Page 111 of Until Then

She smacks my leg. “Thanks a lot.”

I smile at her. “You’re welcome.”

With the attention momentarily diverted from me, I take a moment to compose myself. Who knows what else will come out of Glenda’s mouth before the evening is over.

Luckily for me, though, the group stays focused on Reid and Via’s potential move for a while. They give recommendations for realtors and available properties. She’ll want to kill me later, but it’s worth it for the reprieve.

It might be strange, how little I enjoy being the center of attention when I’ve made so much of my life available to the masses. But it’s different when there’s a screen separating me from the people eager for information.

Things are winding down when the attention does turn back to me. It’s my own fault. Because I’ve been sitting here lost in my thoughts, thinking about the past year and all the changes and how there’s one more change I’d like to make.

“I think I’m going to cut my hair,” I blurt out.

Silence descends on the room. “That’s lovely, dear,” Glenda says, words dripping with sarcasm. “Schedule a trim in the morning.”

“No. Not a trim. I’m thinking like chopping it. Like here.” I clip my hair between my fingers to show them what I’m thinking. “That’s what? About eight inches? Ten?”

It would bring my hair up to almost my shoulders.

“That’s a lot, dear,” Glenda says, trying not to cringe. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m ready for the change. It’ll be good for me.”

“If you’re sure, I have my scissors in my car,” Anna says, leaning forward at the other end of the couch. “Sorry, that sounded weird. I do hair. I could do it now if you want.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Let me get them.” She hops up and heads for the door. “While I do that, will someone grab a stool from the kitchen and maybe a towel?”

Via slowly turns her head in my direction, eyes wide. “Are you sure about this?”

“It’s just hair. If I hate it, oh well. It’ll grow.”

Twenty minutes later I’m a whole lot of hair lighter, and Lucy is passing me a hand mirror so I can check Anna’s handiwork. The wavy strands are about an inch past my shoulders. Exactly where I wanted them.

“It’s perfect, Anna. Thank you.” I slide off the stool and take the dustpan and broom from Lucy before she can sweep up the mess. “I’ve got it.”

When the floor is clean and the food is put away, we depart for the night with a chorus of goodbyes.

As nosy and meddling as these women can be, it’s life-affirming, knowing they’re in my corner. These women would do anything for one another, and they’ve brought me into the fold. These kinds of friendships are hard to come by, no matter where a person lives.

“What do you think Derrick is going to say about your hair?” Via asks me as I navigate toward her apartment.

“I’m not sure,” I answer with the shrug of one shoulder. “I didn’t think about what his opinion might be. I did it for myself.”

With a hum, she squeezes my arm. “Good. Never do anything because of or for a man.”

“Never,” I agree as I pull down the alley.

Reid’s older model Mustang is already there, parked behind Via’s car.

“Thanks for today.” She undoes her seat belt. “And thanks for your help with telling the whole town that we’re looking for a house. I’m sure the gossip mill is already doing its thing.”

A laugh works its way out of me as I take in the building. “They’re already planning my wedding, so we’re even.”

Before she can even get out of the car, Reid, wearing a grin, is opening the door to Via’s upstairs apartment.

“Go get your man,” I tell her.

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