Chapter Twenty-Three
Annistyn
THE PICTURES HAVE allbeen edited and we met with the bride and groom to hand them over and get our final payment.They were in love with the pictures and the bride asked me if I’d do a maternity shoot with her in a few months.The couple just found out they’re expecting again and want to have pictures once she’s showing with the entire family.I happily agreed because it means I can stay in touch with the family and see them grow.It’s something I never really thought about when I decided to take pictures.I’ve always taken them of flowers and nature.When it comes to people, it’s a different story.They have lives of their own and each day is spent living the best they can.It doesn’t matter if they have the world at their fingertips or are scraping for every penny they make.People are people and we should all be treated equally.They don’t deserve to be treated as less than they are simply because they don’t have the means to live the way everyone else around them does.I learned that the hard way when I was given nothing by my aunt and uncle.
Two days ago I had my first date ever with Kreed.It was perfect.I couldn’t have asked for a better night if I’m being honest.Being surrounded by nature and dancing in nothing but the headlights of his truck and the moon was something I never dreamed of doing but made the night so much better.I’ve read of couples dancing in the night and it was always something I wanted to do.Kreed made that dream happen for me and I never once told him about it.It’s simply something he did without hesitation or thought.This man ensures I’m living out every single one of my dreams and I don’t know how to thank him for it.There really isn’t a way to thank him except for doing something for him in a way he won’t expect.
Maybe Roger will have an idea of what I can do.He’s a guy and will know what I can do to thank Kreed and make him understand what our date meant to me.It’s not like I won’t be seeing him.We’re spending the day together today at the park again.It gives me something to do while Kreed is at work.I’m still debating going to school for photography but I’m not sure what I’d have to do considering I don’t have any form of an education.Something to talk to Roger and Kreed about so I know what I’ll have to do.
After getting ready for the day, I make sure my bag is filled with everything I’ll need to take pictures at the park.It’s the middle of the week and we’ve discovered the park is almost always completely empty during this time.It’s the perfect place for us to take pictures and I can play around with the settings on my camera because I’m still learning how everything works and how the pictures will turn out with the various settings.Roger always gives me pointers, but he doesn’t get in the way when I’m trying something new.
A knock sounds on the door and I make my way over to find Roger standing there waiting for me.He smiles and comes in the house so I can grab everything I need.My phone because Kreed always wants to be able to contact me when I’m away from the compound.He doesn’t want me to get in trouble and not have a way to contact him or someone else from the club.He’s already programmed everyone’s phone numbers in the phone he got me.I have the keys to the house even though there’s a keypad with a code to let me in.Somedays I have a hard time remembering the code and have to use the keys instead.Kreed is talking about having Master install a fingerprint reader instead so I only have to touch something and the door will open.The last thing I grab is my camera bag.
“All ready to head out?”Roger asks as I make sure I have everything.
“I think so.Oh, no.I need to grab snacks and water for us.I know I’ll be hungry before we get back,” I say, heading for the pantry to pack what we need.Roger watches me and laughs when I grab enough food for more than the two of us.I never know what I’ll want to eat though and always make sure I have choices.
“We’re just going to the park, Annistyn.I’m happy to see you’re still eating and working on everything you learned while you were in treatment.However, do you really need that much food to get through a couple of hours?”he asks me, laughter filling his voice as I look across the room at him.
“Yeah.We’ll have choices.You know nothing ever sounds good to me when I’m really hungry so I need a variety.And we need to stay hydrated while we’re gone,” I inform him as if he doesn’t already know this.
“Alright.Let’s head out,” he says, grabbing the bag I’ve packed filled with food so I don’t add anything else to my hands.
The two of us make our way out to his truck and I greet Cali as she walks toward the clubhouse.She waves but doesn’t stop us from leaving.Roger helps me in his truck and I keep everything on the seat between the two of us.When he climbs in the cab and starts the engine, I turn toward him.
“Roger, what can I do to thank Kreed for the date he took me on the other night?It was perfect and everything I’ve ever dreamed of,” I ask him as I try to figure out the best way to handle the situation because I’ve never been in anything like this before.
“So the date was good?”he returns, a smile on his face.
“It was the best.He took me to this field of wildflowers and we ate dinner in the back of the truck.We danced in his headlights and talked.It was comfortable and we ended the night laying in the truck bed and looking at the stars.He pointed out a few constellations and I shared stories I read in a book my mom left behind,” I inform him as I look out the front window again.
“That’s really good, Annistyn.I’m glad you had a great first date.If I were Kreed, I’d be happy with anything you did for me.I mean, he seems like the kind of guy who appreciates the small things instead of needing huge gestures made.You don’t have to buy him anything or do much of anything for him to love it.Why don’t you make him a special dinner and lock everyone out of the house for the night.Do something just for the two of you,” Roger suggests and I think about that.We typically cook dinner together every night we don’t eat at the clubhouse, but I think a dinner for the two of us sounds really good.
“I think that’s perfect.You’re right.Kreed would rather think about making memories together instead of putting a price on things,” I say as I start thinking about what I can make for us to eat tonight.We just went shopping yesterday so the refrigerator is stocked.I can make him a full meal and dessert.I have yet to bake anything for him.
Roger pulls into the park and he chooses a side of the parking lot that’s out of the way for the babysitters and parents who might bring their children here for the day.We never take up any spots that will mean they have to walk farther with their children.After grabbing everything we need for the day, Roger and I make our way behind the park and closer to the trees surrounding the area.I find a few groups of flowers and know this is what I want to take pictures of.
“You got your eye on something you want to capture,” my cousin states as he looks at me with a smile.
“Those flowers.They remind me of the wildflowers we danced among the other night,” I tell him as I remove my camera from the bag and lay down a foot away from the flowers for now.
Changing a few settings on my camera, I aim it and take a few pictures before looking at them.I’m happy with them so I change the setting again and take a few more pictures.This goes on for a while until Roger gives me a few pointers and I back up more.My focus this time is the butterfly that lands on one of the flowers.I capture a few pictures of the beautiful creature and look on in excitement because this is the first time I’ve managed to photograph a butterfly.I was always too slow in the past when I tried.
“So, my mom called me again last night.She still wants to meet you,” Roger says as he takes some of his own pictures.
“I’m still not sure, Roger.Can you tell me a little about them?”I ask, needing to know something about the family members I still have yet to meet.
“My mom, Virginia, is one of the best women you’ll ever meet.She’s sweet and never liked the fact that her parents kicked your dad out of the family.She wasn’t allowed to talk about him or contact him at all.They have a younger brother who never knew about your dad.Not until recently when my mom told him what happened when he was too young to remember the family drama.Besides me, my parents have three other children.I have an older sister, Casey, a younger sister, Naomi, and a younger brother, Trent.We all live close by and get together on a regular basis.My dad passed away a year ago in a work-related accident.The four of us kids have been supporting our mom the best we can.They were high school sweethearts and he was the love of her life.My mom won’t ever have another relationship and spends hours every day looking at pictures of my dad.
“Your uncle, David, is a lawyer and takes his job extremely seriously.He’s already looking into everything your aunt and uncle did while you were growing up.From what he’s said, he’s putting a strong case together against the two of them.Not just for the abuse, but because they stole your inheritance.Your mom and dad wanted to make sure you were taken care of and those two assholes made sure it didn’t happen because they’re selfish bastards.Anyway, he has three kids of his own.There’s Alan, who’s the oldest, DJ, the middle son, and Brody as the youngest.DJ and Brody are lawyers in David’s office.Alan went his own way and is an investment banker.They can’t wait to meet you,” Roger informs me as I digest everything he just said.
