Chapter 2

“Hey Nana Evy!” Ava May and the sunshine that follows her everywhere walked into the salon.

“My sweet baby girl! What a pleasant surprise!” Nana Evy was busy cutting someone’s hair but she quickly set down the clippers and hustled over to Ava May to give her a hug. Now that Ava May was in high school it felt like she never saw her anymore. Ava May was her first grandyoungin, the one that bestowed upon her the title Nana. “I wa’nt spectin’ you today! What brings you my way?”

“I’m just here to get Lily Belle for Auntie; an’ mama says you have somethin’ special for me!” Ava May gave her nana a big squeeze and proffered her cheek for a peck.

“I do have sumpthin’ special jus’ for you.” Nana Evy went back to the salon chair where her customer waited patiently and picked the clippers back up. “I jus’ needa finish up with Mr. Frances here then we can get your special surprise.”

“Play with me Ava May!” Lily Bell practically idolized her elder cousin. She clasped one of Ava May’s hands while hopping excitedly. “Nana Evy got a new toy for the play corner!”

“You girls behave now, ya hear?” Nana Evy watched them through the mirror as they went to the play corner and settled down.

“Yes ma’am.” Recited Ava May and Lily Belle before they broke out into giggles.

“So, Ava May is your granddaughter? I think I’ve heard my son mention her a time or two.” As she had suspected, Mr. Frances was indeed in need of a trim. She had some ideas of how she could help out Mrs. Frances and having his hair would certainly make things easier.

“Yessir. She is my sunshine.” Nana Evy smiled as she exchanged the clippers for a bottle of hair gel. “I’m not surprised at all to hear boys been talkin’ ‘bout her.”

“She certainly is a beautiful young lady; anyone can see that.” Mr. Frances agreed.

Nana Evy removed the chair cloth from Mr. Frances with a flourish. “You’re all set, Mr. Frances.”

Mr. Frances got out of the chair and grabbed a hand mirror off the counter to examine the back of his head. Nana Evy put her hands on her hips, but she refrained from tapping her foot. This was the umpteenth time that she had cut his hair, and he always did this. “Excellent work, Miss Evy.”

She guided him to the checkout counter where he handed her a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep the change. I’ll see you in six weeks, same time.”

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“Yessir, have a good evenin’” Nana Evy didn’t want to waste any more time, so she practically pushed him out the door. She was just too excited about Ava May visiting. “Say hello to Mrs. Frances for me dear.”

“Yes ma’am.” He was finally gone.

Nana Evy flipped the sign on the front door to “Closed” and then called for the girls. “It’s in the back, girls!” Ava May came scrambling with Lily Belle on her heels.

The back room was primarily used for storing new products and old supplies that Nana Evy just couldn’t let go of. She had an impressive collection of antiquated beauty tools, from boar bristle hairbrushes to hot rollers to bonnet hair dryers. It was practically a museum, if a bit disorganized.

Today the center of attention was a beautiful vintage gown hanging from an exposed pipe on the ceiling. It was a beautiful teal color with an A-line silhouette. It had gauzy cap sleeves and a fitted bodice that was brocaded with shimmering rhinestones. More brocade and rhinestones adorned the edges of the skirt which hung to the ground in gauzy layers.

Lily Belle let out a little gasp at the sight of the dress. “Oh, Nana Evy, that’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.” She remarked reverently.

“Is this really for me?” Ava May asked in astonishment as she caressed the intricate brocaded fabric of the bodice.

“Baby girl, I’ve been holding on to this old dress for decades hoping that someday I could pass it down.” As Nana Evy fanned out the skirt of the gown the rhinestones glittered in the dim light of the backroom. “My mama, your great nana, made this dress for me. I wore it in the county beauty pageant when I was about your age and walked away with the crown. Mama’s hands were full of magic, and she imbued a little magic into each dress she made.”

A quietude filled the room as the young ladies took in the beauty of the magical gown before them. Light reflected off the tiny rhinestones adorning the dress so that glittering specks of light danced around the room creating an enchanting spectacle.

“This is amazing, Nana Evy! Thank you so much. May I…?” Ava May’s voice quivered with anticipation. “May I try it on?”

“Of course, baby girl! I’m not lettin’ you leave without tryin’ it on!” Nana Evy carefully took the dress down and pressed it into Ava May’s arms.

It fit Ava May like it was made for her. The deep teal color of the dress perfectly complimented her complexion, and the hem just brushed the floor.

“Ava May you look like a princess!” Lily Belle squealed with excitement as she bounced on her toes to get a better look. “Don’t let Beau near it!”

Beau is Ava May’s youngest brother and may as well be a wrecking ball. Ava May smiled mischievously, “Don’t worry, Beau is gonna need a telescope if he wants to see this dress. I’m not letting him within a mile of it!”

After the dress was securely stowed in a garment bag and the two grandyoungins were off to their mamas it was finally time for Nana Evy to clean up. She got the broom and dustpan and began sweeping up the hair from her last client, Mr. Frances. Just before she swept all the hair into the dustpan, she took a tiny vile from her apron pocket. Discretely, she took a pinch of hair from the pile and slipped it into the vile.

The front door was locked, and the sign was flipped to closed. In the back room, behind a closed door, Nana Evy pushed aside a shelf that held an army supply of hair products. Behind it was an almost invisible door disguised as just another panel of the wall. Silently the door swung inward revealing a secret staircase that led down below the salon.