Subtext

After months of delay, I finally surrendered to need, and took my poor wig into the shop for some professional help. It's not as if I've worn it hundreds of hours. Truth be known, it's likely not been on my head for a full week over the 2-1/2 years I've owned it. Yet, it seems to be suffering from excessive dryness, as the ends of the hairs in back are horribly tangled and ratty looking. Pam will wash and condition it, and might have to do a little surgery with the pinking shears, all in time for my meeting the first Saturday in December.

Now, a story. I went to the wig shop this afternoon. Mrs. Leslie was leaving the house at the same time to pick up a child at school. As luck would have it, we were traveling the same route. I had told her that I was going out to buy dog food (true), but then I turned left when she was expecting a right. She already had an inkling that I had something else cooking. A text exchange began.

She: Is your 2nd destination a secret destination?
Me: Kinda.

A little later, after I'd finished at the wig shop:
She: Are secrets a good thing?
Me: Depends. Took wig in for much needed work. Is that bad?

This question hung out there for about twenty minutes. I never considered this task to be a secret. I considered it something that she wouldn't care to know about. Maybe that is a false distinction? When she expressed curiosity, I only hesitated for a moment to share the nature of my trip. Maybe she thought I was doing something for her Christmas, I dunno.

After the long wait, I texted again.
Me:Hmm, no response. Is that a bad thing?
She: Driving with kids.
She (a bit later):What kind of work? How much does that cost?
Me: Shampoo, condition, maybe trim some damage. Ten or twenty dollars.

I was finishing this text as she came into the house, but I went ahead and sent it. She asked me if we were going to be that couple that texts a breakup message across the dinner table. Not sure how much truth was hiding in her little ribbing.

In the evening, we went out to dinner together (I'm on vacation this week). I expected the third degree. All I got was a short exchange. She thought I should wash and set it myself. I countered with the fact that I have no safe place to let it dry after washing it, as it can take a few days. She said the garage is available. Not entirely safe, I said, and I don't have the proper equipment or experience anyway. We left it there, but it may come up again.

I like to think that she has come to understand that there is some maintenance and expense involved in my "hobby". Today makes me wonder if that bridge still hasn't been crossed. This is not a terribly expensive project, I have put it off for months, and I tried to keep her out of the loop and in her comfort zone. I'm still unsure what long-term consequences might come of it, or if this will open the door to bubbling criticisms that were being left unsaid.

I really need to start working on those timelines.