Free Watercolor by Leigh Talbert Moore Page B

sad story if they’d used their imaginations.”
    “Why does it have to be sad?” He held out his arms. “If they loved each other, they could make it work. He could keep his lady satisfied.”
    “Julian,” I laughed. “Cohn takes it harder than Jake does, actually.”
    “What, the prep school guy?” His brow creased, and I couldn’t help it.
    “You have a great memory!” I cried.
    “I just thought what Summer said was funny,” he shrugged.
    “You should be in AP class with me.” I poked his side. “You’re very smart. You should challenge yourself more.”
    “I’m as challenged as I want to be,” he breathed, and I couldn’t argue with that.
    Mrs. Harris was at her door as usual. Julian dropped his arm from my shoulders, and we filed in like good little soldiers.
    I was having trouble concentrating again, but I focused on my notebook and tried not to gaze left every five seconds like a moony cow. The most I’d do was glance at his hand, which I could see pretty easily without turning my head. He was usually taking notes as well, but occasionally, I’d see him stray off into a little sketch. I couldn’t tell what the subject was.
     
    After school, I drove to the paper office in Fairview. I had the picture from Julian’s reception on my digital camera, and I hoped Nancy would let me start writing stories for publication as well. I wanted to build my portfolio to get on my college’s paper staff, but I had only gotten one clip last semester.
    Nancy was in her office on the phone when I arrived, so I wandered around the newsroom for a few minutes until she was finished. The Bugle had been in existence in Fairview since 1907, and the archives were amazing to comb through last year.
    Finally she called me in. “How’s my best intern?”
    I dropped in a chair. “Just stopping by to check in. Got any work for me?”
    “Actually, I just got off the phone with Miranda Jordan down at the glass blowing studio in East End Beach?” I nodded. “I was thinking you might do a little piece on it for me. Take some pictures, write it up?”
    I almost jumped out of my seat. “Nancy! I was just hoping you’d let me write more this semester!”
    She grinned. “I figured I’d stick you on the art beat since you have a connection.”
    “You’re so great,” I smiled, getting up. “I’ll get started!”
    She leaned forward on her desk, then paused. “Oh, and I talked to Curtis about putting in a word for you in New Orleans.”
    My eyebrows flew up. “And?”
    “He said he’d be happy to make a call, but I’ll follow up. He’ll forget.” She turned around and started working on her computer, and I knew she didn’t expect it. Still I stepped around her desk.
    “Thank you so much,” I said, hugging the back of her shoulders.
    She shrugged me off. “You’re a hard worker, and I use those archives all the time. Consider it repayment.”
    “If you say so.” I went to the door. “Oh, and I’ve got pictures from that reception for you.”
    She spun around and stood up then. “Let’s see them.”
    We walked over to the larger computer out front and uploaded the images. The one of Julian with Mr. Kyser and his mother popped up, and my breath caught. I wasn’t sure if Nancy would see the resemblance as quickly as I did, not knowing the truth.
    “That’s a good-looking kid,” she said, elbowing my ribs.
    “I think so,” I smiled.
    “This is good.” She sent the picture to the photos account and straightened up. “Keep it up, and you won’t have to worry about anybody’s help. You’ll make your own way.”
    “Thanks. So I’m going to take off. How long do you want the story?”
    She waved her hand as she entered her office. “As long as it needs to be. Not too much, but something solid.”
    “Very specific,” I muttered.
    “Focus on getting lots of good pictures,” she called back. “That’ll sell it.”
    I nodded and grabbed my bag, running out to my car. This couldn’t have worked