People Can You Hear Me? [A Brian May Story]

[13]

I winced at my carelessness. I nervously folded my hands together, unsure of what to say or do. Brian was trying to calm his breathing down from being startled to death. I sheepishly shrugged, looking down at the floor, which was now covered with hair tools.

"Umm...," Brian breathed out. "Sorry you had to see that."

I looked up confused. Sorry for what? Sorry about seeing a haircut? Or sorry for seeing him crying? I turned my head curiously, furrowing my brows so he could see I was confused. Brian frowned deeply.

"This whole thing has been a disaster. I wasn't even supposed to get a wash and now I'll have to pay extra for that because Roger can never shut up!" Brian's voice grew as loud as I had ever heard it. His eyes grew wide as he looked back up at me. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to speak so rudely of my friend. I know he's been very helpful to you."

And so have you, I signed, purely out of habit.

"I'm afraid I don't know an ounce of sign language," Brian admitted, turning a little red. "Mary is the fluent one. Both of her parents are deaf."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. That was very interesting. Well, that explains why Mary can even pick up my American sign language.

"You should probably go find her," Brian said, quietly. "She's better company anyway."

I frowned and shook my head slightly. He was so unsure of himself, so... shy. But if we wanted to be alone, then I'll let him be. I turned to leave but I made the mistake of looking back. He was simply staring at his reflection, his eyes so sad. I couldn't just leave. I can't run away again. I glanced at a table of hair products beside me.

Sea salt spray, hairspray, coconut oils, dry shampoo, creams... yes! I pulled a bottle of spray-in conditioner off the table and a comb still in its original package. I took off my backpack and walked right over to Brian, lowering his chair down so I could reach the top of his head.

"What are you doing?" Brian asked timidly.

I tapped the bottle and grabbed my own hair. Brian's eyes remained wide. "What? Genevieve, I don't.... nothing can fix my hair-"

I cut him off by placing my finger on my lips. He immediately silenced himself, like a kid who had been told by his mom to be quiet. I took the comb out of the package. I smiled as I had an idea. I could start to teach him words!

I held up the comb. Comb, I signed to him.

"Comb?" Brian asked.

I nodded, smiling as I signed it again. Brian slowly raised his right hand and imitated me as best as he could. I nodded once more. I held up the conditioner.

Spray-in conditioner, I signed, though it might've been too much for Brian. He stared at me blankly before shrugging.

"You lost me," he said with a small, sheepish grin.

I took the conditioner and went back behind him, so we were both facing the mirror. I sprayed the liquid all over his hair, using well over half the bottle. This would help decrease the volume of his hair. I grabbed the comb and went to work, gently combing out and working the conditioner onto his head.

I looked down to see Brian's hands change from being in fists to completely relaxed. I felt a little warmth inside me, knowing that he was becoming a bit more comfortable with me.

"You're really gentle," Brian said softly.

I blinked in surprise and smiled gently, pleased I wasn't hurting him. I couldn't deny that I was enjoying this. His hair was incredibly soft and fluffy, the loose curls finally becoming less springy and wavier. I spun him around in his chair so he could face me. I combed the front of his hair while simultaneously getting a good look at him.