Chapter Twenty-Nine Sophie #3
“Oh, we can work with that,” Sasha says, walking to the wall and grabbing a couple of wigs—some with pretty highlights, some darker than my natural hair color, some that only brush my shoulders, and some that go all the way down to my waist. She tells me that all of them are made from donated human hair.
We try on a couple, but none are quite what I'm looking for.
"I feel a little like Goldilocks right now," I tell Sasha as she gently, so carefully, and mindful of my tender scalp, places the fourth wig on me.
Sasha giggles, "I get what you mean—we're looking for that 'just right'," she winks, grabbing a brush and smoothing the hair down.
This one is a honey 'bronde' with some darker highlights.
"All of these wigs you can use heat on—curling iron or blow dryer.
I'll give you a heat protectant to use. I'll also give you a head to bring home so you can store it safely.
It's so much easier to style on that head rather than your own. "
I smile at Sasha, and out of the corner of my eyes, I see Bailey and Tonya walking around the store, pointing out wigs to try on.
Tonya tries to grab the most fun and colorful ones she can find, including a full rainbow one, while Bailey is looking at the picture reference now and trying to find one that matches.
"Now, what do you think?" Sasha asks, laying her hands on my shoulders and turning me to the mirror.
"Hm... this one is better," I tell her, turning my head side to side. It's cute, and I like its length, as it falls an inch or two below my collarbone in waves. But I'm not entirely in love with the color. "But—"
"Oh, I can see it on your face. We're not completely there yet," Sasha says, gently pulling the wig off and brushing it once more before placing it on the mannequin head. "Don't worry, girl. We have plenty more to try on."
“What about this one?” Bailey asks, holding a darker brown wig that looks so much like my natural hair.
My eyes light up at the color, and Sasha grins, taking it gently from Bailey, who skips back over to Tonya, who’s wearing a rainbow colored wig and taking a selfie in one of the mirrors. Bailey jumps into the photo, both of them pulling silly faces that make me and Sasha laugh.
Still so gently, Sasha pulls the Bailey-selected wig on my head and turns the chair around to adjust it while she asks, "So, how far into treatment are you, Sophie?"
"I'm more than halfway there with chemo. I have my double mastectomy in December—hopefully."
"You look amazing!" she compliments, making my cheeks flush. "I swear, I looked rough when I was going through chemo—"
My mouth drops open in surprise, "Oh, I didn't know you—"
"Five years ago," Sasha smiles, bright and wide. "It's why I jumped at the chance to do this for you."
"That's so amazing, Sasha," I tell her genuinely, and she looks so proud. "And this is just... incredible of you. Thank you again."
"It's my way of paying it forward. We all need our support systems through this process.
Honestly, I wouldn't have made it through without my husband, Devonte.
He was my rock through it all—dealing with my moody ass through chemo and radiation, driving me to the surgeries and treatments, the changes to my body not even fazing him," she shakes her head, a tender and loving smile on her face.
"He was just... so there and present through it all, still telling me that I was beautiful and that he loved me and that we'd make it through this together. "
"I'm so glad you had him through it," I whisper, and she smiles, squeezing my shoulder.
"My entire family and friends were there for me, and I know not everyone has that."
I nod my head in understanding and take a deep breath before I admit, "I was engaged. When I found out. He cheated on me."
Sasha's big brown eyes meet mine in the mirror, softening. She nods, "Bailey mentioned that you had a rough time when you found out. I am so sorry that happened to you, Sophie."
"No, it's okay. Honestly," I shake my head with a smile. "In a really weird way, it was like... the best thing that could have happened. I mean, it hurt like hell to find out, but... it was freeing. I loved him, but... I love the life I'm living now—with cancer—more than I ever have before."
"The universe does work in very mysterious ways," she murmurs, brushing out the wig on my head. "Sometimes it just takes out the trash for us."
"Yeah. I just... I have a bigger support system than I had before," I shrug and grin sheepishly, thinking of warm brown eyes and soft lips and cuddly arms. "And I have Callum."
"Ooh, Callum," Sasha teases, raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow. "Do you have a picture of him?"
I nod and lift my phone, showing her Callum and me on the boardwalk, him cuddling me close and smiling at the camera while I kiss his bearded cheek.
There's a gorgeous sunset in the background.
He took a photo on his phone and sent it to me, and I loved it so much that I set it as my wallpaper right away.
He has another—one from our first date—as his own.
Corny and silly, and it makes me so happy to see it.
"Oh my God, you guys are so cute!" She squeals, smiling brightly at me. "He treats you well?"
"The best," I sigh, my tone borderline dreamy. "He's everything. So sweet and caring and... he's just there for me."
"Then hold onto him, just like he's holding onto you in that picture," she tells me before turning me to face the mirror. "Now what do we think of this one?"
"Oh," I breathe when I see myself, and I'm a little startled. It's like looking into the past; the wig is so much like my natural hair. It’s chocolate brown, falling to my chest in soft, silky waves. The dark color of it makes my skin pop, enhancing the red color of my lips and sweater. "Wow."
"Just right. I think we have a winner," Sasha murmurs.
"Holy shit," Tonya says, appearing in the mirror, Bailey next to her, clapping her hands in excitement.
"Sophie, that's perfect!"
Sasha grins, standing back with her hands on her hips and smiling at a job well done. "Alright, let's get you set up and on the road."
Sasha takes a couple of photos for her social media page and for the article, before handing me a huge bag full of goodies and hugging me goodbye.
She hands me her card with her number on it, telling me to text her with any questions about installation or if I just need to vent with someone who's been there before.
I hug her tightly, and we all head back to the car, looking into every reflective surface I can to see myself with my new wig. It still catches me off guard how much it looks like my natural hair, and I quickly send a text to Tess, who replies, Is this an old picture?!? You look terrific, Soph.
When we're on the highway, I smile when my phone chimes with a text from Callum, his name has an otter emoji next to it now.
Callum Rhodes: Hope your day's been treating you well, sweet girl.
Think I can steal a little of your time later?
I smile and bite my lip at the text. I just saw him last night, and we shared a slow dance around the store that turned into a heated makeout.
Honestly, that was probably the reason for my sexy dream this morning, and I love that Callum is so open with his feelings about wanting to see me.
There's no pretense, there's no acting like a cool, unattached guy.
And that's just another thing I love about him.
Bold of you to assume it wasn't already yours.
Callum Rhodes: You know what they say when you assume.
Something about ass, you, and me.
I snort and giggle out loud, making Tonya look at me, amused.
Callum Rhodes: Oh, no...
Have you been thinking about my ass, Callum?
Callum Rhodes: I really do have a problem with my foot and mouth.
But, yes. It is a work of art.
Especially in those jeans you wore on our date.
That familiar tingling feeling happens again. I swear, I might jump this man's bones the next time I see him, with how worked up he can get me. The accidental innuendo from him really does it for me. I bite my lip and respond, keeping it flirty, dipping my feet in and testing the waters.
I call them the peach jeans.
Name speaks for itself.
Callum Rhodes: Sincere appreciation to whoever invented them.
And to you. Mostly you.
My day's going well.
I have a little surprise to show you.
I'll swing by the store later.
Callum Rhodes: Very intrigued by this surprise.
But even more excited to see you.
Callum, you silver-tongued devil.
Callum Rhodes: Only for you, my otter.
Always only for you.
I'll see you later <3
don't miss me too much!
And give Plot a kiss for me.
Callum Rhodes: Impossible, I miss you before you even walk out the door.
I'm quite attached to my eyes, so I'll send him your love.
From a safe distance.
But feel free to kiss me when you get here.
Oh, that can, and will, be arranged, Mr. Rhodes.
Better get ready.
"Look at her face!" Bailey giggles, looking at me in the rearview mirror.
"I know that head-over-ass-look. God, you guys make me sick," Tonya fakes gagging, the genuine smile on her face giving away that she's happy.
"They're in looooove," Bailey teases. I open my mouth to protest, to tell her we're not quite there yet, to save face on the fact that I've fallen head over heels for this man and don't want them to think it's too fast. Then I stop.
Why should I cover it up and pretend I don't feel this way?
I have a sickness coursing through my body that has potentially shortened my life expectancy.
Why should I pretend not to feel a wondrous, joyous thing like love?
Instead, I snap my mouth closed and just smile, shrugging my shoulders.
"Soph... I wanted to ask you about something," Bailey says, her tone more serious than I've ever heard.
My concern rises when she takes a deep breath, "You know that I'm doing the article about the shop, but I also wanted to do a little spotlight on you, if you're okay with it?
I was talking to my editor, and I mentioned how my friend was battling breast cancer now, and how strong and brave you are, and she asked if you'd mind being interviewed?
You can say no, you won't hurt my feelings or anything, but I think.
.. well, I think you're so inspiring, Sophie, and your story is similar to a lot of women out there, and well, I think it could help. .."
Her words make me pause as I consider the offer, debating the pros and cons of opening myself up in an interview.
The idea of exposing myself and my feelings through this battle makes me a little uncomfortable.
But also, the idea of reaching someone going through the same thing as me and helping them feel less alone in their battle could be really positive.
Maybe even healing a bit, for them and for me.
"What would I say?"
"Anything you want!" Bailey assures me. "You could talk about how you discovered the cancer, your doctor's appointments, your chemo journey, and the surgery. You can talk generally about how you've been feeling. Literally, you'll be in complete control of this."
"What about... ?" I trail off, but Bailey knows exactly what I mean—the cheating, the destruction of my engagement, the shame.
"Anything you want to talk about," Bailey reiterates firmly. "But, I was reading, and what you went through is actually very common."
I think about all those months ago, that kind Nurse Ruth who tried to warn me about the partner of cancer patients leaving after diagnosis.
Paul didn't even wait for the diagnosis to cheat on me.
She tried to warn me, and I—stupidly, naively—didn't listen to her.
Maybe that's something I need to try to make right.
Maybe talking about, warning some women about the realities, could help someone prepare than I did.
I think I may have discounted Ruth's words because she wasn't experiencing what I was, and that was wrong of me.
She had seen it happen, but I thought I was the exception.
No, I was the fool who didn't listen to wise advice.
No more. Maybe letting others know not to be as naive as me —that no matter how much their partner says they love them, they could still choose to leave. Maybe talking about it on the platform Bailey is giving me could be healing.
I playfully narrow my eyes at her with a smirk on my face, "Was the free wig a way to sweeten the offer?"
Bailey's face cracks into a grin as she meets my eyes briefly in the mirror, "Well... you can't go wrong with a little sugar on top."
Tonya snorts and shakes her head, "Master manipulator over here."
Bailey makes an offended sound and gently elbows Tonya, making me laugh.
"I'll do it, Bailey. For you," I say, before I add, my voice clogged with emotion. "And for anyone I can help."
Bailey squeals, causing Tonya to bark a laugh and me to giggle at her exuberance.
How could anyone say no to Bailey?