and Sandra are new, so you can’t really load them up or they
get behind. Marvin, Jacob, and Sloan can handle anything you
throw at them, and they expect to stay hopping, so schedule them
tight.”
Each stylist’s name was in a color-coded bar. Marvin’s
was pink. I wondered for half a second if he had requested it
before Blitz moved on to the next topic. “Our regulars are in the
computer. All you have to do is print out a slip with their next
appointment date and time. It’s already set up in the system. For
other customers, you’ll have to schedule and print their slips. You
know how to use a credit card machine?”
“Yes.” I looked over at the phone and felt squeamish. It looked
like something I’d seen 11 operators use on TV.
Blitz explained the difference between park and hold in what
seemed like a heartbeat. “You may be tempted to use the mute
button on your headset, but I’d advise against it. Your sister made
a mistake with that once and cost us a customer. Use the hold
button.” Blitz squeezed a glob of hand sanitizer into her palm and
turned to me. “What can I get you to drink—coffee? Soda?”
“You don’t have to wait on me. I can get my own drinks.”
Blitz pursed her lips as her eyebrow rose again. I wondered
if her head ached at the end of the day or if her brow ever froze
in that position. “Once these phones begin to ring, you won’t be
able to move from where you’re sitting. If you need something or
need to go to the bathroom, you’re gonna have to flag me down
for it.”
My eyebrow rose this time. “Is it that bad?”
“It’s how you choose to look at it. Every time that phone rings,
we’re poised to make money, so that’s not bad.” Blitz smiled.
“Coffee?”
11
Robin Alexander
“Yes, and thank you.” I turned and looked at the intimidating
bank of phone lines, then at the computer. I hoped the coffee was
extremely strong.
“Well, who do we have here?” Marvin leaned on the counter
with a broad smile.
“A scared shitless temp.”
“Aww, it’s not that bad.” Marvin guffawed. “I’ve seen Bonnie
ring up a customer, schedule an appointment, and file her nails at
the same time. You’ve got this.”
I wasn’t so sure.
Marvin slapped out a tune on the counter. “Guess who’s
coming to see me today?”
“Hailey,” I said dryly.
Marvin frowned. “Still no good with you two?”
I opened my mouth to reply when the phone rang. That bitch
didn’t stop. It rang so much that at one point I thought I could hear
it ringing when there wasn’t a call. To make matters worse, I was
slow. It took me most of the morning to get used to scheduling the
appointments. When I had to go to the bathroom, I was forced
to wave Blitz over and write it down for her because I couldn’t
stop speaking long enough. She moved in behind me like she was
taking the wheel of a car flying down the highway, reaching over
me to take the controls.
At eleven, it all became one monotonous blur as Hailey
came through the door. The air around her seemed infused with
electricity. She took off her rain-splattered overcoat and hung
it on the rack. The silver-gray pantsuit hugged every delicious
curve and made my mouth go dry. When she turned toward the
receptionist station, her eyes widened when she saw me. A slight
smile curved her lips. I held up a finger as she approached and the
phone rang again. Marvin intercepted her before we had a chance
to speak.
It was hard enough to learn a new system of doing things,
and I was far from getting into a comfortable groove. Hailey’s
presence made it nearly impossible to function. I tried to follow
every move she made. I scheduled two appointments on the
wrong day while watching Blitz shampoo her hair. I wished that
12
Pitifully Ugly
I’d volunteered for that position as Blitz ran her fingers through
those wet golden locks. Marvin winked at me when I glanced
over at him. I forced myself then to pay attention to the job at
hand, which lasted until Hailey moved into his chair.
Hailey gestured, holding her hand up to her jawline. I watched
in terror as Marvin held his hands on either side of her face. He
looked at me in the mirror, and I shook my head. Hailey was
the type of woman who could’ve rocked a crew cut, but I loved
that golden mane, the way it flowed down her back. Marvin said
something and turned Hailey’s chair around to where it faced me.
He walked over and toyed with my hair. His fingers came to rest
just below my shoulders. The muscles in my stomach clenched as
Hailey shook her head and motioned toward her collar.
I wanted to hang up on my customer and protest as Hailey
and Marvin discussed a much shorter length. When Marvin
positioned his scissors right at Hailey’s shoulder, I lost it. “No!
It’s too gorgeous, don’t cut it off.”
Marvin and Hailey stared back at me in the mirror with
shocked expressions. Actually, everyone in the salon did. “No,
Mrs. Ronson, I’m sorry, of course you can come in for a cut.
I’m sorry for yelling in your ear.” I sat back down red-faced as I
scheduled her appointment.
When I ended the call, Marvin was standing at my desk with
a bemused smile. “Hailey would like to know exactly how you
want her hair done.”
I looked around Marvin to Hailey, who sat looking at me like
I was insane. “I’m sorry. You’d be lovely no matter what you did
with your hair. It’s just so gorgeous I can’t stand to see you cut it
off.” A couple of customers in the waiting area agreed. I shrugged
and pointed at them as though their opinions should weigh in.
Something in Hailey’s eyes glimmered. She nodded and smiled
at me. The warmth of it turned my insides to jelly.
Marvin took off two inches. Hailey’s wet hair hung down to
the bottom of her shoulder blades. The weight of those two inches
made her hair look thicker. I was mesmerized at how ringlets
formed around her face as her hair began to dry on its own.
1
Robin Alexander
“Lunch break.” Blitz came to stand beside me. “Take as long
as you want. You’re still the boss.”
I felt like shackles fell off my hands and feet as I passed her
the headset. I’d been freed, but I still stood at the counter and
watched as Marvin dried Hailey’s hair. My fingers twitched with
envy as he ran his through those golden stands, making the curls
loosen and flow.
“Her cut is on the house,” I whispered so only Blitz could
hear. She nodded and deleted the appointment without hesitation.
I watched as Hailey hugged and tipped Marvin.
She walked over to the counter with her wallet in her hand. I
discreetly pushed it away. “My treat,” I said as she looked at me
in question. “Especially since you let me intervene.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “You like it?” she asked
shyly.
“Yes, I do.” Her shyness became contagious. I looked away as
I said, “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. Why are you working here today?”