19. Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Lilly
T here was nothing like the feeling of hard work and making money. I cleaned two houses today, a long day that started early—seven o’clock—and it was four-thirty by the time I pulled in to Shear Perfection. I needed a trim, and Madeline had been here with my mom all day.
I’d called a couple times to check on her, and she was having a blast. At lunchtime, she went on and on about all the things which had already filled her day. She took it upon herself to be the “sweeper of hair” for the day and fell in love with the wall vacuum. She now thought every house needed one. It seemed that sweeping hair into a hole in the wall, then pushing a button so the vacuum sucked the hair into a hidden container was the coolest thing ever.
I entered the salon and was greeted with Madeline’s sweet laugh over the hum and buzz of all the hair dryers and voices.
I hugged my mom and Diane and found Madeline sitting at a pedicure station as Summer pampered her toes.
“Hi, Mommy.”
“Hey, you. Your toes look so pretty.” I gave her a kiss on her head and sat in the empty seat next to her. Her nails were a light blue—her favorite color. “Hi, Summer. Is she being good?” I knew Summer through Kora. She was one of her best friends, but I didn’t talk to her often.
“She is. Once I’m done with her toes, we’re going to do the same color on her fingernails. She’ll be the prettiest little cheerleader on the field Saturday.”
Maddy gave me a bright smile.
“Well, then I’ll let you continue your mani, pedi, and I’ll be over with the old ladies.” I gave Madeline another kiss on her head.
“Old ladies, huh?” Diane glanced at me as she brushed her customer’s hair.
I shrugged. “Y’all are older than me.”
My mother laughed. “I hope so, girly. I did give birth to you. It would look strange otherwise.”
Dottie Carlise, the pastor’s wife at the Orlinda Valley Methodist Church laughed and lifted her hand to her hair as she peered into a mirror. “Looks wonderful, Kaye, as usual.” She stood. “Lilly, it’s so good to see you home.”
I gave her a hug. I had known Mrs. Carlise since high school when her husband came to pastor the church. “Mrs. Carlise, it’s great to be home.”
“And your daughter is absolutely precious. She was sitting at the front desk when I got here and welcomed me to Shear Perfection and lead me to Kaye’s chair.” She placed her hand over her heart. “Then she asked me if she could get me a Coke or a water because she wasn’t allowed to pour coffee. She is so darn adorable.”
I smiled wide. Yes, I was having a proud momma moment. “Thank you, Mrs. Carlise.” I grabbed the broom and started to sweep up the floor as Mrs. Carlise left.
“My Lanta, y’all will never believe what I heard today.” Tonya hurried through the door of Shear Perfection, followed close behind by Ruth.
I swept the hair into the wall vacuum and turned around.
“Well, looky here. Just who we need to fill us in on all the details they’re hiding from us.” Tonya crossed her arms and stood with her brows up, staring at me.
What is Tonya talking about now? I leaned on the broom, lifted my brows, cocked my head, and stared right back. I had no idea where this was going, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out. My mom put her arm around my shoulders, and her forehead creased.
“Well, since you’re not spilling anything, Lilly, I will just have to fill everyone in on what I heard,“ Tonya said.
“Like we’d ever expect anything less,” Summer interjected from the manicure station. “But be advised, there are some ears that need only G-rated information.” She pointed at Madeline.
“Hi, Madeline, sweety,” Tonya said as she went over and gave her a kiss on the head.
“Hi, Mrs. Tonya. I’m getting my nails pretty for Saturday.” She wiggled her nails toward Tonya’s face.
“They are so pretty,” she said to Madeline, then turned to Summer. “Don’t mess them up. She needs to look perfect.”
“Read between the lines, Tonya.” Summer held up three fingers.
Tonya waved her off and joined Diane and Kaye again. “Anyway, I was eating lunch at the pharmacy a little bit ago.”
“Umm, it’s after four, so it’s more like an early dinner. Who were you dining with?” Diane asked.
Tonya waved her hand in the air. “Whatever, those details don’t matter. But John’s brother . . .”
“Mayor John Reynolds?” Kaye asked.
“Yes,” Tonya replied, dragging out the s and lifting her brow.
“I thought you weren’t dating him anymore,” Diane added.
“It wasn’t a date. It was dinner. Stop getting me off the subject. There are more important people to talk about here.” Tonya rolled her eyes. “Anyway, John’s brother’s wife, Darla, stopped by and told me that she heard from Margie Prant that Phoebe Cross told her that her daughter said that my Jamison and your darling Lilly were looking really friendly at the gymnastics gym last night.”
My eyes went wide. Phoebe Cross, Nora’s mother. I huffed out a breath. “Mrs. Cross is as big of a pain in the ass as her daughter.”
“Lilly.” My mother tilted her head, and her brows lifted.
“Hey, Mommy,” Madeline’s voice rose from the back of the salon. “Why are you saying those words? Those aren’t nice words.”
“No, they’re not.” Tonya said with her hand over her heart. “Maddy, did you know Darcie gets one dollar when her daddy says those words?” She made eye contact with Madeline.
“Tonya,” I hissed.
“Ooh, Mommy. Give me a dollar.”
And just like that, I’d be broke.
“You do need to show respect for your elders, Lilly. You were taught better.” My mother fixed her gaze on me.
Seriously? I hated that look, her don’t be rude face. “Mother, I’m a grown woman and can call out the truth when I see it, and Mrs. Cross is as rude and annoying as Nora.”
“Well, at least Nora comes by it honestly then, dear,” Tonya agreed, “but why would she have told her mother anything about you and my handsome son if it wasn’t true?”
“First off, keep your voice down. As we’ve noticed, my little girl has some good hearing,” I said. I also had to slow down and get my thoughts together and my words straight. Until Jamison and I figured out what we were, we sure as hell didn’t need our mothers and their friends trying to set us up. “Second, she said it because Jamison and I were talking about the girls outside the gym last night. And we do like each other, as a brother and sister would. As you know, I’ve known him since birth.” I shook my head, stomach churning with irritation. “Anyway, Stephanie—Nora’s best friend—has always had a crush on Jamison.”
I thought I was doing a good job of convincing them so far, so I continued. “He’s never been interested and add to that the fact he and I are close . . . it’s called jealousy.”
All four women glared at me—hard. Well, at least three of them did. Ruth sat at Diane’s station and looked sorry she was in on this.
I gave her a small smile, then focused on the other three. I held my own. I knew these women. They were trying to make me crack. Give up my secrets. I’d been in this situation before, many times.
“She might be telling the truth,” Diane said.
“Maybe,” said Kaye. “But I’m not sure.”
“Mom!” I couldn’t believe my own mother didn’t trust me. Well, she had a good reason, but still.
“You three need to give her some space. She just got home and went through a divorce.”
“Thank you, Ruth.” I gave her a hug.
“You’re welcome.” She pulled me back in and whispered. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
My eyes went wide, and I backed away.
She gave me a sly wink and walked into the kitchen.
What has Rose been telling her mother? I had no time to contemplate that. I’d have to talk to her later.
“Just because I think they would make the cutest couple, and I know Lilly had a crush on Jamison for years, doesn’t mean there’s anything there,” Tonya said tapping her foot.
“What? Why do you think I ever had a crush on Jamison?”
“Bless your heart, dear, it’s okay to not want to admit to something like that. But just know you’d have my blessing if you could ever get Jamison’s heart moving forward.” Tonya placed her hand on my shoulder, patted it lightly, and looked at me as if someone had died.
“I like Jamison,” Madeline said as she skipped up to me, waving her nails in the air. “Mommy, I think we should have him and Darcie over for pizza. I need to show Darcie my nails.” She wiggled them high in the air so I could see them better.
“They’re very pretty, squirt.” I held her hands and admired her light blue nails, then I kissed her knuckles. “Stay here. I’m going to pay Summer.” I walked away from the women.
“I wasn’t eavesdropping,” Summer said when I got to her station. “But Tonya always has her nose in someone’s business. Hold your own, and if you and Jamison are having a thing, keep it to yourself.”
I handed her my card. “We aren’t having a thing. I’ve known him my entire life, and now our girls are friends. We’re hanging out so our girls can spend time together. That’s all it is. Nothing else.” She handed me back my card, and I put it into my wallet.
Summer nodded slowly. “I’ve known him forever also—remember I’m friends with Rowan and Kora. I also know he’s kept to himself a lot since Carly’s death. It’s been just him and Darcie. Since you’ve been home, though, he seems different. So, yeah, keep telling yourself that, Lilly. Maybe one day you’ll believe it.”