When I finally get off the bus following what seems like an eternal ride, I have a bounce in my step as I head toward Joel’s salon.
When I swing the door open, the familiar clang of the doorbell assaults my sensitive ears, I see him sweeping the back of the room. He looks up and smiles. He’s long and lean, dressed in all black. He’s beautiful and mysterious, and it is indeed a mystery… the reason he’s called me here today.
There’s soft music playing on the radio, and the space is dark and moody. A lone light shines above and illuminates him. He stows his broom away, closes the distance between us, and takes me in his arms. He holds me tightly and I melt into him. He smells so good, like expensive salon products. I wonder if he can feel my heart beating frantically.
He finally releases me. “So glad you’re here, Mischa. You look amazing.”
I blush a little. “Thank you.”
“My life is such a disaster,” he tells me, right off the bat. I love how open he is. He lets me read him like no one ever has before. He’s so full of emotions, and he wears them on his sleeve.
Of course I have no clue how to respond.Tell me more…
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asks. “I have Perrier, coffee, tea… juice.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
He tilts his head toward the lovely purple velvet loveseat sofa in the corner. I follow suit when he takes a seat. It’s so luxurious and soft, and I let myself sink into it without a care in the world. Joel is right next to me, leaning back. His eyes are closed and I wonder what’s on his mind. Is he thinking about Ava? About Renee? About me?
I watch him for the longest time, wondering what it would be like to be with him. What would it be like to be with another man? I’ve only been with Brian.
When his eyes pop open, I jerk my gaze away and pretend to study the rows of hair products up on the shelves.
“Renee knows about you,” he says. “She’s livid.”
“Oh…” I say, at a loss for words. “Really?”
“I’m not sure how she knows about us,” he says. “I’ve only mentioned you in passing… the very nice woman I met at yoga.”
“Did you tell her how we go out for smoothies after class?”
He smiles. “Yep… she didn’t seem to have an issue with it at first.”
“Did you tell her how we went shopping?” I ask, curious.
“No… I didn’t mention that. I don’t know why,” he says. “But I did mention tons of other stuff about you. How you have two boys and your husband is a musician turned teacher and all that stuff. I don’t think I ever mentioned your name.”
“I see.” I don’t know what to say. I don’t know where we’re going with this.
“She lost it when I told her how you pointed out Ava’s cuts. She was furious.”
I wince a little. Of course she was. A stranger noticed her daughter’s cry for help when she didn’t. She’s not exactly winning anyMother of the Yearawards. She probably hates me.
“‘Mischa Lombardi… I know her,’ she said. ‘What the fuck is going on with you two?’”
“Damn.”
He turns to me and studies me for a long beat. “I didn’t know you knew my wife, Mischa. How do you two know each other?” Curiosity, confusion, wariness… it’s all there in his eyes. He doesn’t trust me anymore.
I don’t know what to say. I can’t exactly tell him the truth without completely ruining his life. “I’ve been at her store,” I say nonchalantly. “Great place.”
He raises a brow, not completely convinced.
“So… how is Ava doing?” I ask, swiftly changing the subject.
He blows out a long breath. “We’ve gotten her some help,” he tells me. “She’s seeing a therapist, a nice lady. And we’ve started her on a low dose of anti-depressant. She’s not too keen on taking drugs though.”
“Drugs can be a godsend,” I chime in. I don’t elaborate. I don’t tell him that I’d be an even bigger psycho if it weren’t for prescription drugs.
