I showed her the montage video first. It was fun and upbeat. I selected a lot of images of her smiling and laughing—some with Seb too. It documented her journey from that first day through the final reveal. Lisa sniffled and wiped her nose on Jerry’s shirt when the video ended.
“Lydia, that was beautiful. You did such an amazing job. I can’t even believe that was me sitting in that chair.”
“Thank you. I actually have one more I wanted to show you if you have time.” I had already been here for a few hours as we’d gone through all of the pictures on the flash drive and Lisa made Jerry sit through a recap of each moment that was captured. Not that Jerry seemed to mind.
“I have all night, hon. I don’t want to take over your free time on a Friday night. Don’t feel like you need to stay here placating me.”
“Ha. I’m not. This is the most fun I’ve had in far too long,” Ilaughed.
The second video loaded, still images taken from the same spot with nothing else in the frame, and I spun the laptop around to Lisa and Jerry. I was always very conscious to make sure Seb’s arm or hand wasn’t in the way. Each image dissolved into the next as the design started to take shape. It morphed from rough outlines to detailed flowers, transitioning to lifelike art that commemorated the sacrifice she’d made to save her life and the strength she carried with her at all times.
I could see my mother in Lisa’s fortitude. I bet she would have got a badass tattoo as a symbol of her perseverance too.
Lisa must have caught on to the fact that my thoughts had gotten away from me.
“Are you alright?” she asked, tears in her eyes.
Water threatened to spill over my lids, but I blinked them back, sniffling. “Yeah, I was just thinking about my mom.”
She reached out and held my hand. “She would be so proud of you. This video is beyond words, Lydia. I am so grateful you were there,” she said.
“Thanks,” I smiled.
“Look at us, both crying. That won’t do.” She patted my knee and got up. “Stay for dinner, won’t you? We’re having shepherd’s pie. I’ve been told by my daughter-in-law that it’s the best in town,” she humblebragged good-naturedly.
“If you’re sure, I’d love to.”
“Wonderful.” Lisa got up and went to the kitchen, leaving me and Jerry in the living room.
“I just want to thank you for being there for her. I offered to go with her to the appointments, but it was something that she wanted to do on her own. Still, I’m glad that she wasn’t alone in there.”
“Of course. I’m glad I was there as well. Lisa is so full of life and energy and joy. I don’t think she’s alone anywhere she goes. She draws people in without even trying.”
“That’s my Lisa.” Jerry grinned.
Dinner was ready before I knew it, and we all sat down to eat together. The shepherd’s pie was delicious, maybe even better than Downtown Diner’s, although I would never tell Sheila.
“Lisa, you don’t have to answer right now, but I was wondering if you would consider letting me use your photos in SD Ink’s promotional content. I know it’s very intimate, both in location and meaning, so if you don’t feel comfortable with that, I completely understand.”
“I don’t mind at all! Those photos are so tasteful and beautiful, I would be proud to share them with the world.”
“Seriously? Thank you so much.”
I had some really great ideas for those pictures. Maybe I could even do a series with other mastectomy clients, if there were any that were interested.
We finished eating and after fighting—and losing—the battle of dishes, I thanked Lisa and Jerry for their time and left.
I forgot how much energy and excitement it gave me to work on artistic projects like this. It had been far too long since I’d immersed myself in what I loved. Art. In all its forms.
The house was still empty when I got back. I sat on the couch and turned on the television, scrolling through his streaming services for something to watch. The next episode of the house-flipping competition show was out, but Seb and I had been watching that together, and I didn’t want to watch it without him. I kept scrolling past it, but nothing else caughtmy interest.
I put some music on my phone and opened a graphic design app, uploading a couple of images from Lisa’s shoots. The leather couch squeaked as I shifted to a more comfortable position. The button of my faded black jeans dug into my belly.
Who even wore jeans in their own house?
I went into my room to change into pajamas. It was only just after 8:00 p.m., so I knew I had some time before Seb got home from closing up the shop. Plus, it was a Friday night, which meant a very good possibility that he would be going out instead of coming right home. I knew there wasn’t a group hang since I had been invited to all of those, but he could be going out by himself or with some friends. His big, soft bed was calling my name. It was an added bonus that it smelled like him too.
The comforter engulfed me in its heavenly fluff when I threw myself across the top of it. I shimmed under the blankets for extra comfy goodness. Luckily, Seb wasn’t one to make his bed overly neat. It was more like he pulled the corners to the general right spot and called it good. Easy enough for me to replicate when I had to reluctantly leave its warmth before Seb got home.
