I wasn’t looking forward to explaining to the little old ladies who came in what was on the windows.
And frankly, I didn’t want to know which ones knew the terms, and who didn’t.
I put in a call to the property manager, though Lita was already aware of the situation, and wanted receipts for whatever we got, and she’d take it off the rent.
I called Audra and the other stylists about what was going on and asked everyone available to come in and help clean.
Not very many showed up.
I didn’t really expect them to.
Audra did come in. Took one look at me and told me I looked like shit.
I told her it had been a helluva weekend.
Somehow, though, I managed to keep everything to myself, even when she gave me that look.
Maybe I was growing immune to her stare.
Shaun was around off and on all day, rescheduling a good portion of his clients, or moving them to other employees so he could stay near if I needed him.
He offered to help clean, but I told him to go mind his business—he had a company to run as well. People needed the spiders and ants killed too. We’d be fine.
He said if anyone needed him he’d be around, but I felt like it was more for me than the others.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
And damn, if it didn’t soothe my raw and jagged emotions.
Not really sure why.
I guess I do rather like the guy.
“Well, girls, I can’t feel my hands anymore,” Mom said. “I’ll go start some tea for us.” She stepped inside the salon to warm up.
I nodded because some tea sounded good. Though I’d love some vodka in my tea. Or rum. Or brandy. Or whatever the hell you spike tea with.
I scrubbed the sidewalk, trying to get up more of the spray paint, but it seemed a feeble gesture.
“We’ve got the windows done,” Summer said. “Come on, Winter, we can work on the sidewalk tomorrow. Maybe we’ll just spray paint over it. The sun is going down and it’s going to get really cold.”
I scrubbed. “I’m making some progress. You all go ahead.”
Autumn and Summer and Audra went inside, though Autumn kept staring at me, I could feel it like fingers on my back.
“Are you okay?” I heard Shaun.
“I’m just fucking perfect, Shaun,” I said without looking up. “I adore scrubbing concrete.”
“You need to take a break,” he said.
This did make me turn to look at him. “Look, I can do this. And you’ve done your part. Thank you for calling me. I appreciate all your help.-+
But I have to fix this.”
“I don’t think you can, honey.”
I winced. “I’m not your honey.”
