Hair Calamities and Hot Cash.

by Gail Pallotta

  Made my mouth water to think about it. “Yes. If you like roast beef, you’ll love Bob’s. It’s the best.”

  He hopped out and sauntered around the car. His silhouette cut into the twilight coming over the mountain, and he disappeared into the night. In the blink of an eye the passenger’s door opened, and he was back.

  I sucked in a tiny breath as I got out and wished it was a sign he’d keep showing up at my door. We waved and smiled at Ellie and Smitty as we meandered through locals in the parking lot on our way to the entrance.

  Strange, the shop remained a disaster, my hairdos drove me nuts, and Philip was still from New York. But he was here now, and the same security I found with my favorite stuffed toy when I was young surrounded me.

  Inside, townspeople scooted into the booths and sat on bar stools at the counter as customers passed one another in the aisle.

  Bonnie Sue emerged from the kitchen carrying two steaming plates. “Comin’ through.”

  I spotted a table for two in a corner in the back and led Philip to it.

  He pulled out my chair and plopped down across from me. By then Bonnie Sue stood against his seat. “Why, hello, handsome. What can I get for ya’ll tonight?”

  It warmed my heart every time disinterest over Bonnie Sue’s advances showed in Philip’s eyes.

  “Nice to see you again,” he said.

  He was such a gentleman, and a kind person. It was a wonder Bonnie Sue’s grin didn’t break her cheeks.

  “We’ll have the special, and I’ll take a sweet tea?” He glanced at me.

  “Yes, that sounds great.”

  “Comin’ right up.” Bonnie Sue smacked her chewing gum then smiled and batted her eyelashes at Philip before she left.

  He thumped his fingers on the table. “We’re far enough away from the noise to talk.”

  “Yep. Private dining at its best.” I chuckled then remembered I wanted to tell Philip about the latest ominous message. “I found another note. This one said maybe I’d rather be DIE-ed red.”

  Philip put his forefinger on his lips. “I still believe it was a kid with nothing to do. Where was it?”

  “Stuck under Pete’s toolbox near the wall.” Philip was probably right, but the threats buzzed in my head like pesky mosquitoes. “I try not to leave a large amount of money in the shop, but I imagine the hair blowers, combs, towels, capes, and supplies could be resold.” My recent product disasters popped in my head. “Well, whoever bought the conditioner would be in for a frightful shock.”

  Philip chuckled.

  I did too. “But seriously, just the thought of someone breaking in gives me the shivers.”

  Philip chewed his bottom lip. “A child probably wrote the menacing letters and somehow they ended up where you didn’t notice them until the wreck disturbed everything.”

  “It’s possible the air from the hair blowers and dryer blew the notes. They could’ve flown up and stuck on a drawer or piece of woodwork underneath the desk as you said. Then the crash would have knocked them loose.”

  “If I thought they were written by an adult, I’d tell you to report them to the police, but I don’t think it’s necessary.”

  The conviction in Philip’s voice convinced me, and I erased worry over the scribbled threats from my mind.

  In moments Bonnie Sue brought our plates, a tantalizing aroma floating from them. “Here ya’ go. Enjoy.”

  “Thank you. That was quick,” Philip said.

  “We knew you were comin’.” Bonnie Sue pranced off with a wiggle in her step.

  Philip bit into his entrée. “My, my. I’m stuffing myself with another delicious meal. I hope I’m not gaining weight.”

  “You don’t look any larger, but there’s a free scale at Frank’s General Store if you want to use it after we finish.”

  “What kind of place is Frank’s?”

  “It’s Triville’s answer to the grocery superstore.”

  “Oh, sure. Weighing there sounds like a good idea.” Philip dug into his meal.

  Apparently, the talk of putting on pounds hadn’t put a damper on his appetite, and it shouldn’t. He looked perfect.

  He scooped up the last bite of his beef and rubbed his stomach. “On to the scale. Weighing will either make me stop eating as much, or I’ll know I can keep it up.”

  Bonnie Sue appeared, her gaze focused on Philip. “Dessert?”

  Philip’s eyes grew wide. “Can people eat dessert after all of that?”

  “Oh, sure, some of ‘em can.” Bonnie Sue smacked her chewing gum. “All right then, here’s your check.”

  ~*~

  Philip picked up the bill and followed Eve. They wound through the clientele seated at the booths and tables to the cashier. Philip paid and they meandered outside. He couldn’t believe he was going to weigh. A date with Eve was like unwrapping a present. There was no telling what might pop up.

  He escorted her through the maze of people in the parking lot as she smiled or waved at nearly everyone before they scooted into the car. Then she gave him directions to a dimly lit, rustic, one-story building.

  She leaned forward and peered out the windshield. “It’s only eight forty-five. I think he’s still open.”

  “OK. Rule number one. After eating so much I’m allowed to deduct three pounds. I’m bound to weigh more now than I will in the morning,” Philip bounded out and opened Eve’s door.

  “That’s permitted,” she said. “You’ll like this place. When Frank was a kid, during the summers he sat at a produce stand in front of their farmhouse and sold crops to tourists. He never enjoyed tilling the land, growing, or harvesting, but he loved selling. He arranged their fruits and veggies in tasteful designs.” Enthusiasm rang from Eve’s voice as they entered underneath a big sign that read Frank’s Country Store. She motioned toward a bin of oranges. “See. His displays still look tempting.”

  Philip glanced at the arrangement and nodded. “Yeah. He sounds like an interesting guy.” He stared at the oiled wooden floor. If he’d ever seen one he couldn’t remember it.

  Field greens, cabbages, carrots, and more veggies spanned the wall. Large containers of fresh flowers sat near the empty check-out lanes.

  Clearing the canned and frozen goods, Eve dashed past tables of blue jeans and T-shirts to the tool section, and finally the pharmacy. The scale, which sat in a nook beside the counter for filling prescriptions, resembled those in doctors’ offices except the weight unit across the top beam was much larger.

  Eve motioned toward it. “Here we are. Hop up there.”

  Philip stood on the scale and moved the weight. Three hundred and fifty pounds. Was this thing defective? He must have done something wrong. He pushed the weight to the end and started over. Three hundred fifty pounds. “No way. I couldn’t have gained that much.”

  Eve snickered.

  He turned around and caught her an instant before she eased off. “I don’t believe you did that.”

  She laughed out loud. She was full of fun.

  Philip pulled her close, brushed the hair from her face and kissed her.

  A door squeaked and Frank burst out of the storeroom. “Eve Castleberry, the two of you will have to find another place to...” He waved his large hand in their direction. “I’m going to lock up.”

  Heat crawled up Philip’s neck. He felt like a kid who’d pulled a prank at church and gotten caught by the preacher.

  Eve wiggled free and pointed her finger at him. “You’re not supposed to be doing that anywhere, and certainly not in public. Frank, we were just...”

  Frank laughed. “Oh, yeah, I see you were. As far as I’m concerned, it’s about time, but not here.”

  Eve sputtered as bad as Lloyd’s car. “No Frank, we were, were…we came for Philip to weigh.”

  Frank tapped his foot and stared at them with a twinkle in his green eyes as though he enjoyed embarrassing Eve.

  Eve tilted up her chin. “Have you met Philip?”

  Frank stuck out his right h
and.

  Philip shook it. He’d never seen Eve at a loss for words. In spite of the awkward moment, a big grin formed inside him and spread across his face.

  She put her hand on her hip. “This is hopeless. Goodnight, Frank.”

  “See ya’, Eve. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about your clandestine meeting at the scale in the back of my store.”

  Eve practically ran toward the front door.

  Philip stayed on her heels, catching up to her in time to open the passenger door before he took his seat. “You’re really upset aren’t you? He was only teasing.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You don’t live here. It won’t matter to you if the whole town’s talking about us. You’re leaving.”

  Philip started the car and pulled out. Seemed like they couldn’t do anything without Eve mentioning that he’d leave eventually. Why dwell on it? It wasn’t the big deal she made it out to be. They’d still see each other. “He said he wouldn’t gossip about us.”

  Tears welled up in Eve’s eyes. “Wanna’ bet?”

  Philip turned the steering wheel, winding around a sharp curve. “Sweetheart, it’s all right. We were just clowning around.”

  “So I’m only someone to clown around with? I’m not sure I even want to be friends.”

  Eve was such a wonderful person, but she couldn’t seem to relax and enjoy their time together no matter what Philip said or did. Was she hunting a reason not to care about him? Why couldn’t she embrace their relationship? “You’re twisting my words.” Philip drove onto Main Street.

  She sniffled. “There wasn’t supposed to be anymore kissing and hugging. You broke your promise.”

  Philip pulled into Eve’s driveway, the headlights shining on the bare wall where the bricks had fallen from around the beauty shop. He hoped she wouldn’t get more upset looking at it. He cut the engine, grabbed her, and held her tight. He never wanted to let go, but finally he did then rubbed his hand around her back in circles. “How can I not kiss and hug you? You have that cute personality. You’re beautiful, and I care so much about you.”

  She gazed at him with big doe eyes. Did she believe him?

  He wanted Eve. He had to make her see the two of them would work.

  12

  My dressy shoes pinched my feet. I kicked them off, sank into the rocker in my bedroom and wiggled my toes on the carpet. The teachers’ meeting for vacation Bible School signaled summer just around the corner. It wouldn’t be long until I’d serve the children their snacks. I’d started volunteering to help after Jordan died, and I realized I’d never have kids of my own. I fingered a loose string on the cushion in the chair. Jordan and I had bought it to rock the babies we’d have. Tears pooled in my eyes.

  My gaze fell on the message machine on the desk where Jordan once worked. Had Philip called? No blinking red light. Had it finally occurred to him our romance could go nowhere? I couldn’t bear to date Philip and then lose him, but at the same time I wanted him to be happy. What a tangled web. Did I lack strength? It seemed everyone believed I should move on and find someone. Even Frank had said, “It’s about time.”

  I bowed my head, told God how I felt, even though He already knew, asked for His help, and put the entire situation in His hands. Amen. If God wanted me to find someone, He would send him.

  I headed to the kitchen to make coffee and turned on the faucet.

  The phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi.”

  I held out the receiver and stared at it. Only seconds ago I’d explained to God how I couldn’t continue this relationship with Philip. What a strange answer to my prayer. Had He not heard me? I’d thought in time He’d send someone who could work out things with me.

  “Mr. Jacobsen called my room and wanted to know when I could meet with him. I’ve been tying up the loose ends on his portfolio.”

  “Wasn’t he going to contact you at the shop?”

  “Well, with only one motel in town and one on the outskirts, it wasn’t difficult to find my phone number. We’re meeting tomorrow. You could go with me since that’s your day off.”

  How could Philip suggest we do anything together? I kept explaining how difficult it would be when he left. “I hope Pete and Charlie will paint then. If they do, I’ll phone my customers scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday to find out if they mind the odor, or if they’d like to keep their appointments.”

  “That’s a good idea. You could contact them before we leave.”

  I tried with all the strength in me not to let Philip’s invitation touch my heart, but it fluttered like a school girl’s. “Actually Philip, when I didn’t hear from you, I assumed you understood we shouldn’t go out again.”

  “No such thing. I’ve been counting the hours until I could be with you.”

  “Sure, and a blonde and three bears are dancing outside my kitchen window.”

  “Come on. I still need to finish this portfolio then write a letter and a summary for George. I hope you’ll go with me. Having you there will make it easier for me to talk to Mr. Jacobsen.” He paused. “I’ll come mop your shop floor again.”

  I couldn’t help but laugh. He’d rescued me in the beauty parlor twice. Now he asked for my help. I couldn’t say no. “All right, as long as we see Mr. Jacobsen, and you bring me straight home. Absolutely no kissing and hugging, and you can’t use the scales to weigh anywhere.”

  Philip chuckled. “It’s a deal. I’ll pick you up at eleven-thirty.”

  “See you then.” This was not the answer I’d expected to my prayer about dating Philip, but I made the coffee with my heart a little lighter just because I’d talked to him. A bright colored finch flitted by my window sharing its rare beauty for a moment. Then it flew away like the happiness that flitted in and out of my life. If only the joy could last.

  ~*~

  Monday morning I sat at the table gulping down the last bite of breakfast as the doorbell rang right on time. I sprang up and answered.

  Philip wore a navy pin-striped suit and a tie.

  “You look so handsome, but Mr. Jacobsen’s very casual.”

  He peered down at his pants then at me. “What do you suggest?”

  “Shed the jacket and tie.”

  “We’ll stop by the motel. See how important your recommendations are. Do you know the way to Mr. Jacobsen’s? The only address I found said Jacobsen Mountain.”

  “Yes. I’ll navigate,” I said as Philip let me in the car.

  We drove to the Triville Motel, and I waited while he went in. White paint with tan trim and lush green holly bushes brightened the old building.

  He returned wearing a pair of khaki pants and a black shirt that highlighted his dark hair. “Is this better?”

  I drank in the brassy smell of his cologne as he scooted in the driver’s seat. “Perfect. The aftershave’s nice too.”

  He started the car and backed out. “Like that, huh? Which way?”

  “Stay on the highway until we reach High Peak Road. Then turn left.”

  I recalled the scary route with hairpin turns. “Maybe we should have driven my car. I’m sorry I was running late and didn’t think of it.”

  Philip patted the steering wheel. “She wouldn’t let me down.”

  His optimism warmed my heart, but he’d never seen the narrow passageway. I’d traveled it when Mrs. Jacobsen held a luncheon at their house for Triville’s high school graduates. A dirt bank dotted with pine trees flanked the road on the left. Scraggly trees grew as best they could in small amounts of dirt between the boulders in the steep cliff on the right. The recollection lay heavy on my mind, and I slumped. The vehicle rolled backward and jarred me.

  Philip smiled and gunned the engine. The car lunged forward then backward again. He mashed the pedal to the floor. The old car bucked, the jerking action snapping back my head.

  “How far?” Worry lined his voice.

  “I’m not sure, but there’s a sharp curve coming up.” My hands started to sweat.r />
  The rear of the car spun to the right. My heart leapt in my throat. Part of the back tire on the passenger’s side stuck off the road over the bluff. I could hardly breathe.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “We—we’re—the tire.” I swallowed. “If we move backward when you let off the brake, we’ll go over.” The words flew out in staccato rhythm.

  Philip turned pale. “I’ll gradually give it gas and release the brake slowly. Don’t look down.”

  “Don’t worry.”

  “I’ll start in a second.”

  The hair on my arm stood on end. “OK.” My voice sounded so weak I barely heard it. Dear Lord, please help us.

  Philip’s right foot lightly tapped the accelerator. The part of the passenger’s rear wheel touching the road bounced on rocks and gravel at the edge of the cliff.

  I’m going to die.

  Philip mashed a little harder and turned into the curve. The tire came closer to the mountain.

  I exhaled.

  He gave the engine more gas and the edge of the wheel surged forward and touched solid ground with a thud.

  I went as limp as the wet towels in my shop.

  He pulled ahead, straightened the car, and inched up the steep grade.

  Thank you, Lord. Amen. I pointed ahead with a shaky finger. “There it is.”

  “Thank goodness.” Philip parked on the gravel drive, wiped the sweat off his forehead, and helped me out.

  Stalwarts on the skyscape, the blue hills in the distance reached high as though they attempted to join Heaven. The sun danced on the tops shining a spotlight on their strength and majesty. Like God’s firm, constant love for us, their steadfast grandeur never changed. I breathed the magnificence of His creation and my hands quit trembling.

  Philip gazed at them with wide eyes. “This view is almost worth the scare.”