The Cabin by the Lake

I had been at the cabin for a few weeks, and each morning I am still in love with the place. Each morning I go for a run around the woods, taking in the scenery and the peacefulness. After living in a city as big as Boston for the past 4 years, you start to forget what peace sounds like. I found two wooden chairs in the small garage with A and F carved in them. I brought them out to the front of the lake and I often sit in my grandma’s chair as I either edit pictures or read one of the many books I never got around to reading in college. The cabin is small, just big enough for 2 people, maybe 3. When you walk in you enter the kitchen, there is a small table for two that goes in both the kitchen and the living room. The living room has one long couch, a love seat under the large window and a small TV. Off the kitchen is a small bathroom with the essentials, and off the living room is a bedroom with a queen size bed, dresser, and closet. It was simple…it was perfect. I often thought about staying here forever, maybe getting a dog. But I knew my money would soon run out, and I needed to start looking for a job.

Before the school year let out, I went to a few of the high school sport games. I wanted to photograph as much as possible to show my abilities in the portfolio I was gathering to send to my future job opportunities. My best shots were from the high school baseball team, and the high school hockey scrimmages, (hockey is a year round thing in Canada I guess). I took pictures of the audience and families cheering on their sons and daughters. I even gave some pictures to the year book to use.

After an afternoon baseball game, I headed back to cabin. I made a note to myself to mow the lawn when I got back. I made my way down the long path but instead of seeing the peaceful cabin and the lake, I saw a peaceful cabin, lake, mowed lawn, and someone putting the lawn mower away. “What the hell?” I parked my car and got out, not sure what to expect. “Excuse me?” I asked in a polite tone, not wanting to sound like a bitch. He turned to me, revealing a bearded face and soft eyes. I walked closer to him as he shut the doors to the small garage. He wiped his hands off on his pants, “Hello?” He seemed just as confused as I did. “Who are you?” I asked, keeping my distance. “I’m Zac, I mow the lawn and help out around this house…who are you?” He seemed familiar with the house, he seemed wary that I was the stranger and not him. “I’m Emily…I own the cabin…” He gave a confused look, “Annie owns this place.” He said in a statement, feeling very confident with himself. But it took me by surprise. “You knew my grandmother?” His eyes went sad, “You’re that Emily…” I nodded, pretending I knew what he was talking about. “I was going to go to the funeral…but Annie told me not to…she said…”I cut him off with a laugh, “I don’t want to be mourned, instead celebrate me and my life?” He laughed, “Those words exactly.” I smiled, thinking of the last conversation I had with grandma. “Would you like to come in for some lemonade?” He nodded, and followed me inside.

He washed up in the bathroom as I poured the lemonade and got some watermelon out of the fridge. He came out and smiled, “I like that you kept the décor the same.” I smiled, “My grandma and I have similar taste.” He laughed, “I can see that, she always brought our watermelon with lemonade.” I blushed, I’m not sure why. Maybe I was a little embarrassed? Watermelon and lemonade was something my grandma had always done when I was growing up. He sat across from me at the little table. He was wearing a black t-shirt that showed off his arm muscles, he had black hair but a red beard…I bet I could guess why grandma kept him around. We were silent for a few minutes; what do you say to the guy who mows your lawn? I caught him looking at me a few times, but I couldn’t tell why. I was starting to feel uncomfortable, I have no idea what to say to this guy. He stood up from the table, “I should probably head out.” I nodded and stood up with him, “Thank you for mowing the lawn.” He nodded, “I’ll be around. Annie made sure it was my job to keep this place looking good.” I smiled and thanked him again. I watched him walk into the woods until he got out of view. “Zac”, I said his name out loud and smiled. I wonder when I will see him next…I started to look through old photo albums my grandma had. I knew she took pictures of everything, there had to be one of him. Cabin was written on one, “this will be a good start”. I started to flip through the many pictures of the cabin in different season, of my grandma and grandpa enjoying themselves…and then the pictures stopped. This must have been when grandpa passed away. I flipped through the many photos of the garden and the lake. Then I came across a picture of my grandmother ice skating alone. The next ones were of her and someone else. He had dark hair, and held her hands gently. The snow had just fallen and it looked peaceful….this was this past winter. She was wearing the pink hat she knitted when she was trying to teach me. That must have been Zac. I took the photo out and kept it on the kitchen table in case I saw him again.
I was up early the next morning taking picture of the ducks that came to the small lake every morning. I heard some rustling behind me, but when I turned around I didn’t see anything. I heard it again, but decided to ignore it. The ducks stopped their search for food and started to quack and fly away, something spooked them. I heard something approaching me, but I was honestly too scared to turn around. What scared the ducks? I felt something wet on my arm, and nearly jumped out of my skin. I turned around to see big eyes looking at me. I smiled, “It’s just a dog.” I said in relief. I checked his collar, no identifying tags, but he does have a chip in him. I stood up to get ready to take him to the vet when I noticed the way the sunlight hit off his fur. The browns, whites, and blacks danced in the sunlight. “A few pictures wouldn’t hurt…” I brought the dog near the lake and took a few pictures of him sitting and looking at me or the water. He was really beautiful.

I sat on the grass with him and pet him for a few minutes, enjoying his happy company. His head was rested on my legs, and I felt peaceful. “Maybe I need a dog around here?” I said to my new friend. His ears perked up. “Hmm…so what is your name?” He rolled onto his back and I rubbed his stomach. He rolled back over and stood up, “Diesel!” I heard someone call, “Is that you buddy?” He ran towards the woods and I saw him greet Zac with a wagging tail. I stood up and started to walk over, “Are you trying to steal my dog?” He asked with a laugh. I shrugged, “I thought about it.” He smiled a big smile, which made me smile and laugh. “He was the perfect model, to be honest.” Zac laughed, “He’s a good guy.” Diesel walked up to me, and I knelt down to pet him, Zac watched us and I couldn’t help but noticed the goofy smile he had on. I stood up and held my camera. “Hey…could I take some pictures of you and diesel for my portfolio?” Zac smiled, but still asked “Why?” “Well…I want to show that I can photograph a wide variety of subjects…I’ve done sports, dancing, families, animals…and I think having the pet bond pictures would really hype it up.” He smiled, “You’re a photographer? Like your grandma?” I smiled, I loved being compared to her. “Sort of, she did it for fun…I just graduated with a degree and no job prospects.” He laughed, “We’d love to be your subjects. Just tell us what to do!” I smiled, I liked that he was okay with this. I Zac sit in Grandpa’s chair with Diesel next to him, I took back and front pictures, I had them in the grass, playing fetch, and just being them. I got great shots…and Zac was actually very photogenic.

After the photoshoot, the two followed me into the cabin for some snacks. “I don’t have any dog treats, but I do have watermelon!” Zac scrunched up his face, “Dogs don’t eat watermelon.” I laughed, “Some do. It’s actually a very healthy snack for them and keeps them hydrated.” I gave a small piece to Diesel who loved it, and gave him a small bowl. Zac and I snacked on some grapes as we sat across each other at the small table, and I noticed the picture I had put aside. “Oh! I have something for you!” I slid the picture over to him. He picked it up and smiled. “I remember this day…She was sad…it was snowing and she told me that Frank used to take her out on the pond to ice skate…on days that reminded her of him she liked to do the things they used to do together….she felt like he was there with her…but with her sickness she wasn’t strong enough. I ran back to my house and grabbed my skates. I had never seen anyone so happy. I helped her with her skates and she told me to place her camera on a table and bring it outside. She had some setting on it that took pictures every 10 seconds for 3 minutes…” He paused and grabbed something out of his wallet, a small envelope that was crumbled up. “That was the day she actually wrote this…I completely forgot about it until now…she told me to give it to you and to not read it.” I smoothed it out, “She also told me to tell you it’s the last one.” I held it in my hands, “Oh…thank you.” I gave a small smile…the last letter? “Just one second.” He nodded and I went into the bedroom and opened the envelope that had “Emily” on the front. It was a shorter letter than the others.

My Emily, This is the first letter I wrote and the last given to you. I know you wanted more but you have to let go of me sometime! Zac’s cute isn’t he? And very nice. He helps around the house; so keep him! He has a temper at times...but I know you can keep him in line…You know I don’t like to get too much involved in other people’s lives (haha) but he would make a nice boyfriend ;) Honestly Emily, he is a good friend. He was my friend, so hold onto him…at least for me. Emily, you will do great things. You are a great person. Show people the world through your eyes with your camera. Dream big. I love you, my Emily. Grandma.

I came out of the bedroom and just watched Zac sit there petting Diesel. She was right, he is cute…I went back to the table and sat down, “So, did she say anything nice about me?” I smiled, “define nice…” he laughed and I smiled. Hearing what my grandmother thought of him, and the nice things he’s done for her…I don’t know…he just seemed more attractive than before…”Well I should probably get diesel home.” I nodded, but I wanted to make sure I saw him again… “You know, I’ll probably have these photos done by tonight, if you wanted to take a look and see if you wanted any?” He smiled, that smile where I think he knew I was trying to have him come back… “I’d love to take a look, see you tonight…around 7?” I smiled, “Perfect.” I said goodbye to Diesel and watched them go into the woods. I immediately started working on all my photos so that I still had time to shower and make some snacks and maybe pick up some wine…

Notes

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