A wife's efforts to improve her appearance hav unexpected consequences
Every year she wondered what she would do to celebrate ‘stretch yourself day.’ In the past, she had made minor adjustments like reading a romance novel instead of her usual mysteries or making Chinese food instead of American.
This year she was determined to do something bolder. While she realized she wasn’t a raving beauty and had a few extra pounds, she also knew she was attractive. Currently, her salt and pepper hair was tied back in a ponytail, her face was unadorned by makeup or jewelry, and her clothing wardrobe consisted of baggy jeans, t-shirts and sweats. It was time for a change. Her voice bubbled when she made an appointment at an upscale beauty salon.
Her first stop was the hair stylist. A naturalist, she decided against coloring her hair, but had it cut into an attractive, easy to maintain bob that made the most of her features. Next she visited the makeup counter. After trying different products, she purchased the basics for a subtle sophisticated look. When the makeup artist complimented her eyes, she teared up.
Feeling prettier by far, she met her daughters for lunch. After lunch, they informed her they were taking her clothes shopping. Off with the baggy jeans, on with stretch form fitting ones. The t-shirt was replaced with a colorful blouse that subtly showed off her curves. Even though she protested, her daughters filled two shopping bags with comfortable clothing that flattered her.
Her daughters decided not to go home with their mom, wanting her to surprise her husband privately. They had sexy visions dancing in their heads. Instead, he was cold to the changes. He said she looked like a slut and wondered aloud if she was stepping out. In tears, Jessica started upstairs to wash her face and change into her old sweats. Suddenly she stopped midway. She remembered the year she tried a pottery class but was told they couldn’t afford for her to continue. Her girlfriends had quit inviting her out because she constantly canceled to run an important time sensitive errand for him. Why, he even interrupted her phone calls with their daughters. It dawned on her – he wanted her all to himself and was threatened by any attention she received from others. For years she had buckled under, but this was the final straw.
She loved him, enjoyed his company and wanted to stay in her marriage, but she also wanted friends and activities outside of it. She was asking for no more than he had. He played pickleball once a week and loved going to lunch with his work friends.
Armed with this revelation, she decided she had stretched so far, she had snapped. For her, today would forever be known as independence day. She climbed the rest of the steps, went into the bathroom and touched up her new look. Smiling at her reflection, she straightened her shoulders, tossed her head, and turned to go confront her husband.
