Selena Kitt - Rapunzel

Are those extensions?

Nina Malden noticed everything and Rachels new hair was no exception. None of her other clients had said a word-they talked about vacations in Cabo and how difficult it was to get dinner reservations at Tru while Rachel mixed color and folded foil for highlights and the sharp snip of her scissors accompanied the endless chatter-but no one had mentioned her hair.

Its- Rachel glanced in the mirror over Ninas perfectly coiffed head. Shed never understood the phenomenon-who went into a salon for a cut with their hair already styled? But every client at Rapunzels showed up made-up, even dolled-up, for their appointment. As a stylist, she had to un-do before she could re-do, and sometimes up-do, the hair in question.

Rachel fingered the hair on her head, thick and long, as close as she could get to natural, a trifecta of color, brownish-red with bright golden highlights that no one could ever define. It fell past her shoulders to the middle of her back in luxurious, beautiful waves. She couldnt admit the truth, not even to herself, let alone to Nina Malden.

Telling her it was a wig would open a door she preferred to keep firmly closed.

She was thankfully saved from responding by a crisis up front. The raised voice of one of the stylists-she was sure it was Joshie-caught her attention immediately.

She made sure Nina was seated and comfortable before she excused herself to go handle the drama, which involved two appointments-one cut, one perm-scheduled at once for the same stylist. Her new receptionist, just twenty-six and a graduate of NYU, had proven to be a disaster so far. Rachel was usually such a great judge of character, but shed been distracted when she hired Carly. Unfortunately, Carly didnt work Saturdays, so Rachel couldnt scold her. Instead they were taking turns between appointments manning the phone.

I cant do them both at once! Joshies big brown eyes, rimmed with silver eyeliner, actually filled with tears. He was wringing his delicate, ring-adorned hands as if hed dipped them in something very unagreeable and couldnt get it off. Its impossible! Rachel glanced at the lobby where the first client, a model in need of a spiral perm, checked her perfect profile in a compact. The other patron was just a young girl, maybe fifteen, bright and freshly pretty. Rachel envied her. The man beside her had to be her father- better be, she thought, taking in his age and demeanor, or else he was in danger of serious prosecution under pedophile laws, the way he was holding her hand and whispering into her ear.

Oh I think youve done two at once before, Joshie, Rachel murmured, shocking her stylist into a choked laugh and letting him know his salon gossip hadnt escaped her ears. You take the perm. Ill take the cut.

But youve got the dragon-lady, Joshie mock-whispered, glancing over her shoulder toward Nina Malden who was flipping through a Cosmopolitan, her lips set in a grim line. She wasnt going to be happy.

Well, this might be news to you, but I can do two at once too. Rachel winked and Joshies cackle followed her into the lobby.

Just a cut today, sweetie? Rachel saw the girls nervous glance, first at her, then at the man beside her. He squeezed her hand encouragingly but the girl just blushed and didnt speak. Rachel laughed lightly. Not your first, I hope? The girls hair was very long, to her waist, a thick black curtain. Her father-

Rachel was sure of it now, they had the same dark, wide eyes, and his hair was just as thick and black, although much shorter and curlier-cleared his throat and gave Rachel an apologetic smile.

I think shes in shock. He shrugged one shoulder in Rachels direction. But it was all her idea!

Something drastic? Rachel guessed, glancing over as Joshie brought a cappuccino out for the model and took her back into the salon. She turned to check the appointment book and saw the girls name-Emma Malden-and then saw the note written beside it, just as the girls father offered the information.

She wants to get her hair cut for Locks of Love, he told her, looking a little sheepish at his next admission. Her mother doesnt want her to, so I brought her. The two facts hit her simultaneously. This was Nina Maldens daughter-the name and dark tresses were far too much to be coincidence-and she wanted to get her hair cut off for charity. As a hairdresser, Rachel was familiar with Locks of Love and had collected a great deal of hair for the organization over the years so they could make it into wigs for disadvantaged kids whose medical diagnosis left them humiliatingly without any, either temporarily or permanently. Shed done it with a vague sort of sensitivity in the past, but never with any real empathy. Not until now.

How much do you want taken off? Rachel inquired, glancing toward the back and catching a glimpse of Nina Malden in the mirrors. She was swinging one very expensive Jimmy Choo pump at the end of her silk stocking foot, a black stylist cape draped around her neck, obscuring her Vera Wang suit. She was thankfully still perusing a magazine, still distracted. Good.

All of it. The girl finally spoke up and Rachel heard the steel in her voice. Must get that from her mother, she surmised, seeing the dark flash of Emma Maldens eyes, the hard set of her jaw.

Well, I dont think we have to shave you bald. Rachel smiled and went over to where they were sitting, touching the girls hair. It was beautiful, healthy, and shed been growing it out a long time. You have a good eighteen inches here at least, even if we just give you a cute little pageboy cut. Rachel used her hands to indicate the line at the girls jaw.

Emma frowned, looking over at her dad. Are you sure thats enough?

Ten inches is the minimum, Rachel explained, this time looking at Emmas father. She wondered what kind of hot water he was going to be in when his wife found out hed taken their daughter to cut off most of her hair. Well, that was his business, right? Besides, it was for a good cause. Youve got plenty to spare.

Thats almost double, Em, Emmas father offered, nudging her. Thats a lot of hair.

Okay, lets do it. Emma stood, swinging the dark curtain of hair over her shoulder, possibly for the last time.

Come on back. Rachel put them at a station up front but around the corner, out of the way. Somewhere they were unlikely to run into Nina, unless they had the unfortunate synchronicity to pass on the way out. Of course, having them all there together was a bit of coincidence to begin with. Joshie was two stations down with the supermodel and he waved at her and winked.

So your mom doesnt want you to get a haircut, huh? Rachel opened the bottom drawer and took out a packet. Inside was a certificate from the Locks of Love organization and a long red ribbon they used to tie the hair.

Emmas father had followed them back and he stood leaning against the wall behind her, arms crossed, just watching. Rachel nodded to the empty chair at the station beside her. You can have a seat, Mr. Malden.

Jake. He took her up on her offer, sitting down and swiveling the chair in a circle so he was facing his daughter. And you arewait, let me guess. Youre Rapunzel.

For all intents and purposes, she agreed, combing Emmas thick tresses into her hand and then tying the length of it off with the ribbon. Glancing up at Jake, she saw his teasing smile. His words and expression seemed genuine, but the man had a sharp, rich look about him that most of her clients-and her clients husbands-exuded. She wasnt surprised he was Nina Maldens husband.

My name is Rachel, she disclosed, picking up her scissors. She met Emmas eyes in the mirror. They were big and dark and huge. The poor girl was terrified. Are you sure youre ready for this?