La Photographie Moderne

by Neil Crenner

Didier did love him truly. They would be together forever and ever. He drove on.

  One hour later.

  I liked this place and Didier and I stopped here when we drove back down the last time. They had gone to the dinner. The food was just as good and Reason, although chatting here and there seemed to be lost in the words Catherine had said earlier. He was now confident in their relationship and wasn't going to worry anymore. They were driving now back down to Santa Barbara.

  4 hours later.

  Reason pulled up to Didier's house and sighed. Didier was standing on the porch with Colbert. Reason got out of the car slowly and stretched. He waved to Didier who waved back. Catherine got out and slowly wobbled towards the porch. "How was the drive?" Didier asked smiling. He gave Reason a kiss and a hug, a big squeeze.

  "It was fine. It's nice to be home."

  "It's nice to see you Reasbehr." Reason smile and kiss Didier again. Catherine went on into the house. "Colbert missed you too." Colbert was dancing around them excitedly.

  "Yes Colbert, how are you?" Reason bent down and rubbed her head. "Let's go inside. I want to lay down."

  "You've been sitting all that time."

  "That's not the same. I want to hold you and kiss you."

  "Okay I am fine with that." They went inside and Catherine had gone to her room. They went to the bedroom, Colbert followed. They undressed and laid down in bed. Reason wrapped his arms around Didier and held him tight. They began to kiss. It was a long make out session that turned into a passion love making session. When it was over, they lay in each other’s arms breathing hard.

  "I love you Reason," Didier whispered into Reason's ear.

  "I love you Didier," Reason whispered back. "I mean it. Forever and ever."

  "Yes forever and ever," Didier followed. They fell asleep.

  An hour later.

  When Reason woke up he was still holding Didier. He slowly and gently let go and pulled away. He got out of bed and went to the kitchen. Colbert followed him.

  "Hey there. Did you have a nice nap?"

  "Yes it felt great. How about you?"

  "I read some and then slept a bit. I found this book on the shelf that is very fun. It written in a free flowing style with less description and more dialogue. The dialogue is very current, written the way people actually speak, so it takes you off guard. It’s not perfect English."

  Reason sat and listened, he was interested in hearing about this book.

  Catherine continued, “So it is more fun to have less description sometimes and then you can create your own characters in your mind. There are some spelling mistakes that I believe the author put in there on purpose. I am sure it will drive some readers crazy. But I think it’s intentional. Some of the plot seems to go nowhere, but it’s how real life is. There are many loose ends.”

  “I want to read it when you’re finished. Sounds fun.”

  “It’s very different in style than most mysteries I read. I am enjoying it.”

  Reason smiled.

  "Oh, I made some tea and sandwiches. They are in the frig."

  "Sounds delicious." Reason got up and went to the frig. He made a plate of small sandwiches, the cute ones that are so southern, some pickles and olives and a big glass of iced tea.

  "I love these sandwiches you make Catherine. They are so tasty."

  "My mother taught me how to make those when I was ten. Been making them ever since."

  "You have patience to make them. Like Didier. Where he gets his patience I don't know."

  "From me dear. I have lots of patience."

  "Wish I had some."

  "If you wish for it, then you will have to go thru things that will make you have it."

  "So maybe I shouldn't wish for it."

  "That's up to you," Catherine said as she read her novel.

  "I can't put this down."

  "I see. I will leave you be." Reason got up and went to the bedroom. Didier was awake and had the TV on. "

  "Baseball?"

  "I just flipped it on and this was on. I wanted to watch it a bit."

  "Who's playing?"

  "Red sox vs. the Yankees."

  "Oh good, love to see those Red sox loose. Who's winning."

  "Why do you want them to lose?"

  "Because the next day, everyone in Mass will be depressed. It is so funny."

  "Yeah I know," Didier smiled and grabbed Reason.

  "Here, your mom made these." He fed a sandwich to Didier.

  "These are my favorite. Ever since growing up I loved these sandwiches."

  "I love them too," Reason leaned in and kissed Didier. They sat there and shared the sandwiches and tea and watched the game. The Yankees won.

  The next day.

  Reason woke and he was in bed alone. He hated that feeling. Just then Didier came in. "Good morning. I brought you some coffee. How did you sleep?"

  "I slept great. How about you?"

  "You know I love to sleep next to my babycakers," Didier smiled when he said this. Reason smiled as well. He sipped the coffee. Didier leaned over and kissed him. It was a deep kiss.

  "Yum."

  "You are so fun this morning. What's up?"

  "Nothing. Just more comfortable sharing with you. Being more physical with you."

  "I like it. Sharing my coffee and tea with you."

  "And gum."

  "No one has ever given me their gum while we kissed."

  "It's super fun."

  "Yes it is."

  "So when are we going to fly up to SF?"

  "Whenever you are off work."

  "I will take tomorrow off and we can have a long weekend. How does that sound?"

  "I love it. Love exploring with you."

  "I love SF. Will show you some fun sights."

  "I bet you will."

  "Catherine is coming."

  "Yes I know. I am fine with that."

  "I was hoping you would be."

  "Okay well I am off to work."

  "A kiss before you go." They kissed for a good ten minutes. Reason loved it. He was kind of wondering when Didier was going to stop, but he never stopped. That came to a pause and then a quick kiss.

  "Bye, love you," Didier got up and left.

  Reason lay back down and closed his eyes. He fell asleep.

  30 minutes later.

  He woke to Colbert licking his face. "Colbert, what are you doing?" Reason lifted himself up and rubbed her head. You must want to go out. He got up and went to let her out. He saw that Catherine was in the living room.

  "Are you still reading the same book Cat?"

  "Yes I am and where did you hear that from?"

  "From Didier of course."

  "That boy, he loves a nickname for everyone."

  "I like it Cat. It's fun."

  "Yes I had to get used to it. Didn't like it at first."

  "It's fun because you're a Leo too."

  "Yes I am," Cat smiled. Reason went into the kitchen and it was clean. He didn't feel like going to the gallery. He thought he would take the day off.

  "We forgot to call the lawyer yesterday when we got home Cat."

  "We did. Let's call him now."

  "Let me get some more coffee."

  10 minutes later.

  "Hi can I speak with Mr. Ince?"

  "May I ask who's calling?"

  "This is Reason Simon. I don't have an appointment but we spoke the other day and he has some information."

  "Please hold."

  "Hello, Mr. Simon."

  "Hello Mr. Ince, I don't have an appointment and I wasn't sure I could speak with you."

  "It's no trouble. I got a copy of the Will. It states that Monsieur Eric Gautier-Straussburg has left everything to Catherine Maebelle Gunman, ne Gautier, his granddaughter, she only has to claim it. That's it. The Will is in a safe deposit box in the Bank of California, San Francisco."

  "Wow. So she gets the vineyard, the house, all the belongings?"

  "Yes. So if yo
u want me to I can stop the sale of the house and say an heir has come to claim it?"

  "Yes please do. We can come in and sign the papers anytime. We are flying up to San Francisco this week to get the Will."

  "Sound's good. Come in before you do that. I will have the contract drafted up. Bring your check book as well. I will need a retainer."

  "Okay will do."

  "My secretary will make an appointment with you. Hold please." Reason was put on hold and the secretary came on the line.

  "Mr. Simon, how about tomorrow around 10:30 am?"

  "I will be there. Thank you." Reason hung up the phone. "Catherine we have an appoint tomorrow morning to sign a contract."

  "Is that all?"

  "You have inherited the entire estate. How do you feel?"

  "I feel like celebrating, let's have some champagne tonight."

  "You might one day have your own wine."

  "That sounds divine."

  "Indeed it does. Shall we go to lunch to celebrate?"

  "Sure. Are you not going to the Gallery?"

  "Not today."

  "Okay I shall change."

  "You look fine."

  "I want to look great."

  "Well have at it. I will dress myself.

  “I need to shower first."

  "Then do it." Reason went to the bathroom to shower. He was famished.

  30 minutes later

  "Are you ready?" Reason had come out of the bedroom and was standing in the kitchen.

  "I am ready, let's go. Where shall we eat?"

  "I know this little Mexican place. The best eggs and cactus and huge fabulous margaritas as well."

  "Oh sounds fun but this early?"

  "We are celebrating."

  "I am all for it but will only have one."

  "That's fine, moi aussi." They were taking the Fiat X/19 this time. The day was beautiful and Reason wanted to take the Targa top off. He let Cat drive. It would be a quick ten minutes to the restaurant.

  "I love this little car. Reminds me of being in England and driving around the country side in my friends MG when I was young. The top down, wearing a scarf around my neck. The air was cool and misty. It was very romantic."

  "I