Page 64 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Chapter 26

Honey

“Did you get the invite to my retirement party?” Perry tilts his neck so Matthew can get a perfect angle on his haircut.

The scissor blades swish-swish. “Phoenix insisted I should have one and has done all the planning—I don’t want to look at the credit card statements.”

“I did.” Matthew chuckles. “He’s right to insist, you should celebrate.”

Perry shrugs under the vinyl cape.

Matthew readjusts his head. “We could all use a good ole tighty-whitey foam party.” His lip curls.

“What?” Perry panics.

”I’ve ordered new Calvin’s, just for the occasion.”

“Matthew!” Perry kicks the floor, twisting the styling chair around.

“Careful!.” Matthew laughs. “Let’s keep both your ears in tact please?” He spins the chair back. “I’m just kidding.”

“I wouldn’t put that past the boy.” Perry smirks. “He loves a circuit party. Do they still call them that?”

Matthew shrugs. “C’mon, let’s head over to the sinks. I’ll rinse you and set your twists. Then we can go to lunch.”

Perry follows him to the shampoo basins.

Matthew starts the spray as he lays back in the chair.

“What about Salvador? Will we finally get to meet him at the party?” Matthew lathers his hands with silky floral suds.

“He is going be in the states and has added a stop to his itinerary.” Perry’s face relaxes as Matthew’s soapy fingers work his scalp. “He actually wants to stay in town for the week after.”

“Good! I can’t wait to meet your new amanté.” Matthew rinses and blots his head with a towel.

The pair march back to the styling station and Matthew collects a bottle of curl cream from the mosaic table at the center of the salon. He squeezes a dollop into his palm and works it through his fingers, patting it into Perry’s hair, before curling the short twists into tight bundles on top of his head.

“Perfect,” he boasts at his own work.

“Thank you Matty.” Perry admires his reflection as Matthew whips the cape away.

“Now, where are we going to eat? I’m starved.” Matthew abandons the disheveled station as the young salon assistant scoops in with broom and dustpan ready. “Thank you Kelsie.”

”Phoenix made us reservations at a new place around the corner. Some hot new chef he met two nights ago, just opened up last month. Fuse—or something? I think it’s Mediterranean? That’s popular again.” Perry twirls out of the chair and follows Matthew toward the reception desk.

“Hey Daevon. I’ll be back in an hour.” Matthew holds the door for Perry to pass through.

They strut down the sidewalk in the blazing Georgia sun and round the corner after the second block. Fuse is flamboyant atmosphere lit with chatter and carbon copy bleach blonde twinks in fishnet crop tops and baggy plastic overalls tucked into glittery gumboots prancing around the dining room, taking orders and delivering drinks.

Perry quirks a brow at Matthew and they both chuckle at the spectacle.

“Two for lunch, under Mr. Franklin” Perry says, to the queer child of the corn with matching ear and nipple piercings managing the host’s station.

The boy gathers two menus and leads them to a quieter table in the far corner with high back booths racketing two sides, offering sanctuary from the chaos.

“Phoenix knows you well.” Matthew falls into the seat.

“I honestly don’t know what I’ll do without him.” Perry shrugs, sliding into the opposite booth. “The kid runs my life better than I can.”

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