Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Word Vomit

The morning starts just like any other day. I get my coffee from Mona at Houndstooth coffee, we exchange pleasantries, and then I head into work. Once at work, I look in the appointment book and notice that my day is fuller than I was expecting; Five haircuts, four trims, three colors, and a partridge in a pear tree. I take a drink of my coffee and smile at Joanie as she comes into the salon. She greets me with a hug and says, "Hey Bunny. Are you going to yoga tonight with Sophie?" I look at her and scrunch my nose up in disgust. "No, I don't think so. It was a good class, but I don't think it's for me. Why, did you want to try it out? If you do, I'll go for you." She smiles and shakes her head no. She walks to the back room without another word and I'm left in the blissful silence. Thank the Lord, I don't have to go to yoga and see Sophie. 
I'm sorry to say this, but I'm really upset with Sophie. I know I should be happy for her. It's a special moment for her and Alex. I just don't understand why it had to happen on my birthday. I'm trying to let it go, but I just keep getting this annoying feeling and I want to yell at her. I have been avoiding her the past few days. Not that she has noticed. She has been out gallivanting around with Alex showing off her ring. I stay in my room when she is home and pretend to be sleeping so that I won't have to talk to her. I know, I'm a horrible friend. But damn! Can't a girl be upset about this?
I don't have time to dwell on it any longer, my first client comes in. I brush off the bitter feelings and try to recapture my good mood I had before I heard the name Sophie. It's a bit of a struggle, I'll be honest. I finish with my client just as Joanie comes back to the front after checking the stock room. She  tells me that we are low on a few things and that I need to make the order. I write it down so that I won't forget and when I look up, I see the one person I don't want to see, Sophie. She smiles. I try to smile. 
"Hi Lucy. Do you want to go get lunch today? I feel like I haven't seen you since your birthday party."
"I can't. I'm all booked up for the day. I actually need to get back to work." I smile, wave a goodbye, and walk back to my now empty chair. I turn my back to the door and make a big show of sweeping up the minuscule hair on the floor. Joanie comes over to me, "Your area is spotless. What are you doing?" 
"Nothing."
"Shut Up! You are clearly pissed about something. I know you. You don't sweep like this unless you are avoiding something. Come on, what is it?"
"Sophie. The perfect little princess. She gets everything she wants. She has the perfect little life. The perfect boyfriend, the perfect job right out of college. You know she didn't even have to work for it, it was offered to her because her daddy knew someone. Then she gets engaged at my birthday party, and ends up having a perfect little impromptu engagement party. Her and Alex even found their perfect dream house. Did I tell you that?" Joanie shakes her head no. "Yeah. She came home last night on the phone telling someone that they found the perfect house, white picket fence and all. And I'm sure she will have a perfect wedding, and then perfect babies to romp around in that stupid perfect house!  I'm sick of it!" I throw the broom on the floor and I'm panting.  Joanie raises her eyebrows and says, "Oh no, Bunny." Then points behind me. 
All the blood drains from my face. I turn around and see Sophie still standing there. Her heart clearly broken.