This will surely get his attention, she thought, gazing into the mirror.
The hair salon was certainly expensive, but she needed to make an impact. His lack of attention had always annoyed her, but it had become worse of late. At times she felt that he looked right through her. He would come home from work and greet her with a faraway look, almost as though she wasn’t there. But this, this new look being so radically different, it’s sure to have the desired effect. After all, it was quite different to any hairstyle she’d ever had before. She would put her new dress on and greet him at the door, before he went up to get changed. She was feeling quite giddy at the prospect and sat smiling at herself for a few beats before getting up.
When his key turned in the front door her heart gave a positive flutter.
She stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching the door open. She made an effort to look casual, without taking on a pose. His greeting was the usual one.
“Hello, dear.”
She held her ground. “Was your day all right?” she said, patting her hair gently.
“Same as usual,” he said, closing the door without looking at her.
She swivelled her head a couple of times as he approached. “What do you think, do you like it?”
“Like it?” he asked, loosening his tie.
“Yes. Do you like it?”
“Sorry, dear, like what?”
“My hair, do you like it?”
He managed a brief smile. “Yes, I like it when you wear it like that,” he said, as he climbed the stairs.
She watched him go, until he was out of sight. She stood motionless for some time before going into the kitchen.
When he came down he found her standing at the sink with the door to the cupboard underneath open.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
She turned, looking a little helpless. “I think there’s a leak,” she said, pointing down.
He sighed. “I’ll have a look,” he mumbled, going to the sink and crouching down. He peered under the sink. “I can’t see any problem under here,” he said in a muffled voice.
As he brought his head out she picked up the rolling pin.
Inattention has its limits.