Now, however, her look was designed to be jarringly unattractive, enough to draw stares for entirely different reasons.
âIs it too hideous?â Rosalynn asked, touching her cheek.
Sanford, trying to choose his words carefully, cleared his throat and eyed the acne that marred her face.
âWell, itâs like a challenging round of puberty,â he joked gently.
Rosalynn chuckled at his description, her mind wandering back to the time she first met Brian.
âWhen Brian first saw me, I looked like this,â she reminisced.
Sanford, taken aback, couldnât help but exclaim, âNo wonder he disappeared for two years.
Honestly, if it were me, I might have reacted even more strongly.
â
Oops!
Realizing he had spoken more bluntly than intended, he saw Rosalynnâs smirk and smiled sheepishly.
âI should watch my wordsâ¦â
âWell, he isnât as superficial as you,â Rosalynn teased.
She continued, her smile widening, âBrian explained that his two-year absence wasnât because of my appearance back then, but because he was deeply opposed to our loveless marriage.
â
Sanford laughed to himself, thinking how adept Brian was at smoothing things over with his wife.
But he nodded in agreement, playing along.
âAbsolutely, Brianâs perspective is certainly more enlightened than mine.
â
Rosalynn closed the door gently behind her, fixing her gaze on Sanford.
âSo, if Maggie ever loses her looks, would you just leave her?â she asked.
Sanford realized it was a sensitive question.
He responded quickly, âThat wonât happen.
â
âReally? Thatâs not what you were implying earlier,â Rosalynn remarked, moving closer with a half-smile.
âNo, Rosalynn, Sanford began earnestly.
âMy situation with Maggie is different from yours and Brianâs.
â
He went on, explaining, âYou and Brian didnât have that understanding, that emotional connection.
And letâs face it; everyone values beauty.
Itâs no surprise Brian turned away from someone who pushed too hard and whom he found unattractive.
As for Maggie and me, weâre not like that.
We understand each other deeply now.
Sure, looks matter, but whatâs inside matters more.
Maggie and I love each other.
How could I walk away from her just because she changes physically?â
Rosalynn reached for the elevator button, her expression thoughtful.
âReally?â she asked.
âAbsolutely, Iâm certain,â Sanford assured her.
He paused, collecting his thoughts.
âLook, I appreciate beauty like anyone else.
I mean, who doesnât? And these days, if someoneâs looks change, thereâs always cosmetic surgery.
â
His words did make some sense.