Pretty Is as Pretty Does
Page 26
“They already have a manager.” I lean back and study Rosemary’s face for a reaction. “You know I don’t like to go into a new salon and make too many changes too quickly.”
“Yeah, I know, and that’s fine. I don’t have to be the manager.” She shrugs. “In fact, I’d sort of like a little less responsibility.”
When I turn to see Mandy’s reaction, I realize she already knows. Suddenly I feel left out of the loop, and to my surprise, it bugs me. But I can’t let on, so I fold my hands and force a smile.
“Okay, let’s do whatever we need to do to make this happen as smoothly as possible. Who do you think would be a good candidate to promote in Jackson?”
“Vanessa’s pretty good with the other hairdressers, and she could use the extra money.”
Mandy nods. “I agree.”
“Okay, then I’ll have a chat with her to see if she’s interested.”
Mandy and Rosemary look at each other before Mandy speaks up. “She’s definitely interested.”
My insides suddenly feel as though someone has pulled a plug and drained all my blood. At some point along the way, these two very fine women have learned to run my business without me, which should make me proud as punch, but that’s not happening. Still, it’s just feelings, and this is business, so I can’t let on.
“So when do y’all propose the changes take place?” I speak slowly and pray my shaky voice is only obvious to me.
Rosemary places her hand on mine. “Everything will be okay, Sweetie. You’ve done a good job with the salon.”
Mandy nods. “Rosemary has already started working with Vanessa, and the salon in Raleigh has an open station.”
Whoa. “So it’s already in the works?”
“No, of course it isn’t,” Rosemary says. “We would never take action on something so important until talking to you. After all, you’re still the boss.”
I take a sip of water to calm down and moisten my dry lips. Finally, I nod. “Sounds like y’all have everything under control, so go ahead with your plans. What’s next?”
The server takes our order and brings our food, and as we eat, Mandy and Rosemary tag team the details of what is about to transpire. I walk the fence of being proud and feeling left out, but I’m pretty sure I do a good job of showing a positive attitude—at least until we step outside. Rosemary places her arm around my shoulders and gives me a squeeze.
Mandy takes my hand and looks me in the eyes that have begun to sting. “We are so proud of working for the Cut ’n Curl we could pop. There’s no stoppin’ you, Priscilla, and we want you to know you don’t have to worry about a thing. Keep that forward momentum going and know we’ve got your back.”
I close my eyes, nod, and fill my lungs with air. As I exhale, I open my eyes and see the concern on Mandy and Rosemary’s faces. Again, I force a smile, hoping they can’t see the insecurity that’s behind it but realizing they probably do. “I know that, and I’m proud of you too.”
“Then stop worryin’ and enjoy the journey,” Mandy says, stealing the words from the self-help CD I gave her last Christmas. “I have no doubt your big-hair device will catch on big-time, and every woman east of the Mississippi will have one.”
“Oh, I think every woman in America will have one by the time it’s all said and done,” Rosemary corrects. “I can’t imagine anyone not seeing the value of a poof without the messy teasing.”
I laugh. These two are working hard at making me feel better, and I can’t let them down. “Let’s hope y’all are right.”
“Oh, Honey, when it comes to you and your career, I know I’m right. From the moment I met you, I’ve known you’re a force to be reckoned with. Matter of fact . . .” Rosemary takes a moment to sniffle. “I even told Ted you were gonna be a big name in hair some day, God rest his soul.” She glances at her watch. “I need to run home and call my cousin to let her know she needs to start looking for a place for me to stay. She offered to let me live with her, but you know what they say about fish and company. More than two or three days, and they begin to stink.”
We hug good-bye and walk to our cars. All the way home I reflect on the conversation and think about how I have a choice of seeing it as an ambush or an opportunity. Change is good, right? I’ve always thought that, but at the moment it’s rather unsettling.
I met Rosemary’s husband, Ted, shortly after she joined my salon in Jackson, and I have to admit I was surprised to see a man old enough to be her father. In fact, she later confided that he was two years older than her father, but he was young at heart. She’s always known that she was statistically likely to outlive Ted, but the reality when it actually happened hit her hard. I can’t blame her for wanting to leave Jackson for a new start. At least I’ll still have her working for me, and I’ll do whatever I can to make the transition as smooth as possible.
My cell phone rings as I pull into the driveway of my townhouse. I look down and see Tim Puckett’s name and number. I chuckle to myself as I think about how he still calls after all I’ve put him through.
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