The most surprising thing happened to me yesterday – and started the day before that… Those of you that know me here also know that I have been firmly in my closet… to date… My wife (call her Elle) has never been big on makeup but has always majored in nails. She used to have gorgeous acrylic and epoxy enhancements that were like talons - and very sexy. Even recently she has always looked after her own nails and is continually coating, recoating, stripping, polishing, oiling… it’s a real labour of love for her and I enjoy watching her do it and we talk about it.
So – she was doing her nails Friday evening and had out her selection of colours: deep reds – pinks – dark purples… and jokingly says to me “ When I’ve finished mine, we must choose a colour for you..” and laughs – as my heart nearly leaps out of my chest cavity into my wine. “Yes.. we must…” I mumble – wondering – does she mean that?
Saturday evening arrives – she’s continuing the process (serious stuff: base coat; 3 layers of colour; clear top coat) so fortified by an earlier glass of wine, I get out her box of varnish bottles and say: “So what colour do you recommend…” and the conversation goes….
Elle: “Are you serious…”
K: “Yes I’m serious – you said yesterday you’d help me choose a colour…”
Elle: “What – you’re seriously going to paint your nails…?”
K: “Yeah – why not. If you’ll help…” Pause.
Elle: “ Go on then…”
So I did! Chose a lovely deep red – sat and watched a movie with her, and painted my nails.
Of course, she thinks this is funny and a bit strange, but she humours me, and tells me I don’t do a bad job for a first coat. And I’m so happy inside… Let’s see how things are in the morning.
I take her the morning cup of tea and she sees my nails and laughs. Asks me if I’m keeping it on – I tell her, for a while, I have nowhere to go today. But I’m wondering if this conversation might be going further, or if I should push it further and then she says, in a friendly way…
Elle; “ I’ve never known any man that would paint his nails. The only man I’d think who’d paint his nails would be gay or a transvestite. <Pause> Do you enjoy having them lie that?”
K: “ Yeah – it’s different. It’s kind of sexy…”
Elle: (still friendly) “You’re a pervert, you are..”
And at that, I think the moment passed. It wasn’t the right time – I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t be accepting of anything more for the moment. But maybe if I painted them again, next weekend… And at least today, I have been able to look at my fingers all day, typing, in the kitchen, around the house and see a coating of Rimmel’s deep red ‘Celebrity Bash’ looking back at me – my fingernails are crossdressed at least, and out to my wife!
Baby steps… What do you think...?
Katey x