The first week of November came and went while I waited patiently for a response. Great changes were taking place, but no one seemed to notice. Then one day it happened. Lydia came home from work and burst out laughing. At the same time - as if breaking a secret code - Sylvia suddenly stared long and hard at me.
"What is that revolting thing on your face?" she finally asked.
"You're not doing it are you?" Lydia asked.
It wasn't quite the intended reaction, but I nodded at my horror-stricken wife and daughter. For the first time ever my upper lip was making a statement. This would be the year that it joined thousands - if not millions - of other upper lips in a united stand against prostate cancer. By month end, and with a little trimming, the possibilities were endless. Perhaps a Snidely Whiplash or a Wilford Brimley style might adorn my face. Or maybe a handlebar type? The only style that was out-of-bounds, thanks to a certain deranged Austrian, was the Charlie Chaplin mustache.
I blame Sylvia. She dared me to do it. Plus, I was curious to see what would happen if things were left alone one patch just below my nose. And there was another experiment I wanted to try involving the obliviousness of my family. How long would it take for them to notice?
Both Lydia and Sylvia caught on after a week. Which wasn't too bad. The fuzz wasn't exactly spreading at record rates. Mind you, I noticed that it was taking on a definite embryonic shape which brought to mind The Village People's ‘staches.
After Sylvia's initial response, she quickly amended her comments to be more supportive. Not that she fooled me. I knew she only wanted to see how ridiculous I would look by month's end. Anything for a laugh, provided it was at my expense!
Not surprisingly, Mitchell continued to ignore the growth. Usually it took him a day or two to notice whenever I had a haircut. Considering that I tend to go a few months between cuts this tends to alter my appearance a tad radically. At least he noticed when, just before Halloween, I bought an ugly wig and wore it is a joke. He had stared at me for a moment and then shook his head from side to side as though I had offered further proof that adults were a few cards short of a deck. I could hardly wait to see his reaction to my latest hair growth. That is if he actually notices it!
In the meantime, I welcome all readers to check out my Movember profile and make a donation of any size. You can find it at: http://ca.movember.com/mospace/5482505 or search using my name at http://ca.movember.com/. I will be updating my profile with pictures as the month progresses. Or check out some of the other mustachioed men and donate to any who strike your fancy.
atoal@ns.sympatico.ca
Kevin Toal is a freelance writer and first-time mustache grower.
