After helping a classmate conceal a facial scar before prom, the narrator discovered a passion for makeup. He became skilled at helping people with scars, birthmarks, and other visible differences feel confident. His father, however, considered makeup embarrassing and constantly compared him unfavorably to his athletic brother, Jake.
When he turned eighteen, his father gave him an ultimatum: throw away his makeup supplies or leave the house. He chose to leave. His mother cried, while Jake remained silent. His father even told him that living in the real world might finally “make a man” out of him.
Over the next decade, the narrator turned his passion into a successful career. He worked with women recovering from accidents, surgeries, and other experiences that affected their confidence. Meanwhile, he became distant from his family and rarely heard from them.
