Her long hair was gone, replaced by a tousled cap that framed her face, gently curled around her jawline and left her neck bare.
Manny tentatively touched the ends of her hair. She gave her head an experimental shake, feeling oddly light without the long-familiar weight of her hair. She blinked as she realized her hair colour, while still not-quite-blonde-not-quite-brown looked...almost...pretty.
Too bad she still had the same plain face, the same thirty extra pounds – and she still felt the same. Dull, old and plodding, and no amount of gambling, drinking, dancing – or superficial makeovers – was going to change that.
She glanced at Harvey, to find him giving her a sarcastically sympathetic look as he mimed played a violin.
Get away from me.
Just - enjoy yourself! Don’t you ever get tired of keeping yourself down?
She deliberately turned and smiled at Olive.
“It’s lovely. What’s next?”
“Let me call my boyfriend.”
~~~~~
Manny walked into the hotel restaurant and rather nervously looked around. She saw Zeke sitting at a table engrossed in the menu. She thanked the hostess, took a deep breath, and briskly walked towards him.
Manny was somewhat gratified by his double-take and the way his eyes widened when he caught sight of her. She was slightly taken aback when his eyes narrowed, his brows lowered and he began to scowl.
When she got to the table she ignored the scowl and said, “So? What do you think?”
She turned her head from side to side, showing off the new haircut from several angles.
“What did you do?” Zeke demanded incredulously.
“Well, if you don’t know what a haircut looks like...” Manny said drily as she slid into the chair opposite him.
He stared unblinkingly at her. “Why would you cut your hair?” he asked.
“It was time for a change,” she said, picking up the menu and frowning as she read it.
“But – but -”
Manny glanced at Zeke and raised an eyebrow in challenge. “But – what?”
“Why are you trying to – to turn back the clock?”
“I’m not trying to turn back the clock,” Manny protested mildly.
“Look at you!” he said, gesturing vaguely at her. “You’ve cut your hair!”
“I think we’ve already established that,” Manny drawled.
Zeke was shaking his head, wide-eyed. “It’s not...not you!” he blurted.
Manny laughed then. “Sure it is. I’ve had it this short before – I liked it then, I like it now. I was tempted to colour it, too, but Olive – the girl who cut my hair – convinced me it looked good like this.”
“Well, I’m not sure I like it!” Zeke huffed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
Manny froze then very precisely laid down the menu and leaned over the table, glaring at him through narrowed eyes.
“You don’t have to like it, Zeke,” she hissed quietly, trying to keep her voice down in the crowded restaurant, “I didn’t do this for you! And it’s just a damn haircut! What are you so angry about?”
Now it was Zeke’s turn to lean over the table, his own eyes hard and coldly angry. “You won’t stay where I put you,” he growled.
Manny frowned. “I don’t even know what that means,” she snapped.
“I mean, you keep changing -”
“That’s the whole point!”
Zeke plowed on like she hadn’t said a word, “- doing things I never expected you to do or even think of doing! From the Misfit Toys to raucous card games to wiggling your ass like – like -”
“Like what, Zeke?” Manny asked, her voice dangerously quiet when Zeke stammered to a stop.
Zeke shook his head and waved it away. “Never mind,” he said. “The point is, you’re supposed to be demure, retiring, repre-e-e- – buttoned-up – buttoned-down...Auntie Em! Not -” he gestured angrily, encompassing everything from her haircut to her shoes, “this!”
“Supposed to be? Supposed to be? As far as I know, I have no obligation to fit any of your pre-conceived and petrified notions of who and what I should be! And you have no right to expect me to!”
“Um...are you ready to order?”
Their heads snapped towards the waitress who was standing rather timidly beside their table.
“You know what,” Manny said, abruptly rising to her feet, “I’m not hungry anymore. I think I’m just going to go back to my room. See if I can get my appetite back.”
Zeke made no effort to stop her from leaving.
~~~~~
“...I guess I won’t tell him about the pictures then,” Manny sighed, laying back on the bed and scowling at the ceiling.
On the other end of the phone, Daisy paused before she tentatively asked, “Pictures? What pictures?
“Well, Olive’s boyfriend is a photographer – you know, head shots for aspiring actors? Well, I got some glam shots and some...you know...sexy lingerie pictures done.”
Daisy paused before she slowly said, “You posed for...sexy lingerie pictures? Really?” Her voice squeaked on the last word.
“Really. I’m going to get the prints tomorrow.”
“I am blown away. Manny. I don’t even...”
Manny sighed. “Don’t you start!”
“I think that’s awesome! That’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’ve never had the guts!”
“Hey, if you like them, would you like to come down? Rebecca, too, if she can get away. You guys are only four hours away by plane; we could get more pictures done together.”
“Sexy lingerie pictures? Together?”
Manny laughed at Daisy’s scandalized tone. “I was thinking more about the glam shots, but if you want to do the lingerie ones, go for it! Without me with you, though, because that would just be sick!”
Daisy laughed. “I’d love to – even if I don’t like the pictures. But I’m not sure I can get away...tell you what? Let me talk to Max tomorrow and get back to you.”
Manny sighed. “I hope it works out. I really miss you.”
“I miss you, too,” Daisy said softly. “I’ll let you know tomorrow.”
They said their good-byes, and Manny tossed the phone aside then wearily pressed the heels of her palms against her eyes.
* * * * *
Day 85
Manny stared at her reflection in horror.
This looked much better in the store.
She gulped as she turned sideways to check out her butt.
Damn. I don’t think that much flesh is supposed to be stuffed into such a little bitty piece of spandex.
She turned back to fully face the mirror.
And these - she cupped and raised her breasts - should be somewhere up around here.
She released her breasts and covered her face with her hands.
What was I thinking? I can’t go out to the pool in this! I’ll cause a riot and not in a good way! Jesus H. Fucking Christ...when did I get old?
Are you done?
Manny shook her head and refused to remove her hands from her face.
I was wondering when you were going to show up.
I’ve been here all along. Harvey stood looking impossibly handsome in a white polo shirt that contrasted sharply with his salt-and-pepper-but-still-mostly-pepper hair, his dark eyes watching her with an odd mixture of mockery and sympathy. Look. It’s not that bad.
It’s bad enough! I didn’t even mention the cellulite! Or the thunder thighs! The paunch! Look at that stomach! Oh, God – I need mind bleach! She turned her back on the mirror and fumbled with the clasp of the bikini top. Thank God I can get undressed with my eyes closed.
Chicken.
Her fingers froze.
What?
The whole point of this trip is to try new things; get out of your comfort zone. Look at you – after everything else you’ve done so far, from ziplining to line dancing, you’re having a meltdown about wearing a bikini?
In public!
You’re not in public now! And honestly – okay, yes, you sag more than you used to do; you may have a bit more ass than bikini bottom – but have you seen the others at the pool? You’re no worse than they are and in some cases, you’re better.
We’re in Los Angeles! They’re all beautiful here!
Harvey laughed. That’s just a myth.
They’ll all laugh at me, Manny whined.
Manny. Look at me.
She reluctantly raised her eyes to meet his.
You and I both know – they – whoever ‘they’ are – won’t even look at you. They’re not going to laugh at you because they’re not even going to see you.
Manny blinked at him, feeling battered and bruised and wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and have a good cry.
I thought you were supposed to make me feel better.
No. I’m supposed to make you feel the truth.
...since when?
Since you stopped having me rescue you from pirates and started talking to me instead.
Damn. My fault again.
Indeed.
Manny took a deep breath as she forced herself to turn around and look into the mirror again.
Good girl.
Shut up. I still haven’t decided if I’m going to wear this outside this hotel room!
Why? Are you afraid Zeke’s going to see you in it, and get even angrier with you? Or worse: laugh until he pukes?
What? No!
Sure? I suspect you bought this bikini this morning in order to rub his nose in his opinion that you’re demure, retiring and repressed, and now you don’t even have the guts to go through with it.
...he didn’t say I was repressed.
Only because he caught himself at the last minute.
Manny sighed and hung her head.
Zeke had nothing to do with why I wanted to wear a bikini to the pool.
No? Then why did you want to?
...to feel...sexy. And I did feel sexy in the store. But they must use trick mirrors or something, because I thought I looked pretty good, for my age. Now I just look like another pathetic middle-aged woman trying to recapture her lost youth. Just like Zeke said.
Well, you can let yourself worry you’re as pathetic as Zeke seems to think – and become just as demure, retiring and repressed as he says you already are...or you could just say fuck it, I feel great in this bikini, and anyone who judges me can bite my luscious ass. What’s it gonna be?
~~~~~
Manny yawned and let her book droop down into her lap. She lifted her face to the sun, closed her eyes and concentrated on the feel of the sun on her face and shoulders, her exposed stomach and legs. She felt soft and warm, and – oddly – snuggly.
Snuggly?
Cuddly?
From his position on the lounger beside her, Harvey laughed his low, seductive laugh, his expressive dark eyes hidden behind sunglasses, his bare chest gleaming in the sun.
Gleaming in the sun? That’s almost as bad as saturnine. You have got to stop reading all those romance novels; I’m really beginning to worry about you.
Manny grimaced. Oh, shut up.
“Wow – I expected to find you looking happier than this!”
Manny’s eyes popped open and she gaped at Daisy and Rebecca standing by her lounger with huge grins on their faces. She screamed and jumped to her feet, throwing her arms around first Daisy and then Rebecca, all three of them laughing, squealing and bouncing with excitement.
“I have to say, I’m a little freaked out right now about being hugged by a broad in a bikini,” Rebecca laughed.
“Ah, you love it!” She turned to Daisy. “You sneak! You planned this all along!”
Daisy nodded rapidly, grinning. “Of course! Did you honestly think I’d pass up a chance to attend a real, live red carpet Hollywood premiere of the latest Robert Downey Jr. movie, plus sit in the California sun for a week? Are you nuts?”
Rebecca said, “We have a list of things to do that’s as long as your arm. Some of them would be more fun in the presence of the delicious Mr. Powell. That is, if you’re talking to him again.”
“I haven’t seen him today; we spoke briefly on the phone this morning, but it was mostly words of one syllable. Besides, he’s been working the last couple of days.”
“But you are talking to him again?” Rebecca pressed.
Manny sighed. “Probably,” she muttered. “Like I have a choice.”
“Good,” Rebecca said, ignoring the last part of Manny’s comment. “Let’s find out if he’s done working, so we can go shopping -”
“Shopping?” Manny blurted, her eyes suddenly wide.
Rebecca nodded decisively. “Shopping. And I don’t know about Daisy, but the first place I want to go is wherever you got this bikini. It’s gorgeous! And you look great!”
Manny flushed, then grinned. “Even though I have more ass than suit?”
Rebecca airily waved away her comment. “Everyone has more ass than suit – it’s the way they’re designing the things nowadays. Now pack up and let’s go.”
Manny laughed as she quickly slipped her sandals on and got into her cover-up.
“Say, do you guys want to share my room?” she asked as they headed back into the hotel. “It’d be just like a pajama party!”
“We’re already there,” Daisy replied.
“Say what?”
“Good thing your buddy Lionel owns the hotel. He made all the arrangements for us.”
Manny groaned, then laughed and shook her head as she led the way back to their room.
~~~~~
Zeke kept a neutral expression on his face as he opened his door. He was grateful Manny had called first to see if he had time to see her. He’d been in the midst of writing a scathing blog about her ill-advised decision to change her look and style, and he’d wanted to finish and send it off to Leah before he saw Manny again. He hoped writing the blog would help him calm down; he had to admit he did feel a little better, but he was wary about what stunt she was going to pull next.
“Hi, Zeke – remember us?” Daisy said brightly, a grin very much like her sister’s on her face.
Zeke’s jaw dropped. “Daisy! Rebecca! What – when -? Wow! You guys look great!”
“Sure,” Rebecca said as she moved past him into the room, “we look great. Manny gets a lecture!”
Zeke flushed as Daisy followed after Rebecca, nodding in agreement. Manny was last, a rueful look on her face.
“Do you tell them everything?” he growled at her.
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“Look at her! She looks great!” Daisy insisted. “I have no idea how you could have objected to this! She looks at least twenty years younger!”
Manny sputtered a laugh. “You’re such a liar,” she grinned, “but thanks.”
There was a moment of awkward silence.
“So...?” Rebecca drawled.
“So?” Zeke asked.
“Are you going to kiss and make up with Manny – and therefore, by extension, us? Or do we have to inflict ourselves on this poor city without you?”
“Kiss and make up?” he squeaked.
“It’s a figure of speech,” Manny sighed. “Asshole.”
“With the three of you, it never hurts to be sure,” Zeke fired back.
“He has a point,” Daisy said thoughtfully.
“That he does,” Rebecca agreed.
“So, hop to it, Mr. Powell,” Daisy said firmly. “Apologize to the lady and let’s get the hell out of here. We have things to do and places to see.”
Zeke stared wide-eyed at the two women standing firmly in front of him. They were like forces of nature, he thought, amused and bemused, and about as difficult to resist. He turned his attention to Manny. She’d been out in the sun, he noticed. It was still unsettling to see her with short, breeze-tousled hair rather than with her sleek bun or long, straight curtain of hair hanging down her back. This new haircut made
her face look rounder, softer somehow – and Zeke realized Daisy hadn’t been exaggerating very much: Manny really did look years younger.
“Before I do anything -” he paused as all three women groaned loudly, “I just want to know what you ladies have planned. Maybe I should stay behind in case you need bail money.”
Rebecca raised an eyebrow. “Quick learner, this boy,” she murmured to Manny.
“Not always,” Manny replied drily.
“Good point. Zeke, come on. You were a dumbass, and you know it.”
Zeke straightened to his full height and glowered at Rebecca. “I had an honest reaction. What was she thinking?”
“I’m standing right here,” Manny snapped, “and I was thinking it would be fun to have a makeover.”
Zeke turned his glower on her.
She glowered back.
He threw up his hands. “All right! Fine! You’re right! I’m sorry, I over-reacted. The haircut is...fine.”
Manny rolled her eyes. “Fine as in looks good, or fine as in you approve?”
Zeke hesitated. “Fine as in looks good,” he said, reluctant to give in but knowing Leah would skin him alive if he let the three women go off on their own and he didn’t get at least a couple of blogs out of the experience.
The three women glanced at each other.
“Good enough?” Daisy asked.
Rebecca shrugged as she waggled her hand. “It lacked a certain amount of sincerity.”
“It lacked any sincerity, you mean,” Manny said drily.
Zeke closed his eyes and prayed for patience.
“I’m sorry, Manny,” he said. “Really. I had no right to react the way I did, or say the things I said.” He opened his eyes and steadily met her gaze. To his surprise, he actually meant what he’d just said. “I am sorry.”
Manny considered him thoughtfully, then nodded. “Thank you.”
Daisy and Rebecca exchanged glances, then turned their attention back to Zeke.
“Well,” Daisy said briskly, “now that that’s taken care of, let’s get out of here.”
Zeke shrugged. “Okay. Where are we going?”
“Shopping!” all three women cried.
Zeke’s eyes widened with horror. “Shit!”
* * * * *
A Life Less Ordinary Page 21
