuming your best friend will require that you take her along to China?” He said with the biggest smile in her direction.
“What?” Hadley asked, not understanding. “You mean– I–I won?”
“You did,” Mr. Kerns said. “Congratulations. We are here to deliver personal accolades on your amazing photographs. You now have the contract, and the trip to The Great Wall to plan–and the banquet at which this is all being announced will be in four weeks.”
Hadley found her legs no longer able to hold her upright. She literally felt as if she might pass out right there in the hallway. Happiness, apprehension, and a million other emotions fought for dominance. Her first thought, though was, she needed to tell Fiona!
Hadley could recall how she felt in those moments when her photography no longer was a simple hobby but might actually be a calling for her. It turned out that moment, changed everything–and the China project was just the first, in a long line of adventures that followed.
Every one of them she had Fiona to thank, and as she glanced out toward Nina–she wondered who her Fiona was? Who was going to make a gesture, and throw her a helping hand? She was struggling with the death of her mother and trying to navigate this big ugly world at the same time. Maybe Hadley could make that effort to include her in the project and see if she couldn’t help in some small way.
Everyone needed someone to believe in them and pick them up when they fall down. For the first time since her accident, the worry about someone else suddenly overshadowed anything she was concerned about for herself. She would find a way, and Nina would pick up a camera if it was the last thing she did this Winter season.
