As the couple stepped out of their car Hannah gave the camera another, more dubious look. It had been a long time since she’d seen one of these types of cameras, true, but she’d never heard of any other camera having the kind of options this one was labeled with. “Hey babe…why don’t we get the kids together real quick for a family photo? I want to see if this thing actually works or if it’s just….I don’t know, a prop from a movie or something.” Hannah asked.
Chris raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we have done that before we bought this, then?” He laughed a little bit, then winced as Hannah playfully slapped his shoulder. “Okay, okay, I’ll call them down. Kids! Come down for a minute!”
The sounds of footsteps echoed down the stairs as Luke rushed down them, eagerly racing into the kitchen. He’d been asking for a new gaming console for weeks now, and excitement was starting to get the better of him. His parents had been dropping hints that he just might be getting it for his birthday in a couple weeks, and he couldn’t wait. Maybe they’d bought it early?
Abby sighed and put down her pencil. She’d just gotten a wave of inspiration for a song she was trying to write, and was half way through…..but she knew if she didn’t respond right away, her parents would just keep calling her name until she did. With a huff, she headed for the stairs and followed her brother down.
Matt shook his head. No matter how hard he tried, this science stuff just didn’t make any sense to him. He had wanted to try and get this homework done before practice this afternoon, but it just wasn’t happening. At this point he was eager for any excuse to avoid having to do any more of this junk. His dad’s call, therefore, came at the perfect moment. He eagerly hopped up and headed for the stairs.
Once their kids had assembled in the kitchen, Hannah announced “family picture time kids! Everyone get in here.” Luke looked crestfallen at the realization his gaming system wasn’t what they’d been called down for, but dutifully followed his siblings as they crowded together next to the parents. Little did any of them know, of course, that as Hannah had fiddled with the camera she’d accidentally flipped the switch labeled “awareness” to OFF. Hannah took careful aim…
FLASH
Henry blinked repeatedly, trying to clear his eyes as the light faded away. He’d forgotten just how bright those old cameras could be. Staring down at the photo the camera had proceeded to spit out, though, he had to admit it had turned out much better than he’d expected. There was still something to be said for old fashioned photography without filters or photoshop, he thought smugly.
“Earth to Henry? Hello?”
Henry snapped out of his thoughts with a start, his wife giggling at his reaction. “Hey buster, I’m the one with the excuse for being absent minded.” She said, gesturing down at her pregnant form. Henry smiled embarrassedly at the pretty brunette. “Sorry Krista. I just got lost in my thoughts again. What were you asking?”
“Daddy, we wanted to see the picture!” came the cry. Molly huffed and brushed a strand of her long blonde hair out of her face. Grownups could be so slow! the eight year old thought to herself. She desperately wanted to see how the picture had turned out, Mommy had promised that she could use it to take some pictures of her dolls. Her friends would be so jealous!
Henry turned a stern gaze on his daughter. “Molly….” He said. “Remember what we told you about tone?”
“Sorry, daddy.” Molly said, backing down in a hurry. Her parents weren’t very strict, but one thing they wouldn’t tolerate was rudeness. Henry nodded in approval and handed her the photo. Molly gasped in excitement. “It looks so good!” she said happily.
Andrew, the fourth member of the family, briefly glanced at the photo. “Okay, cool. Can I go now?” He asked, edging towards the stairs. He was in the middle of an intense online RPG session that he’d had to pause to come down here, and he was itching to get back to it. Henry gave him a stern look of his own. “Sorry….” Andrew mumbled.