Picturing Will Read Online Free Page A

admired them greatly. It made Jody feel a little bad that she stored so many things Will gave her in the corner cabinet, but really, what was she supposed to do with so many presents?
    Duncan knocked on the door. He had come to borrow her vacuum. Duncan was twenty-eight and young for his years. Mel was sure that he had a crush on her. He asked her opinion of cameras he would never buy, stood very tall when she complimented his cooking, and was always available to baby-sit if a sitter canceled at the last minute. Will assumed that Mel could follow up in teaching him ballet steps that Duncan had been showing him. He was entranced when Duncan snipped flowers from their stems and tucked the blossoms on trays of food he prepared, and he didn’t see why his mother wouldn’t adorn their dinner with sprigs of lilac. Duncan was always cheerful—and so hopeful—that even Mel occasionally made fun of him behind his back, rolling his eyes and posturing the way Duncan did when he was being praised.
    “Are you sure?” Duncan said, standing in the hallway. “If you need it to clean up—”
    “It gives me the perfect excuse not to vacuum,” Jody said. “Take it. Keep it as long as you want.”
    “Well,” Duncan said, reaching into the deep pocket of his sheepskin coat and bringing out a little rectangle wrapped in foil. He thrust it toward her, the same way Will gave her something he was shy about handing over.
    “Brandy walnut cake,” Duncan said. “It’s an improvement on the cake I made with hazelnut flour that you liked so much.”
    “Oh, thank you,” she said. “It isn’t necessary to give me something just because you’re borrowing the vacuum, though.”
    “Not because it’s necessary. Because you’re one of my best testers.”
    “Thank you,” she said again. She opened the door of the hall closet. He rushed forward and took out the vacuum. Previously, he had borrowed books, blankets, vases, and her slide projector. Since he was a caterer, he could hardly borrow a cup of sugar. When he returned the things, he always brought her something in return for the favor: beeswax candles, tulip bulbs, a brass stirring spoon.
    “Babette’s Feast is playing at the movies this week,” he said. “Have you seen it? I was wondering if—”
    “Thanks,” she said. “Actually, I have seen it.”
    “Who’s baby-sitting on Halloween?” he said.
    “Will’s going to a party.”
    He nodded. “I was supposed to cater that Halloween party you’re photographing, but the guy canceled.”
    “He canceled the party?”
    “No. The food. He must be using somebody cheaper. I got the feeling he didn’t like my prices.”
    She shrugged. “Then he’s a creep,” she said. “Your prices are fair. Don’t worry about it.”
    “I’m catering quite a few things on Halloween,” he said. “He invited me to come to the party anyway, but I don’t think I’m going to go.” He looked at the vacuum. “Well,” he said, “I ought to be going.”
    “Thanks for the cake,” she said. Didn’t he realize that she was anxious for him to leave? “Maybe I’ll see you if you decide to go to the party.”
    He nodded. “You might want to put the cake in the refrigerator if you’re not going to eat it right away,” he said.
    “I will,” she said. “Thanks again.”
    “Let me know if it’s not sweet enough. I like to get by with as little sugar as possible.”
    “I’m sure it’s perfect.”
    “But let me know if it isn’t,” he said.
    She looked at him. He looked at the vacuum. “Find out who’s catering it if you can,” he said.
    “I could call the next day and ask if anybody else got sick,” she said.
    “No, don’t do that,” he said, alarmed.
    “Kidding,” she said, smiling.
    He clicked his fingers. “I forgot to bring Mel’s book back.”
    “I’m sure he’s in no hurry for it,” she said.
    “Well,” he said, “maybe I’ll see you at the party.”
    She opened the door and smiled. Duncan lifted the