Margot

I'm starting with the picture. I smile with the poses, it's hard to evoke a two-page photo in a trendy, flashy magazine, which is easy to conjure up a real portrait portrait. It's in the Sears picture shop that Suzanne and I had tasted all through childhood, complete with white fence and fake clouds on the backdrop and a rug brown rug washed our elbows. I understand what Andy intended to say - and that question, in a more technical form, has been repeated in my head for the past few days. I told him I had not talked to the art director or photo editor so I was not sure they wanted to, but I also had some idea about the feeling of the photo. "I thought it would be sad. Nearly gloomy, "I said. "Specifically related to Drake's AIDS prevention." "Are you going to shoot indoors or outdoors?" Andy asked. "I know you like natural light. Or a place with many windows or outdoors. It may be tricky to manipulate the exposure of the image, "I said." What overpowered me? "Andy asked, the way I used to ask him questions that were essentially procedural, It's a technique where the subject gets a good light, usually at noon, but the background fades to black, "I explained. "That's pretty common when shooting outdoors. You will notice if you notice. "Andy nodded." Well, maybe the hotel has a terrace. That's great. Or you can go out to the pool, or, God, in the pool! You know - to throw a five-ball, like that. "I laughed, imagining Drake in his Speedo pants and thinking that Andy seemed more excited than I am. I think that's partly because he's still a big fan of Drake's passionate over the years. But I suppose that's mainly due to the trend of captivating his stars, which is a clear and interesting contrast (however, Margot will call a face loss) in a way that is completely unimportant to celebrities. Of the majority of Manhattan residents, it's almost a symbol of fame. The more sophisticated the style, the more certain it is that people are sure that their own lives are just exaggerated, bland and boring. But Andy is not. I think of his frenetic enthusiasm when we discovered Spike Lee at an ATM on the West Side - or Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedwick running in the park ("get one get two!") - or Liv Tyler is contemplating the stationery at Kate's Paperie - or better yet, Dustin Hoffman (1) is leading his black dog for a walk in East Hampton. After we passed Dustin and the dog, Andy told me that he had to use every nerve to refrain from shouting the famous phrase in The Graduate - "Just one word ... plastic!" - That made me laugh, but perhaps Dustin would not be so interesting. But Dustin Hoffman on the beach is one thing; Drake Watters at a photo shoot is a completely different story. So when Andy suggested me, half jokingly said, please write him, I shake my head resolutely. "Not possible," I said, "Come on," he said, reaching over his desk to steal. a piece of my fat liver, which we both agree that a very thin slice in the fringe would be a better choice. "Just ask him to write sweet lines. A few words like ... 'Give Andy, my dear friend and also my great inspiration. Drake Watters. 'Or he just signed' Drake '... Or even' Mr Watterstein. 'That's all right. "I laughed, forgot about the time when I bought the junk. Teen Beat that Drake's real name is Watterstein. I remember how fascinated I was about such interesting details - Drake's real name! Rob Lowe's favorite dish! Ricky Schroder's love interest! River Phoenix's new pet dog! Andy looks dumbfounded - or at least pretended to be. "Are not you really asking for me? Seriously? "" Seriously, "I say. "I'm really, really not." "Okay, Annie," he said. This is the third time he's scoffed, but in a voice of admiration, liking me to Annie or Miss Leibovitz, and it makes me feel like a freak all the time. A liar who did not tell him the whole truth about why I got that job. However, on the other hand, that task began to lose its Leo sense, and I was able to convince myself that it was really thanks to my talent that I got it. In the end, I reassure myself, Leo's true intentions (soothe the guilt of the way he treated me, generosity, because he saw my work and actually To seduce me, at least mentally?) is now absolutely nothing important. That job is mine, and it's a job I know I can do well. I nhBe determined not to be threatened by Drake or Platform. And I definitely do not let myself feel indebted to Leo, if in fact it is his purpose. When I eat the last morsel, I concessions my husband. "OK. Okay, "I said. "Let's get the autograph thing up and I'll count on it ... If Drake and I work together, and the photo shoot goes well, I'll tell him my funny brother wants his autograph. Hey. Are you okay? "" Okay, "Andy said cheerfully, ignoring my" funny brother "comment, a mere act of steady manliness. I smiled, thinking that there was something more seductive than a man who did not take care of himself. The waiter stopped at the table and filled our champagne glass with a flair, bubbling upwards. all without being over. Andy gestured toward the end of the champagne bottle, asking if I wanted more. I nodded my head, enjoying the ease with which the words of needless communication came to many words of conjugal life, and envisioned a passionate love affair to commemorate this event tonight. Andy called for another bottle, then we continued talking about Drake and the photo shoot. Then, sometime during the elegant transition between appetizer and main course, Andy sat up straight and mirror His face grows so strangely. "Well," he began. For a second, I was frightened, thinking that he had seen my mobile bill, or if he knew I contacted Leo. "Yes?" I said, "I want to tell you something else." He wandered the napkin and smiled at me slowly, making me think that if he was my wife and I was my husband, I would make sure we were going to have babies. He looked really serious, nervous but excited at the same time. "What?" I asked, feeling happy that I was the one to be stripped of that particular information. Andy leaned over the table and said, "I'm leaving." I looked at him with anticipation as it was not the main message. Andy talked about resigning from the first day of work, which is pretty common with top law firms. "Any other news?" I said, "I mean it's going to happen," he said. "Actually, today I have prepared a letter of resignation." "Really?" I said. I've heard that embarrassing letter many times before - but never knew he really wrote it. He nodded, stroking his hand along the glass of water, and taking a long sip. He put the towel on his lips and said, "I really want to." "What for?" I said, wondering if Andy had ever followed his brother James's path - basically doing nothing but sleep, play golf and party drink. "Besides being on the side of your famous wife? Andy asked, winking. "Yes," I say, laughing. "Besides that?" "Well," he said. "I want to continue practicing law ... but want to do it in a smaller, less noisy environment ... more family." I thought I knew what he meant, but still waited for him to announce. That's for me. "In Atlanta," he finally said. "With my dad." I took a sip of wine, feeling my heart pounding with an inexplicable emotion as I spoke. I thought you would be happy to do that? "" I think so, "he said. "Your father would be shaking." "I know," I said. "Dad just mentioned that problem five times we visit." Andy looked into my eyes and said, "But you? How do you feel about it? "" What about you working with your dad? "I asked. I know I'm slow to understand that you want to talk about something bigger than your job, but I'm not sure why you're asking. " About Atlanta, "Andy said, playing with the knife in his hand. Obviously Andy and I have talked about moving house since, especially since

Margot left town. We even drove around looking at the houses on our most recent trip, but this time it feels different. This time the feeling is truthful, not hypothetical - and as Andy said, it's about to happen. To confirm, I asked, "You mean, I'll move in soon?" Andy nodded. Like this year? So early? "Andy nodded again and then rushed out a plethora of sincere, anxious words. "I never want to put pressure on you. If you want to stay in New York - or feel left here can hurt your career - you can stay. I mean, do not you hate this city or feel desperate to leave or anything like that ... But after a trip back to Atlanta ... and look at the houses ... and keep thinking To our little granddaughter who is about to be born, and our loved ones are getting old, and everything, really ... I do not know. I just feel ready to change. For an easier life. Or at least a different life. "I nodded, my mind spinning. No word Andy was wrong, not only because we discussed all of that before but also because now we have