Character Study

{Note: I like character studies. I like to write them, I like to read other people's. I woke up early this morning and, since it was Saturday morning, I took the luxury of sitting in bed and writing a little.}

I'd seen her picture before and dreaded meeting her.

She had a mop of unruly brownish curls that seemed to be going everywhere at once. They gave her a rakish carefree look that contrasted sharply with the lazy tilt of her dark blue almond-shaped eyes and tiny mouth. Her lips pressed into a prim expression of perpetual disdain and disapproval.

We were introduced and she reached out to shake my hand with an easy smile that revealed straight white teeth. Her smile was small, but her mouth was small.

"Hi! I've heard alot about you," I said truthfully. I wasn't sure it was safe to say, "Good to meet you."

Within fifteen minutes I realized her pictures had not only not told the whole truth, but had lied as well. She was tall (above average for a woman), slim, and athletic. Her clothes were of a modern, trendy style, yet kept a classiness and showed self-respect. Her manner was confident but not haughty, and when she spoke, she was completely honest in expression, yet her listeners never felt attacked if their opinion was different from hers. In a conversation, her eyes moved easily, including each person present. She was completely comfortable with herself and with whoever was around her. I don't know why she liked me, but she did.

"Don't judge a book by it's cover."