Door is barely closed behind Doug. We’re kissing and giggling. Very hard to do, I’ll tell ya!
“Wait.” I say.
I get the eyebrow.
“Before we start, can I let your hair down?”
“Sure. You like it down?”
“Yes I didn’t want to ask at school. I was afraid people would get suspicious why you’re hair always went down over study hall.”
“Well, it’s ok most of the time. You can just start letting it down and I’ll stop you if I think it’ll get noticed…………so you like my hair?
“I LOVE your hair. It’s so soft. It’s like touching the inside of a down pillow, and it always smells so good.”
She smiles. “It’s just Prell. You smell nice, too.”
A shrug. “It’s baby powder, I showered this morning. I can put my Hai Karate on later if you want.” [She makes a face.]
“Look at the back of my head. It’s just a bunch of bobby pins and my barrette. Pull ’em out one at a time.”
I take my time, utterly fascinated. Hair pulled back in odd angles, one pin after another. The wonderful smell of springtime. The soft texture and shine. Then the last one, and it flows down her shoulders like a soft breeze.
I run a hand through it. “Perfect,” I whisper.
“It’s just my hair.”
“Shush. It’s perfect. Kiss me.”