This story takes place in a fictional world with fictional people. Any similarities to people or things in the world we actually live in is coincidental.
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"Mrs. Nelson?"
The voice on the other end of the line sent a rush of adrenaline coursing through Gwen that Monday morning as she sat behind the office's desk. She recognized the voice...
"Yes, this is she."
"Hi Gwen, its Sandra McCall. Is now a good time to talk?"
The startled woman knew the trucks had left a couple of hours earlier and that she was the only person in the shop, but she looked about anyways before answering in a low voice that it was.
"Great! I know these are a gift, and I wanted to make sure the lucky man receiving them wasn't nearby. How are you?"
"I'm fine, how are you?" Gwen replied, willing down her impatience and not prompting the woman to what she hoped was the point of the call.
"I'm well," the woman replied easily. "Barry wanted me to let you know that your proofs are ready, and would like to know when might be a good time for you and he to sit down and decide what the finished product should look like."
"Oh, I wouldn't know anything about that," Gwen answered nervously. "Can't he just pick the ones he thinks are best? Or are there not enough good ones to fill an album?"
Sandra laughed. "On the contrary. Barry thinks that if he were to include all the good ones, the album would be too heavy to pick up. Besides, he normally meets with the model so she can decide exactly how naughty she wants the finished product to be. He really likes the way these came out, but wants to see if you agree. So, when would be convenient for you to come to the studio?"
Gwen tried to frame an answer. "Well, I, uhh, I'm not sure I can come this week..." She knew she didn't want to go alone. Natalie was the obvious answer, she was the one who had suggested this whole thing, but her sister-in-law was just back from vacation, and most almost certainly getting things back in order in her own life.
"I'm sure Barry wouldn't mind coming to see you some time this week, if you'd rather," Sandra suggested brightly.
"No, no," Gwen responded quickly, the idea of bringing him to her home striking her as too risky. She briefly considered perhaps meeting him somewhere else, but a mental image of her scandalous pictures spread across a restaurant table while she reviewed them made that out of the question. "I don't want to take Barry's time like that. Let me talk with Natalie and see if she might be able to come with me."
"That sounds like a plan! Just give us a call when you decide. Weekdays are ideal, but we might have some time on the weekend, particularly for you. Barry was particularly pleased with these, and he really wants to hear what you think. You've got our office number, right?"
"I do. Let me check with Natalie and I promise to get back to you shortly."
"Sounds great! We'll talk to you soon."
Gwen's finger hit the disconnect button and began dialing her sister-in-law's cell phone in one fluid motion.
Natalie answered on the third ring. "Hey there! I was going to call you this afternoon!"
"Why? Is there something wrong?"
Her sister-in law laughed. "I wanted to tell you we were back and see how things were going."
The women reviewed their weeks, Gwen listening patiently and with genuine interest as Natalie recounted their stay at their beach home in Hilton Head. Her own report recounted the busy week at Nelson Plumbing and avoided being too quick to ask about Natalie's availability for a trip to the photographers, not wanting to seem too anxious to ask her to go look at naked pictures of her husband's sister.
"So, have you heard anything from Barry yet?"
Gwen was relieved that Natalie had brought the subject up. "Well, yes. Sandra called me this morning and said that he wants to show me the proofs so I can pick which ones I like. I was wondering, are you, uhh, free some time to go with me? I don't want to go alone."
"I would have been mad if you hadn't invited me." Natalie's voice made the prospect of her anger doubtful. "How about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow? But don't you have to work?"
"Yeah, but if we leave early, I can get back in time. His studio is about a half-hour closer than Liz's place. We leave at 7:30, get there at 10, spend a couple of hours there, I'm back a half-hour before my shift. I'll pick you up at 7:30?"
The Lady reminded her of her obligation to at least be there until after the trucks had departed, but the urge to see what the photographer had taken overcame her sense of duty. "What do I tell Tim?"
"Tell him we're going to breakfast, then shopping."
Gwen's desire to go made the lie seem plausible. "Let me drive. We're going because of me, anyways."
"We'll compromise. I'll pick you up and drive there and you drive back so I can take a nap before my shift. Fair?"