A Fresh Start

Chapter 20

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I watched Carlos cringe until he notices the photo book. It's one he's never seen before, so it's not likely to be baby photos.

"When the children were growing up, one of our favourite places in the summertime was Point Pleasant. Family picnics at the beach were special." Abuela started. "We stayed at one of the beach houses for a week, sometimes two."

"Same for us," I replied excitedly. "We would stay at the beach house for a week or two. I loved Point Pleasant."

"I know," she smiled with an air of mystery.

Carlos and I looked at each other curiously. Now what can she mean by that?

"Let me show you. The evidence has been there for a long time."

To say I was confused with that, made her smile even more as she patted my knee.

Opening the photo book, I saw a special certificate inside the cover, an award for photographic excellence in the "A Snapshot in Time: Children" category. First place. I admired her award and smiled in acknowledgement.

"Congratulations. Carlos tells me you have a great photographic eye. I really liked your photos of us dancing. They were very special."

She smiled at me. "Oh yes. Very special indeed, Stephanie."

I was curious. Abuela had me intrigued. She recognised it in me instantly.

"Turn the page," she encouraged as she pointed with her chin. "That was not what I wanted to show you. You'll see," she remarked modestly.

Slowly I turned the page and was struck by the beautiful photos of random children playing in the sand by the water's edge, all in different poses, actions and activities from making sandcastles to cartwheeling. But, on the next double page, it was the same two children, a boy and a girl, playing together on the sand, that captured my eyes. Just two large photos on the two pages, side by side, much like a diptych. The two children were completely engrossed in their play, oblivious to the photographer. The detail was simple yet it told a story. Again, on the next double page, a year later, as indicated by the date, and again for the next three pages. Five years captured of these two children on the beach, at Point Pleasant. The photo of the combined display with the title "A Snapshot in Time" showed all five years. I flipped back to the first double feature and rescanned the others again. Carlos leaned in closely, also intrigued that she only snapped these same two young children, over five years.

Then it hit me. "Carlos! That's you!" Omigod! I couldn't believe it, but the evidence was there in black and white. "That's me, with my wild curls!" One shot had me in little pigtails, another in plaits, with a hat, and a couple with my hair loose, free flowing little curls.

"Abuela?" Carlos asked in amazement, to which Abuela nodded with a serene smile, her eyes glistening slightly. "I knew even then, you two were meant to be. Each year, somehow, you'd find each other. The first year neither of you spoke very much, but you didn't need words. You just played happily together, side by side. The second year, as you can see, you played together, and from then onwards you interacted easily."

There we were, both of us, playing together, at the beach, totally engrossed in our play, in each other. The connection was evident, the shy smiles, the bright eyes, the friendship, so natural. Another with laughter and joy, eyes sparkling. It was quite mesmerising to see how young we were, to see yourself literally through the lens of another older, wiser eye. A very observant eye, to be sure.

"I took many photos of just the two of you, but these were my favourites because of the different expressions you had. These showed that remarkably natural bond you two had developed at such an early age. When the competition was announced I already had a quality selection, and the idea of what they call a diptych really appealed to me.

"Carlos, you gave me a purple shell for my sandcastle. I still have it. My mother had thrown away all my shells, but my father was able to retrieve them. He hid them in a box in the garage, saving them for me because he knew how much I loved them. I lived with my dad when we moved away from Trenton, and my new bedroom was decorated with things to do with Point Pleasant, including special treasures and significant shells. That's so amazing, Abuela. They are beautiful photos. No wonder you won an award for these."

The black and white photos captured us in a variety of poses, mostly looking at each other or reacting, sometimes face to face, sometimes side by side, one standing or kneeling, lying down or kneeling on one knee only. They were not posed photos per se, just capturing us in natural unaffected play.

"I must have been three years old in the first photo," I pondered, "which would make me seven in the last one."

"And I was two years older. You called yourself 'Stephnee', and you called me Ricky like my cousins did. I was small for my age, then."

Abuela smiled indulgently at us, a twinkle in her eyes. "You would look up and down the beach each year we went. You were happiest when you found Stephanie again, just as she was, like long lost friends. When she wasn't there, you were disappointed. But you managed. Sometimes our stays only overlapped for one of the weeks."

We grinned at each other, marvelling at Abuela's photographic magic.

"Turn to the next few pages, where I experimented with colour. See. Your beautiful blue eyes were so captivating, don't you think so, Carlos?" as she proudly displayed another award winning photo of me standing, covered in sand, smiling with a sand bucket in one hand and a little spade in the other, my curly hair loose. The ocean was behind me. It looked like I was pleased to see someone.

"Yes, you were," she smiled. Did I say that out loud? "You were smiling as you recognised Carlos coming over towards you. The blue of your eyes, along with the sky and the glistening ocean and the bright colours of your red swimsuit was enchanting in such a natural pose. It was a wonderful composition, simple, yet beautiful and understated."

There were more photos of us at play. We both marvelled at the amazing snapshot in time. We were oblivious to the others around us, and to the camera. In one particular photo it showed us enraptured with a seahorse we found, totally engrossed, sitting on our knees, our heads close together, studying our treasured find.

A little groan emanated from Abuela. "The next set of photos tell an entirely different story. I couldn't stop myself from capturing the sadness in your eyes, and Carlos at his loss. It was the last time you saw each other at Point Pleasant."

Oh my gosh. I remember that day as an instant flashback hit me. My mother had stormed over and grabbed me roughly by the arm, yelling at me and dragging me away. Why? Then I remembered.

"That's my mum. She was angry. I didn't understand why. I wasn't allowed to play with you. We were having so much fun. Look. There are Carl and Eddie, my friend Mary Lou, and UGH! That nasty sneer belongs to Joseph Morelli. I was forced to play with him. I hated him! He was such a bully. He didn't like me playing with you. I sat with my Grandma to get away from him." I sighed "My mother was a nasty cruel woman. It was one of the many times she made me cry."

"That was obvious. I captured the hateful look in her eyes. Yes, it was hateful and filled with disgust. I took an instant dislike to her, as did many parents around us, who were stunned at her unnecessary over-reaction. You two were playing so nicely, happy in your own little world. Your tearful and frightened expression reflected our combined shock at her harsh and abrupt manner. I still shake my head at that image. The smug little blonde girl, older than you, is that your sister?"

"Hmph. Yes. Saint Valerie, who could do no wrong. But that's enough of that. I love these photos. They are so special."

I really didn't want to go into specifics of my family, especially my toxic mother and sister. It would spoil this lovely evening. Abuela understood and didn't press for details, patting my hand in reassurance.

"Your Grandma," she pondered thoughtfully. "Ah, yes. She is Hungarian?"

'Yes, she is. Grandma Mazur."

An unexpectedly mischievous grin made me wonder as she contemplated a memory. "Edna?" I nodded. "Yes," I responded in surprise.

With a twinkle in her eye she made a secretive aside which made us all laugh, visualising the image she painted. No photo was needed.

"Yes. Edna and I often sat together, watching you two play, while that nasty bully boy was trying to lure you away from Carlos. We would sit and watch and chat, quietly sipping our coffee on the beach, sometimes with a dash of rum, sometimes just rum on its own."

Oh my! I could just imagine my Grandma Mazur and Abuela Rosa, tippling mischievously together. They must be kindred spirits. Carlos was still laughing and hugged his Abuela.

"You are something else, you know? Te amo, Abuela Rosa."

"Thank you, nieto. When I saw you two dancing in Little Havana, I knew you had found each other again. I was so happy and excited. My photos tell the story so much more."

Carlos and I locked eyes as Abuela closed the book and placed it back on the shelf in its special place. There was something new in his eyes, something akin to adoration and I felt the same.

Abuela took both our hands and spoke reverently. "You two have more than just a unique connection. You two are soul mates. The photos don't lie."

I looked at her in awe as she said soul mates. Seeing her beautiful photos was like looking through a crystal ball.

As she put our hands together we felt the tingling again which made her grin. "See. Even I can feel it. I know you both can, that unmistakable tingling. I see it in your eyes, too. Don't fight it. It is rare but it is real." She kissed both our hands, like it was a blessing.

"It is getting late," Carlos said kindly to his Abuela. "I never knew you had those special photos. They are really beautiful," his eyes pointing at me. She beamed and palmed his cheek in a loving gesture. I could tell they had a special bond.

"Buenas noches, Carlos and Stephanie. She is your novia, and you are her novio. Just that you didn't know it."

We said our thanks for a delicious meal and goodnights. As we waved goodbye to Abuela, Carlos took my hand, and led me to the car, opening the door for me. Before I slid in, I turned to face him and smiled, his lips looked so inviting, so I kissed him. He kissed me back, a bit more than a chaste kiss, which left me with tingling sensations, not just on my lips. After handing me the seatbelt and closing my door, he rounded the bonnet of the car and hopped in with a lovely smile, raising an eyebrow while cheekily undoing just one of his buttons. I laughed out loud at that playful move and then he undid the other button. I really like playful Carlos.

"Carlos, I have to confess, your Abuela is amazing. To say I was gobsmacked is an understatement. Going by your reaction, you never knew about those photos and her awards either. I really enjoyed tonight."

"My Abuela is full of surprises, as you have witnessed, just in these past few days. She is a wise woman, never to be underestimated."

"Yes. That Abuela Rosa recognised us from so long ago. Wow. I knew there was something special about you, like we had an instant connection."

He took my hand and kissed my wrist, sending more wonderful sensations rippling through my body.

"Novia," he grinned at me.

"Novio," I countered with a huge smile. He squeezed my hand.

It was like a declaration of our bond, our connection, our love for one another. I was beginning to realise that I love this man, Carlos. But also, I was falling in love with him, more with each time we spent together. It was more than just enjoying his company.

"Did you want to go out, maybe for some dancing?"

"No. Nice as it sounds, Carlos, like very tempting, it's been a big day today. I have a lot to think about. I'm really pleased how the day turned out."

"Me too, in more ways than one," he smiled, as he parked in front of my hotel. "I'll walk you inside," he said as he opened my door, tipping the valet to watch the car.

We walked inside and he led me to the elevators. "Thanks for coming tonight. I wasn't expecting Abuela with all those revelations, but it feels good. It feels right. You know," he paused, "I really like this colour on you, Babe. It brings out the colour of your beautiful eyes. I'm looking forward to when we see each other again." His fingers had run a tingling course down the side of my neckline, a tender look in his eyes. Little goose bumps appeared causing him to smile, in pride, at my involuntary reaction. One eyebrow was raised and he winked at me.

"Me too," I smiled.

I put my hand to his cheek and he leaned into it. His eyes went dark and I could read his thoughts, as I licked my lips, lusty thoughts. I was mentally fanning myself. My hand slid inside his open shirt and rubbed his firm pecs. Mm. Yes, so nice, so very very nice. If his eyes could darken anymore they did as I slowly and deliberately undid the last three buttons, watching his response, feeling his heart beat pounding at a faster pace. A sexy growl emerged as he stilled my hand.

"I like this look, Carlos, muy sexy," as I tugged on his dog tags, looking up at him through my eyelashes before I kissed his luscious lips tenderly. In keeping with being right near the elevators, we kept the kiss PG in deference to the people waiting beside us.

"Buenas noches, Novia," he whispered with a smile against my lips. "Sweet dreams, Stephanie."

"Goodnight, Carlos."

He ushered me inside as the elevator doors opened. I watched him leave. Wow! He's such a sexy guy! I must have hummed, or did I say that out loud? The two older ladies next to me chuckled and said "Ooh yeah. You got yourself a live one there, honey. He definitely is a keeper."

"Personally, I would have whisked him away to lock in my room, never to escape tonight, or forever," mused her friend. "We ain't dead yet!"

As he disappeared from view, I noticed that every woman nearby was tracking his moves, some wiping their mouths. I feel lucky, and blessed. A fresh start for me has more highlights than I ever expected.

Yeah. I really wanted to grab him by that sexy shirt and drag him upstairs to my room and have my wicked way with him. I sighed and the ladies chuckled.

Once in my room, I quickly changed into my nightie and did my bathroom routine before I flopped on the bed, with my lips still tingling, even after I brushed my teeth.

Novia?

Wow.

I was feeling giddy with the possibilities. Even just that vision of him with that sexy shirt. I chuckled remembering Abuela's reaction.

I just realised something else. Neither of us talked about work. It was just about Abuela and us, Carlos and Stephanie. It felt so right. I crawled under the covers, snuggled in and smiled as I went to sleep with a wistful sigh.

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