Free The Sea Taketh (Alex Singer) by Teresa Rae Page A

me.
                  “I’m Alex Singer. I’m here to see Colin Wright,” I mumble.
                  “Alex!” The tent flaps open and Colin puts an arm around my shoulders. He’s wearing a crazy orange shirt and plaid pants. “I’m so glad you could make it! This is Becky Joyce,” he introduces me to a woman in expensive clothing. “She will take care of you.”
                  Colin leaves to find his camera equipment, and Becky shows me into the tent. She frowns as she looks at my frumpy layers of clothes. “I don’t think we have anything in your size, but don’t worry, Colin can hide imperfections with a well placed beach ball,” she says, handing me a bright yellow swim suit. “You can dress behind the screen in the corner, and then we’ll see what hair and makeup can do with you.”
                  I walk through the tent of breathtaking women. Makeup artists are working furiously on their faces while stylists comb, tease, and spray their hair.
                  “Look what the cat drug in!” one of the models mocks as I walk by. “Colin’s brought us another one!” The tent fills with laughter.
    Invisibility is becoming a reoccurring wish.  If I didn’t need the money so badly, I would run for the hills. Hiding underneath my hoodie, I quickly go behind the screen to change. The swimsuit fits, but I don’t like it. The sides are cut with large metal rings holding it together. I probably got the leftovers that nobody else wanted. In the end, I decide it doesn’t matter. I can wear an ugly swimsuit for a few hours if it means saving Gramps’ truck.
                  “Come on, we don’t have all day.  Everyone else has already gone to the beach.” Becky taps her foot impatiently.
                  “Where can I put my things?” I ask as I walk from behind the screen, taking off my glasses.
                  Becky looks at me and her eyes narrow. It is obvious that she doesn’t see in me what Colin does.
                  “I’ll take care of them.” She takes my backpack and glasses. “Steve, do her hair. Connie, go lightly on the makeup.”
                  Very little energy goes into my hair and makeup. I’m such a lost cause that they don’t want to waste their time. After my hair is combed and sprayed with hairspray and a little mascara and lip-gloss put on are put on my face, Becky shows me to the beach.
                  “Alex, dearest!” exclaims Colin when he sees me. “I have the perfect place for you!” He puts me in the middle of the models and his camera starts clicking. “Girls, remember this is our farewell to summer!” he says. “Alex, look at me!”
                  Because I have no idea what I’m doing, Colin moves and positions me several times. The other models glare because I’m wasting their time and ruining the shoot. All of it makes me more nervous, and I keep messing up.
    After Colin has taken countless photos, he puts down the camera.               “This isn’t working!” He stomps his feet like a toddler. “Becky, find something different for Alex to wear!”
                  Becky escorts me back to the tent.
                  “Let’s see if we can salvage this shoot!” I hear Colin say with frustration behind us.
                  I fight back tears, knowing I have messed up everything.
                  “Colin tends to be a perfectionist.  It will work out,” Becky comforts me as we enter the tent.
                  I nod but fight the desire to leave.
                  This time, Becky carefully goes through the rack of swimsuits. She holds several up to me and puts aside three. “Let’s start with this one.” She passes me a dark green bikini.
                  The beach is empty when we