Model Behavior

CH. 10: You Do That

Zac took a breath and then looked down at a very upset Mara and said, " Look I get that you're pissed but I just can't. I love Ally and honestly I don't really have the time". Mara looked past him at Ally who was at this point helping Diane wrangle kids and laughing loudly. "I was trying to do something nice for my sister is all. She's been following your work at ITZ and ugh I hate myself for even asking. I mean we haven't even talked since New York. Why did I even come?" She leaned on her car and looked at the ground feeling frustrated and embarrassed. "You know, I was so scared when I left our place and I couldn't show my face in town for months. Everyone just asked why I wasn't living it up in the city, or where you were. Then there was the emails and your letters and those fucking flowers. I've beaten myself up for years just knowing that you were off travelling and making great grades and loving that hell hole. You took to it so well and I just hated it." 

Zac stood sincerely surprised for a moment not sure what to say to her. For years he pondered what this conversation would be like and when Natalie or Nikki would speak about running into her in town he would sigh and tune out. He huffed as he dug his hands into his hoodie and then looked down at her and answered. " Yes, I know you hated it. I listened to you for months whine about it while I made ever effort possible for you. I don't owe you anything, and I'm not going there with you. I got over this years ago and I'm not having this conversation. Like I said in my email, my Christmas vacation is strictly for family and I won't be working during it. If your sister would like a session she can call the ITZ office or email me and I will be happy to schedule her in my studio. I will give her the discount I would give a family member." Mara felt defeated inside. She spent fifteen years fantasizing that he would come back in town and say hi, or they would bump into each other and that spark she felt her freshman year in high school would return. She certainly never thought she'd be blown off. She looked up at him and held back tears she didn't expect then got in her car and spoke through the open window. "Zac, I'm sorry I wasted your time. I wish you the best. " She then turned the car around and didn't look back once as she sped down the driveway and onto the road into town. 

Zac stood for a moment and smiled wide as Taylor walked over. "What was that about?" Zac sighed and led Taylor to the area they taped off for their shoot later in the evening. " I do believe I just told Mara to kick rocks." Taylor chuckled and patted his younger brother on the back. He knew just how devastated Zac was when the relationship dissolved. He got the drunk calls at 3 a.m. and once had even spoken to Mara himself to get answers but got nothing. 

There had also been calls from Zac speaking about Ally, his beautiful assistant. When they got to the field where the kids and Ally were playing tag Zac stopped and spoke. "Taylor, I love her you know. I'm going to marry her one day." It was with these words that Taylor smiled and patted his younger brother on the back. "You do that, Zac. If you find a woman that makes you look at her the way you do, then do it. Make her feel like a queen."