Page 60 of Rock and a Hard Place

Libby heard the phone clunk back onto the cradle and pretended to read a brochure about underground caves.

“Men,” the woman said, coming back around the corner. “You certainly can’t live with ’em and it’s near impossible to live without ’em.” She pushed her bleached hair out of her flushed face. “You checking out?”

“Uh, no. Do I have to yet?” Libby didn’t realize she’d have to check out so soon.

“No, checkout’s at eleven, but I can give you till twelve if you need it, not like I’m gonna get to cleaning your room anytime soon.”

“Actually, I was thinking of one more night.”

“Whatever suits you. Anything else?” She clicked her polished fingertips on the counter.

“Yes, I was wondering if you have a scissors I could borrow.”

“Let’s see. There should be one around here somewhere.” She rifled through drawers and shuffled papers. “Whatcha need it for?”

Libby’s face warmed. She wanted to lie, but couldn’t think fast enough. “For my hair.”

The woman examined Libby closely. “I see. Needing a new look, are you?”

Libby nodded.

“Well, who am I to interfere? It’s your business. Here you go.” She handed over a pair of scissors. “Be sure to return them.”

“I will, I promise.” Libby took them and quickly went to her room.

Less than thirty minutes later, Libby returned the scissors. The woman stood behind the counter, adding numbers on a small desk calculator. She looked up as Libby entered.

“Well, let’s see your handiwork.”

Libby turned around, revealing her shortened tresses. She’d meant for her hair to reach below her shoulders, but the length was crooked and each time she tried to fix it, the other side became uneven.

“Oh, honey, that’s the worst haircut I’ve ever seen.”

Libby’s heart fell. She knew it wasn’t great, but she didn’t realize it was that bad.

“Come around back here, and I’ll fix it up if you like.” Libby hesitated, not sure if she should.

“Come on, I won’t bite your head off. I’m pretty handy with a scissors. I cut all my boys’ hair, saves a heap a money. I cut Jimmy’s hair, too, up until he got arrested and sent off to prison. That man is a fool if ever I saw one.”

“Well, if you’re sure.”

“Course I am. I was all signed up for cosmetology school when I got pregnant with Jimmy Junior. Shattered my dreams until I saw the little bugger. Cutest thing you ever did see. By the way, I’m DarLynn.”

“I’m Jill.” She offered her hand along with the fake name. It would be a long time before she trusted someone with the truth.

“Nice to meet you, Jill.” DarLynn shook her hand. “Take your coat off and sit right here.” She pulled a small kitchen stool into the middle of her narrow kitchen.

Libby took off her coat, laid it on a sofa covered with an old bedspread, then sat on the stool. DarLynn grabbed a comb and worked through Libby’s hacked-up hair.

“You just can’t cut your own hair. Bangs yes, but the rest, forget it. Never works.” She began to snip away, and Libby started to relax with the constant chatter.

“Not too many young girls come to stay at the Twilight, at least not without a guy hanging on ’em.”

Libby worried this would happen. She couldn’t talk about herself, or she’d get shipped back.

“Reminds me of myself at your age. Trouble everywhere I turned. Those were some awful times. At least till I met Jimmy. My lord, he was a good-looking piece of man. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still damn fine, just life’s been catching up with him. You gotta boyfriend?”

“No. Not anymore.” Libby pretended it didn’t matter. “I see. Well, honey, you’re better off without him. If he was too dim to see how wonderful you are, he was the wrong one.” She snipped and combed, then suddenly paused. “He didn’t hit you, did he?” DarLynn popped in front of Libby, her face etched with concern.

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