Cut Short

by Julia Wolf

  “I suppose that’s acceptable, since I can see your pretty blue eyes better this way.” I cringed on the inside. Damn it, why can’t I sensor my own thoughts?

  “The better to see you with, my dear,” Joe teased and wiggled his eyebrows, easing some of the awkwardness I felt.

  We spent the rest of lunch eating and laughing. When we finished, we took a stroll down Main Street, stopping in a few stores on the way to my apartment.

  We went into Trash to Treasure, my favorite store, filled from floor to ceiling with all kinds of fun clothing and kitschy decorations for the home. Joe moved to a different part of the store while I read the funny sayings on greeting cards. I laughed when I read a card that said, “My love is like a candle. If you forget about me, I’ll burn your fucking house down.” I could picture giving something like that to Frannie. I had a feeling she’d get a kick out of it too.

  Joe and I met at the door of the shop and continued down the hill to my apartment. When we got to my building, I let out a huge, jaw-cracking yawn.

  Joe chuckled, and asked, “Tired, sweet girl?”

  “Sorry, yeah, I think my late night is catching up to me. Do you want to come up?” I was suddenly really sleepy, but didn’t want to end my time with Joe.

  “I want to, but I should get back and actually spend time with my parents. My mom accused me of using their house like a hotel. You know, typical mom guilt trip. I’m so happy I got to see you though and explore your little town with you.” He took a step closer.

  “Mom guilt is powerful stuff. Thanks for coming into my bubble again,” I murmured. Stepping into Joe, I initiated a hug. We stood there for a long moment with our arms around each other.

  “I’m totally sniffing your cinnamon hair right now, and I don’t want to be shamed,” Joe spoke to the top of my head.

  “I could probably fall asleep standing up listening to your heartbeat,” I said into his warm chest.

  “This will probably get awkward if we don’t let go, right?” he asked, but I didn’t feel his arms loosening.

  “We should definitely let go soon. I agree.” I nodded against him.

  We both pulled back a fraction so we could look at each other. I smiled up at him and he grinned back at me.

  “I’m really happy Frannie forced you to talk to me.”

  “Me too, Joe. So happy.” With a deep breath, I pulled away from him and immediately felt the loss of his warmth around me.

  “Oh, I got something for you! Don’t open it until I’m gone, finger biter.” Joe handed me a small bag he pulled from his back pocket.

  I turned the bag over in my hands. “When did you...?”

  “I’m sneaky, don’t forget it. Talk soon, okay?”

  “Yes, definitely talk soon. Thanks for...whatever this is.” I held up the bag.

  I watched Joe walk up the street to his car. When he was out of sight, I climbed the steps to my apartment. As soon as I got inside, I tore open the bag and pulled out a pair of pink socks. I read the words printed on them and almost fell down laughing.

  They said, “Cute, but crazy. But cute!”

  Even though I knew he forgot his phone in New York and wouldn’t get it until he was home, I texted him immediately: “I’m choosing to ignore the crazy part and focus on the cute. Thanks, I absolutely love the socks.”

  Feeling my eyes droop, I lay down on my couch to take a nap. I put my socks on my pillow and smiled as I drifted off to sleep.

  Ten

  Standing behind my new client, I ran my hands through her shoulder-length hair and looked at her in the mirror.

  She wanted highlights, but didn’t know what color. She wanted a change, but nothing dramatic. But she wanted it to be noticeable.

  A few years ago, a client like her would have made me frustrated because she seemed impossible to please. But with experience I had learned how to interpret this specific language. She wanted bold, but she was afraid if she used that word, she’d end up with skunk stripes. So, we both danced around the word in mutual understanding.

  “Let’s do some subtle red highlights to frame your face. You’ll love it. The color will bring out your gorgeous green eyes!”

  I mixed up two different shades of red that would blend, yet still stand out on her dark brown hair. In the front of her head, I used the lighter red, since that’s where the sun hit her and naturally lightened her hair. After that, I alternated the colors, folding each section meticulously in foil.

  Once all the foils were in place, I left her to sit for thirty minutes, her knees bouncing as she nervously flipped through a magazine. Eliza sat behind the desk again while our receptionist was out on a coffee run.

  “Hey, girl,” I said quietly, sitting beside her.

  “Those highlights are going to look awesome. Good choice on the color,” she said.

  “Thanks, friend. How’d your weekend go?” I asked.

  “Oh, it was fine,” she said. “Edward ended up working from home, so I just cleaned and went for a couple long runs.”

  I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I had a feeling the “couple time” Edward had insisted on would turn out like that.

  “That stinks you didn’t do anything fun.” I was dying to tell her about my weekend, but work wasn’t the place to get into it.

  “It was okay. I’m actually thinking about training for a marathon,” Eliza said.

  I whisper-gasped. “Oh my god, you should! I could never do it, but you definitely would rock it. I would come to cheer you on with a giant Eliza face!”

  She giggled. “I have no idea what a giant Eliza face is, but it sounds scary.”

  “Your face, blown up huge, on a stick. What’s scary about that?”

  “Oh nothing. That sounds wonderful.” She rolled her eyes.

  I smiled. “The sarcasm is strong with this one. Oh, hey, did you make up your mind about doing the demo at the hair show?”

  She sighed. “Not yet, but I don’t know…”

  “E, I really think you should do it. Anthony needs your answer really soon.”

  “I know. I’ll call him soon.” She nudged me with her shoulder. “Do you want to grab a quick dinner tonight? Edward is probably going to work late again, and I feel like I missed everything.” She looked more than a little sad.

  “Let’s do it. I’ll make something and we can eat on the balcony.” Our balcony talks were notoriously the best talks.

  After rinsing my new client’s hair, I did a simple trim on her. She was prepared for change, but not that much change. I blew it dry with a big round brush, verging on giddy as the red highlights appeared the drier her hair became. She watched me closely in the mirror, her face completely stoic.

  I found myself getting nervous. I’d been so certain I had a read on her, that I knew exactly what she wanted, but now she’d become impossible to read. Once her hair was dry, I pushed it forward on her shoulders. I thought she looked gorgeous, but it wasn’t my opinion that counted.

  She sat forward in my chair, moving her head all around, examining it from every angle.

  She finally stood up and smiled. “Oh, Rachel. I have never loved my hair as much as I do right now. Can I hug you?” she asked, her voice cracking.

  I grinned. “Of course!” I pulled her into a big hug. This moment—the big reveal, followed by a reaction like this—kept me loving my job.

  She thanked me many, many times and handed me the biggest tip of my career.

  Before my divorce, David would have insisted I put it in our savings account. I, on the other hand, planned to do something completely frivolous, like buy a new pair of shoes or something funky for the apartment.

  When Eliza and I were done for the evening, we walked together to my apartment. I wasn’t the best cook, but there were a few dishes I could do relatively well. We sat at the bistro table on my balcony eating the turkey-and-pesto paninis I’d made. While we ate, we listened to the babbling sounds of the river meandering by below.

  “Oh my god, this is s
o good!” Eliza exclaimed through a mouthful of the sandwich she was devouring. “I was starving. I didn’t have a chance to grab a bite today. I think I literally run on coffee somedays.”

  “Now that I’m not going to gnaw off my own arm, tell me about Saturday! I’ve heard the basics from Frannie. But I’d love to hear your perspective,” Eliza continued.

  So, I told her about the concert, Laurel being Laurel, and our fight-to-the-death foosball game. She laughed along with me, because even though my feelings had been all over the place, it had been a good night.

  She leaned forward, waiting for the rest of it. “And...how did it end?”

  “He walked the three of us back to Laurel and Frannie’s apartment. He gave all of us quick hugs, and that was it. I thought I got a friendship vibe from him, and I decided to be okay with that.” Before I took another bite of my sandwich, I added, “But then he came into the salon Sunday when I was finishing up.”

  Eliza’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. I hadn’t had a chance to tell either of them about Joe’s unexpected visit.

  “We had lunch, I bit his finger, and then we walked around for a while. We gave each other the longest hug outside my apartment. I had to tear my arms off him.” I grabbed her forearm. “Eliza, he bought me socks!”

  “I don’t know what to say about the biting and the socks, but the rest sounds great.” Eliza looked amused.

  “He’s so wonderful, E. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more gorgeous man. But he still lives in New York and I still have all these mixed-up feelings from the email and the house and...I don’t know.” I sighed.

  “New York’s not that far, and he’ll be here in a couple months...” Eliza started.

  I shook my head. “He explicitly said he never wanted to do long-distance again. He actually dated the lead singer of The Two Jars a long time ago. She lived here while he was at NYU. I guess that experience cured him of wanting to do it again.” I nudged her foot under the table with mine. “The band sounded awesome, though. I wish you had been there.” I was purposely trying to change the subject. I realized Eliza’s romanticism wouldn’t help me see the Joe situation with a clear head.

  “Me too.” Eliza looked wistful.

  “Honey, you know you could have come! Especially when Edward worked all night.”

  “Of course you’re right. But you know I don’t like to rock the boat.”

  “E, I’m going to say one thing and then drop it,” I started. “You are an amazing friend, stunningly gorgeous, so very smart, and you single-handedly started and run a very successful business. I don’t know what you’re getting out of your relationship—”

  She put her hand up to cut me off.

  “Your heart’s in the right place, but I’m not ready to go down that road. Thank you for dinner. I better go now.”

  Eliza picked up her plate and took it to the sink. I stood by as she slipped on her shoes.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said softly. I put my hand on her shoulder and she turned around and gave me a tight hug, almost clinging to me. Then she squared her shoulders, gave me a small wave and headed out the door.

  I leaned against the wall, thinking of all the times David had belittled me and controlled most aspects of my life. After our divorce, I realized I’d let him treat me that way because it became easier to acquiesce than put up a fight. I’d wanted to be in a relationship, and even though ours was shitty and unhappy, it still offered security when I desperately needed it. I could imagine Eliza staying in a relationship past its prime for similar reasons. I only hoped she would find her way out sooner than I had.

  Eleven

  This is the most adorable picture I’ve ever seen.

  I woke up to my phone buzzing. I picked it up, noticing the ungodly early hour first, then seeing the name on the text.

  Me: Who is this? What picture? And where am I?

  Him: Email Joe, apparently. The picture of you and Frannie. And I don’t know, you tell me.

  I groaned and covered my face, still dying that Laurel had let my nickname for Joe out of the bag. Rolling over in bed, I looked at my phone for a moment, then responded.

  Me: Let’s agree to drop this topic. Ah yes, duck face. And I’m in bed after being rudely awakened by an obscenely early text.

  Him: Oops, sorry, I forget not everyone gets up at the crack of dawn to shape young minds like I do.

  Me: Awfully full of yourself for so early in the morning. What are you doing?

  Him: Killing some time before school. I didn’t really sleep last night.

  Me: Oh no! Is that usual?

  Him: No, I love sleep, I sleep like a baby. I’ve had a lot on my mind lately.

  Me: Oooh, intriguing. Care to share? I’m a great listener and adviser.

  Him: I know you are. I’m not ready yet, but maybe soon.

  Me: Okay, Joe. I hope everything’s okay.

  Him: It is. Sorry to be cryptic. You’re welcome for the socks, by the way. And you’re much more cute than psycho. :) I’m going to head out. Talk soon, sweet girl.

  Me: See ya, buster!

  I kicked my legs up in the air, grinning to myself. Even at 7:00 a.m., when I should have been fast asleep, morning texting with Joe might have just been my new favorite way to start the day.

  Him: What are you up to?

  Me: At work. My client’s color has a few more minutes before I need to rinse it. What’s up?

  Him: Watch this video and tell me what you think.

  Me: Okay, I’m going into the breakroom to watch. Better not be porn!

  Opening up the link to YouTube, I pressed play. Joe faced away from the camera and when he lifted his arms up, the children in the band in front of him began playing a very familiar song. My smile grew as I watched him conduct his students. When the song ended, he turned and waved at the camera, and like a dork, I waved back.

  Me: Oh my goodness, these are your students? Are they playing “Roar”? I love them!

  Him: Right? Most of these kids have only been playing for a couple years and they catch on SO fast.

  Me: I bet it has at least a little something to do with their teacher. I’m impressed!

  Him: Thanks, Rachel. I’m really fucking proud of them and you’re the first person I wanted to share the video with.

  Me: And you didn’t even know that I’m a Katy Perry fan. I’m flattered you shared. Gotta go, talk soon!

  Throughout the rest of the day, I kept catching myself humming “Roar” and smiling.

  Him: “I say we just grow up, be adults, and die.”

  I was laying on my couch, flipping through the channels on TV when I read Joe’s text. It took a moment to register what he’d quoted, but when I figured it out, I laughed out loud.

  Me: OMG, what channel?

  Me: Never mind, I found it!

  Him: The second I saw Heathers on TV, I had to text you!

  Me: My hero! I can never flip past it when I see it’s on.

  Him: I had never seen this movie until you told me you were obsessed with Christian Slater.

  Me: Really? You’re lucky I came into your life then!

  Him: Very lucky.

  Me: Avoid Kuffs. Not his best work.

  Him: Really? Just the name makes it sound like an instant classic.

  Me: My high school Christian Slater movie rotation consisted of Heathers, Pump Up the Volume, and True Romance.

  Him: Will you like me better if I tell you I’ve seen all of those movies?

  Me: <3

  Him: :)

  I watched the rest of the movie, and knowing Joe was doing the same thing, I felt closer to him even though we weren’t together.

  The buzzing woke me up. Rubbing my eyes, I checked the time on my phone: 2:00 a.m. I noticed a new text from Joe.

  Him: I played a show tonight.

  Me: Hi, Joe. You’re lucky I like you, I was sound asleep.

  Me: How’d it go?

  Him: Sorry, sweet girl. I was thinking of you tonight. It�
�s been too long since I saw your face.

  Me: What made you think of me? It’s only been a couple weeks, silly guy.

  Him: The band I played with did a hard rock cover of a Katy Perry song.

  Me: I would pay to see that!

  Him: I would pay to see you. You’re so pretty.

  Him: Shit.

  Me: Joe...are you drunk?

  Him: Yeah...going to bed now.

  Me: Goodnight, silly guy.

  Laying the phone back down on my bedside table, I smiled and fell back to sleep.

  Him: Sorry I was a creep again.

  Me: LOL, I’m used to it by now.

  Him: Ugh…

  Me: No big deal, Joe. Everyone’s drunk texted.

  Him: You’re too nice.

  Me: How’s your head?

  Him: Pounding. Have we become online friends again?

  Me: I think we’re IRL friends. :)

  Him: What would you do if the stone house belonged to you?

  Tapping my lip, I thought about it for a moment. I had never been in the house, but I loved the front porch and could picture myself sitting there every night.

  Me: The only thing I’m sure about is the front porch needs rocking chairs. And a swing!

  Him: A swing too?

  Me: Yes. Sometimes you want to rock, sometimes you want to swing.

  Him: I always want to rock.

  Me: You’re silly, guy.

  Him: I don’t want you to be sad.

  Me: I’m not sad anymore. I know you’ll take care of my house...or else!

  Him: You’re too sweet to be scary.

  Me: Aw, talk soon, Joey!

  Him: Why you little…

  Me: LOL, bye, Joe!

  Him: Bye, finger biter!

  Finger biter? This guy...

  Him: My band concert was tonight. I’m going to miss those kids. They did me proud.

  Me: You sound like such a great teacher. You really care about the kids.

  Him: Thank you, I really do.

  To cheer him up, I snapped a picture of my feet and sent it to him.