30 Jennifer “Funnel cake, honey?” my mom asked. “Yes, please.” We walked around downtown, where food trucks had taken up most of the LHUCA area. I’d been up here this morning in one of the studios, working with another portrait appointment and then a couple who wanted carnival-themed engagement shots. The portrait session had taken everything out of me—in the best way. I felt like the session was a focal point. Like I was almost done with the first round. Almost ready to show the world what I’d been working on. I had one more shoot tonight that I was beyond excited for. Though it was a secret. I hadn’t even told Julian. Thinking about it was actually a nice distraction from Julian dealing with his dad. No matter that my anxiety was being managed, I took on other people’s anxiety as my

