Chapter 23 - The Salon DoorRenee Alvarez remembered Emma.
Two years earlier she came to the Parker house and put her scissors away.
Now Emma walked into Renee’s salon voluntarily.
Vincent came.
Owen did not.
Normal life had separated their schedules.
He had baseball.
That pleased Emma.
She did not need a witness.
Renee asked:
“What do you want?”
Emma showed a reference photograph.
Shoulder-length textured bob.
Enough cutting to remove much of the remaining unevenness.
Renee examined.
“We can get close.”
“Will this side still be shorter?”
“A little around the temple.”
Emma touched it.
“Keep it.”
“Okay.”
“Why?” Vincent asked.
Emma looked at him.
“Because I like it.”
He raised both hands.
“Good answer.”
Renee brought out scissors.
Emma’s breathing changed.
Renee stopped.
“Want them put away?”
“No.”
“Want a minute?”
“Yes.”
No impatience.
Vincent stayed seated across the room.
He wanted to go to her.
Didn’t.
Emma breathed.
Then:
“Okay.”
Renee asked:
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
SNIP.
Hair fell.
Emma’s eyes widened.
Old memory flashed.
Classroom.
Hargrove.
Scissors.
Owen’s hidden phone.
Her own voice:
Please.
Then present.
Renee’s hand frozen.
Waiting.
“Still okay?”
Emma touched the cut end.
“Yes.”
“Continue?”
“Yes.”
SNIP.
Another.
After several sections Emma said:
“You don’t have to ask before every one.”
Renee looked in mirror.
“You sure?”
Emma smiled.
“Ask once.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Renee continued.
May you like
Hair fell willingly.
That difference changed everything.
