Split Ends Read Online Free Page A

my way out of my unhealthy reality! Totally healthy.
    But it’s not particularly practical. In a nutshell, what I currently possess is my men-in-fedoras dream, a talent for hair, and a single quarter from my father for my troubles. If that isn’t God telling me something . . .
    God spoke to me. Oh, I know that’s a hallmark for crazy people, but I was watching Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in Notorious and He spoke. When Cary swooped Ingrid up in his arms to keep her from being poisoned, even though she had a past and a reputation and wasn’t the kind of girl you bring home to mother, I realized there wasn’t anyone to sweep me up. There never had been and there was no sense waiting for it to happen. I realized the only person who could change anything about my life was me. So I did. I called my cousin and made arrangements for California and my dream of becoming more than I could be here in Sable. Not just a hairdresser but the best of the best.
    I decided to matter. Without the help of a man. I mean, after all, with the number of Christian men in Sable, minus the ones whose mamas wouldn’t let them within twenty feet of me, I’ve had about as much chance of pairing up as a third hermaphrodite gorilla on the ark.
    Ingrid’s grand escape in Cary’s outstretched arms was my sign from God.
    I hear the doorbell and then my mother’s bedroom door slamming, which is my signal that it’s for me. Kate is standing at the window, waving at me. She opens the door and sticks her head in. “How was the yard sale?”
    â€œI sold everything.” Then I shake my head. “No, really, the ladies of Bell Baptist paid me for nothing, and your fiancé took the rest to the dump.”
    â€œStellar. Mrs. Ball said good-bye. She was in today for a perm. She said she’d miss you quoting the stars’ hair colors, and she still wants to know Betty Grable’s.”
    â€œI told her, I can’t find anything but a black-and-white photo. I can tell her it wasn’t blue, and most likely it was a ten. Perfectly platinum.”
    â€œAh, to have your color talent. It’s a pity you didn’t get much practice here. Hollywood is going to be perfect for you. People are really willing to try new things there. I read the Enquirer that everyone in Hollywood colors their hair, even the guys! With highlights and everything. Even the men own hair products like flat irons. Can you imagine if one of our cowboys came in for highlights?”
    â€œI tried to get Ryan to let me practice. He told me only one woman touches his hair. I think he thought I was trying to pick him up.” I don’t mention he always thinks that.
    â€œHe said that?” Kate plops onto the couch, letting her eyes rest on the mirrored wall. She’s heavenly beautiful with sweeping curls of blonde hair and an inherent in innocence her bright blue eyes. Her sweet looks belie her sarcastic, Siamese personality, but I’m not sure that anyone but me sees the “quipping Kate.” That side of her is reserved for me alone. Everyone else gets the sweet-country-girl-next-door. I get Roseanne Barr.
    â€œHe did. He said only you touch his hair, that it’s an intimate act for him.”
    Her expression is dubious. “You’re scaring me. He did not say that.”
    â€œHe did. It was right before graduation from beauty college. I asked if he’d let me try a Ryan Seacrest on him. Kate, what’s the matter? Are you mad at me?”
    â€œDo you think Ryan and I are right for each other?”
    â€œUm, yeah. The whole town does.”
    â€œI know what the town thinks. I’m asking you.” Kate gets up and paces the room, fiddling with various knickknacks.
    â€œIf a guy like Ryan would ask me to marry him, I'd have no reason to move, Kate.”
    She rolls her eyes. “That’s what you think, huh? You live in a dream world. So have you been studying the stars’