A Perfect Lady

ELEVEN

"Dear heavens, this is an absolute disaster!" My Aunt exclaimed, standing behind me while I sat on my bed. My head down nearly to my lap.

It was finally daylight again, and it was a pill dealing with her assessing the 'damage' I had done to my hair upon arriving to dress me this morning. Meanwhile my Father was just circling around me like some angered vulture, once he laid a smack across my face the moment he saw the new hairdo as well.

"I can't believe after years of making sure your hair was as yellow as corn and as long as my arm, you made literally the stupidest decision ever!" He scowled.

"This is terrible, Henry! She looks like a loose woman, not a lady! I swear this girl has no respect whatsoever for anyone but herself! And now we have to suffer the consequences for it and fix her mess—like always! Now what man will want you, looking like the devil?! How could you be so careless?!" She kept whining.

I tried to model the most innocent expression I could form. "I'm very sorry Auntie, but I told you. I had a huge spider on my hair that just wouldn't go away. The only thing nearby was the pair of scissors. I could've used my hands to get it out..."

"Oh don't be ridiculous. These are perfectly manicured hands, not exterminator ones." She grabbed my palms to make sure they were still perfectly clean and sighed. "Though, I'll digress. We will just simply have to work around it. That's all. May I suggest a series of hats until her golden locks grow back?" She turned to my old man.

But without uttering a word for a minute, he only glared at me coldly. Oh, I hope he wasn't figuring out the truth. It already took me all morning to come up with that.

"Well we don't have any other choice, now do we? However, Brooke here will be more than willing to go into town again and get the things she will need. Isn't that right?" He finally spoke.

Lucinda grunted, racing out annoyed before she could even hear me respond. Little did he know, it wasn't a bad idea as he was making it. I could visit Julian again as well.

"Yes Father." I politely replied, not daring to say another word or it could set him off.

And yet, with no apology or explanation for his actions moments ago, he simply left and slammed the door shut. Though as I felt the short bob I had created with my free hand that wasn't resting on my burning cheek, I still loved my rather seamless DIY work.

But if he thought I was finished...he was undoubtedly wrong.

🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀

Going back into town, I had bought a collection of ugly hats I had no interest in wearing even for a second. But on the bright side, I had laid my eyes on 'The Dancing Kat' once again and an excited gleam danced across my face.

I'm sure Julian would be in there choreographing away. And I obviously had to go in there to see if there were more flashy and fun flappers shaking their rumps.

So, as I watched Ronald get in line at a bread bakery food cart on the side of the road a few minutes away from our car because he had got peckish, I grinned to myself and raced away from his view until I landed back where I actually wanted to fit in.

Instantly, the swanky music absorbed me right in like last night.

Though peering around, I hardly saw anyone in here compared to yesterday. Not even a bartender was present. Then again, it was a few hours earlier than before and the lights were practically dim.

However, nothing made me happier than coming upon Julian just as I hoped, but instead of instructing a bunch of skirts to dance, he was doing his own thing—displaying some moves I hadn't seen yet centerstage and alone. But eventually, he came across me with a sexy spin and paused.

"Oh sorry ma'am! I must've forgotten to lock the door on my way in, but the joint doesn't open up for another hour." He spoke out in a cute and innocent tone.

I laughed quietly, realizing he was probably thrown off with my 'bad' decision and moved further into some better light, smiling. I soon finally caught his attention and his pupils enlarged in such astonishment.

"Aw rhatz, that's a shame! I was hoping to get another glass of gin..." I uttered confidently.

I was really ready to experience it properly this time. I swore.

"Brooke? Oh my god...you cut your hair!" He shouted in awe. I shyly shrugged, unsure if that was a sign of a good or bad thing for him. But one of my guesses was finally answered, once he flashed his infamous sweet smile. "You look swell!" See! I knew someone out there had to like it too. The right person at that. "But uh...just how much trouble did it cost you?" He came closer with a heavy amount of touch of concern—but still overall proudness of the outcome.

"Just a single strike that I've already not thought about twice. Matter of fact, I can even still eat dinner tonight, so that's a good sign too. Although, I think the phantom spider who crawled through my hair will have a great deal of pain in its future if he were to ever find it." I joked, shrugging. He found a way to let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "I told you I was certain in my new life choice. Now Julian, the tables have turned on you. I'm going to be a dancer one way or another, no matter what anyone says or does to me. The only real question I need to ask now, is will I have an excellent mentor to show me the ropes correctly?" I finally put my foot down for once.

Staring at me closely—and dare I say, even seductively, Julian licked his lips and nodded happily. "Seems like I'm about to have my work cut out for me."

"Oh Julian, thank you so much! I promise I'll do my very best! Honest to God!" I gratefully plead, jumping up and down like a small child in a soda shop as I rushed up to give him a big and tight hug.

He laughed more loudly, wrapping his arms around me hugging back. I blissfully wanted to stay like this for the rest of my life. "I got no doubt in my mind about that babycakes!" He happily professed. "Ready for the first lesson, then?"

I glanced at him a bit mystified and grinned. "You mean right now?"

"Yep! I'm guessing since you're in here, your driver isn't paying much attention and you got five minutes. That's all the time I need for an easy hopper. Like I said! The joint hasn't opened up yet. So why not?" He grabbed my hand heading us back to where he was momentarily.

"Look at that! You can read my mind sometimes!" I didn't hesitate to let him lead as I stood next to him, not daring to take my eyes off his next move.