Page 76 of Aperture

I can’t help but think about a question that’s been nagging at the back of my mind since last night.

Why would Theo leave that picture on my desk?

Assuming it was Theo. I can’t seem to let it go, so against my better judgment, I call him. It goes straight to voicemail. That’s unusual, but maybe he’s working. I decide to leave a message.

“Hi Theo, it’s me. I know I’m probably the last person you want to hear from right now, but I really need to talk to you. It’s important. Please call me back.”

I begin making a marinade for some chicken. When I still haven’t heard from Theo in a couple hours, I call again and leave another message, this one more urgent.

“Theo, please call me. I’m sorry to do this but I need to talk to you about something right away.”

The afternoon shadows begin to move around my living room as I continue to pace, trying to put the pieces of the past few months together.

Without Theo’s help, I’m coming up empty. I need to know if he snuck into my house and why. Without giving it much thought I grab the keys and run out the door.

I show up at Sarah and Jeff’s house looking for answers. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to find, but maybe she can somehow help me clear my confusion.

Who is Theo Brissett?

Is he the man I have come to know and care about, or the man that Wyatt has described to me over the past few months?

I know it’s against all of my professional ethics, but I looked up his sister’s address from the information she gave me ahead of their photoshoot. I steady my breath and knock on the door.

I can hear kids laughing and running around inside, and my heart hurts, knowing I won’t get to spend time with them anymore.

Sarah answers the door with a wide smile, which slightly falters when she sees me.

“Um, Hi, Sarah. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.” She looks momentarily surprised, but then recovers.

“Of course, Millie. Come on in.”

She leads me into the kitchen and we take a seat at the bar.

“Can I get you something to drink? Coffee? Tea?” she asks.

“Tea would be wonderful. Thank you.” Sarah gets up and busies herself making tea. She returns moments later and places a cup in front of me.

“You know Theo is out of town?”

“I didn’t know,” I tell her. That explains why he isn’t answering me. At least, I hope that's the reason. “Actually, I was just hoping to talk to you a bit.”

“Is everything OK with you two?” She questions.

“No. We, um, broke up.”

“He didn’t tell me,” she sighs sadly. “He called yesterday to say he had to go out of town. He didn’t sound like himself, but I thought it was just because he was stressed about work.”

“I don’t want to speak badly of him or our relationship. He means a lot to me, but he never really let me see who he really is. Does that make sense?”

“Is that why you’re here? For answers?”

“I guess so. He never really explained to me why he is so guarded.”

“Hmm.” She nods her head. “It’s true that he is a bit guarded. I think it’s because of his past.”

“His past?” I question.

“Yes, with his biological mother.”