Chapter 26 - The Family Photograph
Three years after the broken tent, Eudora suggested another annual family photo.
My first reaction:
Absolutely not.
Then Sorrel heard.
“I want.”
“Why?”
“Because funny.”
“What’s funny?”
“Everybody weird.”
Fair.
We gathered at lake.
Smaller than old years.
No formal white shirts.
Just camping clothes.
Dana.
Garrett.
Owen.
Me.
Sorrel.
Several cousins.
Eudora.
No demand who stands where.
Photographer said:
“Kids front.”
Sorrel went beside Owen.
Then looked at me.
“Dad, come.”
Adults usually behind.
I stepped forward.
Garrett started to as well.
Then stopped.
Sorrel noticed.
“Uncle too.”
Garrett came.
So the photograph had:
Bramwell behind Sorrel.
Garrett beside Owen.
Then boys switched positions at last second because they were making faces.
No blood geometry visible.
No one needed it.
Eudora stood at edge.
Not matriarch center.
Her choice.
After first photograph, Sorrel said:
“Funny one.”
Everyone made ridiculous faces.
That became the picture he liked.
The formal one went into Eudora’s album.
The funny one went on our fridge.
Three years earlier she had tried to remove him before sunrise to control one family image.
Now he ruined the image voluntarily with crossed eyes.
May you like
Perfect.
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