"Nothing at all, I just thought I’d say hello." She pushed off the counter and went around the other side and swiped an apple from the basket beside the fridge. She sat down in one of the chairs around the kitchen table and pulled her phone from her pocket. She pulled up a number and hit send. The phone was answered on the third ring. "Hey Sherry, It’s Alex…do you work today?" She set her apple on the table and listened for a moment. "Would you do me a huge favor?" She smiled at the response. "I’m not currently able to drive, so I was wondering if you would bring your kit over here…my hair is in desperate need of your attention…Can you be here in an hour or less?" She laughed. "I know it…Thank you." She hung up and picking up the apple, took a bite.
Maria walked up and stood beside her. She reached out and ran a hand through Alex’s long blonde locks. "What are you going to do?" she asked.
Alex frowned slightly and shrugged. "I don’t really know. Hopefully Sherry can figure something out that doesn’t include shaving my head." At Maria’s pained expression, she smiled. "It was time for a change anyway. I don’t need to hide behind the long hair anymore. I’ve just been afraid of what everyone else thinks for so long that I've been resisting any change."
Maria nodded and placed a hand on Alex’s cheek. "You will be beautiful no matter what you do, Tesoro."
"Thank you, Mamma, but I think you are a bit biased." She smiled and stood. "Will you let Sherry in when she gets here please? I think I’d like to sit outside for a bit." When Maria nodded, she headed out the back door into the courtyard. She walked around for a minute enjoying the many bushes and shrubs Ilario had planted and tended faithfully, before stopping at the bench overlooking the lake.
Alex let the quiet of the day sweep over her as she watched the sun reflecting off the water below her. She’d always felt at home around the water, and went near it or into it frequently to relieve her stress. As she sat there watching the movement of the water she felt the tension leave her body, quickly losing track of time as she enjoyed the peaceful setting. She was startled from her thoughts by the sound of her name being called. She turned and saw Sherry standing by the back door.
When she stood, she saw Sherry’s look of surprise at the crutches and brace. As Alex slowly made her way over to the chair Maria had set out for them, she could tell Sherry was curious about her current condition, but had learned over the years not to ask questions. She sat in the chair and explained her dilemma. After a moment's thought, Sherry made a suggestion to which she quickly agreed. Minutes later Alex closed her eyes and cringed as Sherry pulled out the clippers, matching the right side to the left. Sherry then trimmed the remaining long locks to a much shorter length, though still long enough to pull into a ponytail. When she finished, she headed inside to take a look.
She was surprised how much difference a haircut could make. There was enough hair left that when left down, completely covered the much shorter hair underneath, leaving the impression it was all the same length. With a shrug she headed back out to pay Sherry and send her on her way so she could get cleaned up. A short time later she washed her hair in the kitchen sink with Maria’s help, then headed upstairs to change.
Alex welcomed Dani and Madison when they arrived, and smiled at their surprise over her new haircut. "I really appreciate you doing this for me, Dani. I didn’t expect to get an appointment so quickly."
"It’s no bother, really. I didn’t have any plans today." She picked up Madison and said, "When this one goes to school, I'll go back to work, but for now I’m completely available." She noticed one of Alex's eyebrows shoot up and felt herself blush as she realized how her comment could be misconstrued. "I didn't…didn't mean…" she stammered and watched as the corner of Alex's mouth lifted in the ghost of a smile.
Alex walked past Dani and grabbed her bag. "We'd better be going. We don't want to be late."
Alex wearily walked back into the waiting room and saw Dani reading to Madison. She headed over and sat beside them, motioning for Dani to continue. She leaned back in the chair, closed her eyes, and listened to her voice as she read about a monkey in the jungle. She smiled when she realized it was Millie the Monkey. The next thing she knew, two little hands were framing her face and a child’s voice was calling out, "Angel. Are you okay, Angel?"
Alex slowly opened her eyes and looked into the concerned face of Madison. "I’m okay, Sweet Pea. Are you done with your story?"
"Yes. Can we go home now?"
She smiled tenderly. "Of course we can."
She looked up in surprise when she heard someone say, "Your daughter is beautiful, and so very well behaved."
Dani watched the pain darken Alex’s blue eyes, and was surprised when she saw her smile and thank the woman. They walked out to the car in silence. Once everyone was situated, Dani climbed in and started the car. "You handled that well." She pulled out of the parking lot and headed back towards the house. After several minutes of silence she asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, thank you. I’m just tired. I fatigue much easier these days." She watched the world outside fly past her window for a moment before turning back to Dani. "I didn’t see the point in correcting
