Misc. Writing

I write little snippets here and there to try things out. This is one of those snippets.

Isabelle nervously awaited her husband’s arrival.  She made sure everything was just as he expected.  Her auburn hair was sleek and shiny with just a touch of loose waves.  Her lips were adorned with Chanel’s Cambon lipstick, eyes played down, just a hint of shimmer on her cheek bones.  Wearing green agate earrings, which he brought back from his travels to Egypt two months prior and a matching gown they had picked out together in Paris.  Ted did not enjoy going to charity events, but as a Senator, he had no choice; especially since it was the Lieutenant Governor of Texas’s favorite charity.

She watched as the familiar limousine pulled around the circular drive.  She grabbed her wrap and clutch, hurrying down the two flights of stairs so as not to keep him waiting.  Franklin, their driver of several years, held the door open for her and she slid in quietly next to her husband, expecting his first belittling comment.

She had once found Theodore Friedman so charming and handsome.  Meeting him through lectures at A&M where she had majored in business and capturing his attention as one of the star A&M dancers.  They had met her freshman year and had married before her 19th birthday the following summer.  Just five years later and she was a dutiful and polished political bride at the age of 24.

Ted sent a furtive glance toward his wife, expecting to find glaring mistakes in her appearance.  She was always out to get him in some way.  She knew how important this event was to him, yet she still failed to wear the mink stole that he took such care picking out for her.  Instead she had some ghastly silk print scarf.  What was she thinking?  He knew she had done it on purpose.  He was a senator for God’s sake!  Still she didn’t respect him!  He poured another half-glass full of bourbon.  He noticed her cringe at his side when the bottle clanged against the diamond-cut crystal.  His eyes were daggers.  Full of disgust and hatred.  If only she had given him a son!  Five long years and no child in their nursery.  He gulped the bourbon down and poured another glass, this time 3/4 full.

Isabella could feel him staring at her.  She wondered if her hose were the incorrect shade.  Were her nails filed too square?  Too much perfume!  Yes.  She knew that must be it.  She pressed too hard on the atomizer and instead of 1/2 of a spray she had used a full one.  Definitely the perfume.

“Ted dear”  she placed a hand on his free arm, the one without the bourbon glass.  “The Dior bottle slipped under my finger, I must apologize, is it too strong?  I can fix it!  I have alcohol swabs in my bag.  I can dab at it.  No one will know, I promise”  She glued a shaky smile onto her beautiful face as she dug through her bag for her “emergency kit” �" tools to fix most every problem that Ted might be upset about.  A toothbrush and mouthwash, nail file, polish if she chipped a nail, hair clips if he wanted her hair up, an extra pair of stockings if she got a snag �" that was one of the things he hated the most.  She tried to be prepared at all times so that nothing she did would upset or offend him.

Ted sighed loudly and then breathed in a full breath, holding it in at the top, his chest puffed out like a latex balloon.  He exhaled slowly, through gritted teeth.  Isabelle could smell the stench of the bourbon, most likely mixed with whiskey from  his earlier golf game with their banker.  But he did not say a word.  Not a word.  And Isabelle was terrified.

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