Page 51 of Weatherman

“Wow, that’s impressive. I bet it looks great. Think you’ll go to college after you graduate? You could go into fashion design or something.”

The girl jumped as if shocked anyone would ask such a thing. “Um, probably not. We don’t have money for that.”

“I can relate.” I let down one clip of hair and threaded it through my fingers. “There are loans and scholarships available, though.”

“Gramma says it’s all a waste of time.”

The click of my scissors got louder and sharper as I worked. “There are other opportunities that don’t take a four-year degree. It depends on your interests or hobbies. I liked hair and makeup, so here I am, doing something I love. You have time to figure out what you want to do. It’s kind of exciting, don’cha know?”

“I… don’t really have any real hobbies. I read a lot. Clean the house. Sew a little bit and babysit.”

I laughed as I combed her bangs forward over her eyes. “Makes you sound like the perfect housewife.”

“Gramma says I’m too plain to get a man.”

My scissors grew silent for a moment. I had to take a breath before I ruined this girl’s cut. Memories assailed me of my time in high school. Sure, I had some good times, but also ones that weren’t pleasant. I had my own demons with my mother and the past, and it made me want to hurl that this young girl—no, younglady—might be exposed to that kind of meanness.

“You’re not plain, Hilda. You’re like a caterpillar. One day you’ll come out of that cocoon and set the world on fire. Sometimes it takes longer to get there, but you will. Just please remember to take your time. There’s a whole life ahead of you, and the best part is, you get to decide where it goes.”

Hilda kept her eyes down. “I don’t know if I’ll ever leave this town. Gramma says I have to get a job as soon as I graduate from high school or move out. Probably both.”

I opened my set of heated ceramic rollers and began winding her hair around them. “I used to feel stuck where I lived. Sametown, same people, same streets. Everyone around me either worked at the shoe factory or for a business that supported it. I never thought I’d have a life outside Red Wing, but here I am. Living in a different state and doing something I love. I had a lot of challenges, and it took me a long time to find myself, but I’m glad I did. As hard as it was at times, I would do it again just so I could appreciate and be grateful for what I have now. Let’s do your makeup while the curlers do their thing, yeah?”

I didn’t go heavy-handed with an oily foundation, just some mineral powder to even out her skin tone. Neutral palette with some light contouring on her cheekbones and highlights under her eyes. Her eyebrows were already thick, and I tweezed and trimmed them a bit to give them a more defined shape. Subtle was the best style for her eye makeup with a touch of sultry. I chose shimmering golds and browns with a teal accent to match her dress color. Dark chocolate eyeliner with blended flicks at the corners emphasized the blue color of her eyes. The mascara added its own volume, but her lashes were so thick, she didn’t need a lot of it. Neutral lip color and a touch of gloss, as anything too dark or heavy would look over the top.

The bell rang as someone came in, but I was too focused on Hilda to take much notice. The rollers came out, and I ran a wide-tooth comb through her hair to smooth and blend the curling layers. “Almost done, honey. Just a little spritzing and you’re ready. Take a look.”

I spun the chair around to let her see her reflection. Hilda’s mouth dropped open. Soft bangs draped across her forehead, tapering to a swept-back frame with the ends gently curling under her jaw. The look emphasized her heart-shaped face. Long, wavy layers flowed down the back when she moved her head. Highlights from the conditioner shone bright under the lights. The makeup was understated, but her eyes still popped with color. There was so much potential and beauty in this girlready to come out if only she had some encouragement and a kind word. I hoped I got to watch her grow into it.

“I-I like it. Maybe….”

Her inflection made me think she had more words but didn’t want to risk saying them out loud. My heart clenched a bit as I filled in the blank.“Maybe I can be pretty?”

Wetness shimmered in Hilda’s eyes, and mine started to fill as well. I would damn well work my ass off to make sure this girl got to be a diamond one day.

We both stared at her reflection, and I spoke to her with as much passion in my voice as I could find. “Don’t ever put limits on yourself, girlfriend. Whenever you’re ready, all you have to do is ask, and I’ll make you shine.”

I grinned at the teenager as I took the cape off her neck and shook the odd hairs to the floor. Hilda ducked her head, but she couldn’t hide her smile.

Burna stopped her new tirade about low-thread-count sheets and looked at her granddaughter. Her face relaxed for the first time since I’d met the woman, and her mouth closed. Her thin lips pressed together, and I was afraid of what might come out of her mouth next. I prepared myself to jump in and defend my protégé, but then I saw Burna’s chin quiver. It was a tiny movement, almost imperceptible, but the only emotion I’d ever seen from this woman before was disdain or contempt. That little shake told me that, for all the bluster she spouted, Burna Jones loved her granddaughter. Perhaps she didn’t know how to show it, but it was there.

“It will do,” she finally said as she sniffed and yanked a tissue from the box on the counter. “Tambre, you should do something about the dust in the air. It’s making my eyes water.”

Tambre and I exchanged amused glances before I turned back to Hilda and snapped a picture. “You’re beautiful, and don’tthink for one minute you’re not. Have a great time tonight, and make good choices, yeah?”

Hilda smiled, and I could see the woman inside her ready to be born. So much potential. All she needed was a little support and a spark to ignite the flame.

I had to turn away before I lost myself. The figure in front of me caught my attention, and I locked eyes with Weatherman. He was staring at me with an expression I couldn’t read exactly, but it didn’t turn me off.

In fact, it started a now-familiar heat in my own belly, and I took a breath to relax the sudden flood.

“Got time for a trim?” His voice was low and a little rough.

“Yes, I’ll make time for you.”

Weatherman seated himself in my chair, and I spritzed water over his head. “That was Hilda Jones, wasn’t it?”

I combed through his hair. “Yes, it was. She’s going to the winter dance with a boy named Andy Melford.”

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