The Art of The Affair

6

Just before we open the next afternoon, Katie sees me heading for the toilet and jogs over to open the door for me.  I'm grateful for her help and I thank her.  I have no doubt that balancing on crutches while trying to open the door without falling would have been a challenge.  She follows me inside and offers to hold my crutches while I go inside the stall.  Since I'm just emptying my bladder, I accept her help again.  

"Guess I didn't think this through," I chuckle as I hop inside and pivot on my good foot.  

"I think it's admirable that you're so tough.  Not gonna lie, I'd be posted up in bed watching movies."

"I'm definitely stubborn."

When I'm finished, I hop back out and accept the crutches she holds out for me.  I step to the sink and examine my bare skin in the mirror, and then give my hair a quick once over as well.  

"Sorry, sometimes I don't have time to do this at home," she says next to me.

I glance over as she sets her purse on the edge of the sink and removes a small pouch.  She unzips it and begins removing some items.  I can't help but sneak a few peeks sideways at her as I wash my hands and find myself verbalizing my envy.

"I've never worn makeup so I haven't a clue how to use it."

"Oh, there's tons of Youtube videos that you could watch.  I learned how to do my eye makeup that way.  But I'd be glad to show you."

"I'm too old for makeup now."

"No you're not," she says dismissively.  "Here, turn a little and watch me in the mirror.  I'll show you how to do something that'll make brown eyes pop."

I've never been close enough to notice her eye colour but they're nearly the same hue as mine.  Hers are darker, richer, while mine resembles Lagavulin whisky - a more golden brown.  

When she doesn't have me keeping my eyes closed, she's showing me what she's doing.  When they are closed, she's telling me.  She takes her time and tutors me on the best colours to use.  The deep bronze pencil and the purple eyeshadow seem scarily dramatic as they first are applied, but once she's finished, the big picture comes together nicely.  

"Now, I like to use mascara because my lashes are a bit thin, but yours are really thick.  I'd recommend using it for nighttime but during the day, I think you can go without."

"I don't know if I can get used to the feel of lipstick," I say as I press my lips together.  "It feels so dry, like I need to lick my lips."

"That's because this stuff stays on through eating and whatever."  

She gives me a devilish grin as she puts her things away and I catch on to her meaning.  Once her pouch is tucked back inside her purse, she eyes my messy bun on top of my head.

"Is your hair really as thick and curly as I think it is?  Because if so, you should really let it down more often.  Most women would kill for hair like that."

"Maybe it would be safer if I didn't let my hair down then?"

We both chuckle as I lean my head forward so that she can let my hair down.  When she's finished settling down some of the wild volume, she utters a quiet "hmm" and then begins braiding a side braid.  I watch in the mirror and find that I like whatever she's doing.  

"It's called a fishtail braid.  They have Youtube videos for that too.  When your ankle's better, you can stand in front of the mirror to practice.  Until then, I could do something with it on the days I'm here."

"You really don't have to do all this," I say, but then quickly add, "but I love everything.  I don't look as old as I feel now."

"You have great skin and no wrinkles.  Now all you need are some clothes that are a little more fun, something to show off your curves, and you'll be turning heads.  I'm sure your husband will be the first to notice."

"He'll notice but I doubt he'll be happy about it."

"Why not?" she asks, looking puzzled.

I hesitate to talk about Ron behind his back.  He's also Katie's boss, even though he's rarely ever here.  

"Hey, it's just between us.  I don't trust Jason and Draco and I don't hang with anyone here outside of work."

I don't go into too much detail but I tell her that Ron has insecurities.  I leave out how I used to have to overcompensate while away at university, how far I'd have to go to reassure him.  I dressed conservatively and never tried to attract attention to myself.  

"He should get over it.  Besides, not that he's cheating, but it's a proven fact that men who are insecure toward their wives are sometimes cheating.  It isn't healthy for men to be controlling, anyway, at the very least.  You seem like a smart woman.  Don't dumb yourself down for him, or dress down for him."

"We're open!" came the usual head's up from beyond the door.  

"I gotta run.  Do some shopping, make yourself happy."

She ducks out and leaves me with some privacy to inspect myself in the mirror.  I can't stop smiling.  

Later that evening, I crutch my way to the end of the bar and wait patiently for my turn.  As I'm standing on one foot, I glance down the bar to my left.  Malfoy is staring directly at me.  The moment our eyes lock, he averts his eyes back down to the drink he's pouring and I look away as though I've been scalded.  I hear Katie say she'll be right down but Jason beats her to it.

He compliments me on the hair and then the eyes.  It comes off as if he's trying too hard.  It also feels uncomfortable.  He guesses what I'm after and says he'll run it over to me since I can't exactly carry it.  I thank him politely but I don't linger.  On my way back to the office, I glance over the opposite shoulder this time.

Malfoy is still staring.