December, 1985
"Look at you," Lindsay said to herself, turning around and admiring her new outfit in the mirror from various angles. It was the night of her seventeenth birthday and her mother had taken her shopping earlier that day. She felt pretty sexy in her oversize top, tight jeans, stacked rubber bracelets, and studded high-heeled boots. Her eyes traveled upwards to her face. That looked pretty good, too, she'd done her makeup perfectly that day. All except for the nose.
She sat down on the bed and took off her boots. She'd spent the last week thinking about her mother's offer. When she'd first given her the check she'd been so angry that she hadn't even considered it, but later that day it hit her that she could really do it. She hated her nose. She was constantly thinking about how much prettier she would be if it was normal-sized, but there was nothing she could do to hide it. It was right in the middle of her face. She knew Michael was right that her mother was just looking for something to criticize and that she shouldn't let it get to her, but it was hard not to when she knew that it was true. Anyone could see it, and the fact that her mother brought it up so much just reminded her how noticeable it was.
She covered her nose with her hand and looked in the mirror, trying to imagine what she would look like if she got the surgery, but she couldn't picture it. Of course, she would have to ask her mother. It would be humiliating, especially after she'd gotten so angry at her about it before. And she would have to tell Michael. It had been so nice to have him on her side. She couldn't bear to throw that away and give him one more reason to be disappointed in her. But as she looked in the mirror she knew she couldn't go through her whole life being tortured by this, not when the solution was so easy. She steeled herself and went to her parents' room and knocked on the door.
"Come in," she heard her mother say.
"Hey, sister," her younger brother Buster said as she stepped into the room. He was sitting on the bed with their mother brushing her hair.
"Hey," she said.
"What is it?" Lucille asked, not turning to look at her.
Lindsay hesitated, then decided it was best just to jump right into it. "Um, so I've been thinking about it, and I decided I actually do want to do the plastic surgery," she said, looking down at the carpet. She reluctantly looked up as Lucille turned to her and smiled gloatingly.
"Good," she said. "I'll schedule the consultation."
"Okay," Lindsay said stiffly, and turned and left the room.
"Happy birthday!" Lucille called after her. I hate you, Lindsay thought.
