“No, honey. I’m CALCULATING. Do you know how long it has been since I bought clothes for myself? THREE YEARS. Do you know how much money I saved being ‘responsible’? A LOT.”
First stop: the toy store.
“Pick whatever you want,” I said, arms crossed.
“Anything?” Lily whispered, almost afraid to believe it.
“Anything.”
Owen grabbed the biggest Lego set in the store. Lily chose a giant dollhouse, the kind I had always answered with, “Maybe for Christmas, baby.”
“Excellent choice,” I said. “And I’ll take that basket of wine.”
The cashier looked at me strangely.
“Is it a gift?”
“Yes. For myself. From the universe.”
Second stop: the department store.
“Mom, why are you trying on so many dresses?” Owen asked, bored outside the fitting room.
“Because for eight years I bought myself cheap clothes, darling. See this dress? It costs about what your father spends on one ‘business lunch.’ I’ll take it in three colors.”
My phone would not stop vibrating.
Eleven missed calls.
Seventeen messages.
Me, while trying on a pair of expensive heels:
“You also work Saturday nights? Such dedication.”
Daniel: “LOVE, PLEASE LET ME EXPLAIN.”
Me: “Of course. Later. Right now I’m busy SPENDING.” (by:https://best-food.ciifood.com)
Third stop: the salon.
“I want everything,” I told the stylist. “Cut, color, manicure, pedicure, deep conditioning, facial. Whatever you can do, do it.”
“Celebrating something?” she asked with a smile.
“Yes. My new financial independence.”
Lily stared at me while I sat with foil in my hair.
“Mom, you’re acting weird.”
“I’m feeling EXPENSIVE, my love. Very expensive. And I love it.”
Fourth stop: Victoria’s Secret.
“Wait here with the bags,” I told the kids, pointing to a bench outside.
“What are you buying in there?” Owen asked.
“Lingerie your father will NEVER see. That’s what I’m buying.”
When I walked out, Daniel called again.
This time, I answered.
“Where are you?” he shouted. “I came home and nobody is here!”
“Oh, your ‘project’ is finished already? Strange. I thought you had to work until Sunday.”
“Please, I need to explain.”
