Something Tangible

The Fallacy of First Impressions

He brushed off his jacket - along with their well-meaning gestures of help - but not before lobbing one last dig. "They don't make these seat dividers like they used to," he grumbled under his breath, loud enough for Katarina to hear. Even the impeccably dressed flight attendant was surprised by his backhanded slap.

That was it.

"What the fuck?" Katarina bellowed, giving him her best WTF look. "I mean seriously? Are you for real?"

It was Steven's turn to look surprised. Mouth agape, eyes wide as saucers, he stuttered out an "I, ah, well," before clamming up. Finally, she thought - that shut his pretty little trap.

"I think what's really bothering you is that big stick up your ass," she casually observed, reveling in his shock. "And they simply don't make dividers large enough to accommodate that - sir," she spit out.

Cha-ching! Katarina's face broke out into a huge, proud grin, while a look of disbelief spread across his. What the fuck is right, Steven thought. He was about to put this ballsy woman who belonged in coach back in her place, until he caught a glimpse of her smile. It was pretty, he thought, still blown away by her audacity. Pretty!?! What am I, a 13-year-old girl playing with her princess dolls?

Katarina shook her head at the absurdity of the situation as the flight attendant gave her a subtle wink, topping off her champagne before retreating. Yeah you saw that stick up his ass too! It's been poking me ever since I got to the airport.

The little exchange at his expense was not lost on Steven, incensing him even further.

"Am I amusing you?" he asked, his tone laced with derision. "Pardon me for being slightly uncomfortable, what with that large stick protruding from my ass."

He meant it as an insult, but it had the opposite effect.

Katarina spit out her champagne at the visual, erupting into laughter when she saw the look of affronted outrage he wore. Yet again, her unexpected reaction caught him off guard. Dumbfounded, he just watched in mute fascination as waves of hysteria consumed her.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's just that you should see your face," she snorted, trying - and failing - to rein in the soft giggles that wracked her body.

A reluctant smile tugged on his lips when he saw champagne dribble down her chin, the infectious, carefree sound of her laughter making him chuckle.

Cut the girl some slack Steven. She's drooling on herself for God's sake.

"Miss, I apologize. You shouldn't of taken any offense to my previous remark," he chastised her, resuming his business-like demeanor.

Katarina stopped laughing long enough to wipe a lone tear from her eye and shoot him an incredulous stare. Did he just apologize and reprimand me at the same time? I'll give the guy credit: He's got a set of balls on him in addition to that stick.

She knew she should let this silly pissing contest go, but her feistiness was flowing alongside the champagne.

"I shouldn't take offense eh? Well, that 'apology'" - using sarcastic-laden air quotes - "along with the snide comments you've thrown my way pretty much reek of offense."

Pretty - that word kept floating in the air, Steven thought. Yet again, this pain-in-the-ass spitfire floored and frustrated him, but he graciously opted not to ream her a new one. "You're right, I'm sorry. My behavior has been rude," he conceded, albeit with great difficulty. "Please accept my apologies ... which, by the way, I don't make very often and have now offered to you twice - even though it takes two to tango Miss."