Transient Beauty

It was a dark and stormy night of internal battle and external plight. Marjorie checked the mirror for the umpteenth time. Still no change.

She ran a finger along her hairline and sighed. If only she had retained her youthful looks a little longer.

If only, what? What was she so longing for? What problem of hers could be solved by transient beauty?

Her husband hardly looked at her anymore, he wouldn’t notice a change.

Her teenagers wouldn’t suddenly become less reckless, more responsible, hard-working, or faithful.

Her boss wouldn’t treat her any different, or would he? She laughed to herself. Okay, maybe that one might benefit from improved physical appearance.

Why was she so obsessed with her appearance? No level of exquisiteness would have a practical impact on her life. Why had she fallen prey to all the advertisements that tried to tell her otherwise?

A part of her still believed a little bit of beauty could go a long way. She wanted to feel better about herself, even if her circumstances could not change.

As she felt herself slipping into self-doubt and gloomy recollections, she pulled up indignation and resentment to mask it.

She tossed the tube away. The lid of the trash can swung back and forth.

What hopeless inane nonsense!

“David!” She bellowed. “Have you finished you homework, yet?” Without waiting for reply, she continued, “Andrew, you forgot to take out the trash! You should have done it before the rain started. I don’t care if you get struck by lightning. It’s your own fault! ”

It was a dark and stormy night of internal battle and external