"Hey Tanya," I said as I walked into my regular salon.
"Banana-strawberry slushie?" She said as she smiled brighter than the sun.
"You know me so well." I approached her for a hug, and she smashed my head in her big bosom, almost suffocating me. They were soft and plump, in Seraphina's words.
After releasing me, she ran her hand through my hair. "What are you doing today?" she asked.
"Maroon, bob cut. Make me pretty."
"You got it baby. Have a seat. I'll be right there."
I took my seat and sucked on my delicious drink while awaiting Tanya.
Tanya is gorgeous, curvy, afro-Latina, and her hips don't lie. My girls and I have been her regular customers since elementary school. She's in her early 30s and inherited the salon from her mother. She is a flirt to the max and such a good company. She gets along with Seraphina the best because of their perverted minds. Her hands work like magical wands. She makes me so pretty everytime I leave her shop. She was one of the people that helped be develop confidence in myself when I was a wreck at 13.
"Okay boo. How short do you want it?"
"Curve it up under the chin." I showed her a picture of how I wanted the bob, and she nodded.
"It's gonna look good on you. Just sit back and relax."
She started with the color. I watched her every step trying to absorb the process as much as possible.
"Tanya, can I intern her over the summer?" I asked.
"Finally going to beauty school?"
"Yeah. Found something I can stick with," I replied as I smiled at her.
"I knew it. You always have that spark in your eyes when you walk in here. You can intern here at any time you want baby."
"Thank you Tanya."
"No problem dear."
By late afternoon, I was rocking a short maroon bob. It looked so good, I fell in love with myself all over again. Tanya really did work her magic. Everyone loved it when I got home. I sent several pictures to our 3-family chat group, and they all fed my ego. Having a big family really felt so good.
***
Months passed, season changed, and the weather started to get chilly. Today was my last day as an intern at Tanya's. Beauty school was really the place for me. Everything seemed new and interesting. Colors, cuts, designs, and styles piqued my interest. My parents were definitely relieved that I finished. I'll be going back every break to learn more. Tanya helped with my practice. I practiced braids on dolls, she let me watch her use the clipper, and my summer was perfect.
There was something out of the ordinary that also happened over the summer.
"Welcome. What would like to do today?" I said as I turned to the incoming customer.
"Hello. I'm here for the regular," he said as he flashed his breathtaking smile at me.
"Sure. Grab a seat." I made my way to a corner to catch my breath. He always does this to me. Flora said I must like him, but Seraphina thinks I'm just attracted to his hotness. Like always, Flora was the sane one. What was wrong with me?
He waltzed his way into my life at the beginning of summer. He demanded that I cut his hair, and agreed to be my live specimen for me to practice my cut. I readily agreed after getting Tanya's consent.
Excitedly, I asked, "so how do you want your cut?"
"Just a little bit at the ends," he replied calmly. His bass voice made my heart tingle.
"Bear with me if it doesn't turn out great," I whispered in a tiny voice. It was my first real cut. Although it wasn't tasking, I was still nervous.
"I'm sure you'll make me look good," he chuckled as he said that.
Ever since that day, he always came in for a short cut every 10 days. I've been the only one attending to him, and I think I feel attached since he's the first person I gave a haircut to.
"Today's my last day here," I said. "There's not much to cut anymore." His hair was really short already.
"I'm joining the Airforce," he said suddenly.
My hand shook a bit and so did my heart.
Why did I feel so sad?
"That's why you've been cutting your hair." I tried to sound as natural as I could.
"Yeah," he replied. There was a hint of sadness in his voice too.
Time passed in silence.
"It's all done."
He stood up and turned to look at me. The stare was intense, but I didn't mind.
"Will I see you again?" Before my brain could process what I had just spurted out, he replied, "I will be back."
He walked out of the shop, stopping once to look back at me.
That day, he walked away with a piece of my heart.