Page 65 of Proof

“Again! Good thinkin’.”

The man returned with a seven and a seven and a half. “Just in case.”

Luna slipped off her everyday walking shoes and stepped into the soft leather bootie. “Mmmm . . . comfy.”

“Yes, they are known for their comfort.” He sounded a bit snide.

Luna nodded a few times. “Yes, I am aware. Thank you.” She rolled her eyes at Chi-Chi, who bit her lip to keep from laughing.

Luna stomped around in the boots and decided they were exactly what she needed. “I’ll take them. Thank you,” she said, and handed him her credit card.

Chi-Chi took the shopping bag from the clerk, and they ventured back to the car.

“Not bad for an hour’s work!” Luna exclaimed, as she tucked her shopping treasures into the back of her SUV. They hopped into the vehicle, and Luna punched the salon’s address into her GPS. “I’m a little nervous,” she squealed.

“Yes. I understand. I do not know what I would do without all of my hair.”

Luna jerked her head. “I’ll be getting rid of my hair!”

“This just occurred to you?” Chi-Chi looked at her suspiciously.

“Well, yes, and no. I mean, I was more focused on the look, rather than the process.”

“Yes. It means you will have to cut your hair if you want it to look good. Your hair is much too long for that coloring.”

“True. But I’m ready for it. Honest. I feel like I’m letting go of my past. Consciously and subconsciously. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.”

“I did not realize your past had such a hold on you,” Chi-Chi mused.

“Neither did I. Not until I opened the drawers of my old dresser. Strange, isn’t it? We hold on to things, not just in physical form, but in our head.” She took a breath. “I mean, I know all of this intellectually, but I think it’s the symbolism we cling to without being fully aware of what we are doing.”

Chi-Chi thought for a moment. “I believe I understand what you are saying. It’s like the women who still wear the same hairstyle they had in high school.” Then she burst out laughing. It suddenly dawned on her she was referring to her friend.

“Thanks, pal.”

“I did not mean you. The ones with the big bangs.”

“And the massive amounts of blue eyeshadow!” Luna barked.

“That is exactly what I am talking about.”

“And you are correct, my friend. I’ve had the same hairstyle since high school. The only exception is that I never had bangs. Or blue eyeshadow!” Luna smirked. “I had no idea I was one of those people.”

“You are not.”

“Well, if I am, that’s about to change.”

“As long as you do not change.” Chi-Chi patted Luna’s hand.

“I’m shedding my past. I think it’s a very symbolic gesture.”

“I could not agree more.”

“Do me a favor, please? Look up Locks of Love?”

“Yes, the donation site. I used them several years ago. Ah, here. There is a form you can fill out. I will send you the link.”

“Thank you. I’ll be happy to know my hair went to a kid who lost their hair because of cancer treatments. Boy, that must be horrible. Your body is subjected to intense treatments that kick you in the tush, and you lose your hair as a thank-you. It’s terrible.”

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