Maria Pavlova, Part 3
"Tom had asked me out to the best restaurant in town, since this was the first weekend that we were alone without the kids. I wanted to tease the hell out of him to celebrate... I was already an associate professor, so we were well off enough at the time to afford a hairdresser and makeup artist who made house calls. So I hired this woman to make me look extra specially good..."
"Tom came into the room when I was having my hair done and said, and I'll never forget it: 'Is that all really necessary? You always look great anyway... Why do women feel like they need fancy hairdos and makeup?' At the time I laughed, and said:"
"'You should be happy about this, dear. I've always taken special care with my makeup to look my very best for you... and I'm sure you will find out that it's worthwhile later!'"