The people were wall to wall, and most were asking about their photographs. It dawned on Isaac that he might as well ask about the last class photos that had been taken on Saturday. When his turn came up, Addie was available to wait on him.
She gazed at him for a long moment. “How can I help you?”
“Class photo. I should have picked it up on Saturday, but I’m afraid my mind wasn’t on business. I hope it wasn’t destroyed.” He gave Addie the detailed information of which class and what exhibition, and in a moment, she presented him with the photograph.
“Remind the students that copies can be made. Mr. Fisher is giving a nice discount on copies. We suggest you give a letter to each student with all of the information as to where they should come and how much the photo will cost. And,just so you know, Mr. Fisher isn’t destroying any of the class pictures.”
“Addie, would you have time to go with me to dinner tonight?” he asked, putting the photo card in his inside pocket.
“No.” Her reply was quite curt. She frowned, and then apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound unfriendly or mean. It’s just that I have a meeting to attend at church.”
“Oh, where do you go to church?” he asked, hoping it didn’t sound like he was prying.
“The Seventh Street Bible Church.”
“That’s a long ways from here,” Isaac replied. “I’d hate to think of your traveling back and forth in the rain.”
“Pearl and her husband live near there, so I’ll find her at the meeting and then spend the night at their place. I lived with them until recently.”
“Well, it’s a relief that you won’t have to travel back after dark.”
“Yes.” Addie kept her tone professional and distanced.
“I can at least accompany you there. I’d like to see where it is. I’ve been wanting to try a new church. My sister and brother-in-law attend a very large Episcopal church, and it’s much too impersonal for me. The sermons are very formal, and frankly”—he lowered his voice and leaned closer to Addie—“they don’t encourage personal prayer.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that. I know how important that used to be to you.”
“It still is. Prayer should be important to every Christian. Yet so few seem to realize the power to be had in prayer.”
“Maybe they prayed, but things only seemed to get worse.”
Isaac heard something in her voice that egged him on.“Maybe they prayed but didn’t understand God’s provision and direction.”
“That’s very possible. Answers to prayer often look nothing like what I thought they should. I’m sure others must suffer the same problem.”
“Can you help me with this?” a woman asked, pushing a business card at Addie. “This was when we had our photograph taken and the name of the girl who took it. There are some other notes on it—the photographer made those.”
Addie took the card and nodded. “I’ll be right back with your photograph.”
Isaac decided to wait by the window. Slowly but surely the shop emptied out as Addie and the other Camera Girls helped the customers. He liked being able to just watch her work. She smiled so sweetly when working with people. At one point, she checked her watch and noted the few customers left.
“I’ll be locking the door so that no one else can enter. When you conclude your business just let me know, and I’ll let you out.” She came near to where Isaac stood.
“Why don’t you let me handle the door?” Isaac said. “I can act as a guard and keep new folks from entering, while helping the customers to exit.”
Addie looked at him for a moment. “All right. That’s kind of you and will help me a great deal.” She handed him the key and returned to her place behind the counter.
After twenty minutes, the last customer headed out the door. Isaac brought the key back to Addie and smiled. “I can report that everything went well.”
“Thank you, Isaac.” She took the keys and put them in her pocket. “Girls, we’ll be closing up in a few minutes, so tidy the counter and get your things. I can’t stay late tonight.”
The girls did as they were told for the most part. One pretty young woman began picking on a quieter Camera Girl, which served to delay things a bit.
“I know you didn’t sell as many cameras as I did. I no doubt sold the most of anyone.” The pretty girl gave a smug smile as she pulled on her galoshes. “I doubt Mary even sold a single camera. She’s so mousy and ill-kempt. I wouldn’t buy a camera from someone like her.”
“That’s enough, Esther. For your information, Bertha sold the most cameras,” Addie declared. “Now stop making a fuss and picking on Mary. She sold her fair share.”
“I don’t know why anyone would buy a camera from her,” Esther said, putting her nose in the air. “She hardly even says two words. She’s not at all friendly.”
