EXCERPT

He couldn't take his eyes off her.

The last rays of the setting sun were slanting through the stained glass window over her head, bathing her in a rainbow. He knew it was a just a trick of light, that the ancient glass makers added copper oxide to make the green, cobalt to make the blue, and real gold to make the red. He knew all of this. But still, she was beautiful.

His mother was there in his memories suddenly. He was watching her sitting before her mirror as she readied to go out. He could remember the way the light of the dressing table lamp turned her white skin gold. And he could remember what she said as she painted her lips. Every woman, for just one moment in her life, should be able to be the most beautiful woman in the room.

He stared at the girl. The sun had set and the glow had faded. Her moment was gone.