Chapter 19: Shampoo and a Conversation

After paying for my new sandals, I got a thumbs-up from Jordan the cashier. Chloe pulled me down for one more mouth full of tongue before letting me go so she could finish her shift. I stepped out into the main hall and found Renée sitting on a bench in a small outcropping of indoor plants. It was a pleasant illusionary get-away for the patrons of the mall.

I sat down next to Renée while I threw away my old sandals. Then I pulled the lady's undergarments I had collected from my pockets and closed them in the shoebox. Finally, I looked over to Renée with a smile that just wouldn't go away.

"Have a good time, did we?" She smiled back, but I could have sworn there was something else in her eyes. It was like her smile didn't reach them.

My smile wilted because I was more concerned with her than what had happened with Chloe. "What's wrong? You act like this isn't as fun as it should be or something."

She looked away for a second, and then back at me. She lost some of her smile. Something was definitely wrong, but she wasn't saying anything.

Renée knew Chloe but didn't want to go in. She didn't have a problem with Jeri or even standing just outside as Tabitha and I gave Tom her message. This time though, she had withdrawn from the activities. I wondered why. "Is there something going on between you and Chloe?"

"No."

She lied. I knew it.

I took her hand and held it between both of mine. There could have been a million pairs of eyes ogling me at that moment and I wouldn't have cared. Renée was upset and I was going to set it right. "I don't have to know what's going on, but..." I looked at her sternly because she opened her mouth to retort. "I don't want to see you upset. Whatever happened, that's between you two. But I, for one, would like to see it resolved. I don't like this look in your eyes."

"What look?"

"Pain. You looked like you were slapped when I came out. Something happened between you two and you sent me in there knowing what would happen and it hurt." I stopped trying to read her. "This thing, this connection between us, involves her too now. I'd like to get to the bottom of it and have this ... whatever taken care of." I stopped. Not because it was the right thing to do, but because I could feel myself getting upset. I could feel the emotion that Renée was feeling for Chloe. I had been wrong to think it was anger, because it hadn't been. She was feeling guilt, and it burned much like the other could. "What are you feeling guilty about?" I made my question as neutral as possible.

She shook her head, not wanting to tell me. It was part of her past that she hadn't shared with me and I didn't want to push. So instead, I pulled her to me. She curled up like a child and let me hold her. Eventually, either she or maybe Chloe would tell me. Maybe, then, they could make up and there would be a little less pain in the world.

There were more glances our way. Most of them were those same eyes that wondered what I would be like in bed or even in the middle of the busy walkway. Some were of couples holding each other and I saw their hands tighten together. I held Renée close and let her pass whatever emotions she needed to. There was no need to share what she was feeling, I already understood. At that moment I had to be her anchor. Something for her to hold on to so the flood of guilt that slammed at her wouldn't tear her away and drag her screaming into oblivion. She had been bottling it up for a while and only time could gradually wear it away.

When Renée felt up to it, we started walking again. Focusing on her, I didn't feel so intimidated by all the looks. Somehow, her pain had brought out my compassion and strength; my confidence that there was a solution gave me the ability to block out all the attention that I drew without trying. We talked and commented on the window fronts of the various stores we passed. We didn't seem to be going anywhere except toward the same exit that led to her car. Maybe our visit to the Mall was over.

A few stores before the exit however, Renée pointed out a beauty salon. I had never been to one for anything I ever needed. It might have an option as opposed to a barber shop if my hair got out of control but otherwise I would have passed it up.

"Need a perm?" I asked Renée.

She smiled back. "No. We're here to meet another friend of mine, Linda."

"So, what should I expect? Another tag team like you and Erin in Charlie's Café?"

She shook her head. "No."

A stunning oriental girl stepped around the corner to greet us. She had a smooth and pristine face; light brown eyes that danced; full lips which glistened with bright red lipstick; and dark brown hair that fell straight to her waist. Her top was a stylish electric blue short-sleeve pullover that accentuated every curve she had. The front of the shirt was even tailored to make her chest stand out more than most shirts would. Her hips were covered by a skirt that stopped at mid-thigh and showed off her slim yet nicely toned legs. Light-weight white shoes covered her feet.

Just like all of the women Renée had introduced me to; Linda was a total knock-out in her own right. I may have had a weakness for women with the upper endowments like Linda, but Renée seemed to have a knack for making friends with them.

Linda spotted Renée and lit up. "Hey, I haven't seen you here in a while."

Renée smiled back, "Hey, Linda, how're you doing?"

Linda nodded, "Good, good. How about yourself?"

"Doing well."

"Well, how can I help? Need a perm?"

Renée and I exchanged looks and smiled.

"No," Renée returned. "I thought you might be able to help my friend here."

Renée turned to me and Linda's eyes followed. Linda held out her hand out to shake. " ... And you are?"

"Ral," I answered.

I shook her hand and that same spark ignited again. I wasn't sure how much more of it I could take. If I couldn't shake hands with an attractive female without becoming aroused, I was in trouble. I already had problems with visual traps and just seeing a woman that were stunning. Touching them seemed to be even more provocative.

"Well, come on back and let me get you set up." The sparkle in her eyes seemed to shift. It was breathtaking and I wasn't sure it was from the touch or just my presence.

I followed Linda and Renée followed me. Behind the partial wall, the salon was set up with three adjustable chairs and sinks. All kinds of hair care equipment, chemicals, and products lined one wall on counters with large mirrors fastened above. Along the opposite wall was a column of chairs for others to sit on while waiting their turns. The wall above those chairs was plastered with pictures of models showing off different hair styles. I noticed that not one of the models was male. Magazines were stacked on a couple of end tables and a television was suspended in a corner.

Linda appeared to be the only stylist there with no other customers. I found that curious. "Having a slow day?"

Linda just shrugged as she turned one of the chairs for me to sit in. "It happens. Janine and Gloria went home early because it's been so slow. I was considering locking up early until you came along." She turned me to face the mirror in the utility chair. "So what will it be? Highlights? Shampoo?"

I looked at myself in the mirror. I'd never considered any kind of hair treatment or beautification. It was probably best to keep things simple. "How about a shampoo and conditioning?" I asked Linda since she was the expert.

She stood back and looked me over. I sat still as her eyes roamed not only my face, but the rest of me too. She looked back up to my eyes and smiled. "You might as well be asking for the works. What do you think, Renée?"

Renée looked me over too. "Highlights might be fun, but we don't have the time."

Linda nodded and tilted me back to put my hair over the sink. She laid a towel across my chest and then reached over to turn on the water. In order to reach the sink, she had to position herself with her chest hovering over my face. I certainly wasn't going to complain, especially with as nicely wrapped up hers was.

"So girl," said Linda, "I hear tell that you had a pretty hot date the other night."

"Yeah, I did," replied Renée

"You haven't been on one in a while. I was beginning to get worried."

"No, no worries. I was just biding my time."

"Well, does that guy have a name?"

"Yeah, Ral."

"Ral?" Linda stepped back and looked down at me. "Oh, you ... Oh, I didn't even think of you."

"Okay. Gee, that makes me feel good," I replied with mock indignity. Linda seemed to be either highly distracted by my presence or she just wasn't thinking. Maybe her concentration was focused on work. She had me in a prime position to have her way with me and she had barely registered that I was there.

"No, it was just the way the guy was described. You're not the type of guy I was used to seeing her dating."

"I've been told that, by several people."

"So, where are you from?"

"A small town in West Virginia."

"That's a long, long way away from home for school."

"Yeah, well ... I had to get away from home."

"Well, that's one way to do it." She ran a spray through my hair, and then I felt her pouring something on my head. "So, what're you studying?" Linda continued.

"Well ... I'm not sure if I want to study Engineering or Art or what yet. So, I'm going to take some classes for each and get some of the basic stuff out of the way first."