Snapshot of the City

Snapshot of the City 

Chapter 5

Jake:

Ok, I thought, I think that these are the best pictures I took. Now I just must ask my parents if they will take me to the competition. I was so nervous thinking about the photo competition I had entered. But, every time I started to doubt myself, I remember, “If you hadn’t taken these photos, these little details would have been lost forever.” Ms. Honda said that to me after she found some pictures I had taken in the garbage. I hadn’t thought that they were good, but Ms. Honda brought some light to them. 

I packed up the rest of my materials that I would need for the photo competition because it was tomorrow, and I liked to be prepared. Then I headed downstairs to ask my mom my question. 

Mom:

Thud, thud, thud. That must be Jake, I thought as someone came down the stairs.

“Jake, time for breakfast!” I yelled to him. Apparently, he was the one coming down the stairs because he responded, 

“OK, Mom! No need to yell though, I am right here. I also have a question for you.”

“OK. What do you need?”

“Remember when I told you about the photo competition and how it sounded cool? Well, I took a few photos and submitted them. I entered the competition!”

“Yes, I do remember that. But what do you want to ask me?”

“I need someone to take me there. Will you do it? The competition is tomorrow.”

“I am sorry buddy. I have a big meeting tomorrow at work even though it is a weekend. Your dad is busy too.” I told him sadly. He went back up to his room grumbling under his breath.

Jake:

I went back up to my room and racked my brain for who else I could ask to take me. I was not going to back out that easily. I had worked hard to take good pictures and now that I had confidence in them, I was determined to stay in the competition.

After a few more minutes, I thought of Uncle Lou. He could take me, I thought. I ran back down stairs.

“Hey Mom, can I bike to Uncle Lou’s house? I need to ask if he is doing anything tomorrow. If he isn’t then he could take me to the photo competition,” I asked excitedly.

“OK, buddy. But just be back by lunch,” she responded. I raced quickly to my bike feeling my spirits rise quickly. I hopped on my bike and peddled as hard as I could to Uncle Lou’s. When I got there, I knocked on his door.

Uncle Lou:

Knock, knock. Who could that be? I wondered sitting up in my bed, it is only… 10:35!  I realized that I had slept through my alarm, AGAIN! I trudged to the door. When I opened it Jake was standing there. 

“Hey there, squirt. What do you need?” I asked, mussing up his hair. He playfully stated away my hand.

“Ok, I really need someone to take me to a photo competition,” he said.

“Wait. Back up. You are in a photo competition?!”

“Yes! Remember when you helped me develop some pictures that I took? I submitted them to a photo competition.”

“Well, when is this competition?”

“The competition is tomorrow afternoon. Can you make it?” Jake asked hopefully. 

“Sorry squirt,” I said, “I have a baseball game to go to. I already payed for the tickets. Next time.” I said good bye to him and saw him leave disappointed.

Jake:

Is anyone who can take me actually free tomorrow? I wondered. It felt like the whole world was against me going to that photo competition. Then I realize, Wait, many Mom could call Ms. Honda and see if she is free tomorrow. I asked my mom if she could call Ms. Honda and Mom said yes. 

Ms. Honda:

Ring, ring. I picked up my phone. 

“Good morning. Who might this be?” I asked into my phone.

“Good morning to you too. I am Jakes mom and I was wondering if you could possibly take him to a photo competition tomorrow?” Ah, so Jake did take my advice and enter that competition, I thought.

“Yes, of corse I will take him. After all, I have nothing better to do,” I responded. I was so proud of him for having that much bravery. 

The next day I drove to his house. He ran outside with a backpack full of his photos as soon as he saw my car. 

“Thank you so much! I really appreciate this, Ms. Honda,” Jake exclaimed to me. 

“I would love nothing more,” I responded. Then we drove off.

Jake:

I was so glad that Ms. Honda agreed to take me to the competition. She was my last hope.

“What do you think that it will be like at the photo competition?” I asked Ms. Honda. 

“You know almost as much as I do. I am the art teacher. But I have been to many art competitions. They are probably similar,” she told me. Then she explained to me all about what the art competitions were like. She told me what to expect and what not to expect. She told me what the judges might want me to say about my pictures too. She was very helpful. 

“Where here!” Ms. Honda said at last.

“I am so nervous and excited at the same time!” I said excitedly.

“Well just keep in mind that this is your first time, so don’t be too upset if you don’t get an award,” she told me wisely. 

“OK. But I still hope I do well,” I responded. Then we parked the car and walked inside. 

When we got in we had to sign in. 

“Are you the parent or guardian of this child?” The front desk lady asked Ms. Honda.

“No, but I am the boys art teacher. His parents were busy, so I told them that I could bring him,” Ms. Honda told her.

“OK, if you may proceed to the judging area at this time. I can show you the way,” the front desk lady said. When we got to the room it was big and I saw other people already setting up. The other pictures looked so good compared to mine. All of the sudden it felt like there were a hundred butterflies taking flight in my stomach. 

Once I had set up my pictures on my assigned table, Ms. Honda had to leave the room. The other adults besides the judges had to leave too. 

Then the judges started to come around to the tables. After what seemed like forever, a judge finally came up to my table. She looked like she was in her mid twenties. The judge examined my photos and scribbled down notes on her pad of paper. 

“Is this your first competition?” She asked me.

“Yes it is. Are my pictures bad?” I asked sadly. 

“No! Not at all! The photos are amazing! Especially for a beginner. In fact, even if you do not get a prize I would love to teach you all about photography at my studio,” she said smiling. “My name is Emma Lesky.”

“Oh. Thank you so much for the offer, but I don’t know if my parents can afford something like th-“ I got cut off. 

“For free, silly. I would like to teach you for free!” She said. I beamed.

“I would love to!” I told he excitedly. As she walked away I felt exhilarated! I had a really good feeling.

Then a voice over the intercom said, “You will find out if you will get a prize in 5 minutes.” OK, I thought, I can wait 5 minutes. But, I soon realized that when you are as excited as I was, 5 minutes feels like 5 years!

Finally, the voice said, “I have the results! Ok, in 6th place: John Mald! In 5th place: Liam Anderson!” Oh no! I thought, my name hasn’t been called yet. That probably means that I wont get a prize! I didn’t think that I would get 4th, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st place. The voice continued . . . “In 4th place: Louis Anthony!” . . . “Now for the top three. In 3rd place: Jake Madden!” Wait is that my name?! I thought. I got 3rd place! I didn’t hear the rest of the names over the excited pounding of my heart. I was so happy!

When the adults were aloud to come back in I watched expectingly for Ms. Honda. At last she came into sight.

“How did you do?” She asked. I tried to look disappointed so I could surprise her, but I couldn’t hold it in. 

“I got 3rd place!” I blurted out. She congratulated me profusely.

Then we walked back to her car and drove home.

Mom:

Knock, knock. Someone knocked at the door. 

I had just got back from my meeting at work. When I opened the door Jake and Ms. Honda were standing there. Apparently they were back from the photo competition. 

“How did it go?” I asked sensitively since it was his first time.

“I got 3rd place!” He exclaimed happily. “I have so much to tell you,” he added. After we told Ms. Honda bye and thank you, he filled me in on everything.

 

Jake:

I could tell that my mom was overwhelmed from the massive down pour of info from the photo competition, so I made sure to explaine everything well. 

From the competition I learned not to give up. I also learned a lot from, Emma, the judge who offered me the photo lessons. Now I know that I can do anything I put my mind to and then work hard at.