One of Us Is Dead(14)

“You can have a seat right here.” Jenny motioned to a salon chair. I heard Crystal say she was looking for a trim and then a basic manicure and pedicure. Jenny wrapped a cape around her and began combing through her long blond wavy hair.

“So, how are you getting along in Buckhead?” Jenny asked.

“Just fine.” Crystal’s voice was soft, almost too soft. It was difficult to hear her, and she kept glancing in the mirror back at me.

“All fixed,” Keisha said as she stood up and gave me a smile. “Ten minutes and they’ll be dry. Ten minutes.” She held up all her fingers. I nodded, mouthed, “Sorry,” and returned my focus to Crystal.

“That’s great to hear,” Jenny said. I could tell she felt awkward as well. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Yes, please,” Crystal said sheepishly. “Make it strong.”

Jenny nodded. Keisha poured a vodka soda and handed it to her.

“Thank you.” She brought the straw to her lips and didn’t stop sucking until it made the slurping noise. Keisha immediately refilled it. I continued to sip at my drink and stare at Crystal.

“I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure.” I got up from my chair, toes up, and carefully walked over to Crystal, holding out my hand. “I’m Shannon Madison,” I said. Jenny fidgeted with her comb, and Keisha’s face crinkled up. They exchanged worried looks. I didn’t care.

Crystal got her hand free out of the cape and shook mine. “I’m Crystal.” Her eyes met mine for mere seconds before darting away. Weak people can’t hold eye contact.

“Crystal what?”

“Crystal Madison,” she coughed.

“Madison, huh? Well, we must be related or something,” I cackled as I stumbled back to my seat with Keisha’s assistance.

“Toes up,” she said as I took several large steps.

Crystal grabbed her drink and sucked hard on the straw. That’s probably how she got my husband.

“How is Bryce, by the way?” I raised an eyebrow and gave a smirk. I wanted to make her feel uncomfortable. I had been uncomfortable for months. I wanted her to feel the way I felt.

She set her empty glass down. “Bryce is fine.” Her eyes bounced around the room, trying to find something to focus on. She finally settled on pulling out her phone. My toenails were dry, and I could have left then, but I didn’t want to. Crystal was like a unicorn to me. She didn’t seem real, yet she was sitting right in front of me. When Bryce told me he was leaving me, I didn’t believe it. When he told me there was someone else, I didn’t believe it. When he handed me the divorce papers, I didn’t believe it. Even when the moving truck arrived, I didn’t believe it. When I moved into an apartment, I didn’t believe it. Now, I was sitting in front of the woman who had caused all of it, and I still couldn’t fucking believe it.

“So, did you know Bryce was married when you fucked him?” I spat venomously.

Crystal’s eyes widened. Jenny’s mouth fell open. Keisha didn’t know where to look. I smiled. Crystal let out an awkward cough and then looked directly in the mirror at my reflection. Her eyes locked on me. There was hurt in her eyes just as there was hurt in mine. I wasn’t sure what her hurt was from, but I saw it.

“No,” she said firmly. She turned toward me. Jenny stepped aside. I crossed one leg over the other and bounced it, waiting for an explanation.

“I’m sorry he left you. I truly am,” she said. “I did not know he was married until after I fell in love with him. So, rest assured. He didn’t fall out of love with you because of me. He fell out of love with you because of you.” She turned back around.

My mouth fell open. Where did she get off talking to me like that? What does she know about love? She’s twenty-five. She’s a child. My words were stuck in my throat, and just when I was finally going to speak, the front door chimed.

“Hello! I have a nail emergency,” Olivia called from the front. She waltzed into the back and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw me. She glanced over at Crystal and then back at me.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she asked. It took me a moment to realize she was talking to me and not Crystal.

“What do you mean, what am I doing here? I’m a client,” I said, raising my slurred voice.

“Jenny, I thought Shannon’s membership was going to be canceled,” Olivia pressed.

My eyes went wide as they bounced from Jenny to Olivia and then back to Jenny again.

“I never said that, Olivia. She completed all her monthly treatments and she’s all paid up.”

I stood from my chair and slid on my sling-back heels. “Why’s it any of your business, Olivia?” I yelled.

“Shannon, just stop.” Olivia dismissed me, putting her hand on her hip.

“Excuse me! No one tells me to stop, especially a woman who looks like a blow-up doll!” I struggled to stand up straight. I was pissed. Olivia was my friend and suddenly, because I didn’t have a husband anymore, she was acting as if I were a nobody, like I didn’t exist.

“At least I’m not old!” Olivia screamed. She spat a little as she spoke, and her voice came out twangy. I was only a few years older than her.

“You both need to stop right now,” Jenny said sternly.