Mule

Chapter Two: The Rose

Issaquah, Washington 20 years later . . .

Raindrops kissed the cool glass of the beauty shop window. Winter was finally over, and the promise of new growth and spring brought the heavy showers upon King County. Then again, it always seemed to rain accept for in the summer months.

The bell jingled, signifying a customer had arrived. A box blonde in striped Fendi yoga pants and matching tank top she wore underneath a black jacket. Not that Ana knew Fendi from Fruit of the Loom, but the jacket had the brand plastered in shiny gold on the left breast pocket.

Judging by her roots, this one was here for a touchup, which she didn't have the time for. She always left at twenty to three so she would have ten minutes to get to the school ten minutes before the kids would get out. She liked timing things in tens. It calmed her. She also liked to take at least ten clients a shift, which she could easily do when the kids were with their mom.

"You got this one?" Ana called to Britney.

Her friend shook her head. "Sorry, gotta finish up a perm."

Ana groaned, leaning into the broom. "Please? I have to pick up the kids in twenty minutes."

Britney shrugged. "Sorry, Ana, I'm booked. Maybe Sarah can finish up once you get started?"

She was no help at all. Ana finished sweeping up the hair from her previous cut then carried the cleaning supplies to the corner. The same corner where all hair and slivers of foil went to die. She enjoyed her job, she truly did, but the monotony of cutting and sweeping, smiling and making small-talk. She needed more.

"Welcome to A Little Off the Top," Ana said, approaching the customer. "How can I help you?"

The woman took off her sunglasses, making her seem even more shallow. They hadn't had seen the sun from beneath the clouds in over six months. Ana's pale complexion could testify to that. Thank God she was going to California in just a few short days.

"You do walk-ins?" the woman asked.

Ana looked at the sign on the door that clearly said 'We do Walk-ins' then back at the woman. Ana prided herself in her customer service, but once in a while she couldn't help but be a tad snarky, especially when she kept taking on last-minute customers at the end of her shift week after week.

"Of course!" she said. "Please, sit."

The woman came over and sat in Ana's station. Ana grabbed one of the capes and fasted it around her neck. Thankfully, the woman's hair was down so she wouldn't have to worry about taming a rat's next before getting started.

"What can I do for you?" Ana asked.

"Just a trim, about a half inch. My sister said I'd look good with the ombre look, so I think I'll let my roots just go."

Thank God, Ana thought to herself. A trim wouldn't take long.

"Would you like a wash as well?"

"No, dry is fine, thanks."

Ana nodded then carried her scissors to the back to clean. Her boss Lila smiled, and they bumped hips as they passed by.

"What are you still doing here?" Lila asked. "Don't you have to get the kids today?"

"Yeah, but Brit's busy and we just had a walk-in arrive for a trim."

Lila gave her an exasperated look. "You need to learn to say no, Ana Banana. I can take it for you if you want!"

"No, please, I brought this on myself. It's just a dry trim and I'll get the hell out of here."