Eye of the Beholder
Catherine stared at her reflection in the mirror and ran her fingers through her hair. The place that she was in sickened her: a spa that made women aware of all of their insecurities at every corner. Literally. There were mirrors and brochures lining every opaque glass wall of Dr. Malaga's circus of a practice.
"You don't need any of this stuff Catherine."
"It's Las Vegas Nick, everybody needs it…"
After seeing what measures Julie Stern and Rentia Loax took to preserve a youth destined to fade anyhow (growing old is a part of nature, and no one can beat the clock) Catherine thought twice about her own aging; was she really secure in her body image? Was she okay with getting older?
She considered the best part of getting older: Lindsay. As Lindsay was growing into fresh, young, pubescent beauty, Catherine felt her laugh lines getting deeper and she had to admit that she preferred it that way.
Even though she grew up in Las Vegas didn't mean that she was a product of it. She saw so many mothers her age looking prettier than their daughters, stealing away all that was innocent and charming about boys bantering about a 'tween and instead focusing their attention on the young girl's mother.
The very thought of it was sickening to Catherine, and it was enough to make her huff at her reflection and walk out of the institution of insecurities.
Still, she could not help herself when she looked into her mirror in her locker. She suddenly didn't feel comfortable in her own skin and she shuddered and pulled out her cell phone and called the only person who knew her better than herself.
Across town, not too far away from the lab, the phone rang with such a shrillness and an urgency that he was jolted out of sleep. He grumbled under his breath, praying to the good Lord-the VERY good Lord that gave him life and strength-that it wasn't work. If he had to work another double within the same week…
"Warrick Brown," he answered the phone sleepily.
Catherine couldn't help but chuckle at the sound of his voice when sleepy. She'd heard it countless times before. Warrick was not much of a morning person…or an evening person for that matter, but if it was her with him…that's another story…another day.
"Hey, it's me," she said, still smiling.
"Hey girl," he said, waking up a little more. "What's up?"
Catherine sighed as her smile faded. She decided just to get straight to the point.
"Tell me I'm beautiful," she said bluntly.
There was a slight pause on his end of the line. He was wondering where her statement came from before he shrugged and sighed.
"You're beautiful," he said with a grin.
She still was not satisfied.
"Tell me again," she said, looking at her reflection.
On the other end, Warrick sat up on his bed and sighed. He had no idea where her sudden insecurity came from.
"Okay," he said, searching his brain for a better way to tell her. "I met this woman once about seven years ago. She had sky blue eyes, perfect red hair, and a sparkling smile. Even though our meeting was for work and we were both all business, there was something about her that made my heart stop for a second," he paused for a moment, actually remembering the first time they met. "I watched her over the years as we became friends. I watched her work, studied her body, watched her raise her daughter, and make a life for herself. I knew that I loved her but, I never realized it until I held her again and I found myself looking into her eyes," he paused when he heard her sniffle a bit on the other end. "I thanked God for her because she was so beautiful both inside and outside. She is beautiful. Just beautiful."
Catherine smiled and wiped her tears.
"I love you Warrick," she sighed happily.
"I love you too Catherine," he said with a grin.