P.J. pondered long and hard.
He thought about what truth, honesty and trust meant to him, would always mean to him. P.J. knew without those things a relationship with Juliet would not be possible, that it would never stand a chance. So P.J. poured himself another shot, rolled himself another joint, and smoked his last cigarette.
Then he reached for the wallet.
It was early December and a frigid wind had made the large snowflakes freeze. Juliet could feel the pinpricks of ice as they slapped against her cheeks. She was wearing a red down parka, and matching slouch hat and mittens. Juliet’s legs were clad in thick black leggings while warm furry boots covered her feet. Her head was bent as she made her way to the bistro where Layla was waiting.
When Juliet entered the restaurant, Layla marveled once again at the change in her friend. The pretty woman with the sparkling eyes, ready smile and cute ski parka bore little resemblance to the shy, sad, hooded woman who had rented the cabin from Layla just months before. When she saw Juliet scan the room looking for her, Layla waved her over.
“How’s work going?” Layla asked Juliet after they had placed an order for two cobb salads, and a small carafe of white wine.
“I really like it.” Juliet smiled. The last time she had been in the salon for a cut and blow out, Rafael had been bemoaning the fact that his part- time receptionist had quit. Although Juliet had no experience, she had offered to fill in until he could find someone else. Rafael had been thrilled with the idea. He had given Juliet a generous hourly wage and a twenty-hour weekly schedule. Juliet did everything from booking appointments to cleaning stations. Rafael was flamboyant, dramatic, and fun to be around. Abraham, Nevaeh, and Bethany were the three other hair stylists in the shop. They were each friendly, nice, and quirky in their own way. Abraham had a particularly sharp wit, Nevaeh had a different hair color every week, and Bethany had the mouth of a sailor.
There was no shortage of laughter, gossip, and camaraderie in the salon. At first, Juliet was slightly jarred by the carefree and spontaneous atmosphere. It was so different from the somber, stuffy academic world that she had come from. But it didn’t take long for Juliet to get acclimated, and now she looked forward to her workdays.
“Everyone is in such a good mood, getting all glammed up for this party or that. We are booked solid. Rafael has, of course, gone over the top with holiday decorations.” Juliet’s voice was filled with enthusiasm. “I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“I’ll be in next week.” Layla said between bites of her salad. “Cut, color, foils. Damn holidays are so much work. Reggie needs a haircut, and the kid’s need new outfits. We do the family pajama thing, too. I am going to have to schedule in a mani- pedi, and facial. It takes so much more work to look good when you get older.”
“You’re gorgeous and you aren’t even out of your thirties yet!” Juliet thought Layla could wear a paper bag on her head and still somehow manage to look beautiful.
“So, how are things going with you and P.J.?” Layla leaned back and took a sip of her wine. “He missed the last couple of Thirsty Thursdays. He told Reggie that he was bringing pizza and wings over to your place to watch Thursday night football. Sounds like you guys are spending some time together.”
Probably a lot more than you think Juliet thought but remained silent. She found herself with a sudden and overwhelming need to protect the privacy of the budding relationship. It was as though voicing it might tempt the fates.
So, instead of answering, Juliet twirled the stem of her wine glass and shrugged non- committedly.
“Things starting to heat up?” Layla leaned in.
Juliet stopped twirling her glass and took a long, stalling sip. In an attempt to divert the subject, she said. “This is delicious wine, don’t you think?”
But Layla would not be deterred.
“Oh, come on. You’ve got to give me something. I’m an old married lady…let me live vicariously through you. It’s been a long time since I have felt the blush of new love…all that heat, all that passion...all that sex!!” Layla, always with a flair for the dramatic, raised her voice, and waved her hand in the air. She put loud and heavy emphasis on the word sex. The two high school girls in the next table giggled, while the man standing at the counter turned and winked.
“Layla! People can hear you.”
“Oh, so what.” Layla scoffed. She gave the high school girls a small wave and winked back at the guy at the counter. Then Layla turned her attention back to Juliet. “Spill.”
“P.J. and I…we’re still getting to know each other.” Juliet offered with hesitation.
“Well, that’s how every relationship starts.” Layla stated the obvious. Then because she knew she was making her friend uncomfortable, Layla forced herself to settle down, even though every fiber of her being was dying to know exactly what was going on with P.J. and Juliet. Last week, Reggie had gone up to P.J.’s early in the morning before work to return some tools. But P.J. hadn’t been there, and because Reggie had not wanted to leave the tools out in the weather, he returned the next morning. P.J. had been home, but he hadn’t invited Reggie in for coffee like he usually would. Through the open door, Reggie had seen Juliet’s boots on the floor and her jacket hanging on the back of a chair. The shower had been running.
“So, is that why you invited me here for lunch,
