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Facing my reflection after showering, I decide it’s time for a change. I open Pinterest on my phone, searching for photos of haircuts. I wonder what I’d look like as a brunette? I look down at the photo and then back up, contemplating the leap. It’d be drastic, but drastic is what I need.
When I walked to the coffee shop, I spotted a salon situated in the corner of the shopping strip. I double-check I have enough cash in my purse, as that’s the only way I’ve been paying before heading out. The receptionist, engrossed in her magazine, twirls a curl around her finger, lost in her own world. I clear my throat, and she looks up.
“Oh, hi. You snuck in here like a mouse,” she says, smiling. “Do you have an appointment?”
I glance past her into the salon, regretting I didn’t call first, but there are only a few chairs filled with customers. “I don’t. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely. It’s a slow day. What would you like done?”
Moments after sharing with her that I’d like a cut and color, I’m whisked away to a sink for the most incredible hair wash ever. The woman massages the shampoo in with magic fingers, and my eyes roll back into my head as she continues massaging.
When she finishes, I ask, “Can I hire you to wash my hair every day?”
Her laughter rings out. “I get that a lot.”
I follow her to a chair and wait for another person, Lucy, to get there. I pull up my saved Pinterest pins to show her what I want. While waiting, I overhear the woman in the chair next to me talking. I can’t help but listen when she mentions she’s a flight attendant. She’s not quiet, so I catch every word. She just got back from Paris a few days ago and is now recounting how her night in town ended in bed with a handsome French man.
A lady with bright pink hair and matching lips walks up behind me. I glance at her through the mirror. “Hi. I’m Lucy. I hear we’re trying a darker color today.” She picks up a section of my hair, inspecting it.
“Darker and shoulder-length. Maybe some layers?” I show her my saved pictures.
“Are you sure? That’s a lot of hair coming off.” I nod. Her lips twist as she plays with my hair. “Light brown, dark brown, or black?”
“Dark brown?” I didn’t mean to make it sound uncertain, but there was a brief hesitation.
She eyes me, giving me a chance to back out. But I smile and nod again. “Dark brown and a lob coming up.” There’s excitement in her voice, which is reassuring. “This is going to look amazing. You have such thick hair.”
She pulls out a swatch of hair colors. I stare at the multiple colors of brown. Why are there so many? I point to a chestnut brown. Lucy agrees the dark reddish brown will complement my complexion and blue eyes.
While she mixes the color, my attention drifts back to my neighbor. Her stylist asks her about her upcoming trips, and I can’t help the envy creeping in. It all sounds like the perfect life. Jet setting, seeing the world, and getting paid to do it.
“How hard is it to become a flight attendant?” I blurt out, catching both of their attention. My cheeks burn in embarrassment as they both stare at me.
Her stylist chuckles before asking, “Where are you from? You’ve got the cutest accent.”
“Texas. Never thought I had one until I moved here,” I reply.
“Oh, you have one,” the flight attendant adds. “There’s a job fair at the beginning of next month for flight attendants in Phoenix. That’d be the time to apply.”
I looked into the community college in town, but every brain cell I have was screaming at me not to do it. This sounds way more exciting. As soon as she tells me I don’t need a degree to apply, I think about postponing going to school.
Sorry, Mom. It’ll happen. Just not right now.
Instead, my focus shifts to planning a trip to Phoenix. We talk for the next hour about things I should say and what to expect. Excitement builds by the minute. The highs and lows of my life are that of a roller coaster. Right now, I’m stuck again, but I just need that little push to keep me going. This is it. This is what I needed. We’re chatting so much, I haven’t paid any attention to my hair until it’s finished.
“Ready to see the new you?” Lucy asks, swiveling my chair around.
My eyes widen at the stunning woman reflected in the mirror. There is no way that’s me.
“This is not my hair,” I exclaim, running my fingers through the dark, silky locks, marveling at the luxurious, shiny brown. The stylish cut and waves meld into a sophisticated hairstyle.
I’ve never looked sophisticated.
Lucy claps her hands. “Girl, you are gorgeous. Ready for the next chapter.”
She has no idea how right she is. I am ready. It is time for my next chapter to begin.
I can do this.
