The Photographer

The prompt for writers Island was desire. I wrote therefore a story this time with a bit of desire in it.

The Photographer by Marja Blom

Elise quickly crossed the road. She was heading towards her favourite coffee shop after a boring day at the office. It was quite busy today so she had to be content with a place on a stool along a desk like place by the window. Staring outside her eyes catched the sight of a man with dark curly hair which just touched his shoulders. He was dressed in a black pulley and blue jeans. A long black coat hanging loosely around him. Wow she thought. A minute later she moved back, nearly falling of her stool, her heart pounding loudly. The same man she had seen outside was standing suddenly behind her. “Sorry he said, didn’t want to scare you. Is this place free” he asked, pointing to the stool next to her. Oh eh yeh she mumbled. “I am Mark” he said confidently “I need a coffee” He turned around and lifted his hand “Waiter, one coffee please” Than he turned towards her. “I am in the city for a photo shoot” Do you have any idea who could lead me around to show me some interesting old buildings here”? “I am from here” Elisa said a bit insecure” I can tell you something about it.” “Marvelous” he said “I pay you of course”

courtesy of google Before she realized they were strolling around the old city. Elisa was more lively than usual and told him all she knew. She hadn’t felt so excited in a long time. After an hour they arrived at the big cathedral. “Do me a favour” he said. “ I need a photo from a man and a woman standing under the big arch leading towards the church doors. He stopped a passerby and gave him some instructions about his camera. Than he grabbed her hand and she willingly let him pull her along. Than he posted her against the arch. He moved to the opposite site and leaned against it. Now look at me as if we were lovers” he said in a warm voice. Elisa didn’t know what happened to her but suddenly she disappeared in his brown eyes. She was unable to talk and a warm and tingling feeling filled up her stomach, radiating throughout her body. She felt paralyzed by an pulsating desire. Than she looked down as she thought she might be caught out.

He smiled. “Thank you dear, that will do for today and he grabbed his wallet and handed her a billet” Oh no I won’t accept that” she said “it was my pleasure” Than let me invite you to dinner. It is already getting late. She couldn’t refuse that and followed him inside a romantic restaurant. He left her behind for a moment to talk to the man behind the bar and a minute later they went outside to the patio of this Mediterranean like restaurant and settled down in front of the window. The sound of the music inside was in perfect harmony with this place. A minute later a bottle of wine was served. Drinking a glass they ordered diner and they were soon engaged in a deep conversation as if they had known each other for ages. She enjoyed his mildly sarcastic sense of humour. Than he put his hands around hers and told her he had to leave. The same desire as before came over her. This time mangled with some feelings of desperation. As suddenly as he had arrived, he disappeared. In trance and with the feeling of someone who just lost somebody special she looked at him jumping in a taxi outside. Than suddenly she saw a photo lying on the ground in front of the door. She picked it up. It was a man and women in a long black dress standing under the same arch of the cathedral were they had their photo taken. But this photo was black and white. It was a bit crinkled and the corners were folded. The photo must be a hundred years old, she thought. Than she looked another time and she couldn’t breathe for a moment. It was her and him. The woman’s hair was tied up but otherwise she looked exactly like her. How could that be? Confused Elise stumbled towards her car.