“Hey, Ella. We’re talking about why we applied here. How come you want to be a stylist?” Mitzi asks, just as Rose enters the room and stands at the lectern.
Ella’s black eye isn’t as visible as when I discovered it, but she appears as harried as she had that day. “Freedom. Becoming a stylist is my ticket to freedom.”
⌛⌛⌛
Rose spends the entire day introducing us to the different types of haircutting implements. After she displays regular haircutting scissors, thinning shears, razors with safety guards, and then hair clippers, combs, and clippies, she asks us to join her at a circular table.
“I have pictures of haircuts from magazines. Let’s go through one implement after another and find pictures you think best match what was used to accomplish the style you see.” Rose glances around the table. “Ready? This should be easy. Find a picture that looks like regular scissors were used. Go.” She smiles as we scramble for a magazine and start leafing through the pictures.
Ella finds one first, followed by Daniel. Then me.
“Great work. Okay, how about this one. A razored look.”
This time Sandy beats us to the find. Daniel and I trail behind with our displays.
No matter what combination Rose asks for, Daniel and I are neck-and-neck. Speaking of neck, his is turning crimson.
“Competition getting to you?” I tease him.
“Honestly, yes. I looked at the examples in the book until my eyes crossed. I know these.”
Rose laughs. “Okay. I think you’re all familiar with the implements. Now, it’s time to learn how to use them.”
“Great. We get to use the heads and start cutting.” Mitzi was ready to spring from her chair.
Rose waves her index finger back and forth. “Not so fast, Miss Davis.”
Daniel sits taller in his seat. “We haven’t covered four and five section parting.”
Another smile from the teacher. “Right. Nor have I talked about texturizing, shingling, or tapering.”
Claire raises her hand. “Or thinning the hair.”
Daniel groans. “That’s texturizing.”
The blonde narrows her eyes. “You know, it’s not going to do you much good when you have the book memorized yet have no clients because you’re so infuriating.”
A chorus of “yeah’s” rise up and I watch Claire sit taller.
⌛⌛⌛
I use the lunch break to walk around town and clear my head. I can’t shake the lost puppy look Wayne had when Will told him the two of us were planning a future. The sermon on Esther and Brooke’s prayer also vies for my attention.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
My focus was on power walking and thinking, not on anyone around me. As soon as I look up, Daniel walks past me before stopping.
I turn around and join him. “You wouldn’t need a salon, Daniel. I have so many thoughts you could retire a wealthy man.”
“You seem pretty clear-headed to me. Sure gave me a run for my money with those magazines.”
I shrug. “I spent a lot of lonely nights combing through celebrity magazines gazing at their hair.” Memories of Noah as a toddler, asleep after dinner, come to mind. No Will or Wayne in the picture back then.
“It’s served you well, Carla. Say, can I ask you something?”
I take my phone out of my pocket and peek at the time. The afternoon session’s ready to start in ten minutes. I gesture Daniel to follow me.
“I guess.”
“Am I as obnoxious as Claire says I am?”
Oh boy. He’s belittled my hair. My clothes. My work at school. But, he also helped me when Noah was at the hospital.
“You’ve shared why you’re so driven, so I understand.”
He chuckles. “That’s a polite way to agree with Claire.”
“You’re a bit intense. I think if you loosen up, you won’t come across as harsh.”
As we reach the building, he opens the door for me. “Care to be my accountability partner? Kindly let me know when I’m crossing a line?”
I don’t think I have that kind of time.
“Will you help us girls if we’re having trouble?”
Daniel lets out a dramatic sigh. “That’s asking a lot. Honestly, as an accountability partner, the only one I thought I’d help was you.”
Me? I’m so over my head on so many levels. If Daniel knew, he’d withdraw his offer.
⌛⌛⌛
Betty’s warm smile is a welcome sight when I walk through the front door mid-week.
“You’ve been a stranger lately, Carla. Is school really that busy?” Her pink track suit swooshes as she walks over to the dining table to arrange the plates.
I hang my coat and shake off my boots. It reminds me of Will doing the same at my house, always ready to ask me about my day. “Yes. We’re in haircutting now. There’s so many terms to learn. I’m going to make flashcards after dinner. We’re practicing on the heads and it won’t be long before we’re out on the floor with real clients that will be coming to us. It’s enough to bring on an anxiety attack.” I try to laugh, but the stress is too palpable.
Grabbing the milk from the fridge, she pours the drink into a big glass. “I’m sure you’re doing fine, dear. I made chicken and biscuits. Thought that would be a nice comfort meal for this cold winter evening. Perhaps later I can help you study?”
I glance over at the diminutive senior citizen. “Oh, Betty. That’s not a very exciting evening for you.”
“Neither is watching mysteries on TV all night.”
“I can study with Daniel. He asked if I’d be his partner. So you don’t have to help me if you don’t want to.” I don’t want to obligate her, but she seems willing.
Betty chuckles. “I don’t mind at all. Although, I’m curious. Why did you agree to Daniel as your partner? I thought he wasn’t very nice.” She gestures for me to join her at the table.
We sit and I hand her a bowl of green peas. “He’s a bit competitive, but he’s coming around. The whole class is kind of getting to know each other better and working together. Daniel seems genuine in wanting to help out.”
Betty shakes her head. “I can’t keep up. You have your man friend. Then, Noah’s dad. And now, this Daniel.”
Before I scoop the chicken onto my plate, I pause. “You make my life sound like a soap opera. I promise, Daniel’s just a colleague.”
She folds her hands. “Ready to pray? It sounds like there’s a lot to take to God besides being thankful for our meal.”
Is my life really as chaotic as Betty sees it?
⌛⌛⌛
It’s a two-cup-of-coffee morning before I take my place in the practice salon. I bite my lip to stop a yawn as I look across the array of scissors spread out at my station. Daniel stops at the station to my right, his own Gloversville Beauty School mug in hand.
“I’m not ready for this. I stayed up past one looking at my notes.” He sips and puts the cup down.
“I made flash cards and studied until I fell asleep.”
Rose claps her hands five minutes later. All of us look up and notice her smile.
“It’s time to discover how well you know your haircutting instruments and parting skills. I’m going to visit each station and hand you a card. I’m looking for each of you to choose the right implement, perform the right part, and start the cut. No one has the same card, so don’t look to a neighbor. You either know it, or you don’t.” She keeps her smile, but I feel a chill all the same. “Oh, and I’m looking for everything leading up to and including the scissor selection. Use your bacterial information and basic setup we learned in previous units. You will be graded for accuracy.”
I glance at Ella, but she appears focused on the array of scissors.
“Okay, I’ll start with Claire.” Rose announces, walking to Claire’s station.
“Oh, man.”
We chuckle as soon as we hear Claire’s grumble. Once Rose leaves her work space, she weaves back and forth to the oth
ers, leaving me as the last to receive a card.
“Ready, Carla?” The owner and instructor offers a warm smile as she hands me a piece of paper.
I flip it over and look.
Give your mannequin a 5 section part and prepare to texturize.
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll be back.”
Once I prep my station, I reach for the clippies and thinning shears. My hands shake, so I take a deep breath and pray. “Okay, God. This is a simple task for You. It isn’t even a big deal for everything going on here. I’m nervous, and I need Your help. Help me focus. Give me Your strength. Amen.”
While Rose works through Claire, Daniel, and Mitzi, I complete the part and have thinning shears in hand. When the instructor approaches me, I feel steady.
“Good parting. Okay, I’d like you to start to texturize. Don’t talk me through it, I already know your reasoning and whether it’s correct. Just do.”
And I’m back to feeling nervous.
Five minutes later, Rose raises her hand. “That’s enough, Carla. You did it exactly as I wanted to see. Excellent.” She walks away, and Ella’s right behind her.
“Congrats, Carla. Great job.” Ella starts toward me, but I’m so excited, I skip over to her.
“Thanks. How did you do?”
The raven-haired woman I want to get to know better offers a small smile. “She said I’m on the fast track to be a leading stylist wherever I want. I really needed the boost.”
Rose claps to get our attention, so Ella waves and returns to her station. I head back to mine, but Daniel and I are heading toward each other. As we both dance around each other to reach our stations, he slips on the hair from my manikin I never swept up. He falls on his backside.
“Daniel. Are you okay?” I extend my hand but his eyes narrow and he moves to a standing position by himself.
“There’s nothing excellent about a stylist who is a hazard to her clients and colleagues.”
Rose clears her throat. “Daniel’s correct. I’m sure this was an oversight, but a real client would probably sue you.” She sighs. “And win.”
With all eyes on me, I quickly sweep the hair, take my seat and look to the floor. And when I feel the staring is over, I brush away my tears.
⌛⌛⌛
After lunch, Les introduces thermal hairstyling. I can’t help looking outside to watch the snow fall. February snows are nothing new, but I’m too tired to pay extra attention. Oh, to be back at Betty’s stretched out on her recliner.
Imagine my surprise when at dismissal it isn’t snowplows I see, but two men.
Wayne, and a man I don’t recognize.
But Ella does.
“Jimmy. What’re you doing here? I promised you I’d come right home.” She doesn’t even have her coat on, and he’s already inside standing next to her.
“They’re calling for all kinds of snow. I thought I’d get you first, then we’d swing by and get the kids. The roads are terrible.”
She picks up her briefcase and stuffs papers in every which way. “Okay, but the buses are probably the safest place for the kids to be.”
The man with brooding eyes shoots Ella a look that I’ve seen countless times. When I arrested men for domestic abuse.
“Ella, I’m not going to argue with you. I insist we leave together.”
She doesn’t even say goodbye or glance at us as she rushes out, the bully gripping her by the crook of her arm.
I’m grateful Wayne waits for me to gesture him to enter and he passes Ella on his way in. He raises his eyebrows while I shake my head.
“What brings you by? We aren’t doing live cuts yet.”
“I didn’t know if you knew how bad it is out there. I thought I’d take you home, if you wanted.” That smile that got us both in a heap of trouble back in high school is as charming today.
“Thanks, but I don’t have far to go. Did you check in with Noah to make sure he got home safe?”
“No. You dismiss before they do. I figured you’d call Will later and check in.”
Right. I should. Another goof today.
“I will. If it makes you feel better, you can follow me to make sure I get back to Betty’s without problems.”
He nods, a slight smirk also opens up.
“What? I didn’t say anything funny.”
“No. Ironic. I think there are a few men in your life who follow you around to make sure you’re okay. I wonder how long they’ll keep it up.”
As Wayne finishes his sentence, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. He’s right, but it’s not funny. Who will walk beside me in life, instead of following?
Chapter Eleven
It’s not the smell of bacon but the sound of Jenna’s sobs that wakes me Saturday morning. Once I sit up, I see she’s on the edge of my bed, tissues in hand.
“I hope it’s okay. Noah said you wouldn’t mind if I came in.”
I kick off the sheets and rub my eyes. “No problem. What’s going on?”
She takes a deep breath and blows into her tissue. “The wedding. I don’t think it’s going to work.”
Jenna’s not a drama queen. Sassy, yes, but for her to be this upset is unusual.
“What isn’t working? You and Ben?”
“The plans. Mom said we need to postpone. And she’s right, it’s less than two months away.”
I nod. “Okay. What does Ben think?”
She hiccups another cry. “He made it clear he doesn’t want to wait another minute.”
I resist smiling because I can see Ben saying that. I move closer to her and pat her knee. “Here’s the big question. What do you want? How much is there to do for the wedding you want?’
I pray her answer doesn’t include a bridal shower right away because that hasn’t even been on my radar, and that makes me want to cry.
She looks at me. “I just want to marry Ben. I don’t care about the details. I even offered to find a judge. He told me one day I’d regret it. But Mom insists on having a professional photographer and fancy cake and…”
I raise my hand. “Who’s paying for your wedding?”
“Ben and me.” Her voice is soft.
“Then it seems like the two of you should be in charge of your wedding. Do you want to make a list of what needs to be accomplished and who can help? See if there’s enough time to get it all done?”
She blows into the tissue. “Carla, thank you. If this were an event at the senior center, I’d have a clear head. But, I guess because it’s my wedding, I can’t make sense of it. Are you sure you have time?”
I glance at the clock on my dresser. Will wants to go to the Saratoga Springs mall, but there’s plenty of time. He’ll understand. He always does.
“Don’t worry. Let me get my tablet and I’ll take notes.”
An hour later, Jenna and I finish her list and she calls Ben.
“You’re okay with Memorial Day weekend? I know I said April but I need a little more time. You think he’ll do the invitations? That helps so much, Ben. You’re the best. I promise. I’ll be yours soon. I love you.” With a giggle, she clicks off and faces me.
“It’s done. Memorial Day is still spring. It’s not that far off and gives us time to ask Janice Beebe if she’ll make a cake for us. Pastor Craig’s oldest will be done with college by then, and he’s a good photographer. Ben says the editor at the weekly is a whiz with printing and will do invitations. This is happening, Carla. Thanks to you.”
“I promise to put a fun shower together for you, too.” In the middle of school, commuting, parenting and figuring out what to do with Wayne.
Jenna jumps up for a hug. “I know how busy you are. It’s not a big deal.”
A shower is an important part of the wedding plans even though I don’t feel very competent. “How about if I’m overwhelmed, I call Shirley. She’s your right hand woman at the center. I know she’d be a great help if I need her.”
“Call her. She’s amazing. Speaking of phoning, I still h
ave to talk to my family in Ohio.”
I don’t envy that conversation. “I’ll be praying.”
She starts for the hallway but stops. “Carla, I hope you and Will have as much happiness as Ben and me. You guys totally deserve it.”
⌛⌛⌛
Before we can head to the mall, Will and I go to JB’s to pick up Noah from work. As soon as Will pulls into the plaza lot, Wayne’s paramedic SUV comes into view. My stomach tightens as we park next to the vehicle.
“Did you know he’d be here?” Will glances at me as he turns off the ignition.
“No. He’s probably getting something to eat between calls.”
Will nods but doesn’t reply.
We walk into the store and find Noah at the register waiting on his dad. Noah spots us first.
“Hey Mom, Will. I’m almost done. I’ll finish with Dad’s groceries and then I’ll let Ben know I’m ready to go.”
I join them at the bagging area and grab a plastic bag to help out while Will stands close by.
“Hey Carla, thanks for letting me follow you to your rental this week.” Wayne smiles and retrieves his wallet from his back pocket.
Noah keeps scanning items, but glances at me.
Will coughs. “What is this about Wayne going to your place?”
A nervous laugh escapes. “He didn’t, not really. It was the night of that surprise storm. He followed me to Betty’s to make sure I arrived safely.”
Wayne nods. “Good thing. On my way back my scanner started going crazy. There were a few accidents. Glad you weren’t one of them.”
I finish packing the groceries and slide them over to Wayne. This conversation needs to end quickly.
“You know, Carla was a sheriff. She’s got plenty of driving experience.” Will moves next to my side and puts his arm around my shoulder.
Wayne sighs. “I know that.”
His tone sounds as short as his reply.
“I didn’t want to assume she was okay. It was important to me that I make sure she was safe. I think it says a lot about someone when they go the extra mile.”
Noah glances at his father. “Forty-two dollars and twenty-eight cents. We still having lunch tomorrow, Dad?”
Wayne hands him cash. “Absolutely. Looking forward to it.” He turns to me. “Thanks for bagging my groceries. Will, always a pleasure.”
Entangled: Surrendering the Past (Surrendering Time Book 2) Page 8