CHAPTER ELEVEN
T he next day, Crystal waited until the Café was ready for the breakfast crowd and then left it to the care of her staff so she could be off on her secret mission to Boston. High Styles was the “in” hair salon in the Back Bay area. Missy Howell, a friend of hers from summer theater jobs in Maine, worked there and was squeezing her in for an appointment. She was as excited about the task as Crystal was nervous.
But when Crystal arrived at the upscale salon and saw some of the women with attractive hairdos, she relaxed. She knew she was doing the right thing, the healthy thing for her.
Missy emerged from one of the back rooms to greet her. “Crystal, I’m excited to see you. It’s been almost a year since we worked together in Ogunquit at the summer theater. You look gorgeous as usual, but I’m going to make you look even better. The purple was cute but now it’s time for a new you, like you said.”
Crystal gave her a quick hug. “Thanks for doing this. As long as I was changing color, I wanted to change style too, and you’re the best.”
“Let’s get you in a robe and we’ll take care of the rest. I’m sorry we don’t have time to fit in a mani-pedi.”
“No worries,” said Crystal. “I’m going to the spa with friends later this week. It was supposed to be tonight, but we had to change it. This will be perfect.”
Almost three hours later, Crystal took a last look in the mirror, startled to see how the changes had given her an entirely different look. Gone was the funky, fun color and style of her tousled hair. In its place was a sleek blond look that made her appear much more sophisticated. It was something she’d get used to over time.
After paying, she gave Missy another hug. “Thanks. Let me know when you’re in Ogunquit and I’ll come see you. In the meantime, you know you always have a place to stay in Lilac Lake.”
“Love you, girl,” said Missy. “You look hot, hot, hot.”
“Thanks,” said Crystal, but she knew it would be a while before she was comfortable with such comments. Still, she’d done the right thing.
###
D riving home, Crystal tried not to look into the mirror, but she caught herself glancing at it more than she wanted. She resembled her mother when she’d been young before drugs and alcohol destroyed her beauty. But as GG had mentioned to Crystal many times, she and her mother were very different people. She wondered what her sister, Misty, would have to say about the new look.
Thinking of her sister, she realized it had been too long since they’d chatted. Crystal called Misty and left a message asking her to call back.
When she was driving through town, she easily passed by people who didn’t recognize her new silver car or the blonde driving it. She liked the idea of starting fresh.
And then, when she walked into the Café’s kitchen, she laughed when it took her staff a few seconds to recognize her.
“I love the new color,” said a staff member.
“It suits you,” another told her.
“Thanks,” she said, wrapping an apron around her waist. “Now, let’s get busy. The afternoon crowd will be showing up.” Having sweets and something hot or cold had become a popular thing for both tourists and locals to do before the Café shut down for the day.
Whitney strolled inside the Café pushing a stroller and grinned when she saw Crystal. “Oh, my gosh! I talked to GG this morning and she mentioned you might have a surprise for us. I love it. This is how I remember you as a teenager before you had that big fight with your mother.”
“GG and I discussed my hair issue and she encouraged me to change it. That and all the bad talk about my purple hair. As shallow as it was, that talk made me think about making some changes. Last night, I left a message for my sister to call me. It’s been too long since I’ve heard from her.”
“Is Misty still living in Florida?” Whitney asked, motioning for Crystal to turn around. Nodding with approval, she said, “You are beautiful. Much prettier than Diana.”
At the knowing look Whitney gave her, Crystal laughed. “Okay, one of the reasons for changing was that I wanted to be seen as the person I’ve become. Not the one in high school.”
Whitney gave her a hug. “No matter what, you’re my best friend and always will be. Meet me at Jake’s tonight for an early supper. I can’t stay long but I want to see everyone’s reaction to the new you. Especially from a couple of the guys we know.”
“That’s another change. I don’t give a flying ‘eff’ what anyone else thinks. I’m me. Period.”
“Good for you.” Whitney turned as the baby began to cry. She picked him up and hugged him. “Tim is a little fussy today. That’s why we’re out for a walk.”
“He’s the cutest,” said Crystal. “Let Auntie Crys hold him.”
Whitney handed her the baby and a pang went through Crystal as he snuggled against her. Maybe she could do the parenting thing, after all. She was not her mother.
Customers came into the Café in three groups.
Crystal handed the baby back to Whitney. “Better go. See you later.”
“Is that a promise?” Whitney asked.
Crystal laughed. “Okay. I promise.”
###
T hat night, Crystal waited as long as she could before going to Jake’s. She’d made a promise and she intended to keep it, though she hated the idea of being judged.
Stepping inside the bar, she made her way to the large table in the corner, pleased to see Whitney, Nick, Dani, and Brad. Though friends might come and go, these meetings were important to her. Friends were family to her.
Nick gave her a thumbs up. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you with this natural color and it looks great, Crystal.”
“Thank you.” She patted her hair self-consciously.
“Beautiful as always,” said Dani. “But I liked the purple too. Why did you change it?”
Crystal sighed. This group of friends had always been honest with one another. “I realized I didn’t have to make a statement anymore; I could just be myself.”
Dani gave her a steady look. “I get it. Good for you. I think we’ve all made changes as we’ve grown.”
“Speaking of changes,” said Whitney. “I talked to Taylor earlier. Our baby sister has decided to spend some time in Lilac Lake to work on her latest book. She said she needs to have freedom from New York City to let her ideas flow.”
“It’ll be nice to see her, and I’m glad the cottage will be put to use,” said Dani. “We’ve got to keep to our promise to use it at least six months of the year.”
“Right,” said Whitney. “Nick and I talked about moving there for the summer but with him being chief of police, we felt we should stay in town during the busiest time of year.”
“Maybe you can move to the cottage in the fall,” Dani said. “I’m willing to help out by staying there as needed, but you know how happy I am with our new home.”
“It’s a beautiful house,” said Crystal. “And a perfect showcase for The Meadows.”
“Yes, it’s helped us sell a few homesites,” said Brad with a note of well-deserved pride. The housing development he and his brother owned was becoming a very special place for those who could afford it.
“Speaking of sisters,” said Whitney. “Did you hear back from Misty?”
Crystal shook her head. “It’s not like her not to call.”
Before the conversation could go further, Dirk, Diana, and Emmett arrived.
“Thought we’d find you here,” said Emmett, his gaze sweeping the table. “I promised I’d help Dirk get to know the community.”
“Emmett’s house is going to be beautiful when it’s completed,” said Diana.
“Dani and Brad are part of the team,” said Emmett and then made the introductions.
“Are you going to stay in town, Diana?” asked Dani. “You said you’re here to see Emmett.”
Diana shot Emmett a coy look. “I’m leaving in a couple of days, but I’m hoping to be asked back.”
Emmett appeared surprised and then he smiled. “I’m sure Dirk would like to have his sister visit from time to time.”
Diana playfully slapped at Emmett’s arm. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.” Her gaze landed on Crystal. “Oh, my God! Crystal, is that you? I didn’t recognize you. You look different ... very pretty.”
“Crystal has always been beautiful,” Emmett said in a quiet but firm way that sent a rush of heat through her. Though she was attractive, Crystal knew she wasn’t beautiful. Still, his words meant so much to her she felt a sting of tears and quickly blinked them away.
Diana’s gaze kept swinging back to Crystal throughout the evening. Determined not to show how uneasy that made her feel, Crystal tried to ignore her. She was well aware that Emmett’s complimentary remark about her had caused Diana to be unhappy.
Nick and Whitney were the first to leave, just as Melissa Hendrickson, who worked for her parents’ restaurant, arrived.
“Crystal, I love your hair. Very pretty,” said Melissa.
“The chef is done cheffing?” teased Brad.
“Yes, it’s an early crowd and I slipped out. I thought Ross and some of his friends were supposed to be back by now.” She noticed Dirk and Diana. “Who are you? And, Crystal, I love your new do. Very pretty.”
Dani introduced Dirk and his sister and commented, “You wouldn’t know to look at her thin figure, but Melissa is a fantastic chef.”
“Just one of the chefs at Fins, but thanks for the compliment, Dani. How are plans coming for the Summer Faire? I wasn’t able to attend the last planning meeting.”
“Neither was I. But we have time. The Faire won’t happen for three more weeks,” said Crystal. “This year, I’m in charge of the baking contest, and I’m adding a prize for school kids. We have some aspiring young chefs. I hope you’ll be a judge, Melissa.”
“Sure,” said Melissa, taking a sip of the beer she’d ordered at the bar when she’d arrived.
“What is this Summer Faire?” asked Diana. “I want to come back for that.”
“It’s fun,” said Dani. “There are games, contests, and celebrations. The stores go all out with souvenirs and specials.”
“A great way to see this town,” Brad told Dirk and Emmett.
“I can help you judge, Crystal,” said Emmett.
“Excellent,” said Crystal, both surprised and pleased.
“As a kid, I used to do some baking with our cook. To me, it’s just like a chemistry test, but with delicious results,” said Emmett. “But I know the difference between good and bad.”
“Okay, deal,” said Crystal. Emmett was full of surprises. She felt prickles on her skin remembering the look on his face when he’d announced she’d always been beautiful.