Mom on the Run
“OK, what do you think?” I’m standing in front of both the full-length mirror and my husband. I’ve got the blue dress on, having already modeled the coral and taupe one. We leave in a half-hour, and I need to make a decision.
I had always planned to wear the blue dress to tonight’s event. I RSVPed almost a month ago, and bought this dress about the same time. It’s royal blue, sleeveless, with a cowl neck, delightful ruching at the sides for maximum belly camouflage, and it’s in that terrific new spandex blend fabric that drapes so beautifully. I’ve been waiting to wear it, itching for warm weather.
And an evening event in early May, I figured a month ago, would be perfect! But now early May is here and, darn it, it’s still chilly! Chilly enough that I’m doing my 6 a.m. dog walk in my winter jacket and sometimes even a hat. Chilly enough that I’m still turning on my bed warmer a half-hour before bed. And most certainly chilly enough that I’m second-guessing a sleeveless dress for tonight, even though it’s been long planned and anticipated.
So I pulled out my coral and taupe animal print dress, too. The same draping fabric, similar ruching, but with a boat neck and three-quarters length sleeves, it would also be just fine. But… but the color isn’t as flattering as the blue, the matching taupe shoes are uncomfortable and I don’t know how much standing there will be tonight, and, OK, I’ll admit it, mostly I have already worn it. I wanted to wear my new blue dress! But it’s sleeveless! Heck.
Which brings me here, 30 minutes before departure, hemming and hawing, asking my husband’s opinion. I already put on and modeled the coral dress, which of course he had seen before, then disappeared into the closet, my very own phone booth!, for a complete costume change. I switched everything so he could see the full blue ensemble, shoes and necklace and bracelet, even.
And now he stands, silent, because he has learned over the years that sometimes I really don’t want his opinion, I just need him to parrot back what I want.
“I can’t decide,” I tell him. “I really want to wear the blue dress, but it’s got short sleeves. I’m afraid I’ll be cold.”
I turn a little, looking.
“I sent pictures to Maria and Karen for their votes, but I haven’t heard back from both of them yet.”
At that, my husband scoffs. “The modern woman. She can do everything on her own, but needs a committee to pick out a dress.” He turns to leave and says, casually, “Wear the blue one.”
The blue one! A vote for the blue one! I do a little happy dance. And just then, my phone pings. It’s Karen, my final vote! She agrees with Maria and my husband, and it’s unanimous: everyone agrees on the blue dress.
“Wear a little sweater,” she suggests.
And now that I think about it, I probably do have just the right sweater for the event and the evening.
Yay, the blue dress! A unanimous decision! I’m so glad! I turn, grinning, and look again in the mirror, and suddenly … “Hey, do you think my arms look fat?”
