Tuesday Tales: From the Word MIRROR

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. I’m continuing with It’s a Match, my contemporary romance with a touch of comedy. Imagine going from an everyday life as an electrician, competing in a man’s world to spending three weeks hobnobbing with the aristocracy. Anything can happen. Our word this week is MIRROR.

At the back of my mind, forcing its way out despite my determination, was the thought of how Ken would react to seeing me all gussied up as we used to say. On the heels of that notion was another. How would Zak react? Dressed the way I would be at the wedding, I wouldn’t look like the electrician he’d tossed aside for a nurse, but then she would be there as well, so it might be a moot point. As the saying went, you couldn’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

I spent most of the afternoon at the beauty spa with Mom, Marley, the Duchess, and Solange. Once again, the level of pampering had been intimidating. Before the hairstylist took me in, I had a manicure and a pedicure. Gel nails turned my worker hands into objects of beauty with a gorgeous garnet polish that matched the dress I would wear. Hands and feet suitably decorated, I moved along the assembly line to the hairstylist. My hair had been washed, conditioned, and highlighted in spite of my objections. It had been trimmed once more and now flowed down my back from the crown in a cascade of curls held in place by enough hairpins to have me avoiding magnets. When the hairstylist finished, the makeup artist took over. I found it hard to believe that some women went to these lengths each day. It would take me a couple of hours and I would come off looking like the clown from It.

The cosmetician added another layer of pain to my lips and smiled. “You’re very beautiful, Miss Kimble. Thank you for allowing me to make you shine.”

Mirror, mirror in my hand, who’s the fairest in the land?

When she held the mirror up in front of me, I gasped.

“That’s me?” If I were to meet myself on the street, I would never recognize myself. The blue-gray eye shadow, eyeliner, and black mascara gave size and depth to my sapphire eyes. The creamy peach foundation hid the marks on my face and my freckles, while the pink blush highlighted cheekbones I didn’t even know I had. She’d used a deep garnet lipliner and then a garnet lip paint with a coat of clear lip shine on top. I was … I was … beautiful and hot … and fake.

That’s it. Stay safe, and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.