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“Yeah, she has a lead on a story for The Boston Globe,” I tell him. Sam shuffles into the kitchen and pours himself a cup a coffee.
“Ooh, are these Mrs. Davis’s cinnamon rolls? Did I sleep so long that it’s Christmas already?” he asks, dishing one out of the pan and takes a bite.
“Emily made them. She got Mrs. Davis to teach her how to make them.”
“Wow, leave it to Emily to charm her way into the coldest of hearts.” He mumbles with a mouth full of food and takes a seat at the kitchen bar next to me.
“She is incredible.” Emily sure as hell charmed her way into my heart. While the courage is still flowing through me, I turn to Sam and say, “Sam, can I talk to you about something?” My heart is pounding in my chest.
“Is this where you tell me you want to date my sister?” My eyes go wide at his statement. I open my mouth, then close it again. How did he know? I’m always so careful not to give away my feelings for Emily.
“H how did you know?” I stumble over my words.
“Come on dude, you don’t think I haven’t seen the way you look at my sister?” he asks, while casually eating his breakfast. “You look at her like I look at Maxine.” I didn’t realize my face was giving me away this whole time. He puts his roll down and swivels to look at me.
“Russ, you don’t need my permission to ask out my sister. Just like Emily doesn’t need my approval to date who she wants. Both of you are grown adults capable of making your own decisions.” I can’t hide the fact that I am surprised by how relaxed Sam is about me asking his sister out. “So, you really like my sister?”
“I’m crazy about her.” I can’t hold back the smile taking over my face. “Emily is an incredible woman. I would be damn lucky to be with her.” I would spend the rest of my life making damn sure she knows how grateful I am to have her in my life.
“I have only one concern,” he states, making my heart stutter to a halt. “What happens if Emily gets this job in Boston? Given the opportunity, she will take it. I know that for a fact. Emily deserves this opportunity in her career.” He is right to be concerned. Emily left her family to live a life of her choosing. He doesn’t want anyone holding her back.
“Emily is a talented photographer and writer. I won’t stand in her way. All I want is a chance to be the man she deserves and help her with her dreams.”
“Even if it means she leaves? I don’t mean to be a Debby downer. I just want to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into. All I want is for both of you to be happy.”
“Thank you for looking out for me. This is what I want. I know it’s crazy, but Emily is the one for me. You, of all people, know how that feels.” He nods in agreement. When he met Maxine, he fell hard and fast. “If she gets the job in Boston, it’s just a plane ride away and if this goes as well as I hope it does, I can always get a transfer to Boston.”
His smile tells me he approves. “Make my sister happy and we won’t have any other issues.” I can hear the warning in his tone. He has nothing to worry about there. I will spend my days making sure she is happy and loved.
five
Emily
The streets of downtown Pine Grove are waking up on this warm summer morning. The birds are chirping and the sky is full of fluffy white clouds. I thought Sam was crazy when he told me he was moving to a small town. There’s a change in him. He’s happier. I know part of that has to do with getting out from under our parents’ control. The other part being Maxine. He is so in love with her. I can tell by how he talks about her. I am so happy for him. Someday, I hope to find that kind of love. Right now, I need to focus on finding a job. I have some savings but it won’t last me forever. That is why I am out here exploring the town. I need a story to submit to the Boston Globe. I love Boston and it would be a dream come true to get this job. But first I need to figure out what I’m going to write about.
While walking down main street I can’t help but notice the going out of business signs on the small mom and pop shops. I noticed a big mall on my drive into town. Makes me wonder if the mall is why these shops are closing. The journalist in me has the wheels turning in my mind. This could make for an interesting piece. I take a few photos as I continue down the street.
A few blocks later, I find myself outside Maxine’s salon. I can’t remember the last time I had a haircut. Not since I left for my internship. This could be my excuse to get to know Sam’s girlfriend. I slip my camera back into my bag, then head inside. The place is alive with music and laughter. Women are sitting in pink, plush salon chairs. Stylists are working hair into various styles. The scent of hairspray fills the air. More is more life in here than all of downtown.
Stepping up to the receptionist’s desk, I smile at the pretty blonde sitting behind the desk. She matches my smile with a sparkling one of her own. “Welcome to Bombshell Studios. How can I help you?” she asks with a cheery voice.
“Would it be possible to get my haircut? I know it’s last minute-”
“Emily, hi,” a familiar voice rings out from across the salon. I look over to see Maxine walking this way. She opens her arms and pulls me in for a hug.
“Hi Maxine.” I hug her back. There’s so much warmth and caring in that one hug, I can see why she makes my brother happy. One hug and my entire mood feels brighter.
Maxine turns her attention to the receptionist and says, “Janice, this is Sam’s sister, Emily.” Janice gives me a nice to meet you. She tells Maxine that I’m looking to get my hair done.
“That’s perfect. I just had a cancellation.” Maxine takes my hand and guides me over to her station. She takes my bag and hangs it on a hook along the wall. I take a seat in the chair. Maxine drapes a pink apron over me before spinning me around to face the gold-framed mirror. Her hands work the scrunchy out of my hair. Fingers work through the strands.
“What would you like to do with your hair?”
I made this plan so quick that I didn’t think about what I want. “Um, well. I like to pull my hair back while working. Not too short.” Way to be vague, Em. “Sorry, I don’t know what to do with my hair.” Before leaving for college, my mom decided what happened with my hair. Which was shoulder length, with bangs. That looked terrible on me, by the way. This is the longest my hair has ever been.
Over the course of a few hours, my hair has been washed, trimmed, and highlighted. My nails clipped and painted. It has been an amazing day of pampering. I can see why Maxine’s salon is so popular. Maxine spins me around to the mirror and I almost recognize the woman staring back at me. I run my fingers over my hair. It’s so soft and wavy and perfect.
“Maxine, you are a miracle worker. I love it.” Her bright smile beams behind me.
