Chapter 2
"I'm never drinking again." Ali groaned.
"I've heard that before." Rach chuckled as she hung a photo on the wall.
"Just shoot me." Ali said throwing her arm over her head.
"Come on Ali, I didn't bring you here just to sit there and bitch."
"You're so demanding."
Rach needed to haul all of her things to her new office and had elected Ali to help her. She didn't want Ali sitting around at home feeling sorry for herself and moping all day so she told Ali she was coming with no choice.
"I know Rach, I'm sorry. What do you need help with?" Ali said standing.
"Tell me how this looks." Rach said standing back to look at her photo display on the wall.
""It looks really good. I never realized you actually kept those." Ali said taking a closer look.
Ali had given Rach photos she had taken on the mountain for her birthday a few years ago. She had used it as a last resort after having no luck finding her anything else. What do you get the girl who has virtually everything ?
"Of course I kept them, I love them, you did an amazing job." Rach answered.
"They're all right I guess." Ali shrugged, embarassed at the attention.
"You need to learn to take a compliment." Rach smacked her lightly.
Ali looked around the room and realized just how blessed Rach really was. She'd gotten a job as a reporter for one of Orlando's finest newspapers, something she vowed never to do because "nobody would ever see her" and she always had to be the center of attention. Ali prayed that she would be as half as successful as Rach had turned out to be.
"Hello? Did you even hear me?" Rach interrupted her thoughts by snapping her fingers.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Ali asked looking up.
"I said, it's already two o'clock and I'm starving. Do you want to go get something to eat?" Rach repeated.
"Sure, I could use some food. Where are we going?"
"Theres a little coffeeshop on the corner that sells bagels, I wanna check it out."
"Okay." Ali nodded.
They went down to the street and walked to the little coffee shop and went in.
As they first walked in they were greeted with a warm scent of coffee and a very comfortable friendly atmosphere. The room was very post-modern contemporary, there were unique peices of art work on the walls, candles were lit on every table and also placed all around the room giving it a very warm and inviting glow.
Ali immediatly felt at home and peaceful. The people who owned the place really knew what they were doing. At the front of the room was a small stage with a stool and a microphone where it looked like they had an open mic night or something along those lines.
"Welcome to Alasse, what can I get for you ladies?"
"Nice hair." Rach commented seeing the girls black and red short spikey hair.
"Thanks." the girl nodded.
"I'll have a ham sandwich on a onion bagel and to drink I'll take an iced Java Chai." Rach ordered first.
"Alright, and will these be on the same check?"
"The same." Rach nodded.
"Rach--"
"Don't even say it." Rach warned.
"And what can I get for you?" Ashley asked Ali.
"I'll have the KT on a Parmesan bagel and to drink I'll have an iced White Russian latte."
"All right ladies, I'll have that order right out." Ashley said after Rach paid the bill.
"Thanks Rach." Ali said sitting down at one of the unique stone and iron tables.
"You're welcome." Rach nodded.
"This place is awesome." Ali said looking around again.
"I know right." Rach agreed.
"So not to bring it up again, but what am I going to do if I do see JC again?"
"Beat his ass." Rach answered.
"No, I'm serious."
"So am I. He hurt you and you're still in love with him. He doesn't deserve you. He can go have all his little celebrity girlfriends like that desperate housewive Eva whatever her name is. Sweetie, you deserve so much more."
"I just can't help feeling inferior, like I wasn't good enough. I know it's not true, but I just don't understand." Ali sighed.
"Honey forget him. I couldn't help but over hear and I say get over him, move on. Find yourself a new man." Ashley stated setting their drinks down in front of them.
"See, even she agrees, and she doesn't even know you or the situation." Rach added.
"I don't know." Ali sighed yet again.
"Yes you do, deep down, what is your heart telling you to do?" Rach asked.
Ali couldn't answer that, she knew what her heart was telling her to do, her heart was broken. In the depth of the shards there was a tiny light of hope, a hope that someday they would be together again. She knew she couldn't waste her time on him any more. He had his chance and had blew it.
"Move on." Ali admitted aloud.
"Exactly. Now are we done with this JC talk?" Rach asked picking up her sandwich.
"Yeah. Sorry for ruining lunch."
"You didn't ruin anything." Rach shook her head.
"Are you sure ?" Ali asked.
"Yes." Rach assured her.
"So what all do we have left to do at your office?"
"Nothing much really. Basically just straighten up and then we can go."
"Okay." Ali nodded.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, both of them running over things in their mind.
They made their way back Rach's building and were met with a couple standing outside her office.
"Excuse me, can I help you?" Rach said wondering why they were at her office door.
"Are you Rachel?" one of the gentlemen asked her.
"Yes, please call me Rach, can I help you?" Rach answered.
"Sorry, my name is John and this is my wife Susanne. We couldn't help but notice your pictures here. They're amazing." he replied.
"Thank you." Rach nodded still confused.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to bother you or hold you up. I was wondering where you got them?" John asked.
"She took them and blew them up for me." Rach pointed to Ali who was watching them.
John and Susanne looked at each other and then back at Ali.
"This is truly a blessing. You have no idea. Do you take wedding pictures?" Susanne asked Ali.
"I've never thought of it." Ali answered. "Why?"
"Well, our daughters wedding is on Saturday and our photographer has cancelled at the last minute. And if you're a photographer, I was wondering if maybe you would be willing to do the wedding."
Ali stood there in wonder, she was being offered a job. "I'm not sure."
"We'll pay you two thousand dollars and pay for all the pictures to be developed. Please say yes, we're truly desperate." John offered.
"Where is it at?" Ali heard herself ask.
"At a church a ways from here. What are you doing tomorrow? You could come to the rehearsal see the set up of the church and get a feel for everything. That way you'll know where everything is at." Susanne suggested.
"That would work." Ali nodded.
"So that means you'll do it?" Susanne asked excited.
"I'll do it." Ali smiled.
"Thank you so much." Susanne said hugging her tightly.
"It's a blessing for both of us, I just moved here and don't have a job yet." Ali said returning her hug.
They exchanged information and talked for a few more minutes before they had to get back to work.
"So we'll see you tomorrow then, Alison, it was nice meeting you." John smiled shaking her hand.
"You too, both of you." Ali said nodding her head.
"Look at you go." Rach said when they left.
"What?"
"I'm impressed. Congratulations girl, you got a job."
"Not really. It's just a one time thing."
"It could turn into more."
"Maybe."
"Come on now, don't be gettin discouraged again."
"I'm not. I'm just sayin it's a one time deal." Ali shrugged.
"And I'm just sayin it could turn into more."
"Thanks Rach. Are we about done here?" Ali asked.
"Yeah, we can go now." Rach nodded.
They ended up leaving and went home. Ali ended up digging out her cameras and what you could consider her portfolio. What if Rach was on to something, she could use photography as her job. She wasn't going to push it, but she was going to see how it went on Saturday, then she'd make her decision.