Dreaming of Tomorrow Page 8

  “He reminded me that it was Mom’s short-term memory that was affected. She probably remembers how to ride very well, that happened over twenty years ago. He also said that as long as she didn’t take a hard fall, she’d be fine. Her only physical health problems involve her lungs, and even they aren’t too bad yet.” Emily paused. “Dad’s doctor said it was okay for him to go too. He even gave me some antihistamine’s that should ease his allergies.” Her voice quivered as she added, “Actually, he more or less said it couldn’t make his condition any worse so just try to keep him happy.”

  “I wish I was there right now beside you, you sound like you could use a hug and even a good cry,” David told her. “Unfortunately, I had to take a business trip so I’m calling you from Toronto. I’ll fly home if you want me to.”

  “Thank you, David,” she replied, “but I’m okay. The offer’s enough to make me feel better. When will you be home?”

  “Unfortunately it looks like I’ll have to stay over until at least Monday, which means we have to postpone our date until next weekend or even the week after.” David paused. “I was looking forward to spending some time with you this weekend instead of being stuck in this hotel.”

  “Well, finish your work and come home as soon as possible. I miss you, too,” she admitted softly.

  Chapter Nine

  The next day, Saturday, Emily had a surprise visitor. Nicole had returned from her modeling assignment and came over to see her. She greeted Emily’s parents with affection and then she and Emily sat alone in the living room so they could talk.

  “So what’s new, Emily?” she greeted Emily.

  “Nothing much. David and I went to a movie, and his next free weekend we’re going to take my parents over to see the horses,” Emily informed her.

  “That should be fun,” Nicole said. “It would be great for your parents to get out of the house.”

  “How about you?” Emily asked. “What’s up?”

  “Well, about a year ago I nagged and threatened my agent until I got some time off which, as it turns out, is right now. That’s really why I’m here.” Nick paused. “I wanted to get to know you since you seem to be important to David. I also wanted to talk to you about a project I’m working on.”

  Nicole seemed to be considering how to continue.

  “The gym for people who are uncomfortable in regular gyms? The diet and exercise program?” Emily suggested.

  “Well, yes. That and doing some full figure modeling,” she admitted.

  “Nicole, I’m still not sure that I’m ready to commit to a diet and exercise program but I’d like to give it a try,” Emily said. “It’s the only way I can find out how I feel about it.”

  “That’s great, Emily,” Nicole said. “We’ve got the gym set up and we’re almost ready to open. You can be our test client. I want my gym to be welcoming to those who are overweight and who want to have a place where they can work out and be treated like they are special.”

  “That sounds wonderful. How hard is this program going to be?” Emily asked. “I’m not lazy but I have so many commitments. . .”

  “We’ll tailor a program just for you.” Nicole smiled. “We’ll stick to working out to improve your health and relieve your stress instead of doing a ‘boot camp’ designed to torture you into shape. I have an idea of how we can start that might drive David a bit crazy.”

  “What is it?” Emily was intrigued.

  “We can start by doing things that are fun, not like real exercises. We can swim and I can teach you to ride, without telling David. Then we’ll surprise him.”

  “That sounds good to me.” Emily grinned. “Who can stay with my folks?”

  “You met Julia, the RN, she would be glad to do it,” Nikki said.

  “Okay,” Emily paused then asked, “and how about the diet? Do I have to give up all my comfort foods?”

  “We’ll look into what foods you like to eat and how we can manage your diet without making it impossible to stick to.” Nicole grinned. “That’s why we need a guinea pig, to work these things out.”

  “And I’ve decided one more thing,” Emily said firmly.

  “What’s that?” Nicole shot her a questioning glance.

  “Well, I’ve decided that if the offer is still open, I’d like to have you help me with a makeover. Teach me how to pick the right clothes, do my hair and make-up.” She stood up and walked around the room.

  “Great! Let’s do a makeover and shoot a few pictures so that I can talk to my agent about you,” Nicole suggested.

  “David said you wanted to see if I could model but I thought he was nuts.” Emily was still surprised at the outlandish idea.

  “He is nuts, but in this case he’s right.” Nicole paused. “Like I said, most of what the fashion industry calls full figured is still what most women call skinny, but there are a few places where a larger model does quite well. As for the rest, I’m smart enough not to try to talk you into anything you’re not ready for, but let’s give it a try and have some fun, okay?”

  “Okay, I guess.” Emily turned to face Nikki.

  “Such enthusiasm.” Nicole laughed. “Can I use your phone?”

  In a surprisingly short time, Julia was caring for her parents and Emily found herself out at the ranch. She was shocked when Nicole brought out the horse she didn’t know and tied him to the rail.

  “Who is this?” Emily asked. “I thought I’d be riding your horse or Target.”

  “This is Midnight Raider. He’s green, which means he’s not really well trained, but he’s very gentle and safe. You can learn things together.” Then she went in to get her own horse.

  Nicole turned out to be wonderful instructor. She was patient and cheerful. She showed Emily everything from mounting correctly to dismounting. She had Emily work the horse at a walk and soft jog. After a few days she had Emily cantering. Before long, she had showed Emily how to lope figure eights, with a lead change in the center. Then she suggested that Emily try trotting through the poles and barrels set up in the arena.

  “Concentrate on riding through the course smoothly instead of thinking about speed,” she told Emily.

  After each ride they took a swim, doing laps instead of just floating around. After about a week Emily found herself loping through the gymkhana courses. It felt thrilling to Emily even without real speed.

  “I can’t wait to show David, he’s going to be shocked,” she gushed, floating in the pool.

  “Just remember, it’s a surprise until he can see it. I know you talk to him every night.” Nick stopped swimming then softly said, “And I know he prays with you, for your folks. I pray for them every night, too.”

  “On one hand, I can’t believe I found someone to share this with, it’s been so hard alone,” Emily said with a soft sigh. “On the other hand, it feels so natural, as if it’s meant to be.”

  “I’m sure it is meant to be,” Nick said as she started swimming again.

  “Whatever happens with David, I’ll always thank God for both of you.” Emily stopped floating and began to swim.

  “Emily, since we’re already into swimming and riding, how about starting the day in the gym downtown?” Nicole suggested. “Then we can come out here and ride to relax.”

  “Sure, I’ll give it a try,” Emily agreed, “but I have to watch the time.”

  “I know. Tomorrow I want to do the makeover and photo shoot, so we’ll skip a day at the ranch. Okay?” Nicole smiled. “The photographer I have lined up has to leave town the day after tomorrow, so tomorrow’s the day.”

  “Tomorrow then, I hope I don’t lose my nerve.” Emily hit the edge of the pool and turned.

  The next day Nicole picked Emily up and took her to the gym. The gym was almost ready to open. It was a surprisingly cheerful atmosphere with bright colors and soft lighting. There were pictures on the walls and soft rock music in the air.

  First, Emily changed into her workout clothes and Nicole took her picture, measurements and weig
ht, all without letting Emily see the results. Then Emily followed Nicole around, testing each machine, and learning about things like reps and intervals. She learned how to check the weights on each apparatus and how to adjust them so they were right for her.

  Then, after a short workout, she showered and dressed. Nicole took Emily next door to a photography studio that her friends owned. Almost as soon as they entered the studio Nicole and a photographer named Hans were discussing Emily’s face, coloring and hair with a hairstylist and a make-up artist.

  “Emily,” Nicole said, noticing a trace of panic on Emily’s face, “we’re ignoring you, I’m sorry. In this business we get into the bad habit of discussing the person we’re working on almost as though they weren’t there. In modeling it’s as if the model is a set of body parts, not a person. I guess if we’re going to work with private citizens as clients we’re going to have to be more sensitive.”

  “That’s okay,” Emily told her, “I guess that’s why you needed me as a guinea pig.”

  “We’re going to do three sets of shots. First, we’ll do some everyday looks with just a touch of make-up and a real easy, low-maintenance hairstyle. We’ll shoot you in casual clothes. Then we’ll show you how to dress up your hair and make-up for a business environment, how to dress for success. We’ll shoot you in some business suits and dresses. Finally, we’ll do some high fashion shots with complete high fashion hair and make-up, and shoot you in an evening gown.”

  Almost before Emily knew what was happening to her, she was sitting in a beautician’s chair getting her hair cut and styled. Then it was sectioned and highlights were put on. Her hair was being brushed and blow dried as the make-up artist gave her a manicure. Finally, the make-up artist applied a light dusting of blush, some eyeliner and mascara, and a deep rose colored lipstick to Emily and she was given a wide print skirt and a bright knit top to wear, along with a pair a strappy sandals.

  The final result looked cool and comfortable, yet crisp and sharp. Emily’s hair fell in soft waves, slightly below her shoulders and she had soft bangs across her forehead.

  “You look great, Emily,” Nicole told her enthusiastically. “Do you like it?”

  “It looks great!” Emily worried, “But will I be able to keep it up?”

  “Sure, this is all easy maintenance. I’ll show you how to do it,” Nikki volunteered.

  The photographer shot a few shots of Emily on artificial grass in a picnic setting. It reminded Emily of the lunch she had made for David and she found herself daydreaming about that day.

  “She’s a natural in front of the camera. I thought we’d have to coax her into relaxing but she’s perfect.” The photographer was practically gushing.

  “She’s great!” Nicole agreed. “I’m shocked, and I suggested it.”

  “I’d give half a million dollars to find out what was causing that expression on her face,” the photographer whispered to Nicole.

  “I hope that expression has something to do with my brother, David,” Nicole whispered back.

  The photographer finished his shots and told them to get ready for the business set-up. Emily found herself being worked on again, her face was cleansed and redone, this time with a warm beige liquid foundation and a light powder. Again it was topped off with mascara, eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. Her hair was pulled and twisted into a classy French roll. She was given a new set of clothes to wear. This time, a well made support bra, panties with tummy control and sheer hose over all that. She had a soft tan business suit with a soft peach silk blouse. She wore heels that matched the suit, a gold necklace, and small shell shaped earrings completed the outfit.

  This time the photos were shot in an office setting. They shot Emily standing next to a file cabinet and then sitting at a desk working, even one with Emily sitting with her back to the desk, leaning back in her chair with the phone up to her ear, laughing. Again, Emily had no hesitation in front of the camera.

  Finally, Emily was put through the mill again. Her face stripped of all make-up, her hair set in rollers. Everyone ate lunch except Emily, the hairdresser and the make-up artist. Finally, Emily was ready to dress. This time she was not even allowed to see her face when it was done but it seemed to Emily that the Sistine Chapel had probably been painted in less time. She was given a different bra to wear under her evening dress, it was a push-up bra that accentuated her cleavage. The dress was a vibrant, hot red. It had a fitted bodice, heavily beaded, and then fell away in soft folds. The neckline was daring, cut very low and square, revealing more cleavage than Emily ever had before. She had black high heels and black lace hosiery. To set it all off, she had a stunning necklace that she sincerely hoped was not made of real diamonds and rubies, and long hanging matching earrings. Last of all her hair was combed out into a fluffy mass of wavy curls.

  “It’s a shame we didn’t get a guy in a tux to pose with her,” the photographer muttered as he maneuvered Emily into position.

  “If we had, David would kill us,” Nicole told him.

  “Like that, is it?” he answered back. “David’s not usually the jealous type. I’ll say this for him though, he can sure spot quality.”

  Hearing this, Emily added, “Especially because I was covered with dirt and grime when we met.”

  “Maybe we should have made her up in the grunge look.” Hans laughed.

  After a few shots, they put her in another dress. This one was tangerine. The make-up artist and hairstylist left. Emily was posed in a new setting.

  Finally, with a little firm persuasion on Nicole’s part, they shot a few shots of Emily in a black lace nightgown and peignoir set.

  “You guys don’t think you’re going to get me to pose, um, topless do you?” Emily asked suspiciously when Nicole told her to remove the peignoir.

  They both flushed slightly as Nicole rushed to explain to Emily, “I just thought you’d like a few boudoir shots, nothing topless, just a tad bit racy in case you wanted to give them to, umm, someone as a gift.”

  “Besides, if you want to model, you’ll need some lingerie shots for your portfolio,” Hans added.

  “Oh, that’s okay then.” In a move that surprised both Nicole and the photographer, Emily removed the peignoir and let one slender strap of the nightgown slide off one of her shoulders and down onto her arm.

  She posed standing there, then posed for several shots on the stage bed in the background. In several shots, the nightgown seemed to be poised at the very brink of falling completely to her waist. In one final shot she crossed her arms under her breasts, pushing them together and up, almost out the top of the gown. In the last shot she turned her back to the camera, then turned her head to wink at Nicole and the photographer as she let the gown fall to her waist. The photographer snapped the picture just as the gown seemed to be caught on her hips before falling gently to the ground.

  With her back still to the camera, Emily bent over and pulled the gown back into place before it fell completely.

  She turned to a stunned Nicole and said with a grin, “Good enough?”

  “My God. Emily! Whoever told you that you were shy was an idiot. You’re a natural!” Nicole was enthusiastic.

  “I got some great shots, wait until you see them.” The photographer was excited. “You two go away for a while so I can get these developed.”

  “Why don’t you bring them to Emily’s when they’re ready?” Nicole suggested.

  “Do you have any wine?” Hans asked Emily.

  “Sure,” Emily lied shamelessly.

  “Any spaghetti?” Hans asked.

  “I can fix some,” she replied.

  “I’ll have the proofs there by eight. Just give me the address,” Hans said with enthusiasm.

  “I do know that for a session like this you could charge a lot more than wine and a spaghetti dinner,” Emily said softly. “All those poses, with a whole team working on me. I really want to thank you.”

  “It was no problem, we had fun,” Hans told her. “And remember
, if we sell some shots we’ll get a cut, so that’s fair.”

  Emily changed back into her own clothes then got into Nicole’s sports car. They planned to stop at a grocery store on the way home.

  Chapter Ten

  As they drove home, they talked some more and Emily had one request for Nicole.

  “Nicole, please don’t tell David about the photos just yet,” she asked. “I want to surprise him, at least I want to if any of these came out okay.”

  Nicole laughed then said, “Em, I think you’re going to be the one getting a surprise!”

  They stopped at the store and bought some groceries. Emily was startled to realize how Nick had to hide herself just to avoid being noticed. She put on a stocking cap, tucking her hair up and out of sight, then she put on large sunglasses that covered her face. She walked into the store with her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

  “Do you have to do that all the time,” Emily whispered to her, “hide yourself to avoid being noticed?”

  “I don’t do it around my home in the stores where I usually shop. They’re used to me,” Nick explained. “And when I have time, I just take the chance I’ll be noticed and have a fan come up to me. I really don’t mind as long as I’m not in a hurry. It’s the price I pay for being a model. Most of the fans are nice. I run into a lot of young girls who want to be models, so I take time to talk to them. I explain the difficulties and the pressures of the job but still I’ve given a few of my agency’s business cards out. This time I wanted to avoid the distraction so we can get home and cook.”

  “Do you ever get the other kind?” Emily asked quietly. “The fans that are just plain nuts or even scary?”

  “It happens.” Nicole went silent.

  They bought a couple of bottles of wine, lettuce and other ingredients for a field salad, bottled salad dressing, garlic bread, and ingredients for Nikki’s spaghetti sauce. Emily grabbed a cheesecake at the store’s bakery.

  Emily and Nicole, along with Emily’s mother had a ball fixing the spaghetti. As they worked, Nicole questioned Emily about her relationship with her brother David. Although she hardly made any comments, Nicole read most of what she needed to find out in Emily’s face.