Twice in One Day

She shouted, "Take a picture, it will last longer!"

She pinched me with her menacing glare. I thought I was safe and invisible. She had noticed me drooling over her all along.

"Alright, I'll take it, your pic, if you wish." I stammered like an idiot as I fumbled with my camera, a point-and-shoot.

My intentions were innocent: I wasn't undressing her with my eyes, prepping for a wet daydream. I was documenting her look. I was working.

OK, time to fess up: That exchange never really happened. Truth be told, she was rather nice and incredibly obliging. She even introduced herself before graciously posing for me. Her name is Emma. Isn't she lovely?

(Below) Evening arrived and brought Miss Anonymous along for the ride. I don't know what it was about her that intimidated me so. I almost didn't ask if she'd let me take her pic. I requested that she continue reading her book and pretend I wasn't there. The blur resulted from my nervous hand. I'm surprised that I steadied the camera long enough to salvage the image below.

I uploaded the pic immediately and realized something familiar about it. "Can it be?" I wondered. I rushed to uncover the intro pic above. I tried my damnedest to remove the glasses and compare the features of both women side-by-side.

"That necklace, that jawline, those lips, the hair, the elegance ... How can all of it be mirrored in both women? Unless ... Yes! Wait, on the same day?!" With my computer, I approached her again, confident that she was the very Emma whom I had met earlier.

"Excuse me, but is this you?" I inquired.

"Yes, that is me!" she bloomed with delight and merriment.

"You're Emma."

"And you're Andy, I remember."

After sharing a laugh, I asked Emma if she normally switches her look on a daily basis. She divulged that she's a bookkeeper by day and an artist by night. I asked her which look she prefers. She said that she likes both and prefers neither. I asked if she takes pride in her style. Surprisingly, she said no. She clearly owns both looks with aplomb. Unbelievably, paint influences Emma's fashion the most. That is, she wears what's least marked by paint. I noticed a fist-sized mess of black squiggles that encircled the right pocket of her brilliant camel coat and realized that she wasn't joking. Oddly enough, the artful accident created something noteworthy. I'd normally cast all stains as big, fat no's. However, in Emma's case it worked, adding a signature sexiness. The artist in Emma shines for all to see, without a care in the world. It's who she is.

Emma, everywhere you go, you inspire. I offer you my most humble thank you for inspiring me – twice in one day.

Mr. Andy