Photographs in Time

by Terry Segan

  “Paolo,” I said.

  The old man turned around.

  “What will you do now?” I asked.

  He stood quietly a moment, then shrugged.

  I understood his ambivalence. What was left to say, I thought.

  The man turned and walked off the porch, down the driveway and got into his car. It hesitated a moment, before being shifting into gear and driving away.

  Jimmy drained his glass and extended an arm my way as he stood up. Without a word I allowed him to lead me into the house. We walked to the kitchen and set our empty glasses by the sink. I allowed him to lead me upstairs.

  Chapter 48

  The following Wednesday, Dede arrived with her granddaughter, Cecily, in tow. She was a petite little blond with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, like her grandmother.

  “So, you’re the famous Sami that Grandma has talked so fondly about. It truly is a pleasure,” Cecily said, giving me a warm, genuine hug.

  “Well,” I said, “I wouldn’t say famous, but I’m glad your grandma spoke kindly of me.”

  “It seems she didn’t have a life before meeting Grandpa. There isn’t anyone from the past that she’s ever spoken about except you,” she said, looking slyly at Dede.

  “Well, isn’t that a sneaky way to get the real scoop on me,” Dede replied, giving Cecily’s shoulder a soft caress. “You think I’m tight lipped, you’ve met your match with my friend, Sami, here.”

  We all laughed as I motioned for them to come inside. Life at the Freeman household must be quite lively and full of energy, if the banter between these two was an example of the strong bonds.

  “I have tea laid out on the kitchen table, shall we wander in there?”

  The two women nodded in unison and followed me down the hallway. If Cecily was a good match for Doug, it would be heartbreaking for Dede to let her go. Yet the thought of her granddaughter being placed in as happy a life as she had been, should be consolation enough. Despite her bright smile, I knew this was difficult for Dede.

  “Earl Grey, my favorite tea,” the older woman said as we sat around the table. “Those croissants look delicious. What a lovely surprise, thank you.”

  I could tell there was more to Dede’s gratitude than her appreciation of the spread on the table.

  Once everyone got settled with a steaming cup in their hands, I decided to get the ball rolling. If Cecily was anything like Dede, beating around the bush wasn’t her style. Directness would have to be the way to win over her confidence and trust.

  “So, Cecily, it truly is a pleasure to meet you. Tell me, how have I earned my famous rating with your grandmother?”

  “Your photography, of course. She told me of your wonderful portraits, and how she’d met you out on the Strand. The photo sessions you offer with dressing up in different periods sound like fun.”

  “Like her grandfather,” Dede added, “Cecily is an amazingly talented artist with a paint brush. So naturally, she’s intrigued by most forms of art. Her younger sister acquired my love of clay and sculpting. It’s a shame she couldn’t join us on this trip, but her studies have taken her abroad to Italy right now.”

  “Well, that’s exciting for all of you,” I said. “What type of subjects do you like to paint?” I asked the young woman.

  “Cityscapes mostly. Occasionally I take on sweeping landscapes, but I love the busy aspects of large buildings and packed streets. Hard to believe with my growing up in Albuquerque, isn’t it?”

  Obviously, this young woman had been led to me for my final match. Her passion slid her into a good fit with New York City where Doug lived. His skills and wealth as a financial consultant would afford her the life she craved. “It does seem quite a contrast, especially given the style both your grandparents have with their artwork. What do you dream of doing with your life?”

  “Living in happiness,” she said. It was blatantly obvious she had lived a hard couple of years. The expression on her face turned sullen and distant, as if she recalled a horrible memory.

  “What do you think would bring you that?” I had to tread carefully, so as not to alarm her.

  Dede placed an arm around the young woman and pulled her in close. “It’s okay, Cecily, I’ve told Sami about Lionel.” As an afterthought, she looked at me and added, “Lionel is her ex-husband.”

  We all sat in silence. The scent of rain drifted through the open kitchen window. I always loved a good storm. Cecily seemed to be battling her own type of squall for the moment.

  Sitting up straight, she looked her grandmother in the eye and asked, “Why are we really here, Grandma?” The melancholy look slid off her face and bright determination replaced it. Cecily wasn’t the type to dwell on things for long. She bounced back and once again had a certainty about the way she set her jaw and focused her eyes.

  “I never could fool you for very long, could I?” Dede asked.

  The young woman looked from Dede to me. I thought it best we get up and walked. “Would you like to see my studio?” I offered.

  Squinting her eyes in a puzzled look, she said, “I would love to.”

  Leaving our empty tea cups and plates on the table, the noise in the kitchen burst with activity as our chairs scraped back against the tiles. Cecily still looked a bit confused, since neither her grandmother nor I answered the question. She seemed resumed to the fact that the answers would come clear as the afternoon went on.

  Leading the women to my studio, I threw open the door and gestured with my hand for the young woman to go in first. As she strolled through the doorway, I placed a reassuring hand on Dede’s arm. With a quick smile and nod, she smiled back and entered behind her granddaughter.

  Cecily slowly walked around the room taking in all the portraits. With an appreciative gleam in her eye, she examined each one. At the end of the first wall, she turned to the opposite side and spied the photo of her grandparents.

  “Look how young you and grandpa are,” she commented.

  “We still are, dear!” Dede faked indignation.

  “You know what I mean,” she laughed. “When was this taken?”

  Both of use took a moment before answering. Dede looked to me and nodded, as if encouraging me to move in with my pitch. No sugar-coating here, she seemed to transmit. Turning around, Cecily looked at her grandmother, then to me for an answer.

  Taking a deep breath, I answered the woman honestly. “It was taken last month.”

  Cecily giggled. Obviously, she felt we were playing with her. “Grandma, I do believe Sami has a charming sense of humor. Really, when did you and Grandpa pose for that portrait?”

  “Well,” Dede replied, “truthfully, your grandfather posed for that picture in 1975. However, I joined him only a month ago.”

  The young woman whipped back around and stared at the portrait for several moments. I could only imagine what was going through her mind, as we really had laid it out plainly. Perhaps it was best to forge ahead before she lost her sense of humor and decided we were just toying with her.

  “Tell me, Cecily,” I began, “what would make you happiest in life?”

  Without skipping a beat or turning around, she answered, “To be as happy as my grandparents. To have a man in my life that cherishes me the way Grandpa cherishes Grandma. Someone that will allow me the freedom to pursue my painting, and who feeds off my support of him and his work, no matter what he chooses to do in life. Do you think that’s too tall of an order?” With that question, she turned and looked at me.

  Quietly I walked across the carpet to the young woman and gently put my arm around her shoulders. “I want to show you another portrait, over here,” I said as I led her over to Doug Pendry’s photo. “What’s different with this one?”

  She stood in front of his portrait and pondered it silently—no need to look around at the others on the wall. She already knew the answer. “All the others are couples. He’s solo.”

  “Yes. Do you think he’s someone you might want to meet?”

&
nbsp; At this point she pulled away from me and moved even closer, taking in every detail. She studied the young man in a navy-blue tailored suit. His dark hair and eyes were a contrast to her blond waves and fair complexion—the opposite of Dede and Milton. Her hand went up and traced the features of Doug’s hand, just as her grandmother had done the first time she’d seen Milton’s picture. I knew she was ready to hear more.

  “Cecily, the portrait of your grandparents is exactly as Dede told you. Milton posed for it in 1975, when my Collector interviewed him. A month ago, in our current time, your grandmother came to me and I sent her back to meet him. She was 32 years old at the time.”

  Her hand dropped. Facing us again, she looked from Dede to me. We both knew what spun through her mind. The battle of wanting to believe yet knowing how fantastic it all sounded. This time, however, it wasn’t a woman alone having to trust a stranger. Cecily stood here with someone she loved and admired. Hopefully, that added more weight to what I presented.

  Returning her focus to the face in the portrait, she asked, “What’s his name?”

  I heard Dede expel air. She’d been holding her breath, literally from the sounds of it, waiting for Cecily to believe our story.

  “Doug Pendry,” I said. “He’s a financial consultant in New York City, and it’s the year 1952. Doug is 31 years old.”

  The facts hung in the air, taunting the young woman to embrace them. Not seeing her face, I still knew the emotions playing across it, having witnessed them many times before. I hoped, this would be the last time this scene played out before me.

  Chapter 49

  Dede walked over and stood beside me with a tight jaw and concern resting in her eyes. Here was the moment I knew she hoped for and feared—when her granddaughter would accept the idea and leave her forever.

  “Cecily,” she said, “this is how I really met your grandfather.” Her voice was so quiet, I wondered if the young woman even heard her speak.

  Just as quietly, Cecily stated, “So you lied to all of us.”

  “We had to. Not only because of this bizarre process, but to protect everyone involved in the time travel. If this weren’t kept a secret, it might hinder Sami and her Collector being able to continue matching couples. Please tell me you understand?” Dede pleaded.

  “Of course, I do. The part why you would kept it a secret. Why have you brought me here today?”

  Dede was at a loss for words. I stepped in, “To keep you safe, while offering a life of love and happiness.”

  Still looking at her grandmother, Cecily said, “But if I go…back…as you say, I’ll never see you again. Or any of my family.” Tears trickled down her face.

  “No, but you’ll be happy. You’ll also be safe and away from Lionel.” Dede’s face glistened with tears also, as she reached out and embraced her granddaughter.

  “I’ll leave you two alone for a few moments.” Not sure if either of them heard me, I didn’t wait for a response. Going straight to my office and opening the safe, I retrieved the first slide for Doug Pendry. There was no doubt it would get used.

  When I returned to the studio, the two women were sitting on the couch quietly talking. Walking to the end of the studio, I placed the slide in the holder and hit the power button. In an hour it would be activated to send Cecily back for her first 24-hour period.

  As I approached them, they looked up with dry, smiling faces. “Did you explain how it will work?” I asked.

  “I believe that’s your job. We were talking about when I first met Milton and he gave me this necklace,” she said clutching the pendant around her neck. “Please join us,” she gestured to the seat on the other side of Cecily. “You’re on.”

  Cecily settled in, ready to listen. “Okay, so you already know you’ll be going back in time. The process works by your posing in front of my sepia camera. When it flashes, you’ll be transported to New York City in 1952. The first journey lasts 24-hours. Doug will be there to greet your arrival, then the day is yours to get to know each other. If you two decide this is a good fit, normally I would say you have a week to get your life wrapped up. Since your situation is more urgent, if you want to go back on a second trip, we can do it as soon as you’re ready. It takes a couple days to put together some credentials, so you can have a plausible background. Nothing extensive, just a few basics that are easy to remember. Blending into the 1950’s is easier without the modern-day internet.”

  “How many times do I go back?”

  “Twice—the second trip is permanent. You won’t be returning to the present. That’s why you have to be absolutely sure this is right for you.”

  This was a different situation. All the other women placed, left nobody behind to come looking for them once they exited this decade. In Cecily’s case, there would be a bit of clean up for those left behind to cover her disappearance. “Dede, are you prepared with a story of where she went off to? Who else will know?”

  “Only Milton and I will know where and when she really went.”

  “Good. It’s best that way. What will you tell her parents and sister?”

  “He and I decided to say she went to live in Europe to escape Lionel. Between the two of us, we’ve been quite successful financially with our art. It would be feasible for us to send her abroad with plenty of money to live on. It was the best we could think of to hide her sudden disappearance. What do you think Cecily?”

  “I think I should meet Doug first, then go from there.”

  “You’re so much like your grandma,” I said admiringly. This young woman had a wonderful inner strength. Hard to believe she allowed a man like Lionel into her life. Love must have blinded her.

  “Why don’t you go out to the car, dear, and get the outfit we brought for your photo session.”

  “Sure Grandma. Now I know why you brought that along.” She said, giving Dede’s shoulder a squeeze as she stood.

  Once Cecily left us alone, I asked Dede, “How did you know I would match her with a man from the 1950’s? I’m assuming that’s an appropriate outfit for the era.”

  “Well, I do have a very good memory for details—even at my age.” We both chuckled at this. “I remember looking at the portraits before journeying back to see Milton the first time. There were only two other single men. Honestly, I didn’t know which one would be available, but knew if this was right, it would be the one from the city wearing the suit, which fit his era. She always was fascinated with big cities. You can definitely see that in her art.”

  “Being she’ll go back to a time about twenty years prior to your meeting Milton, it’s quite possible by now she might be...well…she might…”

  “She might be dead by now,” the sadness consumed her face as she cast her eyes toward the floor, but only for a moment. Then a smile returned, “But if it means she led a happy life, that’s all that matters. I’m willing to give up my remaining years with her, to know she had the same chance at life I did.”

  “You’ve thought this out, haven’t you?”

  “Yes, and it’s the best thing for her. As much as I love Cecily and want to continue being part of her life, safety and happiness are more important than my selfish needs. She’ll make a wonderful mother. This is her chance to have that with a man who will support her art, while creating a stable family environment. It will also eliminate the fear of Lionel showing up at any given moment.”

  “I’d say you’re ready to let go. She acts very much like you,” I said, “so I’ve no doubt she’ll embrace this opportunity and give it the consideration it deserves. Another half an hour and she’ll be ready to go back for her first trip. Are you staying nearby?”

  “Yes. We’re at a hotel in Manhattan Beach.”

  “Good. Then you can come back for her return in 24 hours. Are you ready to do this?”

  “Absolutely. I believe she is too.”

  “Yes, I am,” said Cecily from the doorway, holding a canvas bag. “Is there somewhere I can change?”

  Getting up I walked
to her and said, “There’s a half bath just past the kitchen doorway. You’re welcome to go upstairs and use my bedroom too, if you’d prefer.”

  “The half bath is fine. Thank you, Sami.” Her sandals slapped quietly on the wooden floor as she walked down the hall.

  We sat waiting for the young woman to don her 1950’s garb. I could sense Dede’s nervousness by the way she kept ringing her hands and fussing with her finger nails. She probably didn’t realize she was doing it.

  Walking back into the studio a few minutes later, Cecily now wore a calf-length beige skirt and a light blue blouse. Sensible pumps completed the outfit with her hair pulled back in a simple ponytail. She truly was a beautiful woman that, I knew, would take Doug’s breath away before even speaking a word of greeting to him.

  “Can I ask a couple more questions?” Cecily asked.

  “Of course, dear,” I said.

  “You mentioned your Collector interviewed the men. Who exactly is that?”

  “You don’t miss a beat, do you? My Collector’s name is Jimmy. His task is to photograph and interview the preselected Suitors or men. He needs to get a sense of their personality, disposition, as well as hopes and desires for life. Once their picture is taken, it appears here in the present. The majority crave a wife and children, but as you can see from the different eras and styles of couples on the walls, each one is unique.”

  “Who preselects the men?”

  “Honestly, that’s part of the process we were never given. I can assure you, however, I’ve performed this task many times, and the personalities have always meshed.”

  “There’s a healthy dose of trust involved on everyone’s part, isn’t there?” Cecily asked.

  “Yes, you could say that’s true. Not everything in regular life is ever explained,” I said with a sly smile. “Why should this be any different?” I gave her a wink, and she laughed.

  Dede joined in, “So are you done giving Sami the third degree, young lady?”