Painting Challenge
A Perfect Match
By Megan
Danny paused for a moment, head in hands, looking every inch the frustrated artist. With paint smudges from head to toe, rumpled clothes, and wind-tossed hair, he looked less than his usual well groomed self.
"Why decide on a painting as my anniversary gift," he sighed, tossing his eyes heavenward.
He continued his private rant in his head.
Why couldn't I have bought a nice piece of jewelry, or a card, or even that loaded sportscar she's been wanting. Even flying Michelle halfway across the word for a shopping trip would have been easier than this.
I have been out here all day getting nowhere, the sun is setting, and the bugs are eating me alive. To top it all off all I had was a bowl of cereal this morning, so I hungry too. Whoever said being a romantic was self-satisfying was wrong. Dead wrong.
Danny looked at his- dare he say it - work of art again.
Well, it sort of looked like the lighthouse. Who would think painting an inanimate object would be so hard? Maybe that was because whenever he looked at the damn thing he had only one thought.
Michelle, wonderful lovely Michelle.
Okay, maybe two thoughts. Michelle… And sex.
Yep, that was it. Michelle and sex. No wonder he couldn't concentrate.
"BOOO!"
If Danny had been wearing shoes, he would have jumped right out of them.
Instead he just jumped…and knocked the easel…and felt the painting fall forward right onto his sweaty, rumpled shirt.
"Daniel Santos," she scolded as he turned around, all the while trying to hide his masterpiece.
Michelle ran her eyes up and down him and laughed. "It's going to take more than Tide with bleach alternative to get that out."
She reached out and tapped his now blue nose.
"Pilar told me you were out here, so I came to see what you were doing."
Dramatically, she leaned forward trying to see what was behind him. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing," scowled Danny belligerently. It was all ruined now, literally.
"Nothing," mimicked Michelle. "Well I would bet that nothing has something to do with a painting and a lighthouse."
"Who told you?" Danny could not help it now; a crack of a smile was forming.
"Well Mr.Santos, you married a smart girl. Judging from the paint, the easel, the brushes everywhere- that leads me to believe you are painting."
"Now, the lighthouse behind you…and the very good impression of it now on the front of your shirt leads me to believe that it would be your subject."
Danny was now grinning from ear to ear. "Well Miss know-it-all, I guess if you have it all figured out I will just have to give it now. Close your eyes."
Michelle did just that, smiling. That smile disappeared when she felt the painting ram into her chest just as it had with Danny just a few minutes before.
"Daniel Santos," she chided and laughed all at the same time as she looked down at the lighthouse decorating her white sundress.
"Look Michelle," breathed Danny as he pulled her to him for a kiss. "We are a perfect match."
"Well, I could have told you that one."