I knew that they wanted to meet the people that saved me and see what they are like.
My mom offers to cut my hair since she is a hairstylist and works in a salon. I’m grateful that she has stuff at home when she does everyone’s hair because I’m still not comfortable going out to do something like that.
My mom used to cut hair in a room of our home. My mother had wanted to stay at home with the kids, but we still needed the money from her job, so she created an office for herself. She had a chair, sink, and anything else that she had needed installed.
She took clients in between taking care of us. It wasn’t until we were in high school that she started working at a local salon.
I head downstairs to her office and she’s already waiting with a smile on her face.
“So, I was thinking that we could add some colour to your hair, if that’s okay with you?” she asks. I already know that she will do whatever I ask, but the excitement in her eyes is hard to hide.
I let out a shrug. I trust my mom with my hair, so I have no problem with doing whatever she is imagining. It might be good for my self-esteem, and even sense of safety, to look a little different anyway.
“Sure, mom. What colour do you have in mind?” I ask as I take a seat.
“Well, you know… very vibrant colours are in. I know that you don’t like a lot of colour, but I was thinking black roots that blend into a deep red. I think it will look very pretty on you, and be something different, but not totally out of your comfort zone at this time like pink or blue.” she says looking at me to gage my reaction.
I think it over. My mom has always told me that I would look pretty with red hair and that it would be something different.
Finally, I nod and my mom claps her hands in excitement.
“Let’s do it,” I say with a genuine smile.
That’s how I spend the rest of my day.
I talk with my mom and she tells me the latest gossip that she has heard from the clients she has. People tell a lot to her and she probably feels safe telling me because I’m her daughter and would never say anything outside of our conversations. I don’t leave the house or talk to anyone since I honestly don’t feel like the woman I used to be before everything I had went through and don’t know what I would say to anyone.
My mom does my hair and waxes my eyebrows. I can tell she’s having fun so I just let her do what she does best.
“Can we do your nails too?” she asks, and I look at her curiously since I know she doesn’t deal with nails; mostly hair and waxing.
“Well, if you were feeling up to it, I could call Wendy to come over and do your nails,” she asks hesitantly.
I take a moment to think. I’m more skittish around men, but I still haven’t had contact with many people; however, Wendy is my mom’s best friend and I have known her my whole life. I know that I could trust her and that she won’t ask me too many questions. I’m also sure that my mom would have told her everything since they are as close as sisters. I refer to her as “Auntie Wendy” since she has always been around.
I blow out a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. “Okay, call Auntie Wendy. It might be nice to see her,” I say honestly.
My mom’s shoulders relax and she is obviously relieved.
I don’t comment because I know that my parents have been worried about me. I watch as my mom leaves the room to call her.
I take the chance to turn around and look in the mirror.
I can’t help but gasp at the look before me.
I barely recognize myself and it’s exactly what I needed. Since I don’t feel like the old me; this feels like the new me. My mother even took the opportunity to curl my hair in soft waves down my back, and I can tell she put some layers in. I smile at the person staring back at me.
This feels good.
When my mom walks back into the room, she raises an eyebrow at me.
“I love it,” I say as tears well in my eyes, and I see the tears develop in hers as she pulls me in for a hug.
“You have always been beautiful, sweetie, but I think it was time for a change,” she whispers in my ear. I nod my head since my voice doesn’t seem to be working.
It’s almost an hour later when Auntie Wendy shows up. I am about to ask her what took her so long because she doesn’t live very far away when she holds up pizza and I smile.
I eat and chat with her and my mom before she does my nails. I find myself relaxing and enjoying the company that they give me.
We decide to do my nails to match my hair. She gives me gel nails and a pedicure. It’s amazing what a day relaxing and getting pampered will do for you.
That night I go to sleep excited to see everyone. I haven’t had any conversations with Tyson really beyond me sending silly photos, but I am still excited to see him.
Sleep doesn’t come easily and time goes by slow until we leave for the BBQ the next day. I already know that I’m going to be in a safe place, and I don’t have any nerves about going.
My parents
