A Picture of a Love

"No....no....I still don't think it's there," Robert said; stroking his chin and holding back a tear. It was so close.

Steven shrugged his head to the side; giving the exasperated look only artists seemed to give. His blond long hair flung over his eyes and, for a moment, he was too distressed to even move it away. Yes, he did not mind taking Roberts money again and again but there was a point where it became to over bearing and too much of a lost cause. Steven assumed this was as any other case when a perfectionist came looking after a painting; anything he did would never do. His wallet was happy but his ego took a hit every time Robert did that shrug and shake.

"Is it the coloring this time? I felt on the last one the hair wasn't bright enough. From the picture you gave me the  blonde hair showed hints of gray and I thought to maybe dim those out a little more and add brightness would give the women the beauty she deserved," Steven said; stepping forward to stand side by side to Robert; waiting for him to give him something.

"I noticed that. It seems next time you should call me before doing that. As you can guess I'm a very particular man Steven and there was a reason I gave you that exact picture."

"Well, maybe you could share with me that reason. Right now you haven't even told me who this women is in the picture. You're going off the work I am getting from a connection with a Polaroid. Maybe if I knew a story behind it; of the person herself."

Robert's face turned and his hand left his chin. His eyes were watery and spoke of pain past. He contained it well enough to not make it awkward but Steven knew he had found at least something; even if Robert chose to storm out of the studio and not talk to him again.

"Maybe I have been unfair...but....its a touchy subject. Let me describe her to you; as I once saw her when her beauty had not eclipsed that of earth's greatest offering.

She was not the women I first thought I loved but she was the first women I loved. It was the most adult form of infatuation you could find and I was perplexed by the feeling when I first saw her. Her blond hair was as bright as you painted it now and her smile was like a warm fire in the cold of winter. She was quick witted and humorous too the point of instant comfort. I knew exactly what I was getting myself into that day, fifteen years ago and I knew that I wanted to live ever second I was with her like it was my last. I'm lucky I did," Robert said; his eyes drying and a smile crossing his face.

"You married her then?" Steven asked.

"Oh yes. It was the best day of my life. Only a few months after we met. We were both so young and indestructible; back when the world was at our feet."

"I know the feeling," Steven said; thinking how stupid he was to be frustrated with this man who had found true love.

Steven continued to look at Robert and then looked back at the painting. This was a painting of a forty something old women; not the young fox that Robert had described. The wrinkles were starting to show and her eyes had years beyond her age. Now that Steven had looked and heard some the hair didn't match the face; it was more artificial then anything. If he had only known.

"Why do you want to see her like this? Why not when she was younger?" Steven asked.

Robert continued looking at the picture for what seemed to be an eternity. Then he picked up his hat and coat from the table to his right and turned to face Stephen. His eyes weren't wet and he seemed the most calm and composed as he had the whole night. He smiled at Steven and took a deep breath in.

"She is what we all are as we grow old, Steven. Shades and shadows of former years mixed into the frailness that points to our realization of fulfillment and dissatisfaction paints her face in that photo. She looks the most human out of any time in her life, the most natural. It's not her looks I want to remember Steven but it is her genuineness and humanity that I want to stay with me. Whether I can find that in a piece of art I don't know. I just want something else to be able to show what I feel," Robert said; sticking his hat on.

"If its something so true Robert, it doesn't need justification."

Robert smiled and patted Steven on the shoulder. Steven watched as the man walked away and out of the studio. Steven looked at the painting and gave a sigh. Ready to start anew, ready to express himself.