The Second One

Tess asked Management to print a photograph from the picnic. She wanted one to send to her mother.

She sent us two.

In the first, we sat at the end of the bench with both hands on our knees. Tess’s mother was looking down at the dog.

In the second, her mother was laughing. Tess leaned against her. We had begun to turn our head, and our face was blurred.

We opened the first photograph and pressed Print.

Tess came over with an envelope.

“The second one, please.”

“This one is sharper.”

She looked at the screen.

We made the photographs bigger.

“There,” we said, pointing to our face.

“Mum’s clear,” said Tess.

She sat at the next desk and began a note.

The first photograph came out. We put it on the desk and sent the second to the printer.

When the second was ready, Tess put it in the envelope with her note and wrote the address.

We stood the first photograph against our mug.