Wondering Afternoons
An intimating police SUV sits in the middle of the road. They move to my side view mirror. Then I see this couple up on my left. I hope the timing works. I need to get just around the bend so they don’t see me trying to drive and shoot at the same time. I’m not sure why I’m worried, they don’t really care.
The corner conceals me and I pull even with them. No on coming traffic. I press the shutter.
I imagine she said “let’s sit for a minute.” Decades together. The kids are somewhere down the coast busy with their careers and kids. They walk on the water and just sit. Comfortable. Content. Her eyes are closed. Hands on knees. Taking in the afternoon. He watches a formation of fighters come in over the bay for another practice run.
35 mm 1/2500 f/1.4 ISO 64
Two frames later. I can hear the jets now. Modelo man catches me. There is so much happening around us but at the same time, it’s not. I wonder what he thinks when he passes the couple on the bench. I wonder if he has a special someone. Regardless, I love his confidence and his choice to take this walk. “Just me and my Modelo.”
35 mm 1/2500 f/1.4 ISO 64