Chapter 1

“Then he said if I didn’t leave the thermostat alone, he was gonna leave me!” Mrs. Frances was in such a tizzy her head was bobbing around so much that Nana Evy could barely cut her hair. Finally, she clasped the sides of the woman’s head and quietly reminded her.

“Hold still, honey.”

“Yes ma’am.” Mrs. Frances was stock-still, but her mouth kept moving, “Can you believe he talked to me like that? I mean, it’s one thing to be talking that way to the chillun, but I am a grown woman.”

“The woman of the house even.” Nana Evy agreed solemnly. “You need to tell him that an’ set him straight before this goes any further.”

“Mmhmm, I show do.”

It was time for Nana Evy to blow out Mrs. Frances’ hair so there would be a lull in the conversation for a few minutes. She plugged in the hair dryer and got her big round brush out of the drawer. In the mirror, she could see Lily Belle playing in the corner with Mrs. Frances’ two youngest. That play corner hadn’t always been there but as soon as the first grandbaby was expected Nana Evy made a special place just for the grandyoungins to play so she could keep an eye on them even if she was working.

That was a little over fifteen years ago when her very first grandbaby girl, Ava May, came along. Now she was in high school, and Nana Evy rarely saw her. Ava May took after her nana, she was beautiful and sharp as a tack. In fact, Ava May would be attending her first homecoming dance soon and Nana Evy had the perfect dress stored away just for her.

Nana Evy had ten grandyoungins and knew everything she could about each one. She was just that kind of woman, she sucked up information like a dry sponge and she’d remember every last drop. No one ever accused her of being senile or even simply forgetful.

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Mrs. Frances’ hair was all blown out with a healthy dose of hair spray and looked beautiful. “There ya go. We’re all done.”

“Oh, Nana Evy, it looks lovely!” Mrs. Frances gushed as she got out of the chair.

“Send that husband of yours by. I’m sure he’s in need of a trim.” Nana Evy winked at her through the mirror.

“Yes ma’am, I will! He could use more than a trim if you know what I mean.” Mrs. Frances pulled her checkbook out, wrote up a check with a generous tip, and handed it over the counter, “I appreciate you so much, Nana Evy. You are such a blessing to this town.”

“Oh hun, I appreciate you too.” Nana Evy walked with Mrs. Frances over to the play corner to gather her little ones and then to the door. She gave Mrs. Frances a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. “You all take care.”

Lily Belle tugged on the edge of Nana Evy’s skirt. “Why does Mrs. Frances call you Nana Evy? Are you her nana too?”

Nana Evy bent down to one knee so she could be on Lily Belle’s level, the girl turned four years old this past summer and she was so upset that she couldn’t go to school yet. She spent most afternoons at the salon while the older grandyoungins were in class and Mama was running errands.

“No baby girl, but if someone needs a nana I’m always willing to step up. Just about everyone in town calls me Nana Evy.” With some effort she stood back up and glanced around the play corner, it was a mess, but it wasn’t anything Lily Belle couldn’t handle on her own.

“It’s time to clean up, baby girl. Then we’ll go and get some lunch.”

Lily Belle smiled, “Yes, ma’am,” and ran off to toss all the toys into the bin.

Nana Evy got her dustpan and broom to clean up Mrs. Frances’ hair. She took a peek over her shoulder to check that Lily Belle was preoccupied then took a tiny vile from her apron pocket. Discretely, she took a pinch of hair from the pile and put it in the vile. She would have to label it later. She already had a sample of Mrs. Frances’ hair from previous visits, but she had a feeling she might be using some soon if that husband of hers didn’t shape up. It would be better if she had the husband’s hair, but a special bond was made through marriage so she could make do.