Page 16 of Levi
He pulls out his phone and walks out, leaving me there in silence.It isn’t long before a knock startles me, and a little blonde and purple haired lady comes in.
“Hello, my name is Nettie.Burt said to come and escort you to have your hair redone.”She bounces on her feet.
“My hair?”
She looks confused and turns when Mr.Buttons comes back into the room.
“Nettie, can you give us a minute?”She nods, then leaves, closing the door behind her.
“You want me to change my hair?”I ask incredulously.
He takes a seat across from me and steeples his fingers at his chin.
“Saylor, you have to know that the entire world knows who you are.If we are going to keep you safe, we have to put in place some safety measures to ensure that most people won’t recognize you.What would be the point if someone were to see you, then sell a picture to some sleazy magazine?”
He makes a good point, but I hate that I have to change my appearance.He places a hand on mine and gives it a light squeeze.Mr.Buttons has made this transition easy and has treated me so delicately since coming into my room at the jail infirmary.
“You can change your mind right now if you want.I won’t be upset or mad if you do.This is life changing, Saylor,” he says.“But please know that everyone thinks this is for the best, for now.”There is something in his tone and eyes that shift.I can’t quite put my finger on it but something isn’t sitting well with me.I’m not sure if it’s because everything is happening so fast or if I’m truly exhausted from the last few days.
“I know,” I whisper, looking down at my feet.“Okay, let’s do this,” I say with a little more determination this time.
An hour and forty minutes later, Mr.Buttons walks into the small room and has several large envelopes in his hands, just as Nettie is finishing up my cut and color.
“Here you go.Once you are in the car, I’ll need you to read over and learn your new life, and the history that comes with it.The point is to be as believable as possible, if you are to have any chance with the locals.”He hands me the sealed documents, and Nettie turns the chair to face the mirror for me to see the finished product.
Tears well in my eyes as I see a different person staring back at me.My hair, that was once light brown, is now midnight black and the length that once almost hit the top of my butt, is now barely resting on my shoulders.A sob leaves my throat, and my hand tries to stop it by clamping down over my mouth.Nettie has covered most of my bruises with light makeup, but there is still some dark purple shading throughout my face from the pounding I took earlier.
“You don’t like it?Oh gosh,” Nettie says, with disappoint in her tone.It’s not her or her work, it’s me.
“She just needs a minute Nettie.Can you let the gentleman in the back room come in, and ask him to bring the bags with him?”Mr.Buttons asks.
There is no way to find my voice, much less say any coherent words.He kneels down, the best he can to my level, and gives me a sympathetic look.
“You can still change your mind, honey.Nothing is set in stone yet, but once you walk out the back door, then there’s no going back until you hear from me again.It could take months before you get that phone call from me.”
“I understand.I think my hormones are all over the place.It’s been a long few days, you know?”
“I completely understand.”
A knock on the door reveals a tall, muscular man in a button-down shirt that fits him tight across the chest.He stands in the door frame in jeans that were made for him, and his light brown hair is spiked in the front.His green eyes are assessing every inch of me.I might be married but I’m not dead.The married part not for long.He looks like a bear ready to attack at a moment’s notice.
He comes in and heads straight for me, holding his hand out for me to shake.
“Brody Jackson,” he introduces himself with a deep baritone voice.“You must be the beautiful woman I get to help.”Do not swoon.Do not swoon.
“Saylor.”
“Now that introductions have been made, let’s give her some time to change and then you two can be on your way.Saylor, there are several bags of clothing to get you through until you get settled into the new town,” Mr.Buttons says, and pushes Brody out the door.
I see the clothing store bags, and to my astonishment they fit perfectly.There are even some clothes, for when my belly gets bigger, as I’m further along in the pregnancy.A tap on the door reveals Brody and Mr.Buttons, who seem to be finishing up on a heated conversation.
“Ready?The ride is going to be a long one, and I’d like to head out as soon as possible,” Brody states, as he reaches for my clothing bags.
“We’ll meet you at the truck,” Mr.Buttons informs Brody and sends him away.“I know at first, this will be difficult but put your mind at ease in knowing that this is the best option for you and your little one.Brody will take excellent care of you and protect you with his life.I’ve known him for a long time, and he’ll do anything that is needed to protect those he cares about.”
“Thank you.”I reach to the small table, by the salon chair, and hand Mr.Buttons five sealed envelopes with names for each person who I’m contacting for the last time.“Can you make sure that each one is delivered?”
“Of course, Saylor.”He places them inside his jacket pocket, and then hands me my travel papers I’d set down while I changed clothes.“Remember to read over the notes and try to be in the shadows for a while, until the news dies down.”
