I took a deep breath and stood.
‘Can I come back with her?’ Eric asked.
The nurse nodded. ‘You can stay with her until she goes in for the surgery.’
Eric helped me change into the pink hospital gown the nurse had left along with a pair of soft socks. He kissed my forehead. ‘You’re going to be fine. I promise.’
I knew Eric was trying to reassure me, but I also knew that every surgery involved risk. I’d read stories online about implant infections and how painful recovery is. I was afraid of ending up worse than when I started. I hadn’t told anyone, not even Jackie, but I’d had a nightmare that my breasts turned black and shriveled up like dried prunes. I just wanted to get the surgery over with.
I was glad Dr Curry could place the implant above my chest muscle. It meant less pain and a quicker recovery. Eric held my hand while I waited, constantly reassuring me. When the nurses came to take me to the operating room, he kissed me. ‘I love you and I’ll be here when you wake up.’
Chapter 25
As soon as I came to in recovery, I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. My breasts were covered in gauze dressings and bound by a bandeau. I started to cry.
‘What’s wrong?’ Eric said, kissing my forehead. He’d been sitting by my bed waiting for me to wake up.
My lips trembled. ‘Are you sure I’m not going to look like a hooker?’
‘No, sweetheart, no. You’re beautiful and now you’ll be even more beautiful.’
The nurse walked over. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘I think so,’ Eric said.
‘She might be a little confused,’ the nurse said, ‘and still feeling the effects of the anesthesia.’
I felt groggy. I couldn’t keep my eyes open. I dozed off again and the nurse returned about thirty minutes later.
‘How are you feeling now?’ she asked.
I yawned. ‘Tired and sore.’
She checked my vitals. ‘Everything looks good. Are you ready for me to review your discharge instructions?’
I nodded and listened as she went over my postoperative care. She talked about cold compresses, not showering until my incisions were closed and my sutures removed, avoiding strenuous activity and a host of other things. ‘Everything I just said is on this sheet. Call the number listed at the bottom if you have any problems or questions.’
‘Thanks,’ I said, feeling pangs of regret about the surgery.
Eric took the piece of paper. ‘Can I take her home?’
‘Yes,’ the nurse said. ‘Pull your car up to the entrance and I’ll bring her out in a wheelchair and help you get her into the car.’
Eric helped me dress and then left to get the car. The nurse wheeled me out just as Eric pulled up. I slept the entire way home and then Eric helped me to bed. At least I was a back sleeper, so I’d have no trouble following that instruction.
‘Remember what the nurse said about elevating your upper back and head,’ said Eric, sliding another pillow under my neck for support. ‘I’ll get the ice packs. Anything else you need?’
‘Maybe some iced water. And a pain pill.’
Eric returned with a glass of iced water and one of the pain pills the doctor had prescribed. ‘Try to get some rest and I’ll check on you later.’
When I woke up two hours later, there was a beautiful vase of sunflowers sitting on my dresser. I eased out of bed and walked over to check who’d sent them.
Thinking of you! Love, Jackie.
I found my cell phone and texted her.
Just woke up. Thanks for the beautiful flowers. Call you when I’m feeling up to it.
K. Love you. She texted back.
Love you, too!
Eric walked into the bedroom. ‘You’re up? How are you feeling?’ He walked over and kissed me.
‘I think I need to take another pain pill, but I want to eat something first.’
‘I made a pot of chicken soup. Would you like a bowl?’
‘That sounds delicious.’
I walked to the kitchen, stopping in the living room to pet Izzy, who was curled on the couch.
I pulled out a kitchen chair and sat down while Eric waited on me.
‘Would you like some crackers?’ he asked.
‘Yes, please.’
I tasted the soup. ‘It’s delicious, Eric. Thank you.’
I’d taken a couple weeks off from work, but I didn’t tell anyone why. I wondered if they’d notice I had bigger breasts when I returned.
I wasn’t crazy about not being able to shower until my sutures were removed or not being able to wash my hair for a week because I couldn’t raise my hands over my head. But I’d put my hair in a ponytail until then, hoping that it would keep my dirty hair from bothering me.
Over the next week, Eric was very attentive. We didn’t fight at all, but then I didn’t go anywhere so he couldn’t accuse me of flirting with anyone or choosing to be with someone else (like Jackie) instead of him.
‘I’ve really liked having you home all the time,’ Eric said one night while we watched one of the old movies he’d bought. ‘I’ve been thinking. I make enough money for us to live. Why don’t you quit working?’
I turned to look at him. ‘No,’ I said firmly. ‘I like my job.’
He grabbed his iPad from the coffee table. ‘I saw this job online the other day and I thought of you. Just look at it, please?’
He found the ad and handed me the iPad.
‘Executive administrative assistant,’ I read. It was for a manufacturing company located in town.
‘You wouldn’t have far to drive,’ Eric said. ‘I know you’re not crazy about the commute.’
I handed the iPad back to him. ‘I don’t like the commute, but I’m not ready to make a change right now.’ I wasn’t in the mood to discuss getting a new job and I was a little irritated that he had brought it up. Didn’t he know I had enough on my mind?
‘Look, I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘The truth is I’m worried about you driving to work this winter. Your car doesn’t have four-wheel drive like my SUV. But we could…’
‘Could what?’
‘Well, I was just thinking that I wouldn’t worry as much if you drove my SUV. We could trade your car in for a BMW.’
Eric had been talking about getting a BMW for weeks. Every night he searched online and showed me photos of ones he liked.
‘I don’t want you to worry. If trading in my car for a BMW and me driving your SUV makes you happy, I’ll do it.’ Eric was taking such good care of me and I appreciated his concern. I heard the excitement in his voice whenever he talked about getting a BMW. I wanted him to be happy.
That night, we made love and it was better than I thought it would be considering my breasts were still swollen and my nipples tender. But Eric was gentle and pleased me in other ways.
The next day, Eric and I went car shopping. We drove to a dealership about twenty miles away. As we walked through the lot looking at the cars, a salesman approached us. ‘Back again?’ he asked Eric.
I looked at Eric. ‘You’ve been here before?’
The salesman laughed. ‘He’s been here so often we joked he ought to get a job here.’
‘Hmm,’ I said, annoyed that Eric hadn’t told me.
‘Still interested in the car you test drove the other day?’ the salesman asked.
‘Yes. I’d like to take my wife for a ride.’
The salesman gave Eric the keys and we both got into the black sports coupe.
‘Why didn’t you tell me you were at this dealership before?’ I asked Eric as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the highway.
‘Why does it matter?’
‘It matters to me. I thought we were picking out this car together.’
‘We are. That’s why I’m taking you on a test drive. What do you think of the red interior?’
I shrugged. ‘I like the black better.’
‘Can’t you just ever be happy?’ he shouted. ‘I’m bu
ying a car so you don’t have to drive to work in an unsafe vehicle this winter. I’m doing this for you; not me.’
‘I know you’re doing it for me and I appreciate it.’
‘Well, you don’t act like it.’
‘I’m sorry. I do. I love you. If you like the red interior, then get it.’
‘Are you sure you like it?’ he asked.
‘Positive. You’re the one driving it so you need to be happy. If you’re happy with it, I’m happy.’
We left in my car and came home in his new BMW.
Chapter 26
I hate my breasts. I texted Jackie.
Where are you? She texted back.
Clothes shopping with Eric. Do they look like volleyballs? Be honest.
No. You look fabulous. Don’t worry!
I stood naked in the dressing room getting ready to try on clothes and started to cry. My breasts looked like two torpedo tips spot-welded to my chest. I never thought I’d think this, but I missed my pancake breasts. They might not have been much, but at least they were all mine.
I managed to pull myself together and modeled the clothes Eric had picked out. He gave me a thumbs-up or thumbs-down when I walked out of the dressing room to show him. First up was a V-neck black sweater dress.
Thumbs-down. ‘Too tight.’
Black pencil skirt and white blouse. Thumbs-up. ‘You look beautiful.’
Tan pants, blazer and floral shirt. Thumbs-up. ‘Change the shirt to a solid color. The flowers look like something an old woman would wear.’
On and on it went until I had five dresses, three pants, three tops and a blazer that passed the Eric Test. I obviously didn’t model the lingerie, but Eric had chosen that.
‘I can’t wait to see you in the new lingerie,’ he said on the way home. ‘Will you model it for me when we get home?’
I really wasn’t in the mood to wear the sexy lingerie, but Eric had taken me shopping and bought all my clothes, so it was the least I could do.
He sat on the bed and waited for me to emerge from the bathroom. I carefully put on the lingerie he wanted me to model. It was a black lacey piece with breast and nether area cutouts.
I stared into the mirror. My breasts looked a little on the high side, but my surgeon had told me that might last a few months until my body had a chance to accommodate the change in size. I felt like a porn star preparing to shoot a new film. Shelly, what have you done?
I walked out of the bedroom and over to Eric. He stood and stared, his eyes settling on my breasts. ‘You look absolutely beautiful,’ he said. ‘Turn around.’
I slowly turned around so that my butt was facing him. He touched my bare butt through the opening in the back. ‘The only thing that would make you even more beautiful is a butt implant.’
I whizzed around to face him, surprised he’d had such a thought. ‘You’re not serious, are you?’
He looked in my eyes. ‘I love you. You’re beautiful just the way you are. Forget I mentioned it.’
But I couldn’t forget, and I knew he wouldn’t either. If he mentioned it, he’d been thinking about it. A freakin’ butt implant!
I stood as he kissed each of my breasts, working his way down to the other cutout. I was happy the sensitivity in my nipples had returned. My body trembled at his touch and my desire for him grew. Minutes later, I was undressed and in bed. He couldn’t bind my wrists to the rungs on the headboard because the doctor had instructed me not to lift my arms above my shoulders. But it didn’t seem to bother him. He was enjoying his new toys.
The next morning, Eric made breakfast, but it wasn’t the usual eggs and bacon. It was oatmeal.
‘I thought it might be good if we lost a few pounds.’ He patted his stomach, which was as flat as a Texas road.
I poured myself a cup of coffee, figuring this latest move was aimed at me. ‘I don’t think you have to worry about losing weight, Eric. There’s not an ounce of fat on you.’
‘Still,’ he said. ‘I think we should eat healthier. Starting today.’
I sat down at the kitchen table and he served me a bowl of oatmeal. I tasted it.
‘What do you think?’ asked Eric, sitting down next to me.
‘It’s too bland. It would be better with some fruit in it.’
Eric jumped up and got a banana from the counter and sliced it, putting half in my bowl and half in his.
I took a bite. ‘Yes, definitely better with the fruit.’
He held up a tablet. ‘I planned our dinner menu for the week. I’ll take care of the shopping.’
I looked at the menu. It was filled with chicken and salads. He was serious about us or, rather, me losing weight.
‘Are you nervous about returning to work today?’ he asked.
‘A little, I guess. I wondered if you’d mind if I had dinner with Jackie after work.
He sipped his coffee. ‘That will be fine. Just be home by nine.’
I wore the pants and blazer to work. When I walked in, there was a bouquet of sunflowers on my desk. I opened the card.
Thinking of you. Good luck on your first day back. Love always, Eric.
Patty came over. ‘That man of yours must spend a fortune at the florist.’
I smiled. Yes, and a fortune on these implants!
‘Welcome back,’ said Patty, handing me a folder. ‘You look different.’
She scanned my body from head to feet. ‘It’s not your hair. Something else.’
I prayed that she wouldn’t notice my bigger breasts, but I also knew it was only a matter of time. You can’t hide going from clementine-sized breasts to super large grapefruits. I only had a few blazers and sweater coats that would hide my new physique.
Patty left and I texted Eric. Thank you for the flowers!
I spent the day getting caught up and had an appointment with the sellers of a pre-Civil War property late afternoon to discuss lowering the price by ten thousand. I planned to meet Jackie afterwards at Tony’s. It wasn’t taco night, but I’d settle for some good bar food. After looking at Eric’s dinner menu for the week, it appeared my days of eating French fries and burgers were over.
Jackie waited for me outside Tony’s and when I pulled into the parking lot she walked over and hugged me gently.
‘I’ve missed you.’
‘You, too.’
‘Let me see.’
I pulled back the sides of my blazer.
‘Wow! They’re even bigger in person.’
‘Let’s go into the bathroom. I’ll show you.’
Jackie followed me into the bathroom and I took off my blazer and unbuttoned my blouse.
‘They look terrific,’ Jackie said. ‘I see what you mean about them being a little high, but they’ll settle.’
My chin started to tremble and I could feel the tears pulling in the corners of my eyes. ‘Are you sure I don’t look like a whore?’
‘Oh, no, Shel, no! You look terrific. Honestly. I wish I hadn’t been on vacation when you had it done. I feel bad I wasn’t there for you.’
I buttoned my blouse. ‘Don’t give it a second thought. You had your vacation planned for a year.’
We made our way to the bar where we ordered chicken strips and French fries and I devoured them. Eric had packed my lunch and the salad and hardboiled egg hadn’t filled me up.
Jackie and I spent the next three hours catching up. After about two drinks, I got up the nerve to ask Jackie something I’d been thinking about ever since Eric had mentioned it.
‘Do you think my butt’s flat?’
Jackie choked on the water she’d just sipped and I handed her a napkin. She looked at me and said very sternly, ‘No. Your butt’s fine. Why?’
I shrugged. ‘I thought maybe I should get a butt implant to go with my breast augmentation.’
Jackie shook her head. ‘No. Don’t. You’re great just the way you are.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I mean it,’ Jackie said. ‘You don’t want to become addicted to cosmetic surgery
. One fix will just lead to another and another.’
‘You’re right. Forget I brought it up.’
I pulled out my cell phone. ‘Omigosh! It’s nine already. Where did the time go?’
I had a text message from Eric.
You’re late!!!!!!
I texted back. Sorry. Time flew. Leaving now.
Jackie and I walked out together. ‘Thanks for dinner,’ Jackie said. ‘Next time it’s on me.’
Chapter 27
It was almost ten-thirty when I walked into the house. Eric followed me into the bedroom.
‘I let you meet a friend for dinner and how do you repay me? By being late. Almost two hours late!’
His face looked like a fireball and his temper was just as hot.
I figured he’d be angry I was late, but I never expected him to be so outraged.
‘Eric, please,’ I cowered. ‘I hadn’t seen Jackie in forever. We had a lot to talk about.’
He stared at me with his beady eyes. ‘Maybe you didn’t meet Jackie. Maybe you met another man. That’s it. You’re fucking someone behind my back.’
I shook my head. ‘No, Eric. I’d never do that.’
‘I paid for the breast implants you wanted,’ he screamed. ‘I bought a BMW so you could have my SUV to drive to work in the snow. I bought you a closet full of new clothes to wear and Goddamn sunflowers, which, by the way, I fuckin’ hate, just to make you happy. But there is no making you happy. You are just one big disappointment. You’re a bitch! A whore! You’re nothing. Zero! Zilch!’
My knees buckled and I fell to the floor sobbing, out of control. He circled me like a violent tornado destroying everything in its path. His beady eyes were filled with rage and his nostrils flared. My entire body shook. I feared he was going to hit me.
He stopped in front of me and bent over. His face was so close I smelled his stale coffee breath and felt its warmth smother my face. I looked down to avoid eye contact and escape the meanness and hatred that oozed from his pores.
‘Look at me, bitch. Look at me when I’m talking to you.’
I looked up, unable to speak. My lips trembled. He pointed his finger at me. ‘You have not honored me. You have not taken care of my heart. The one thing I asked you to do and you can’t even do that right. You’re worthless. You always screw everything up. You never do anything right. And who’s left cleaning up your mess? Me! I’m left picking up the pieces. You are nothing – nothing – without me. And I will decide where you go and who you see. Do you understand me?’
The Perfect Husband Page 14
