Soft curl
The next 3 days passed slowly, until Friday morning and my day off work. With her usual cheeky smile Jen said, you will need your headscarf today it looks very windy.
There was no way I was coming home on the bus with a scarf over my set. Jenny knew this of course and offered her car on one condition. I had to wear the scarf when I walk into the salon and when I left. I felt this would be too obvious in daylight but was also excited at the idea and agreed to Jens terms.
Leaving home early to allow time to find a park close by. Getting a spot only 50 yards away was a relief. Looking along the street there were only a few people but it was 25 minutes early. Nervously excited to be doing this, I folded and tied the scarf over my boring straight hair. Checked myself in the mirror then looked along the street. No one in sight, might as well go now.
Get out, lock the car and walk steadily towards the salon door, not looking around. Sharon was at the counter on the phone, gave me a smile and pointed to the rack and the basin. I untied the scarf, took off my coat and hung them on the rack. There was a woman in her 50’s under the dryer reading a magazine. I don’t think she noticed me walking in.
As Sharon washed my hair she said, I have time, how about a quick trim. She had just finished cutting my hair when the dryer pinged off. It was lifted up and away from the other lady.
Maybe she felt a little self-conscious, in rollers, next to a young male client. Looking across, she said you are lucky you don’t have to do this. I smiled, glanced up at Sharon who gave me a wink. It’s ok, I’m having a shampoo and set too.
Really, but you don’t look like you have been permed, was her reply. Sharon joined in, he’s thinking about a perm and today I’m setting his hair on perm rods.
She had a bit of a laugh and commented, that’s very brave of you. Not that I’m a hair stylist but I think it might suit you.
Sharon moved across, untied her net and removed the rollers. A bit of brushing, back combing then spray and she was finished. You have a lovely style I commented and she said thank you. Pity I can’t stay and see how your set turns out.
After she left, I said, she seemed very friendly. Yes, she is, though I don’t know her that well. She’s not one of my regulars. The last time was several months ago. She came in on a Wednesday with her own rollers. Asked me to wash and set her hair but not do the comb out. After the dryer she left so I guess she had something special on Thursday.
It would be interesting to spend the day in rollers, I commented and Sharon smiled. Passing the end papers to her as each rod was wound in. As she stepped back to check the end result the phone rang and she walked over to answer it.
I reached into the roller trolley and opened out the hair net. Carefully laying it over my rods and tying at the back. Looking over to Sharon on the phone, she gave me a smile of approval. I then stood up and pulled the dryer down towards my chair. Switched it on and dialled the timer and heat settings.
Sliding into my chair and under the dryer I adjusted it to the right height. A few minutes later Sharon came back to check. Over the dryer noise she said, you definitely qualify as one of my regulars now.
Later, my dryer switched off and Sharon did her usual on my hair. A blast of lovely scented spray surrounded me and I was done.
As I paid, Sharon said, would you like to book in for next week, I have a slot at 5:15pm? I so wanted another shampoo and set but it was my Mums’ birthday dinner that following Sunday. Though still not brave enough to show my parents. I thought to myself I’ll wash my hair just before we visit, easy.
Thank you that will be perfect I said. Sharon added, perhaps we can chat about your perm then. That would be nice I replied.
I pulled on my coat folded my headscarf and lightly draped it over my freshly set hair. Knotting it loosely under my chin. Standing at the door I was nervous about walking out of the salon in daylight.
Over the years I had observed many women do this and thought how stylish they look. Ok here goes, see you next week I said and opened the salon door.
Walking steadily towards the car, excited and apprehensive at the same time. Nearing the car a woman pushing a pram was approaching. She gave me a long look then a slight smile. Feeling a little more confident I said hello as she passed.
The drive home and short walk to the flat were uneventful. Once home I untied my scarf and hung it on the hall stand with my coat. I spent the afternoon reading and later watched TV. Jen returned from work and said how nice I looked. I told her I wore the scarf to and from the salon and that I was booked in for next Friday.
Perfect said Jenny, that will be 4 weeks in a row. You really are getting into the routine. Are you going to be super brave on Sunday evening at your parents? Probably not I thought to myself.
Jen cooked dinner and I washed up. Moving to the sofa, she said, why don’t we get ready for bed now then watch some TV. We walked into the bedroom and undressed. She slipped on her black nightie. Then gave me her white dressing gown and we returned to the lounge.
It felt so nice and “almost normal” to be sitting there together dressed in feminine clothing and me with perfectly set soft curls.
The next morning, I made breakfast in bed for Jenny and we lay there, chatting until mid-morning. After showering and getting dressed Jenny said let’s go to the supermarket and get the food for Sunday lunch with Dawn and David.
I was once again apprehensive about going out in public with my new style. I was sure I would bump into someone we knew at the Supermarket. Thankfully, the shopping trip was uneventful and the rest of Saturday passed happily with me enjoying my curls.
Sunday morning, I was quietly hoping that Dawn and David would cancel so that I did not have to face them with my very fem hair. Aware that Jen would not let me wash my hair before they arrived.
Early afternoon they walked in and immediately Dawn said “that’s a big change, looks very nice on you. So, you decided on the Perm? I went a bit red in the face and said the stylist put some perm rods in, and dried my hair.
Dawn said “I have hair envy, yours is better than mine. Jenny, I think I’m going to change to your hairdresser, can you give me her number”.
Perhaps sensing my slight discomfort she changed the topic and talked about her week at work.
David had a few longer looks at my hair but said nothing. Late afternoon they were heading home and I began to relax.
Monday morning it was back to boring straight hair.
