They were two beautiful people. Right off the glossy pages of magazines I never read. His hair just just so, matching the square jaw and tiny little cleft chin God had given him. His nails the color of the very, very heart of a conch shell....lacquared by nature. He was tall and I imagined, quite in shape. I could see him only from the waist up, and her from the Magic Bra line up.
Her teeth were mighty whites. Almost shocking. I couldn't help but, well, kind of stare. Her little tongue toyed out from behind her painted lips and traced her upper deck. I imagined she was testing to see if she could feel the flaw of lipstick there. Accidently smeared across her platinum pearls.
She fidgeted.
Her teeth were mighty whites. Almost shocking. I couldn't help but, well, kind of stare. Her little tongue toyed out from behind her painted lips and traced her upper deck. I imagined she was testing to see if she could feel the flaw of lipstick there. Accidently smeared across her platinum pearls.
She fidgeted.
He smiled this huge "I'm not really a Doctor, but I play one in print ads" smile, leaned over the counter, fanning the Patient Sign In list off his imromptu podium and started his speel......
"We're just stopping by this morning to offer you ladies a complimentary day in paradise. Our salon offers solutions to all beauty concerns, an escape from the ordinary, and all in a blissful, all female environment. Our staff is fully licensed and trained and offer the latest in innovative techniques to improve your body and soul. The Perfect Passion offers mud baths, waxings, hair design and coloring, laser and non surgical face and body lifts, passive muscle toning, all in a feminine and friendly environment......"
I smile. Slouch a little more perfectly in my chair. Plop the grafittied cast up on my side of the counter. Chey leans in. Listening. She's always wanted to have her ear fixed, the one with the tear down the center of the lobe, a little reminder that when she was 16 she got in a tiff wearing really, really big hoops.
The "Hi! I just turned 21!" pretty girl to his left fidgets again.... leans in just a little.... and then when he takes the slightest of breaths, she blurts out in a barely-more-than-a-whisper "I just saw Santa Claus" woosh.....
"Ohhhhh....."
"Are you a hippie?"
I smile a little broader.
Handsome one gathers up his glossy print tickets to Paradise, clears his throat, and mutters "You ladies have a nice day" .....
Sheesh......
How do you think they knew?
202 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 202 of 202maithri.....
your day captured the essence of our society exactly as it is. The forever sin, judging a book by it's cover. It's sad, isn't it? To think that someone poor and ill would not get the same treatment as someone with another title, degree, paycheck. When I was a teen, for a while we lived in a very elite small town (not our house, not our world, but nestled amongst the rich)....we used to hang out downtown and in the park and came to know "Earl"....he was probably in his 60's but we never knew for sure. His hair was hippie long and matted. He was kind and wise, but spooky looking. Walked everywhere and his shoes told every mile. He was shunned and had eyes cast away from him at the little cafe's and bars, by the "society folks"....If only they had known what we knew, the street kids.....Earl was probably wealthier than any of them, choosing instead to live in a weekly motel, walk amongst the street people, and make huge annonymous donations to charities of his choice. It was only in his going that all the snobberies found out his legacy. And praised him. Silly fools.
As a child I used to dream that in my lifetime prejudice would end....that we would travel far enough with eyes open enough to get over it, that it was just a panademic we would discover a cure for....
I still dream, but for my children and grandchildren.....
We have to hold onto hope....
I so hope you are feeling better!
peace~love~healing
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with me. Your words are brimming over with grace and love.
Youre existence in this world gives me hope, Singleton.
Holding you in the light,
Maithri
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