My Springtime Masterpiece

A girl finds her masterpiece in a place she hardly ever expected

She was the finishing touch on a springtime masterpiece.

Outside the snow was beginning to melt giving birth to the first signs of Midwestern spring. Bright sunny skies and rich shades of emerald that had lied buried under mountains of snow for months finally shone through casting a glorious shine upon the landscape. I felt as if I could breathe again, winter always led to this terrible grey stagnancy permeating the body and soul down to the very marrow. Several bouts of depression were nothing unusual during the dead months, especially during times of economic hardship throughout the nation. It was amazing how a simple ray of sunlight could brighten up the entire atmosphere. Even something as mundane and routine as a family doctor's office.

She stood beside the window, a young girl perhaps nineteen, twenty years of age. A soft profile, large dark eyes and a gentle complexion complimented her shorter, healthy frame. She dressed modestly, modern but mindful, in a black and white striped t-shirt and simple blue jeans outlining just the right amount of figure to not be risqué. The sunlight set chestnut hair ablaze tracing the shape of every soft strand. Just by looking at her I could almost feel the velvet softness tingling at my fingertips. Mystery girl leaned back against the wall, an almost archway carved out in modern architectural fashion with wide glass windows between two pillars. Just her very presence seemed to give me the feeling I was gazing upon something magnificent, something one is permitted to see only once in a lifetime.

A spunky's nurse's voice called out. I blinked, suddenly losing my vision. Here I was in a doctor's office stricken with back pain and all I could think of was the beauty of a girl I would never speak to, never know the name of, never see again. The woman across from me rose, dragging along behind her a loud little child covered in sticky red lollipop residue. I watched the pair meet with the nurse at the door and just like that they were gone. People in this reality were all fleeting, a face seems familiar for only that while until they disappear and then once more it is nothing but another sea of strangers. Yet it was as if fate was calling my name.

It was just her and I alone in that office now. This attractive, hip young woman and myself, a girl of eighteen dressed in carpenter's jeans and a simple white button-down shirt. I felt as plain and simple as the landscape before her. There was something more mythical to this girl, a whole different realm to her. The way she smiled, the way she swayed to the song echoing form her ear buds, the way the springtime sun seemed to make her light up like an angel from holy hymns. I stuffed my hands into my pocket, feeling the cool screen of my digital camera. A photographer in the making; with any luck; I was never without it. She was the picture perfect opportunity. A wonderful edition to my modern Ohio gallery.

Slowly, I rose. No one had returned yet. My hands shook as I drew the camera from my pocket. This was ridiculous. I felt sneaky and dirty, like I was taking photos of a porn star. Illegitimate photography but to ask for consent would be to make the picture fake. Her elegance would not be pure anymore, it would be a pose. To make her pose was to shortchange her beauty. Natural grace was hard to find in this world, and I wasn't about to pass up the only chance I could get. If she got offended, it was digital, it could be deleted.

Her eyes fell on my the instant the shutter clicked. My gaze fell from hers, a powerful flush burning onto my cheeks. Here it comes, I thought. I'm going to be called a pervert and a freak, I'm going to have to explain and apologize and pray to whatever may listen she does not call the police on me. Next I knew, she had left her post and replaced herself before me.

"Umm.." My heart almost stopped dead in that instant. She was soft-spoken, sweet. "Did you..just..."

"Y-Yeah.." I looked up, knowing my face was still just as red. "I-I'm a photographer in training.. I.. You were just so.. It was a great shot and.."

She giggled. "A photographer...?"

"Y-Yeah.." I swallowed hard. "I'm more self-taught.. I'm still in high school so it's just a hobby now.."

She sniffled. Somehow, it was endlessly adorable. "Mnn.. I... Can I see it?"

"Sure.." I showed her the photo. Her eyes brightened up, the smile she gave me rivaling the glory of the sun in its pure spring skies. She was beautiful.

"You're a great shot... I'd love to see more of your work."

"R-Really?!" I tried not to sound too excited but she had been the first soul to ever compliment my work. "Thanks.. I'm glad you approve.. I have an online gallery if you'd like to see and.. If you'd be interested, maybe we could meet up for coffee some weekend and.. discuss a modeling partnership..?"

She blushed. Was this girl trying to kill me with her cute? "Wow.. Y-You really think I'd be a model..?"

"I love a girl with a healthy figure..." I smiled. "I think.. you're beautiful."

Mystery girl took out a pad and pen, quickly scribbling down something and shoving it into my hand. I unfolded it. Anne Fennson and her phone number. I picked up a girl without even trying. Her eyes seemed to grow bigger as I returned the favor. Try as I might, it was impossible to stop staring at her. Anne was a masterpiece, and masterpieces were to be rightfully admired.

The spunky nurse returned, calling out for Anne to come back. We passed little smiles and waves, planning to meet up the next weekend for coffee at the new Starbucks. I sat back down in the plush waiting chair, watching as Anne crossed the room to the nurse's side and vanished from sight. There are a million faces one will see in this world and a great deal of them will never be seen again. But it's the masterpieces, those that stand out against the plain, monotonous works of amateurs, that will stick around to be admired again and again throughout the test of time.

I knew without a doubt as I folded the paper in my fingers that I had finally found my masterpiece.

Reviews

[JMWrites]

I enjoyed this work, my only gripe with it is that I wish it were longer so I could find out how the modeling partnership turns out. Thanks for sharing!