Page 10 of Mountain Man Officer

“I do art therapy,” Macy said. “I bring paints and crayons and modeling clay, and I help children work through their emotions. Sometimes parents are more comfortable in a professional setting, and sometimes it’s easier for the families if I come to them. It lets me see what their daily life is like, and I can sometimes suggest things that might help them.”

“Like what?” Ava asked.

“Like for example if there are no children’s books in the house, I might suggest they go to the library. Or if the child doesn’t have a dedicated space of their own, I might help them create a corner where they can go to calm down.” Macy explained.

“Oh,” I said.

“I just love art, and I love helping people,” Macy said. “I really missed work while I was…” She trailed off, not sure she wanted to explain her entire adventure to three brand-new friends.

“I love what I do,” I said, rotating Macy in her chair so I could lean her back toward the sink. “Just like how your art helps children, my art helps women feel good about themselves.”

“Definitely,” Macy agreed.

I turned on the water, placed a towel under Macy’s neck, and worked shampoo through her long auburn hair. After rinsing the soap out, I patted her head with the towel, then reached for the scissors to begin the trim.

“I don’t love what I do,” Ava said abruptly.

Bella looked up.

“Oh, I mean, I love it,” Ava corrected herself, “but it’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

“What do you want to do?” Macy asked.

“I’d love to find the right man, get married, and settle down,” Ava sighed.

I laughed. Ava had been searching for the right man ever since we had first met at fifteen years old.

“I found the right man,” Macy said. “And it’s absolutely wonderful. But I still like my job.”

“I just want to be a stay-at-home mom,” Ava sighed again, “with three beautiful children who will be named Henry, Betty, and Ryan.”

Bella chuckled.

“You’ve got it really figured out,” Macy said.

“You don’t know the half of it,” I teased. “She decided she was going to make it work with… who was the latest one?”

“Don’t say it like that.” Ava pushed my arm gently.

I turned my focus to Macy’s hair, letting the subject drop.

“Bella, I’d love to get that cookie recipe from you,” Macy said after a pause.

“Oh, I never share my recipe.” Bella winked.

I finished up the trim and turned Macy around so she could check herself out in the mirror.

“I love it!” she exclaimed. “Thank you so much!”

“You’re welcome. Anytime.” I grinned.

My next customer was walking in the door, so I gave Macy a hug.

“We’ll have to get together sometime,” Macy said. “A girls’ night out.”

“Sounds fabulous,” I said.

I worked the rest of the day, chatting with my customers, making everyone feel a little fresh and new. At the end of my shift, I clocked out, waved goodbye to Ava, and got in my car. The whole way home, I was thinking about how wonderful it would be to kick off my shoes and relax. There would be quiet, broken only by the sounds of nature. The air would be fresh, and I would be able to leave all my worries behind.

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