The Perfectionist

Kate reached in her purse and checked her cellphone as she crossed the corridor to her classroom. She hated that Jack hadn't called.

“Morning, Kate.”

Kate brushed her auburn bangs neatly to the side as she looked up.

“Hey, Carmen.”

Carmen taught art appreciation in the room next to Kate's. Kate wished Jack shared her love for art, but to Jack art was just another possession.

“Ready for the last day of the semester?”

Kate sighed. “I hope so. I put together a powerpoint on early Renaissance and I 'm praying the disc plays for class. You know how I am with those wires.”

Carmen snickered, “Yeah - well, you can always call Diego.”

“Diego,” Kate said as she tightened her French twist and straightened her silk jacket, “...worn-out jeans, flip-flops and t-shirts. Really, Carmen, the man has no class.”

“Kate, I don't think anyone has class next to Jack. I mean, he bought you a Porsche for your anniversary.”

Kate grinned as she flipped through her purse. “He does give me everything I need.” A diamond on her finger flashed as she fished out the key. “He is perfect.”

“Okay, Ms. Perfectionist.” Carmen chuckled as she opened the door to her classroom. “Good luck with your powerpoint.”

“Thanks... Ms. Romanticist.”

Kate checked her cellphone again as she walked over to the desk. Jack told her she should understand he had a demanding business schedule.

She loaded her presentation in the DVD player and clicked the remote. Nothing. After a few tries, she walked over to the console and looked at the wires.

She let out a big sigh then pushed up her sleeves. “Okay.... let's see... out... in...” She plugged one of the wires into the video input. The screen turned blue. “Focus, Kate, focus.” That's what Jack always told her.

She dropped her bottom lip. “Video... audio... aux...” She switched the cables, using more force with each plug. “Why can't he just pick up the phone and call? I've left three messages already...” She brushed away the loose strands of hair falling in her face as she yanked at the wires. “What's five minutes out of his lousy schedule?” She jammed the last plug in the “out” jack. Everything went black.

“Great.” She looked at the mess she'd made and than at the clock. She needed help. Fast.

She hesitated, then dialed tech support.

“Hey, Diego... it's me... Kate. Listen, I need some help.”

“Sure, Kate. I'll be right there.”

Diego arrived in a snap – as always.

“Hey,” he waved his hand gently. “What's the problem?”

Kate pointed to the blank screen. “I have a presentation to show in about 20 minutes.”

Diego looked at the tangled cables.

Kate dropped her head in embarrassment, “I'm not too good with wires.”

Diego flashed her a smile, then looked back at the messy patchwork. “No problem. I'll get this fixed in a jiff.”

Huh, Kate thought. Jack would have nailed me to the cross for being a scatterbrain.

One by one, Diego started rewiring the console. Kate noticed his biceps pump as he pulled wires out and plugged them back in. Jack never showed his muscles. He said it wasn't proper.

After a few moments, Kate's Presentation showed up on the screen.

“The Mona Lisa,” Diego said, straightening out the rest of the wires. “A true beauty.”

Surprised, Kate looked up. She studied Diego's loosely spiked hair - some strands were blond, some were brown. Jack's hair was always uniform, combed neatly back, but the nonchalant style of Diego's layers framed his dark eyes and facial features perfectly.

“Well,” he said as her class filled up, “Call me if you need anything else.” A small diamond sparkled in his ear as he turned his head away. Kate never noticed.

The presentation went well and class ended. Kate gathered her belongings and checked her cellphone again. As she crossed the corridor, she thought of Diego. He was always so thoughtful. She felt a rush of emotions, something she hadn't felt in awhile. She felt pretty. She felt special. She felt like – like the Mona Lisa. Yes, Diego made her feel like a true beauty, not like just another possession!

She pulled the pins out of her twist and let her hair fall. Her short steps turned into confident strides.

She turned the corner and ran right into Diego. Their eyes met and their bodies locked.

“Diego,” her face turned flush. “I... I...”

He gently backed away and let go of her arms, but she didn't want him to. The diamond  in his ear shimmered as his dimples deepened.   

She smiled back.

For the first time in two years Kate felt alive. 

The End.