The Hairdresser Diaries

by Jessica Miller

  “I told her the skirt had to go back and she’s changing into something that more resembles clothes.”

  My dad ruffled my hair and sat down at the table across from me. “I also told her…I would try to convince you to let her get her belly button pierced,” I winced, waiting for the backlash.

  “Then you can also be the one to tell her I said no,” he said calmly.

  “Come on dad, it’s not that bad. It’s just the belly button and it’s not permanent.”

  “Not like tattoos!” Trina yelled from the stairs. She really didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut.

  “Trina come down here,” my dad called to her. She had put on capris and a t-shirt—thankfully. She walked over and sat on my lap. “Trina why do you want to get your belly button pierced? And don’t say because everyone else has theirs done.”

  She thought for minute. “Well…I just think it will be neat. Tatum has lots of piercing’s and tattoos and so does Tyler. Why can’t I?”

  “You’re not helping your case,” I muttered.

  “As much as I disapprove,” my dad looked at me and I quickly looked away. “Yes they do have piercings and,” he sighed,“tattoos, but they’re also adults. You are only thirteen.”

  Trina put her hands in her lap and sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. She got up and went back upstairs.

  I thought I’d try one more tactic.

  “You know how she is when she wants something. She might end up trying to do it herself or finding some dirty place that will do it without parental consent. If you said yes, I could take her and this way you would know it was done properly and clean.”

  Exasperated by this topic my dad stood up and went back to the stove to finish dinner. A moment later he sighed and said, “Okay, but there are going to be some ground rules.”

  I stood up and hugged him. “Thanks dad, I was not looking forward to the possibility of her making this week hell.” He laughed and told me to go tell Trina dinner was done. Just then Tyler walked in. It was like he had a sixth sense. He always knew to show up exactly when dinner was done.

  I called up the stairs to tell Trina dinner was done.

  “Hi Tyler,” Trina said sullenly as she came back down.

  “What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me?”

  “I am,” she sulked and sat down at the table.

  “Alright Trina, I talked it over with Tatum and decided you can get your belly button pierced.”

  “Really?” she asked sitting up. My dad nodded yes and Trina started jumping up and down screaming like a banshee.

  “Alright, alright, enough.”

  “Yes please, I think I’m deaf now,” I said jiggling my finger in my ear.

  “There are going to be some ground rules though, but we’ll talk about it after dinner.”

  “Okay,” Trina said all cheery.

  Trina settled down and we all sat and ate dinner like a normal family. It was nice. I had forgotten what it felt like. Afterward, I helped my father clean up and we all sat out on the deck and caught up. I loved having my family together. Sometimes I forget how much I really miss them.

  The day of the cookout, I got up early to go to the grocery store to gather things I needed for today. When I came home I prepared the food and made Tyler set up the rest while I hopped in the shower. After I finished getting ready I headed to the kitchen to carry some of the items out to my dad. Trina was there and wearing—again—a very inappropriate outfit.

  “Hell no, I don’t think so. Go back upstairs and put something else on before dad sees you,” I scolded her. She didn’t argue—for once—and went back upstairs to change. “And stay out of my closet,” I yelled.

  Take the girl shopping and she raids my closet…kids.

  Just shortly after noon, the guests started to arrive. First it was my Aunt and Uncle. They brought their bratty kids, my cousins.

  Then my grandparents, my friends, Tyler’s, and some of my dad’s old work buddies. All the family that came was from my dad’s side. All the ones on my mom’s side lived out of state and we didn’t see them much. Everyone was getting along and having a good time.

  It was just past one-thirty and Cole wasn’t here yet. Tommy had come with Jessie and I asked him if he had talked to Cole. He said Cole did say he was coming, he just didn’t know when. I was starting to get a little worried he wasn’t going to show and I got my phone out to call him when he finally showed up. I almost dropped my drink when I saw him.

  He was wearing ripped up jeans, white t-shirt, and boots. His hair was styled in a messy faux-hawk and he had some scruffy looking stubble.

  What the hell?

  Okay, he’s trying a new look? Maybe? Why did he have to pick today to test this?

  He walked right up to me. Put his arm around me, then planted a big sloppy kiss on my lips.

  I backed away. “Um hi. New look?” I asked scared.

  “Thought I’d try something new, what do you think?” he said putting his arms out and posing. I actually did like it. He had a James dean kind of look to him, but I knew my dad wouldn’t approve. I just hoped once my dad realized how charming Cole is, he would get past this…new look. My dad didn’t take kindly to people who looked like punks—as he would put it.

  “Um…it’s nice.” I didn’t want to encourage him, as much as I actually liked it; I liked the old Cole better.

  I thought it best to get it over with and introduce Cole to my dad. “Dad, this is Cole. Cole this is my father Terry.”

  My dad gave him a disapproving look, which I was afraid of. Then he started with the interrogation. “So, Cole, what do you do for a living?”

  “Nothing, I just sponge off my parents.”

  Okay, wrong answer.

  My dad was not looking to happy. “How long have you been dating my daughter?”

  “I wouldn’t necessarily say we’ve been dating, we kind of just screw around.”

  Oh my god.

  “Excuse us a minute,” I said and pulled Cole aside before my dad killed him. “What the hell are you doing?” I demanded.

  “What? You asked me to be your pretend boyfriend so I am,” he said nonchalant. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, but I had to stop this now.

  “Look, how about I do the talking from now on and you just…be quiet.” He shrugged his shoulders and we went to talk to my dad again.

  “Sorry dad, Cole was just kidding, that’s how he is a big kidder.” I could tell he wasn’t really buying it, but at least the giant vein in his neck stopped bulging.

  My dad wasn’t sure what to say next, guessing he was afraid to hear the answer. So instead he just watched Cole, until my uncle came over, and distracted him.

  “Hey babe, how about you go grab me a beer,” Cole said smacking me on the ass. He’s lucky I didn’t turn around and slug him.

  Cole spent the rest of the day sitting by himself or talking to Tommy. I kept my distance as much as I could, afraid of what he’d try next. Towards the end of the night most of my family had left and it was just my friends of Tyler and I hanging around, including Tyler’s good friend Officer O’Neil.

  I quickly pulled him aside and asked him politely not to let my father know I had gotten arrested, only to my surprise, my father was standing behind when I asked.

  “What!” my dad yelled.

  Crap.

  Officer O’Neil whispered good luck to me and quickly walked away.

  I turned around to face my dad, flashing my best sweet and innocent smile. “It was no big deal, just a minor mishap.”

  “What happened?” he demanded.

  “Well…some asshole pissed me off so I punched him,” I smiled again nervously.

  My dad started laughing. Not the reaction I expected, but I’ll take it. “It’s good to hear you can take care of yourself, but how about next time you try a different route. Okay?” He smiled and put his arm around me.

  “Okay, dad I promise,” I said hugging him. He seemed to be in
better spirits from earlier today. Probably thinking I could knock out Cole if I needed too.

  By now, most of the group had dispersed and my dad walked a few of his friends out. I stayed outback and chatted with my few remaining friends. I looked around for Cole, but I didn’t see him. Getting nervous, I asked Tommy where he was. He told me he saw him go inside with my dad. I panicked and charged through the door.

  “Hey babe, we were just talking about you,” Cole said smiling cockily.

  I looked at my dad to make sure he was still breathing.

  He got up walked over to me and whispered in my ear, “This one’s a keeper. I like him.” Totally confused, I looked at Cole, but he didn’t say anything. “I’m going to head off to bed, you kids have a good night,” my dad said kissing me on the forehead.

  I stood there frozen. Wondering what the hell just happened?

  Cole stood up, finished off his beer, and without looking at me said, “Well my work here is done.” Then he started to walk away.

  “Cole wait,” I called after him, but he kept walking. “Cole!” I shouted as he walked out the door. “Would you please stop?” I pleaded.

  He stopped, turned around, and stared at me. He looked angry. I’ve never seen him look this way.

  “What did you say to him?” was the first thing I could think to ask.

  “You asked me to pretend to be your boyfriend so I did, I played the part.”

  “That’s not what I asked.”

  “Look, he likes me now right?” I nodded. “Then I did my job.”

  “What was this look and the way you acted in the beginning? What was that all about?”

  “What, I thought this is the kind of guy you liked?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You know assholes, like Logan.”

  I took a step back. That hurt. “What did I do to piss you off so bad?”

  “I get it Tatum, you’re not interested, and so I’m done.” He turned to walk away again. I reached for him and he ripped his arm away from me and I saw pain in his eyes. “I’m done playing your games.”

  “Games? What games? Who’s playing games?” I couldn’t understand why he was so angry with me.

  “You are Tatum. I’m not someone who likes to be strung along cause the other person can’t make up their mind. I’m not here for your convenience.”

  “Cole, what the hell are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about you pretending to like me one minute, and the next you don’t. So which is it Tatum, you do or you don’t?”

  He was in my face now. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t answer, I was afraid to. I was afraid to tell him the truth, that I do like him, and that I’ve never felt this way about anyone. So I didn’t say anything. I looked into his eyes and tried to hold back my tears.

  “Good bye Tatum,” Cole said and walked away.

  I dropped down to the ground and buried my face in my hands as he left. I felt a tiny slender hand on my shoulder. “Tatum, are you alright?” Trina asked. She was now sitting beside me. I laid my head in her lap while I cried.

  “Why didn’t you just tell him?” Trina asked.

  “Tell him what?”

  “That you like him.”

  “Trina, were you eavesdropping again?”

  “No. I don’t have to spy to know you like him. So why didn’t you tell him?”

  “It’s complicated,” I said as I sat up and wiped my face.

  “I think it’s pretty simple. You like him or you don’t. You’re the one who’s making it complicated.” I look at her, amazed I was getting relationship advice from my thirteen year old sister. “He really likes you too. I overheard him talking to dad.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t eavesdropping.”

  “No, I said I didn’t listen to you guys talk, I never said him and dad.” I laughed and wrapped my arms around her waist laying my head against her stomach. “Do you want to know what they talked about?” she asked me.

  “Of course.”

  “Well at first I thought dad was going to rip his head off. He had that scary vein bugling out of his neck. But he nicely asked Cole if he would sit down and have a chat. It was almost like Cole was a different person. When he talked about you, his eyes sparkled bright and he always had a smile on his face like he was in la-la land. He was very polite and proper and respectful, which I kinda don’t get? At first he seemed like a real jerk off, but anyway, you can totally tell he loves you.”

  “Trina, I barely know him, I highly doubt he loves me.”

  “Trust me, he does.”

  “When did you become so smart?”

  “Please, I’ve always been smart,” she said acting like she knew everything. “Do you love him?” she asked.

  I sighed and sat up. “Come on, let’s go back inside.” I grabbed her hand and we walked back in the house together. I said goodbye to the rest of my friends and got ready for bed.

  It was the middle of the night and I couldn’t sleep. I sneaked outback to have a cigarette. Leaning up against the railing, I thought about something Tommy had said to me earlier tonight before he left. He said, “I’m not sure exactly what was up with Cole, but I know for a fact he likes you. Half the time he doesn’t shut up about you. Whatever it is I’m sure he’ll get over it.”

  That was the problem, I don’t think he will. I hurt him. I have been stringing him along because I couldn’t be honest about my feelings for him. I couldn’t even be honest with myself. And now I lost my chance. This is probably for the best.

  I heard the back door open and saw my dad walk out. I tried to hide my cigarette, but it was too late. “What are you doing up?” I asked.

  “Couldn’t sleep,” he said stealing the cigarette from my hand and taking a drag. “You really shouldn’t smoke.” He handed me back the cigarette. “Why are you still up?”

  “I guess I’m still a little wound up from the party,” I said.

  “I’m surprised you’re not at your boyfriend’s house.”

  I decided to tell my dad the truth about Cole. I know he’d find out sooner or later anyway. “Well dad, Cole’s not really my boyfriend. I asked him to pretend to be so you wouldn’t harass me about being single and try to hook me up.”

  “I see.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “How about next time you just be honest with me.”

  “I will, I promise.”

  He looked out into the night thoughtfully. “He doesn’t always dress and act like that, does he?”

  “No, uh, that’s not really what Cole’s like.”

  “I know. Before you came in and found us, I overheard him on the phone with his mom and I couldn’t understand why someone who loves and respects their mother the way he does, would treat my daughter any different, that’s why I sat down and talked to him. The way he talked about you, if he was lying, he did a pretty good job. He had me convinced enough to believe he loves you.”

  “Well if he did, he doesn’t now. I made sure of that.”

  “What ever happened, I’m sure he’ll forgive you, I know that much.”

  “Thanks dad.”

  “Now get some sleep,” he said tugging on my ponytail and we walked back into the house.

  Trina tried getting me out of bed bright and early the next morning. Ever since my dad told her she could get her belly button pierced, she wanted it done right away.

  “Trina, the place doesn’t even open till noon,” I said sleepily while she pulled on my arm trying to drag me out of bed.

  “It will take you that long to get ready, so let’s go,” she said breathless still tugging on my arm.

  “Trina,” I grumbled and yanked my arm away causing her to fall. “Go watch some cartoons or something.”

  “I’m not five,” she pouted while sitting on the floor with her arms crossed.

  “You sure as hell are acting like it. Now leave me alone or I’m not taking you.”

  She crawled into bed next to me an
d turned on my TV. “What are you doing?” I asked annoyed.

  “You said to watch cartoons.”

  “I meant downstairs.” I took the remote from her and turned off the TV. She crawled across me, purposely digging her knees into me as she got off the bed. I picked up my pillow and threw it at her, but I missed. She put up her hands and stuck out her tongue at me and left the room.

  Not even ten minutes later my dad walked in. “Tatum, I made breakfast, come down and eat.”

  Seriously? Apparently no one was going to let me sleep. I crawled out of bed and headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast. I got downstairs in time to hear my dad reminding Trina of all the ground rules she had to abide by to get her belly button pierced or he’d make her take it out.

  She had to keep her grades up once school started, no belly tops to show it off, and about a million other things that were never going to happen. I give it two weeks before he makes her take it out.

  After breakfast Trina was rushing me to get ready. “Wouldn’t you rather go to the pool first?” I asked.

  “No, let’s go.” I sighed and got ready.

  When we arrived at the tattoo shop, Trina started getting nervous. “Relax, it doesn’t hurt,” I said trying to calm her nerves. I don’t think it helped. “It’s okay, if you changed your mind we can go home.”

  “No! I’m okay.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The piercer walked out and called Trina’s name. She looked at me nervously. “Will you come with me and hold my hand?” I smiled at her and walked with her to the back room.

  The guy explained everything he was going to do before he did it. I told her to close her eyes and relax. It only feels like a quick pinch and it’s over and done with before you know it. The guy told her I was right and she relaxed a little. Once the needle pierced the skin, she tightened her eyes and squeezed my hand, then let go. The piercer told her to open her eyes, he was done.

  She did and looked down. She was glowing. The guy told her everything she had to do to keep it clean and to keep it from getting infected. I knew I would have to tell her again later because she wasn’t paying attention.

  “You’re right, it didn’t really hurt,” Trina said when we got in the car. She wouldn’t stop staring at it.