The Hairdresser Diaries (20 page)

“Around noon.”

“Anything else I should know before I show up?”

“Um, no…and thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“Yep,” was all he said and hung up.

Okay, I know I was the one trying to push him away and I really had no right to ask him for favors, but he was starting to make this easier on me not liking him.

“Does dad know you smoke?” Trina asked snidely. Evidently she finished shopping quickly and found me outside.

“No. And I’d appreciate it if you kept your mouth shut.”

“What’s in it for me?” So much for the nice Trina.

“How about I don’t kick your ass.”

“Then you’ll just be in more trouble.”

“Fine, if you manage to keep your mouth shut, I might be able to convince dad to give you your phone back, deal?”

She sized me up and down and then agreed. “Deal,” she said.

I made her show me what she bought. She ended up getting a cute purse and some sunglasses. I liked them so much I decided to get some of my own.

After we tried on about twenty different pairs of sunglasses and I found a cute new Guess purse, we called it a day and headed home. When we got to the house, my dad was up. He had the table set and was cooking dinner. Trina was in better spirits now and told our dad she was going to put on a fashion show for him with the stuff she bought.

“I don’t know what you said to her, but thank you.”

“I didn’t say anything, I just gave her a couple of pills to calm her down, they’ll ware off in an hour or so.”

“Tatum, that’s not funny.”

I cracked a smile and told him I was kidding and that shopping is the cure for everything.

“Do you need help with anything?” I offered.

“No, no, sit down. I do know how to cook.”

“I didn’t say you didn’t. Just wondering why you’re cooking.”

“Can’t a father cook a decent meal for his kids?” I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Thanks dad.”

“Do me a favor and call your brother. I didn’t get a chance to earlier.”

I had just called Tyler when Trina peeked from around the stairs. “You guys ready?” she asked.

“Just a minute,” I said.

“Who are you talking to that could be more important than this,” she argued.

“It’s Tyler.”

“Oh, hi Tyler!” she yelled. I told her he said hi back and finished up the conversation.

“Okay we’re ready.” I said as I hung up the phone.

She came down from the steps. She had on a jean skirt, a layered white and navy tank top, with fuzzy knee high boots. Complete with a triple layered necklace that hung down to her belly button, hoop earrings, bangles on her wrist, and one of the three new pair of sunglasses she bought.

“So, what do you think?” she asked.

“You look great honey. Not sure about the boots though,” my dad said scratching his head.

“Please dad, you have no idea what’s hip these days,” Trina replied and went back upstairs to show us her next outfit. My dad looked at me questioningly and I told him not to worry, I didn’t let her get anything he wouldn’t approve of.

She showed us three more outfits, including the cute summer dress I picked out for her. Which was one of the few things my dad thought was nice. But she had one more outfit she wanted to show. When she came back down the stairs my mouth dropped and my dad almost burned himself.

She was wearing a pleated black skirt that was so short, if she bent over you would see her entire ass. And a black and gray checkered halter top that only came down to her midriff.

“I swear I did not approve this outfit.” I put my hands up and looked at my dad. He looked like he was going to have a heart attack. “Trina, where did you get this?”

“I bought the skirt today, but the shirt came from your closet.” They both looked at me.

Crap.

“You know what would make this outfit complete,” Trina said.

“More clothes,” my father suggested.

“A belly button ring, can I get my belly button pierced please?” she begged and played the innocent little girl routine and batted her eyelashes.

He started laughing hysterically.

“Why not?” Trina argued stomping her foot.

“One, you will not be leaving this house wearing that, so there is no need to have you mutilate your body. I don’t care how fashionable it is. And two, you’re too young.”

“That’s not fair! Tatum has her belly button pierced, and her nose, and her ni…” I quickly jumped up and put my hand over her mouth. My dad looked at us. I smiled and laughed nervously.

“I’ll talk to her dad.” I ripped Trina from the kitchen and drug her up the stairs.

“Why do you have to make things so difficult?” I said staring at her waiting for an answer. She just crossed her arms and pouted.

“First of all did you really think you were going to get away with wearing that outfit?”

“No,” she mumbled and refused to look at me.

“How about this, maybe I can talk to dad and convince him to let you get your belly button pierced.”

“Really?” she perked up.

“Yes, but you have to stop acting like a brat and give dad some respect. You have to know it can’t be easy on him raising you by himself.”

“I know,” she agreed and looked down.

“And stop ratting people out when you don’t get your way!” I don’t how she knew what she knew, but I was not going to let her take me down with her. “Now, go put something appropriate on and put that shirt back in my closet and keep the tags on that skirt because it’s going back.” She started to argue, but stopped, finally accepting the fact that I was right for once.

I took a breath and went back downstairs to try and convince my dad to let Trina get her belly button pierced. This was not going to be easy.

“I told her the skirt had to go back and she’s changing into something that more resembles clothes.”

My dad ruffled my hair and sat down at the table across from me. “I also told her…I would try to convince you to let her get her belly button pierced,” I winced, waiting for the backlash.

“Then you can also be the one to tell her I said no,” he said calmly.

“Come on dad, it’s not that bad. It’s just the belly button and it’s not permanent.”

“Not like tattoos!” Trina yelled from the stairs. She really didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut.

“Trina come down here,” my dad called to her. She had put on capris and a t-shirt—thankfully. She walked over and sat on my lap. “Trina why do you want to get your belly button pierced? And don’t say because everyone else has theirs done.”

She thought for minute. “Well…I just think it will be neat. Tatum has lots of piercing’s and tattoos and so does Tyler. Why can’t I?”

“You’re not helping your case,” I muttered.

“As much as I disapprove,” my dad looked at me and I quickly looked away. “Yes they do have piercings and,” he sighed,“tattoos, but they’re also adults. You are only thirteen.”

Trina put her hands in her lap and sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing. She got up and went back upstairs.

I thought I’d try one more tactic.

“You know how she is when she wants something. She might end up trying to do it herself or finding some dirty place that will do it without parental consent. If you said yes, I could take her and this way you would know it was done properly and clean.”

Exasperated by this topic my dad stood up and went back to the stove to finish dinner. A moment later he sighed and said, “Okay, but there are going to be some ground rules.”

I stood up and hugged him. “Thanks dad, I was not looking forward to the possibility of her making this week hell.” He laughed and told me to go tell Trina dinner was done. Just then Tyler walked in. It was like he had a sixth sense. He always knew to show up exactly when dinner was done.

I called up the stairs to tell Trina dinner was done.

“Hi Tyler,” Trina said sullenly as she came back down.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me?”

“I am,” she sulked and sat down at the table.

“Alright Trina, I talked it over with Tatum and decided you can get your belly button pierced.”

“Really?” she asked sitting up. My dad nodded yes and Trina started jumping up and down screaming like a banshee.

“Alright, alright, enough.”

“Yes please, I think I’m deaf now,” I said jiggling my finger in my ear.

“There are going to be some ground rules though, but we’ll talk about it after dinner.”

“Okay,” Trina said all cheery.

Trina settled down and we all sat and ate dinner like a normal family. It was nice. I had forgotten what it felt like. Afterward, I helped my father clean up and we all sat out on the deck and caught up. I loved having my family together. Sometimes I forget how much I really miss them.

The day of the cookout, I got up early to go to the grocery store to gather things I needed for today. When I came home I prepared the food and made Tyler set up the rest while I hopped in the shower. After I finished getting ready I headed to the kitchen to carry some of the items out to my dad. Trina was there and wearing—again—a very inappropriate outfit.

“Hell no, I don’t think so. Go back upstairs and put something else on before dad sees you,” I scolded her. She didn’t argue—for once—and went back upstairs to change. “And stay out of my closet,” I yelled.

Take the girl shopping and she raids my closet…kids.

Just shortly after noon, the guests started to arrive. First it was my Aunt and Uncle. They brought their bratty kids, my cousins.

Then my grandparents, my friends, Tyler’s, and some of my dad’s old work buddies. All the family that came was from my dad’s side. All the ones on my mom’s side lived out of state and we didn’t see them much. Everyone was getting along and having a good time.

It was just past one-thirty and Cole wasn’t here yet. Tommy had come with Jessie and I asked him if he had talked to Cole. He said Cole did say he was coming, he just didn’t know when. I was starting to get a little worried he wasn’t going to show and I got my phone out to call him when he finally showed up. I almost dropped my drink when I saw him.

He was wearing ripped up jeans, white t-shirt, and boots. His hair was styled in a messy faux-hawk and he had some scruffy looking stubble.

What the hell?

Okay, he’s trying a new look? Maybe? Why did he have to pick today to test this?

He walked right up to me. Put his arm around me, then planted a big sloppy kiss on my lips.

I backed away. “Um hi. New look?” I asked scared.

“Thought I’d try something new, what do you think?” he said putting his arms out and posing. I actually did like it. He had a James dean kind of look to him, but I knew my dad wouldn’t approve. I just hoped once my dad realized how charming Cole is, he would get past this…new look. My dad didn’t take kindly to people who looked like punks—as he would put it.

“Um…it’s nice.” I didn’t want to encourage him, as much as I actually liked it; I liked the old Cole better.

I thought it best to get it over with and introduce Cole to my dad. “Dad, this is Cole. Cole this is my father Terry.”

My dad gave him a disapproving look, which I was afraid of. Then he started with the interrogation. “So, Cole, what do you do for a living?”

“Nothing, I just sponge off my parents.”

Okay, wrong answer.

My dad was not looking to happy. “How long have you been dating my daughter?”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say we’ve been dating, we kind of just screw around.”

Oh my god.

“Excuse us a minute,” I said and pulled Cole aside before my dad killed him. “What the hell are you doing?” I demanded.

“What? You asked me to be your pretend boyfriend so I am,” he said nonchalant. I wasn’t sure what he was doing, but I had to stop this now.

“Look, how about I do the talking from now on and you just…be quiet.” He shrugged his shoulders and we went to talk to my dad again.

“Sorry dad, Cole was just kidding, that’s how he is a big kidder.” I could tell he wasn’t really buying it, but at least the giant vein in his neck stopped bulging.

My dad wasn’t sure what to say next, guessing he was afraid to hear the answer. So instead he just watched Cole, until my uncle came over, and distracted him.

“Hey babe, how about you go grab me a beer,” Cole said smacking me on the ass. He’s lucky I didn’t turn around and slug him.

Cole spent the rest of the day sitting by himself or talking to Tommy. I kept my distance as much as I could, afraid of what he’d try next. Towards the end of the night most of my family had left and it was just my friends of Tyler and I hanging around, including Tyler’s good friend Officer O’Neil.

I quickly pulled him aside and asked him politely not to let my father know I had gotten arrested, only to my surprise, my father was standing behind when I asked.

“What!” my dad yelled.

Crap.

Officer O’Neil whispered good luck to me and quickly walked away.

I turned around to face my dad, flashing my best sweet and innocent smile. “It was no big deal, just a minor mishap.”

“What happened?” he demanded.

“Well…some asshole pissed me off so I punched him,” I smiled again nervously.

My dad started laughing. Not the reaction I expected, but I’ll take it. “It’s good to hear you can take care of yourself, but how about next time you try a different route. Okay?” He smiled and put his arm around me.

“Okay, dad I promise,” I said hugging him. He seemed to be in better spirits from earlier today. Probably thinking I could knock out Cole if I needed too.

By now, most of the group had dispersed and my dad walked a few of his friends out. I stayed outback and chatted with my few remaining friends. I looked around for Cole, but I didn’t see him. Getting nervous, I asked Tommy where he was. He told me he saw him go inside with my dad. I panicked and charged through the door.

“Hey babe, we were just talking about you,” Cole said smiling cockily.

I looked at my dad to make sure he was still breathing.

He got up walked over to me and whispered in my ear, “This one’s a keeper. I like him.” Totally confused, I looked at Cole, but he didn’t say anything. “I’m going to head off to bed, you kids have a good night,” my dad said kissing me on the forehead.