Shoe Strings

southern hospitality.  
    “Shelly, this is Angelita Ba….”  
    “Barros,” Angelita said.
    “Angelita’s just visiting in town and wanted a good
cut.   Of course, I brought her
here.”
    “Well,” Shelly began, her eyes doing a thorough head to toe
scan of Lita.   “I didn’t think you
were from around here.   Tell me
you’re not wanting to cut off all this gorgeous hair?”
    “No.” Lita wondered if she really wanted to entrust Shelly
with any part of her body, hair included.   “Just a trim.   If you’re too
busy…”
    “Goodness, no.   Your timing’s perfect.”   She
turned her back and led them to two side-by-side white vinyl salon chairs.   An older woman sat under a dryer
straight out of the 1950s with a full head of curlers.   “I’m free until three.   Mrs. Morrison has a standing appointment
every Tuesday for a style.”
    “Great,” Lita said and threw Kerri Ann under the bus.   “Kerri Ann wants a cut too.”
    “Well, I…” Kerri Ann hesitated and slumped into a
chair.   “Maybe just a trim.”
    Shelly moved to stand behind Kerri Ann.   “Girl, you’ve had the same cut and
style, or no style,” she grinned and winked at Lita, “since high school.   I’ve been begging you to let me put a
few layers in.   You’d be amazed how
it’ll soften up your face, bring out your eyes.”   She moved over to Lita and ran her hands
through her hair.   “See now.   I’ll bet you didn’t even realize that
Angelita here had layers?   Hers are
longer than I’d do on you—she’s got all this curl to contend with, but
you see how subtle they are?”
    Lita could see Kerri Ann regretting her decision to play
girl for the day when she sighed and twisted her lips at her reflection.   “I agree with Shelly,” Lita said before
Kerri Ann could refuse.   Despite
Shelly’s appearance, she was giving Kerri Ann the right advice.   “A few well-placed layers can transform
your look.”
    “I’m at the restaurant all day long.   I need to be able to pull it back in a
ponytail.”
    Shelly patted her shoulder companionably.   “You’d still be able to put it up, but
you won’t have to because it’ll fall nicely around your face.   Or you could just clip the front part
back.”   She paused while Kerri Ann
stewed.   “Hair grows, Kerri
Ann.   If you don’t like it, it’ll
grow out.   At least this way you’ll
know.”
    Lita was impressed at the way Shelly carefully dealt with
Kerri Ann.   “Oh, all right,” Kerri
Ann said.   “But if I hate it, I’m
gonna be mad.”
    Shelly beamed.   “You won’t hate it, Kerri Ann.   It may take some getting used to, but you won’t hate it.”   She clapped her hands with glee.   “Oh, this will be so much fun.”   She tossed them both a smock and pointed
to the back.   “You two go change.”
    “Who wants to go first?” Shelly asked as they simultaneously
emerged from the hall.   “The other
can get a pedicure while you wait.   Melinda just got back from lunch.”
    Kerri Ann threw her head toward Lita.   “Let her go first while I think about
whether or not I want a change.”
    Shelly pulled on her arm.   “Come on, Kerri Ann.   Don’t be a chicken.”
    Shelly led Kerri Ann to the washing station and motioned for
the young girl hovering in the corner to see to Lita.   “Hi,” the girl said with a shy
smile.   “I’m Melinda.   You’d like a pedicure?”
    “I’d love one,” Lita said.
    “Go on over and pick a color and I’ll meet you at the
pedicure chair.”   Lita picked out a
bright coral and slipped her shoes off before sliding into the massage chair.
    “Temperature okay?” Melinda asked and then gasped when she
picked up Lita’s shoes to move out of the way.   “Oh my God.   These are Angelita Feet.”   She picked one up carefully and turned
it around and around like a fine piece of art.   Her gasp had everyone looking, including
Shelly and Kerri Ann.
    Lita couldn’t help but smile with pride.   “Yes, they are.   Do you…like her shoes?”
    “Gosh, yes.   Where’d you get them?”
    “They’re mine.”   Lita sounded like a proud parent.   “I’m Angelita.”
    “Oh-My-God!” Melinda screamed.
    Shelly walked over from the washing station, her hands
dripping with water, and Kerri Ann sat up in the reclining chair wiping suds
from her face.   “What’s going on
over here?”
    “She’s a famous shoe designer,” Melinda said.  
    Famous was a bit of a