Soft curl
Friday morning, Jen said. I’ve put one of my scarves in your coat pocket. You might need to wear it after your set tonight. Once I’ve parked I’ll come and get you.
3.30pm, arriving at the Salon just as Sharon was putting the finishing touches to a set on another client. I took off my coat and hung it on the hook. Feeling brave, I took out the scarf, loosely unfolded it and put it on the hook over my coat. Slipped on my usual salon gown and took the next chair.
The other client was soon at the counter paying. I then began another session indulging my strange passion to undergo a feminine hair process.
While sitting at the basin, Sharon said, that’s a nice scarf. Is it one of Jenny’s? I smiled and said she suggests I cover my set before I leave.
After a fast hair wash, I handed the perm papers to Sharon and she wound in the rods. She then explained her next client called and asked if she could come in a bit earlier. It’s not going to give me enough time to wind in all your rods. Would you feel ok sitting there with half a head of rollers.
I was apprehensive about being seen like this but also wished to make it easy for Sharon. I had been here a few times before in front of other clients so what was I worried about. It’s ok, I said. Thank you so much she said. Soon after, a woman in her 40’s with short straight hair came in. She gave me a rather bemused look then a cheery hello as she sat down.
Sharon moved across caped the other client and began cutting her hair. Looking across at me, she smiled and asked if I was having a perm. Gaining in confidence each time I had this question. I’m having it set today but thinking about a perm I replied.
That’s interesting, are you married, I mean…, what does your wife think about it. I replied that it was my girlfriends’ idea in the beginning.
My husband often says I should grow my hair and that I would look nice with curls. As you can see, a perm would be the only possibility. I’ve had this short style since my teens and I like it. I see some men with longer hair but I don’t know any who’ve had a perm.
She continued, last year my husband said someone at his office, a man, had a perm. Straight hair Friday, lots of curls Monday. Brian said he wondered how he might look with a curly hairstyle. I said no, but he mentions it occasionally so I guess he’s still interested. Some of his friends will tease him about having a perm.
I glanced in the mirror to catch Sharon’s eye, waiting for her to join the conversation but she seemed focused on cutting. This woman had a lovely relaxed manner and I thought I might as well tell her my experiences.
If you would like to see how he might look with curls ask Sharon to put rollers in his hair. After the dryer, she can style it. That’s what she does for me.
Sharon joined in, I’ve set his hair in various styles over the last 18 months. It’s an easy way to see how a perm might look on your husband. His hair would need to be about 5 to 6 inches long.
I think Brians’ hair must be about that length, she said. Ok then, can I book him in for a set she chuckled.
After her cut and a check with the appointment book she left the salon. Clearly amused that she had booked her husband in for a new experience.
The rest of my rods were soon in place and held with a pink hairnet. Once under the dryer Sharon handed me a couple of magazines. 50 minutes later the rods were carefully removed and my hair styled beautifully. She took time to show me every angle of my latest set. It looks wonderful, thank you, I said, happily. A long blast of spray and I was done.
After paying, I slipped on my coat and self-consciously folded the scarf diagonally. Lifting it up over my new curls and knotting it under my chin. A quick glance in the mirror to check how I looked. Sharon smiled and said I’m sure Jenny will be here soon, take a seat until she arrives.
She began sweeping the salon as I took the seat near the door. It was almost dark outside and I felt less anxious about exiting the salon. 10 minutes later Jen walked in, smiled and said “you look gorgeous”
She said hi to Sharon adding “thank you for fitting him in tonight. He really liked the style last week and I’m pleased he did it again. How about the same set next Friday, do you have a gap in your book?
Before I could say anything, Sharon replied, nothing late in the day I’m sorry, how about 10.45? Jen turned to me, “that’s ok isn’t it?” I gulped at this and said, “Dawn and David are coming for Sunday lunch”. Oh, they are will be fine said Jenny. OK, he’s booked in for next Friday, responded Sharon.
Jens’ car was not “right outside” nor was it visible nearby. Jen started walking as if it was all normal. My trepidation increased, as we walked further along the street, me in male clothes and a fem headscarf.
While there was no one close by I did notice a couple of guys walking towards us on the opposite side of the road. I felt nervous and so visible, despite the dim street lights. They passed by and did not seem to notice.
Another 100 yards along and coming towards us was a middle-aged woman. Passing by she looked at me for several seconds not quite matching the image with her expectations. I was relieved when she passed by but also excited. I had just left the salon after a lovely shampoo and set, wearing a beige floral headscarf.
Once seated in the car, I was about to untie it. Jenny said, let’s leave it on until we are home. As she drove, I told her I’d chatted with another client whose husband was interested in a perm. After telling the client about my experiences she has booked her husband in for a set. Jen nodded, I’m sure her husband would thank you if you met him at Sharon’s.
At home I untied the scarf and draped it over my coat on the stand. A twirl so Jenny could get a full view of my fresh curls. She asked, how I felt about everything today. Smiling, I said I always enjoy my rollers and dryer time. I also felt relaxed sitting there, wearing a scarf and waiting for you to come and get me.
Of course, I was nervous walking along the street. Jen gave one of her understanding smiles and said it’s what we do to look nice. Lovely that you are booked in for next week.
We had dinner and later readied for bed. Next morning I slipped on Jennys’ dressing gown and went to the bathroom. Untied my scarf, removed the dressing gown and popped on my shower cap.
Returning to the bedroom afterwards, enjoying her gown floating around my body. Jenny removed my cap, touched up my hair and gave it a blast of spray. Same routine for Sunday and Monday.
After dinner on Monday evening Jenny said why don’t we get out for a short walk, stretch our legs before bed. Ok I said, then Jen smiled in her cheeky way, you’ll need your scarf though. Anticipating my protest, she said don’t worry it’s late no one is around. Jen watched me fold and place the scarf over my curls. I loosely knotted it under my chin as the shampoo and set club always did.
We walked for about 20 minutes without seeing anyone, just one or two cars passed by. The wind occasionally blowing my scarf about. As we rounded a corner we came face to face with an older couple. They smiled then had a long look at me. I looked away, not wanting eye contact. Soon after that we were heading home.
As we readied for bed Jenny asked if I enjoyed our walk tonight. It’s nice to wear a scarf but I feel self-conscious when others see me. I know they think I’m strange. Jen tried to re-assure me, yes maybe some do but most just think it’s different. It’s about what makes you happy.
Tuesday morning, I washed the last of the set from my hair and went to work with my usual dull boring look.
