“I certainly can. I see several of the products I used to use when I did hair in Detroit.”
“Oh, you’re from Detroit?” She gave me an inquisitive smile.
“Yes, just moved here over the weekend.”
“Cool. Well, help yourself. Bring everything over to me so I can write it down. We’ll take it out of your check.” She sat back and started moving the mouse around her desk.
I went over to the shelves and started grabbing a little of everything. I didn’t stick with one product line. I chose some from almost every brand. There wasn’t one entire line I loved. It was bits and pieces of everything for me.
With my hands full, I made my way back over to Miranda where she logged everything I had selected into the computer. “Thanks, Miranda. I appreciate you helping me out.”
“No problem. Now go cut some hair. You have an appointment that’ll be here in an hour, so be ready at twelve.”
“Will do, do you have any details?” I hope that maybe it was more than a haircut.
She typed something in the computer. “Sure. You’re doing a highlight and cut.”
“Perfect, I can’t wait!” I would be starting my day off right since I loved to do color.
Heading back to my station, I noticed that Mags was in between clients. Hopefully, it would give us a chance to make a little small talk. I got to my station and started putting everything up in the cabinet.
Mags approached me. “So are you settling in okay?”
I turned to her and gave her a warm smile. “Absolutely, I didn’t bring any product with me, and I didn’t know where any of the supply houses was, so I had to buy some here.”
She put her hand on my shoulder. “Girl, I’ll take you whenever you want to go. It isn’t far from here. I know that you get fifty percent off here, but you can save a lot of money at the supply house.”
“That would be great, Mags. I really appreciate it. I think I’ll be all set for a while. Fortunately, Drea said that we didn’t need shampoo or anything for color so I’m set there, but I just needed gel, mousse, you know product for styling.’
“Yeah, I totally get it.” She looked down appraising me. “You are totally rocking those heels, but girl, I’ve got to tell you, you’re still short.” We both giggled.
“Yes, I know. I was blessed with short genes.” People were always making comments about my height, but my mom always told me good things come in small packages.
“Let’s do cocktails after work tonight. I will get a bunch of us together so you can meet everyone.” She gave me a look filled with excitement. I was, after all, the new shiny kid.
This was so exciting. I was actually making new friends. “Sure, sounds great!”
The afternoon flew by. For not having a clientele, I had three appointments and two walk-ins. It was just nearing six o’clock when I heard my phone chime from my station alerting me that I had a text. I picked it up and unlocked the screen seeing that I had three missed text messages and a call from Damien. Hmm. I wondered what he wanted.
Damien: Ran home for an early dinner and let the rat out.
Me: Perfect, thank you. I plan to go out after work, so now I don’t have to be home at any certain time. Was he okay?
Damien: Yeah, he was fine. TTYL
Hmm. I wonder why he was so short with me.
I scrolled through my phone and saw a text from Bee.
Bee: I miss you, girl. We need to catch up. I want to know all about Vegas. Call me.
Me: Hey, Bee, I’ll call you tomorrow morning before work. Miss you and love you.
Then I scrolled through my phone finding a text from Wes. My stomach sank and all the color had to have drained from my face. I opened it with trepidation.
Wes: Please talk to me. I miss you and love you so very much. I’m so sorry.
Throwing my phone back onto my station, I walked on shaky legs to the bathroom. I wasn’t going to be sick, but I needed to get my shit together so that my co-workers didn’t think anything was wrong.
Honestly, I didn’t get it. How could he all of a sudden be so nice and all apologetic? He was a monster when he took me against my will.
A complete and utter monster.
My only choice was to ignore him, although, in my heart, I wished I had pressed charges, but I think it might be too late now. I wasn’t familiar with the laws, but that was my best guess. When Bee had discovered me in the bathroom bruised and bloody, she had taken me to the hospital where they did a rape kit. I had the evidence, but it was clearly too late. Plus I just didn’t think I could do that to my step-father. It would be a total nightmare if he knew. I wish my mother were here so that she could assure me that everything was going to be all right.