Intermezzo

Doing Time

2010-09-09T16:47:00.000-07:00

Miranda Taylor - Freshman Year: Spring Semester - Part 2

"Here you go." I took the bottle of water hoping the quaking of my hands didn't show and drank. It was refreshing and I felt my body relaxing with each thirst-quenching swallow. Using the opportunity I discreetly checked out my host. He was tall and lean, broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs, muscular but not in the way that Will was but nicely built.

Sweeping my gaze away from him I noticed a pile of art supplies near a window along with an easel and some canvases. He didn't look like my idea of an artist so I figured maybe the supplies belonged to a girlfriend or a wife. Glancing at his left hand I didn't see a ring although that didn't mean much.

"Who is the artist? Is that your stuff over there?" Cocking my head toward the easel I set down the water bottle, leaned against the couch and smiled at him. His sofa was cool to the touch, rugged leather, and it smelled good. Somehow it reminded me of him although I don't know why I would think about that or him in such an intimate way. His eyes were an incredible deep green with flecks of brown just like the meadow where he rescued me.

"Did Gambit give you that scar across your nose?" He started to move toward me and my heart started racing. I was not attracted to this guy but there was something about him - I think if he tried to kiss me I wouldn't stop him.

"You ask a lot of questions for someone who just broke the law." His expression gave nothing away as his eyes raked over me. "What is this so-called class assignment that compelled you to trespass on my property?" He stared at me, long and hard stare and I suddenly felt like a child being chastised. I didn't like it even if I did deserve it.

Knowing how foolish my answer was going to sound I stood as tall as I could and glared right back. "Fences, I was supposed to be taking pictures of fences." When he started laughing I admit I got pissed off. "For your information I took some incredibly wonderful pictures of fences before your horse smashed my camera to bits! Not that you would know anything about photography!"

He kept laughing - the man was infuriating - and all I wanted to do was get out of there. I would worry about replacing my camera once I got home. I started for the door mumbling a quick apology when he blocked my way.

"I hardly think Gambit could be confused for a fence by anyone. What is your name?"

Throwing an angry look up at him, I answered. "Miranda Taylor. Now let me pass." I wanted to wipe that amused look off his face.

Instead that insufferable grin persisted. "Ah, Miranda, like the Tempest, the name suits your fiery personality. I'm Ezra Baker."

"You're joking right? Ezra Baker the photographer? That's you?" I felt the heat of humiliation rise in my cheeks. So much for thinking this guy was some cowboy, he was anything but. Ezra Baker was renowned for his provocative black and white photos. I think my Aunt Camilla had even mentioned being photographed by him in passing when we had been shopping downtown. It takes quite a bit to embarrass me but the fact that I had no idea who he was, hadn't recognized him right off, did me in.

I looked around the place but I didn't see one photograph of his anywhere on the walls, at least none I could tell were his. Steering the conversation away from my faux pas I asked, "So who paints?"

He walked toward the easel and I followed like a school girl with a crush on her professor but I wanted to know more about him. "You really are an inquisitive young lady aren't you, intriguing as well as attractive. I paint for the sheer pleasure of it." He turned toward me again and this time his face was more intense and once again unreadable. He leaned in close enough for his voice to vibrate through me and for the first time I picked up a lazy drawl, "I find pleasure in many things beyond the lens." He paused and then took a quick breath. "There is still the matter of you trespassing. I really should call the authorities."

Shit, he was really going to be an arrogant prick. "Please don't do that! I really meant no harm. It was your horse; I couldn't help but want to photograph him. I've already lost an expensive camera and don't know how I am going to replace it. Isn't that punishment enough?" I seriously hoped he was bluffing, having a joke at my expense was far better than being arrested.

Then he did the strangest thing. Taking my chin in his hand Ezra turned my face toward the window before deliberately circling me, raking me up and down again. That smug expression returned when he finally answered. "You really are an exquisite creature, unusual and exotic. I might be willing to set aside your transgression if you agree to sit for me. I'd like to paint you, Miranda."

This could have gone all kinds of sideways but here I was facing an opportunity to work with a famous, if not infamous photographer. Was I going to pass up the opportunity to pick his brain? Hell no, I wasn't. If this was his idea of me doing time I could handle myself. I agreed.

Learning To Let Go

2010-06-11T17:13:00.000-07:00

Nic Taylor - Sophomore Year: February 2nd, Nic's Birthday

"Looks like the weather might hold out." Will hauled in the last brick of Coors and set it on the kitchen floor. "We've got ribs marinating, fruit salad, French bread, music, and a special treat for dessert." With a wink and the flash of his devastating smile he encouraged his roommate, the birthday boy, to get ready. "You going to wear your briefs to this shindig? Come on, man, I've got shit planned for tonight. You've got to snap out of this funk!" Nic returned the smile, a half-hearted grin that did not reach his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for whatever Will had planned but knowing how much trouble he had gone through, Nic intended to show his appreciation.

Heading upstairs to get dressed, Nic glanced at the frames that perched in the center of his dresser. They weren't recent but they definitely held good memories for him, taken when everything was less complicated. His thumb stroked the frame with a reverent caress, as the two teens in the picture smiled back. Nic sighed knowing the object of his affections was out of reach right now, perhaps she always would be.

Their friends had already begun to arrive as Nic descended the stairs. "Hey sis," he embraced Randi warmly.

"Happy birthday Nicky!" Randi squeezed him tight. "Looks like a nice turn-out!" Randi let her eyes wander around the room, settling on Will for a long moment before shifting her attention back to her older brother. She smiled warmly and urged him to mingle. "I'm going to say hi to Will and grab a drink; please try and lighten up tonight Nic, have some fun and don't worry about...things. Mingle." Giving him one last hug Randi took his hand, gave it a reassuring squeeze and walked away.

He laughed inwardly; it was no easy task to not worry especially when that "thing" was Rayne. He was flat out in love with her, always had been and he always would be but Nic was beginning to realize she didn't return the feelings, at least not in the same way. Regardless, he would always be there for her.

Nic watched as his sister made her way toward his roommate. It surprised him that Randi and Will were still an item. They had been dating since high school and even though they both had occasionally dated other people, they always found their way back to each other.

In the meantime, neither Will nor Nic lacked attention from girls. "Find anything interesting my friend? There is a lot of prime tail at this party!" Will passed him another beer as he scanned the room. "See anything you like? I know I do..." He winked at a slender blonde who immediately flushed at the attention and then looked around warily, probably in search of Randi.

"You know you will be in deep shit if my sister catches you doing that right?"

Will tossed his head back and laughed, "Trust me, I can handle Randi. Besides I am not dumb enough to attempt it when I don't know exactly where she is. She'd have my balls in a vice."

There had been a cake and, as promised, excitement in the form of a stripper. Several hours later the party began to wind down and only the hardcore partiers were left. Nic wandered upstairs wondering briefly if he could escape the rest of the night in his room. He made it as far as the top of the stairs when a lilting voice coming from the direction of the pool table stopped him. "I wondered where you guys kept the pool table. I've always wanted to learn how to play; do you think you might like to show me?"

Hallie Dodson. Nic's eyes swept over her. She looked wholesome, misty green eyes and silky red hair that stood out against her pale soft skin. He remembered seeing her one Friday night at the quad during a free concert. Nic had flirted with her and now she was here in his house doing the same thing to him. He smiled; why not, he thought as he moved in closer to her. She smelled nice, like lavender. If he'd wanted to, Nic could probably show her a lot of things. Maybe he would; it was his birthday after all. "Sure, I could show you. First thing you need to do is learn how to handle the stick properly. A nice, steady stroke and you're halfway there."

An Unexpected Encounter

2010-06-07T10:10:00.000-07:00

Miranda Taylor - Freshman Year: Spring Semester - Part 1

So far freshman year hasn't been all that crazy. I don't know what I will declare as a major but I did enroll in some photography classes that I really like. We were given an assignment to create a collection of shots focusing on a random object. Mine ended up being fences so I drove into the valley where there was open land, farms and ranches. I figured that would be as good a place as any to begin. I got out of the car and started walking.

The sky was a vivid blue uninterrupted by clouds. The air was warm and still with only an occasional wind that swished through branches. It was nice, the smell of dried grasses and sweet wildflowers was pleasant and it was peaceful. I kept walking, starting to sweat a little but I wasn't out there to impress anyone so I really didn't care.

Stopping occasionally at a wire fence or a rickety wood fence that had seen better days, I finally came to a stretch of fence that wrapped around a huge space that contained horses. One in particular caught my eye. He was huge, almost majestic, and he stood away from the rest. If I didn't know better I would swear that beast was eying me, watching and waiting for me to invade his dominion.

I wasn't going to disappoint him. Looking around I didn't see anyone so I did what any good photo-journalist would - I hopped the fence. Yes, I know the horse was not a fence but I wasn't passing up an opportunity. I have no idea about horses let alone how to communicate with one so I did my best, murmuring quiet, reassuring phrases as I carefully made my way toward him and readied my camera.

My best however wasn't good enough and the horse snorted a warning and reared startling me and knocking me on my ass. "Shit! Shit!" My camera went flying and my heart was beating furiously in my chest. Trying to put some distance between myself and the horse that seemed to enjoy the idea of trampling me into the ground, I crawled backwards like a crab but didn't get far. The back of my head made contact with something hard, a rock, and I was honestly too scared to pull myself up and try to run. I was dazed and my vision blurred a little although that could have been the heat rising from the ground.

Trying to think rationally about how to get out of there safely I was unexpectedly stunned by the sound a man's deep voice, calmly reassuring the horse. I couldn't quite make out what he was saying but he managed to bewitch that horse into submission. Finally settled, the horse nestled his head against the man's chest briefly and trotted away. With imminent danger no longer a factor, I took a moment to study my savior. He was long and lean, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt and had shiny long black hair with a streak of color, not what I expected from a cowboy. He was rough looking and not entirely unattractive.

"Thank you so much! I wasn't sure how I was getting around that horse." Extending my arm to him for assistance off the ground, this guy instead folded his arms and glared.

"You're trespassing." After a few moments he grudgingly lent a hand and helped me to my feet. He was much taller than he looked from the ground and his hand was surprisingly soft for someone who worked a ranch. At least I assumed that was what he did. I didn't even know where I was really other than the fact that I was clearly somewhere I shouldn't be.

I didn't want to get into trouble. Trying my best to charm the guy I tried to get out of it. I know what I've got and if I have to use it, I will. Lowering my lashes and smiling, I let him have it. "I'm sorry I guess I just wandered a little off course. I'm from the university. I was taking pictures for an assignment and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going...oh man, my camera..."

He never let me finish. "It's pretty hard to wander into a field that is surrounded by fences. You're camera is done for, I'm afraid, it's in about a thousand pieces thanks to Gambit's hoof. He doesn't like trespassers either." The color rose in my cheeks, I could feel the heat of embarrassment as I rubbed the back of my head from where it collided with the rock. He smiled, almost grudgingly and offered a glass of water. "My house is just that way, a short walk. You can have something cool to drink and be on your way."