| Hair identity crumbles under Truth |
 |
 |
| My Salon Drama |
| Wednesday, 04 August 2010 00:00 |
Photo credit: iStockphoto
Client frees, finds herself by cutting off her hair
From a hair-nista in D.C.
Pauletta Jefferson lived and breathed for her husband, Richard. In the 20 years they had been together, the only request he made was that she never cut her hair. Her hair, he often told her, made her the type of woman he could love.
Richard described her as his masterpiece. Standing 5'5 with the perfect Coke Cola bottle figure and radiant skin, Pauletta's long, black, silky Pocahontas hair topped off the look.
Being beautiful in his eyes overshadowed how she viewed herself. Overtime, his view became the only view that matter. Her identity was whatever he said it should be.
It was their twentieth anniversary. Giddy, Pauletta knew Richard would surprise with something extravagant, and she wanted to make sure she looked her best. She had scheduled her appointment for noon, but always arrived early in case someone cancelled. This day was no exception.
When Pauletta arrived, she immediately made eye contact with her loud, but sweet stylist, Kiara.
"Girl, you are glowing like a Christmas tree," Kiara shouted from the shampoo bowl. "What's up with you?"
Pauletta smiled extra wide. "It's my anniversary and you know you've got to make me look good for my hubby!"
"And don't forget about yourself, too," Kiara gently reminded. "Have you decided on what new ‘do you want?"
Pauletta found a seat in the waiting area. She picked up a magazine. "I was thinking about an up-do or some deep waves. Whatever I get, Richard has to be able to run his fingers through it."
"I'll be with you soon," said Kiara, smiling. "My 11:30 appointment cancelled."
As Pauletta flipped through the magazine, she noticed a little girl deeply admiring her hair.
"Your hair looks like my Barbie doll's hair. It is so long and pretty," the little girl said.
"Thank you sweetie," Pauletta said. "So is your hair! Don't ever cut it off."
"I won't, because Mama said it makes me look cute and that is why she drops me off every week to get it done," the girl said.
"What is your name and how old are you," Pauletta asked.
"My name is Truth and I am 9 years old."
"That's a powerful name," Pauletta acknowledged.
"Yes, and that is why I do not tell lies," Truth said adamantly.
"That's good to know sweetie," said Pauletta as she reached into her purse for a piece of gum. A picture of she and Richard fell under Truth's chair.
Picking the picture up, Truth stared at it. "Hey, I know him! That's Mr. Richard Jefferson."
"How do you know him," Pauletta asked.
Suddenly, Truth got very quiet. Pauletta noticed the concern blanketing Truth's face at the same time Kiara motioned for her to come back to the station.
"Truth," Pauletta asked gently. "Can you answer my question?"
Truth looked into Pauletta's eyes with the deepest sincerity and whispered, "He goes with my teacher Mr. Paul Johnson."
Pauletta clutched the photo. All the joy she had when she entered the salon seeped out of her.
"Girl, will you come on," Kiara said in a huff.
Nauseated, Pauletta walked to Kiara's chair. "Are you OK," Kiara asked.
"Hell no!" Pauletta's anger rose. "A 9-year-old child looked at my photo and told me my husband is having an affair with her teacher named Paul Johnson!"
Shocked, Kiara tried to soothe her client. "Pauletta, don't believe a lying child!"
Just then, Pauletta's phone vibrated. She listened to the message from her sister who informed her that a front-page newspaper article recounted how her husband and a Mr. Paul Johnson's affair had been exposed at a recent school board meeting.
Outdone, Pauletta recounted the message to her stylist. Silence filled the space where conversation normally flowed between them. Taking a deep breath, Pauletta looked in the mirror and without blinking declared:
"I think I know what I want to do now with my hair," Pauletta said evenly. "Cut it all off!" . Do you think a lot of women select their style choices for themselves or for other people?
Copyright 2010 © My Salon Scoop, LLC
Comments (0)
 Write comment
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
