Chapter 6: His Mandy is Back!

Name a color. Every color that you could think of was right there before Herbie’s eyes. So different from  the usual view from 1205 which was usually just different shades of gray depending on which building you would like to look at. There were trees alright and maybe some birds that maybe got lost from their flocks but they were nothing compared to the view that was right before him that morning.

The sound of the city, especially on a busy day, masked the sound of birds, or the sound of water flowing from the creek nearby and was heading to where all bodies of water meet - the ocean.

Within their building, it was always the artificial smell of fresh air that he knew came from a bottled spray or that pine tree air freshener one would always see hanging from an airconditioning vent. Right outside, was air one could see and sometimes feel from all the smoke and dust that were mixed with it.

From where he sat that lazy Saturday morning, he stopped browsing through the morning paper and filled his lungs with the air he couldn’t see. The green color of the leaves of the grass and trees, the yellow, red, pink, and blue petals of flowers all around are so alive and vivid. He was not in a hurry that day. He could take his time listening to the birds, and the water and the beating of his own heart as Mandy came into view.

“Herbie, thank you and I’m sorry.” Mandy said placing her hand on his arm.

“Thank you for what and sorry for what?” he replied placing his hand over hers on his arm.

“Thank you for this and sorry if I, you know, avoided you?” she said giving him her cutest smile that showed her dimple on the left cheek.

“Ahhh, so you really avoided me? Why?” he said out loud but his mind was asking - Is she talking about what I think she is talking about?

“Nothing.” she replied out loud but in her thoughts was the question -  Is he really waiting for me to say what I think he wanted me to say?

“Nothing? Tell me. I really wanna know.” but what he heard next was not what he expected.

“Are you getting back together with my sister?”

“What? Wh-what, wh-why would you even think that? Herbie stood up turning his back on Mandy and mouthing a big WHY as he ran his hand through his hair, a gesture he realized he often did whenever he was trying to address something difficult.

“Well, Annie seems to think so. I mean, we never really talked since she learned about me leaving the nursing job but she mentioned about you dropping by a number of times.”

“What? She thinks I’m trying to get back together with her?”

“What’s so wrong with that, Herbie? You have a past with her!”

“I know nothing’s wrong but it’s different now, Mandy. I mean, I know she’s even prettier, more confident, more mature now but I just - I just don’t feel the same way about her. That’s all… And I was dropping by because my bestfriend who lives in the same apartment as Annie, was avoiding me…and… and…I miss her.” Herbie looked into Mandy’s eyes when he uttered the last three words.

It took a few seconds before Mandy could answer. There was party in her head hearing him explain.

“Ahhh. Well, your bestfriend? The one that lives in 1204 with Annie, misses you, too!”

“She does?”

“She really does.” Mandy met his eyes, too. But it was a brief look. Mandy got distracted by a sound. “Can you hear that?”

“What?”

“Where’s your cellphone? I think that’s your cell vibrating.” she said as she reached for Herbie’s bag that was on the floor.

“See? It’s your cell. And it’s got 10 misscalls!”

“From whom?”

“It’s an unknown number. Maybe it’s from a girl you dated.

“Let me see.” Herbie said grabbing the phone from Mandy’s hand.

“I don’t recognize…-” then his cell rang again. “It’s the same number calling again.”

“Answer it!” Mandy told him.

“Herbie Molina, how may I help you?….. aha…Oh, how are you?… aha… aha… I’ll go ask her and give you a call …. okay, bye!”

“Who is it?”

“Do you remember Mr. And Mrs. Ramon and Lucy Cuevas from the Queen Elizabeth Inn?”

“Yeah? And?"

“It’s their 50^th wedding anniversary tomorrow. Can you believe that? I mean how many couples stay married for 50 years?”

“What do they want? Are they inviting us?

“Oh, yeah, especially you!”

“Me? Why?”

“Their photographer ditched them. He’s nowhere to be found and they want you!”

“To take pictures?”

“You have a contract, Mandy. If you’ll take it. I mean, I’ll be your assistant.”

“They would really trust me with that?”

“Why not? You’re good!”

Mandy jumped up and down from her seat mumbling. Oh, Herbie, we gotta buy film rolls, lots of it! We have to buy batteries. I have to plan my shots, Herbie! Oh my God, I think I’m gonna cry!”

“Come here.” Mandy went into Herbie’s open arms.  “She’s back!” he thought to himself. “My Mandy is back.”

Ramon and Lucy sent a car to fetch Herbie and Mandy from the hotel that they were staying in. It was not too far from where the Cuevases were residing. It was only about 20 minutes ride. Mandy wanted to take shots of the bride and groom in their residence, together with their sons, daughters, grandchildren and other relatives.

They were too early for the late afternoon wedding. Some members of the entourage were still asleep but Mandy insisted that they come early. She wanted to get some inspiration from whatever atmosphere or vibe the whole environment, people and the event would give her.

Herbie admitted that Mandy was his favorite sight but the Mandy that he was seeing, the one with the camera with one eye shut as the other peeped into the eyepiece was an even interesting sight. As promised, he was there to assist her, handing her whatever piece of material she needed to take her shot. He was cheering her on. He wanted her to shine.

“Herbie, Mandy! You’re here!” Lucy excitedly called from the wide open window of the second floor.

“Good morning, Mrs. Cuevas!” Herbie and Mandy both said.

Lucy went down the stairs to meet them. “Oh, Herbie, Mandy, I’m glad you could come! You saved us!… Come, I’ll introduce you to some of our children and grandchildren and some of our friends and relatives.”

“Hey, Mindy, Gary, kids, nephews and nieces, this is Herbie, and this is Mandy, Mr. and Mrs. Molina actually. They’re the couple I was telling you about who shared with us their room… Mandy is a good photographer, she’ll be taking our pictures today.”

“Hello, Herbie and Mandy!” everyone in the room said almost in unison.

“Come on, take a seat. Ramon is in the other side of the house. You know the tradition that the groom can not see his bride unless it’s at the altar? Well, our kids decided that we practice that… Two of our children you met already, Mindy and Gary, while the other two who are already married, we'll be meeting at the church. Some of our nieces and nephews will be coming from all over the place so it’ll be chaos later.”

Lucy realized that she had dominated the discussion. “Oh, I’m sorry, I’ve been talking too much… So Mandy, thank you for accepting this job. I hope we did not disrupt your honeymoon, you two!”

Herbie was about to correct what Lucy had thought about them all along but Mandy said - “Not at all! I’m just glad you entrusted me this special event in your life and I’m kinda nervous you might be expecting a lot. I mean, this is my first event, I hope I catch all the things that you want to see.”

“So, I’d like you to take a look at this contract. This is the contract we had with the other photographer. Do you think the amount is acceptable to you?”

Herbie felt Mandy’s hand as she rubbed his thigh. She would always do that when she wanted him to speak for her. Herbie quickly realized how uncomfortable Mandy was discussing about money. “I think it’s more than what she expected. You know, this is her first job but I can assure you, her work will be worth it.” Herbie assured Lucy.

Herbie linked his hand with hers. They held hands under the table as Mandy signed her contract with Mrs. Cuevas.

So, Mandy, Herbie, I don’t think we will be able to talk much as we near the event so just help yourself. I also asked one of my nieces to help you. She flew all the way from the city but I already heard her voice, so let me just get her.”

“Thank you, Herbie!” Mandy took the chance to say to him while Lucy was out. “But don’t you think the amount is too much?”

“No, it’s not! Look, you bought dozens of film rolls and about 20 batteries, we bought really nice clothes for the both of us because this is not part of the plan, and I’m sure you’ll be spending a lot more post-wedding. You know what I mean?”

They heard two pairs of shoes walking towards them. They both turned their head to the door.

“Herbie, Mandy, meet my niece, Kelly. You need anything, just tell her.”

“Boss?” Kelly’s eyes grew wide.

“Kelly?” Herbie’s eyes, too.