Page 79 of Somewhere We Belong

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In the sixyears I had lived in Sterling Ridge, I never imagined that I’d get to do hair like I did in Denver. After a year, I had resigned myself to doing perms, roller sets and root touch-ups.

Now, I was doing highlights, balayage and root smudges. I loved doing hair and it gave me so much joy. Doing what I had been doing for the past month made me feel a little bit like my old self from Denver. I didn’t realize how much I had missed her until I was given a glimpse of my old self.

I had just been invited to collaborate on a color class being held in Denver for stylists who were coming from all over the United States. One of my old coworkers, Lauryn, was now doing education, and apparently stumbled upon one of my Instagram photos. She would pay me to work beside her, along with taking care of my hotel and flight if I needed it.

It was an opportunity I had always wanted when I lived in Denver, and it was finally happening. It was the middle of March, and I really couldn’t say no. It was a few days and if Sol had to come with me, then so be it.

“You look different,” Blanche said, as I brought her back from the shampoo bowl. “I hear you're using your big city hair knowledge.”

I laughed, “It feels good to use that knowledge, and while I like doing roller sets and haircuts, it’s nice to mix it up every now and then.”

“Hmmm.” She pursed her lips.

“That sounded like a judgy hmmm,” I grinned.

“I’ve always wondered why you stayed here,” she said. “You have to make better money in the city than here.”

I had asked myself the same thing hundreds of times and it always came back to one thing.

“Sol's father lives in Denver and he never wanted her,” I said, pulling out my blow dryer. “She doesn’t need him in her life or my parents; t’s easier to stay here. I like the life I’ve built here for her and it’s not like I would get any help if I were back home.”

“Shame. Well, I am glad you came here, and it does take a village to raise a child,” she said, cocking her eyebrow. “Asking for help doesn’t make you weak.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but she shook her head.

“It’s ok to say you need help, no one is going to think badly of you,” she said, looking at me with understanding. “Especially those ranch men.”

I narrowed my eyes towards her.

“This sounds like you are fishing for information, not giving me a pep talk,” I said, brushing her hair.

“I have a knack for doing both, but I’m just saying you’re too young to live with this burden on your shoulders.” She turned around to look at me and grabbed my hands. “It’s ok to let them in. Sol already adores them, and you can tell they adore both of you.”

“Blanche, have you been day drinking?” I joked, trying to ease my uncomfortableness.

“Joke all you want, but just take my advice.” She turned around and sat back.

“They could hurt us,” I whispered.

“You could die tomorrow,” she retorted.

I rolled my eyes.

“I’m just saying, don’t let your fears stop you from something amazing,” she said, waving at Gladis who walked onto the salon floor. “So, the word is that Gladis and Buff were caught canoodling at the senior center in the nurses’ supply closet!”

Blanche talked about the scandal and how it wasn’t the first time it had happened. Her incessant talking kept me occupied from the thoughts plaguing me. The last few weeks with the guys had been amazing and they had tried to help me whenever they could, but I was scared. I knew it took a village to take care of a kid, but my village had abandoned me.

It felt like it was only a matter of time before they did too.

I was trying to be positive, but the more the guys came into our lives, the more worried I became. Nothing lasted in my world, and a part of me held back because they seemed to be too good to be true.

As I finished up with Blanche, a familiar face walked in, and all negative thoughts went out the window. Atlas gave me a blinding smile, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Blanche.

“Don’t start, woman.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“How is it having three men in your bed?” she whispered as I walked her to the front desk.

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