The MakeUp Artist Internship

Leaving For Brown County

Mom picked me up at seven a.m. October 18. We were going to Indy for the day and then driving to Brown County to meet up with Johnny. Mom was going to see a friend at a Dillard's down there and we were going to get our faces done. "Sheri's one of the best in the nation," mom said. "God, I sound like grandma." She put on her sunglasses and we were off.

"So, where do you leave off?"
"Summer of 2004."
"Ah, Hannah started kindergarten and I was getting thinner.  Boy that money to lose weight was a waste." 
"His wedding was getting closer and closer, huh?"
"Yep, hit me in the crotch when the marriage banns were posted in the church. It's a Catholic thing. I wanted to protest it, say she was a whore and after his money, but you know, doctors pick pretty, successful people, not wives of drunks. Not whores."
"Awww... mom,"
" looked at his registry and Imagined it was me getting all that nice stuff. My china? I never got. My silverware was from my aunt Nan, who got it at Target, We didn't have those pilsners to drink beer by the fire. He was usually shitfaced anyway."
"Do you think you and Johnny will get married?"
"I would love it, but Amber hurt him pretty and and he's gun-shy."

I loved her excerpt about the wedding. "Soon, his fiancé will be getting EVERYTHING I have ever wanted, a marriage to someone who adores her, someone who is successful and will give her a good,life. I could have had that with Johnny, had I persisted. On my breaks, I peruse their lists in the store. Fiestaware, a red blender, those three hundred dollar Pilsner glasses, and what else? He thinks she's beautiful, he just was nice to me because I paid him. Hey, he got a nice Acura sports car from me having Hannah, it's just the nature of the beast. I will forever be the servant who makes all of the woman of the city look pretty." She wrote of them seeing her in the parking lot of a local eatery. It was after we went hiking at North CambrianPark. "We were in line to get our food at Arby's, and I saw him walk up to the restaurant and there she was, with her long blonde hair, trim little waist, perfect boobs, and gorgeous face holding onto him. They are in love. I can feel it and I am a shitheel forever wanting that. I looked over at Mark. This is my marriage. I'd better suck it the fuck up and give it up to him so he can be happy. If he is so happy, why am I so unhappy?  Something has to give."  

I guess she came in on her wedding day as well.   Mom wasn't a the master esthetician yet.  That was a decade off, BUT she was there the day Billie and her team of three did the skincare and makeup for her party.   His fiancé was beautiful.  She had long, thick blonde hair, perfect boobs, no belly, perfect skin, and I was trying to hard to concentrate on my client and be happy for her.   "Guess who came in today?  His fiancé and she is perfect.  She is someone he'd pick out, not some ugly like me and I am sure Johnny Depp was lonely when he picked me.  Hey, just broke up with Winona, so he was waiting for the next best thing.  There I was, something that he can get off with for a bit.   I should have known, but Jade came out of it.   I need to remember that....  After work, we all went out and I got trashed.  I got so sick when I got home.   Poor Jade and Hannah looked horrified.   Jade is now watching little Hannah and making some money.   I took them shopping today.   Got some of the Taco Bell to settle the stomach.   I had a nice day with them.   I just hate being home and hate seeing the egomaniac jailer who thinks he's the shit.  He told me how he was 'in good' with the new sheriff and we could move out of this hell hole.   He also told me he could 'get any woman' but 'stayed' with me despite being infertile."  

I smiled.   It was mom's act of rebellion.  

We checked into our hotel in downtown Indy.   "I love this hotel.  This is where I stayed for a trade show," she told me.   She looked cute.  "We're getting a suite as we are driving Johnny down to Nashville with us.  He is about an hour away."   Wow!  "Thought I would surprise you.  We'll have lunch, get our skin done, and Johnny has a special dinner planned for me and him.   I've missed him." 

"I read the diaries where the doctor got married.   You were pretty pissed at Johnny."
"Not pissed.   Just hurt more than anything." 
"I remember that night.   You threw up in a Target bag.  I took Hannah to our room.   She was scared.  I said you ate too much.  You drank a lot, too."
"I did.  I just wanted to pain to end."

We got to our suite.  I put my things in my room, which was about as small as a bathroom.   I looked at their bed and I could see them going at it all night.   It was going to be a good night for my mom.   We sat and ate a few snacks and then there was a knock on the door.  Johnny looked really good.  He had on a heavy coat, a brown hat, red and pink scarves, a pinkish top, torn jeans, and heavy boots.  He kissed my mom passionately, and to think she thought he didn't love her.   He really did, but the way she was treated and what my dad told her, she could believe that.

     We went to lunch in a back room.  It was just us.  It was Asian cuisine.  It was good.   We talked about tomorrow and the hotel we would  be staying in.  The suite was pretty nice there, too.   Mom excused herself.

     "So, how are things?"
"Good.   I got some painting gigs."
"Good.  Lily said she might like something and Vanessa is interested.  What you paint is very French.  You know, if you do that, you can kiss the law firm goodbye."
"I would like a more lenient schedule.   I love working for Paul."
"Well, I am going to give your mom this tonight."  He pulls out a gorgeous ring. 
"Oh my God!"
"I want to make her my wife.  I wanted to back in 1993." 
"However, I wouldn't have a great sister like Hannah."
"I wouldn't have had my great kids either."
"Here she comes."

      He puts it away.   Soon, Sean picks up Johnny and we go to Dillard's.  My skin feels like a baby's bottom.   I look over at my mom.  They were putting makeup on her.  She was going to cry it all off.  On the way back I read the diary.  We're in 2005 and mom begins her first affair, in her head, with a very handsome fireman.   She went to the Y with a few friends, and she was wicked hot.   I was in fifth grade and Mr. Wilkington  sure noticed.   He always asked what she did and if she was married.  It weirded me out.  He looked like John Ritter.   "Well I have met the one who has replaced Dr. Moravec.   Brad Jaansen is so so cute!  He's a city firefighter and a customer of mine.  I just get so nervous working on him and I want to tell him what an asshole my husband truly is.  I want him to save me. I want him to take me to his house on the southwest side of town, in an older neighborhood and never let me leave.  I would be so happy and the girls would be so happy, because home is not happy.   Somehow, Rob is getting drugs and yesterday he was crazy and all the neighbors saw.  He was drunk AND high and sort of off the wall.   Ellen Tracy was sort of out off by him.  I peas scared...". One afternoon she wrote, ""Rob isn't feeling too good.   He drinks way too much.  Sometimes I wonder if he has cancer and at times I wish he did.  He has become increasingly aggressive.  I am scared for the girls and me.  I told Jade to run to Scott's house and Tina would protect them. Scott and Jade have been best friends for years, ever since we moved in.   She and Hannah swim there all summer long and I know they are safe.  Just my luck I will be the one who gets sick. I should not want things like that."   

      We get back to the hotel.   Johnny has on a suit and he looks so hot.  I have a hot dad.  I laugh to myself.  Mom gore to the bathroom and puts in her little black dress.  I can't wait for her to come home tonight.  I will be getting a dad.   Johnny kisses my forehead and says, "Better put headphones in your ears tonight, babe." 

   They leave and my life will change drastically.