Page 32 of Love's Cure

But when Crystal arrived at the upscale salon and saw some of the women with attractive hairdos, she relaxed. She knew she was doing the right thing, the healthy thing for her.

Missy emerged from one of the back rooms to greet her. “Crystal, I’m excited to see you. It’s been almost a year since we worked together in Ogunquit at the summer theater. You look gorgeous as usual, but I’m going to make you look even better. The purple was cute but now it’s time for a new you, like you said.”

Crystal gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for doing this. As long as I was changing color, I wanted to change style too, and you’re the best.”

“Let’s get you in a robe and we’ll take care of the rest. I’m sorry we don’t have time to fit in a mani-pedi.”

“No worries,” said Crystal. “I’m going to the spa with friends later this week. It was supposed to be tonight, but we had to change it. This will be perfect.”

Almost three hours later, Crystal took a last look in the mirror, startled to see how the changes had given her an entirely different look. Gone was the funky, fun color and style of her tousled hair. In its place was a sleek blond look that made her appear much more sophisticated. It was something she’d get used to over time.

After paying, she gave Missy another hug. “Thanks. Let me know when you’re in Ogunquit and I’ll come see you. In the meantime, you know you always have a place to stay in Lilac Lake.”

“Love you, girl,” said Missy. “You look hot, hot, hot.”

“Thanks,” said Crystal, but she knew it would be a while before she was comfortable with such comments. Still, she’d done the right thing.

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Driving home, Crystaltried not to look into the mirror, but she caught herself glancing at it more than she wanted. She resembled her mother when she’d been young before drugs and alcohol destroyed her beauty. But as GG had mentioned to Crystal many times, she and her mother were very different people. She wondered what her sister, Misty, would have to say about the new look.

Thinking of her sister, she realized it had been too long since they’d chatted. Crystal called Misty and left a message asking her to call back.

When she was driving through town, she easily passed by people who didn’t recognize her new silver car or the blonde driving it. She liked the idea of starting fresh.

And then, when she walked into the Café’s kitchen, she laughed when it took her staff a few seconds to recognize her.

“I love the new color,” said a staff member.

“It suits you,” another told her.

“Thanks,” she said, wrapping an apron around her waist. “Now, let’s get busy. The afternoon crowd will be showing up.” Having sweets and something hot or cold had become a popular thing for both tourists and locals to do before the Café shut down for the day.

Whitney strolled inside the Café pushing a stroller and grinned when she saw Crystal. “Oh, my gosh! I talked to GG this morning and she mentioned you might have a surprise for us. I love it. This is how I remember you as a teenager before you had that big fight with your mother.”

“GG and I discussed my hair issue and she encouraged me to change it. That and all the bad talk about my purple hair. As shallow as it was, that talk made me think about making some changes. Last night, I left a message for my sister to call me. It’s been too long since I’ve heard from her.”

“Is Misty still living in Florida?” Whitney asked, motioning for Crystal to turn around. Nodding with approval, she said, “You are beautiful. Much prettier than Diana.”

At the knowing look Whitney gave her, Crystal laughed. “Okay, one of the reasons for changing was that I wanted to be seen as the person I’ve become. Not the one in high school.”

Whitney gave her a hug. “No matter what, you’re my best friend and always will be. Meet me at Jake’s tonight for an early supper. I can’t stay long but I want to see everyone’s reaction to the new you. Especially from a couple of the guys we know.”

“That’s another change. I don’t give a flying ‘eff’ what anyone else thinks. I’m me. Period.”

“Good for you.” Whitney turned as the baby began to cry. She picked him up and hugged him. “Tim is a little fussy today. That’s why we’re out for a walk.”

“He’s the cutest,” said Crystal. “Let Auntie Crys hold him.”

Whitney handed her the baby and a pang went through Crystal as he snuggled against her. Maybe she could do the parenting thing, after all. She was not her mother.

Customers came into the Café in three groups.

Crystal handed the baby back to Whitney. “Better go. See you later.”

“Is that a promise?” Whitney asked.

Crystal laughed. “Okay. I promise.”

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