I, on the other hand, no longer was golfing, going to the bar or playing poker with the other men in the neighborhood. Instead of donning a golf glove, I was putting on rubber gloves. Instead of worrying about being dealt a bad hand, I was worrying about getting dishpan hands.
I quietly knocked and waited for permission from her to enter. Upon entering, I could see her at her desk carefully studying a magazine, but I couldn't make out exactly what kind of magazine. She slowly turned in my direction.
"Sit down on the bed for a minute. I just wanted to thank you," she started. "You have been working your fingers to the bone so that I can relax and enjoy myself. And I truly appreciate it."
"You are very welcome honey. It's the least I can do to show you my appreciation," I replied, maybe a little bit too quickly.
"Dear, please don't interrupt. When I am ready for you to talk, I will let you know. Until then, please remain quiet."
I nodded in reply.
"You know that I have been going to dinner with Lisa and Louisa, right?"
I nodded once again so as to not frustrate her further.
"Lisa is hosting a Halloween party tomorrow night and she invited us a few weeks back. I have been struggling with the costumes but, when I was talking with Louisa over coffee this morning, she mentioned how nice it must be to have a maid. That's when I knew it." She paused, almost uncomfortably long.
My puzzled expression must have given her the suggestion that I had no idea what "it" was.
"I still have not decided what my costume will be, but you will be attending as a maid."
I struggled to hold my tongue and to control my emotions. I must have looked startled but I did not speak.
She then showed me a page of the magazine she was looking through. It was actually a catalog from a costume store. The images were shocking but she quickly pointed to the French Maid.
I started shaking my head with wide, teary eyes.
"Relax, honey, everything will be all right. You'll see..."
to be continued?
