Page 164 of Of Heartbreak and Harmony
Breaking out the dark humor? You must be feeling better.
Feeling alive, at least. Can you do me a favor when you come?
Anything.
Can you bring me some hair clippers? Like the kind a barber would use?
Consider it done. See you soon!
“Traveling barbers, at your service.”
Mabel comes skipping into the hospital room in a pair of lime green faux-leather shorts, a Van Halen shirt, and black combat boots. She looks like she just walked off the stage. It’s a direct contrast to the men’s sweats and slouchy tee Sav is sporting behind her.
Sav smirks, then flares her eyes, letting out a low whistle as she scans my face. “You weren’t kidding, Cal.”
I laugh lightly, tension disappearing from my body the moment she cracks the joke. I didn’t realize how worried I was that they’d tiptoe around me. I’m already metaphorically climbing the hospital walls. I want out, and I want things to go back to normal. Or, well, as normal as they possibly can, now.
“Told you,” I say with a grimace. “At least seven cars.”
“But alive,” she adds with a tilt of the head. I mimic the move.
“Alive, indeed.” I wince. “Sorry about your car, by the way.”
Sav waves me off. “Don’t even stress over it. Promise. I won’t miss it. I’m just glad you’re awake now.”
She and I share a smile, one that fixes something small inside me, and then Mabel breaks the silence.
“So, what are we shaving?” She sets a pair of hair clippers on the foot of my bed, then waggles her eyebrows. “Your pussy?”
“Jesus, Mabes.” Torren groans just as a choking sound comes from the side of the room. Sav and Mabel turn toward the noise to find my sister sitting wide-eyed on the couch.
“Oh shit. Sorry.” Mabel scrunches her nose, flicking her eyes to me before looking back at Glory. “I didn’t see you. I didn’t actually think we were going to shave her, uh, vulva.”
Sav barks out a laugh, then sticks her hand out for my sister to shake.
"You must be Cal’s sister, Glory. I’m Sav, and this is Mabel. Thanks for letting us crash your family time.”
Glory just nods silently as she shakes Sav’s hand. I don’t think she even blinks, but Sav is unfazed. She just smiles, then turns back to me.
“Where’s your mom?”
“Physical therapy. She got it moved here while I’m in the hospital. She refuses to leave.”
Sav grins, then waves her hand around my head. “So... I’m guessing you want us to fixthis? Are you sure? It’s very rock and roll.”
I sigh and shake my head. “Please, god, shave it off.”
Mabel salutes me. “On it.”
Sav and Mabel get to work shaving my head. They’re surprisingly gentle. I don’t know why I expected something else. They’ve never been anything but kind to me, but I guess the hard exteriors they portray to the world at large are still difficult to reconcile with their actual personalities sometimes.
When the first chunk of my hair falls to the floor, I make eye contact with Torren. I’m worried I’ll see a frown on his face, but he’s smiling like he means it. Like he truly isn’t bothered that his girlfriend is shaving off all her hair while sporting large, unsightly injuries on her face and head. He smiles like he’s just happy to be here with me, and damn if that doesn’t do wonders for my confidence.
“Voila.” Mabel hands me a compact mirror when they’re finished. “What do you think? I like it. Very Sinéad O’Connor.”
Sav nods in agreement. “It’s pretty badass.”
I take a deep breath and open the mirror, then rip off the proverbial Band-Aid. I move the mirror from side to side, surveying my head fromdifferent angles. I avoid my face. I don’t look directly at the wound on my scalp either. I keep my assessment focused solely on the haircut. It’sjusta haircut. My red tresses will grow back. It’s not like it’s an important facet of my personality. It’s not like it’s my ability to play piano... I squeeze my eyes shut and give my head a shake to derail that train of thought. Then, I pretend I’m in a salon and force myself to remain objective.
