The End of an Era

On Wednesday, Claire and I were able to sneak off to the salon during a break in the files so that I could have my eyebrows waxed.  I try to go once a month, give or take a couple weeks, because they get rather unruly rather quickly, and I’m just not skilled.  It’s for things like these that I’d gladly pay a professional.   

I’ve gone to the same aesthetician for six years.  She is, in fact, the only one I’ve ever had do my eyebrows!  Her name is Linda, which is very confusing to Claire, because we have a good friend named Linda. 

Other than a couple appointments when she was a newborn, I’ve always taken Claire with me.  She was a very good baby in her little pumpkin-carrier of a car seat, and as she’s gotten older, she’s been really good about these visits.  In fact, Linda insists that I bring Claire with me, which has made scheduling these little visits pretty simple.  Claire always quietly sits on me as Linda works her magic.   

She’s mesmerized by the soothing music, dim lighting, odd magnifying glass, and the hot wax.  I’m sure we’ll reach a time when I need to make these appointments correspond with Daddy’s off-work schedule, but for now, it works. This visit was no different. 

Linda was very excited to see us, and she’s always amazed at how much Claire has grown since the last visit.  Claire was a little confused to not find “Ninna,” our friend Linda, at the salon, but she soon realized that I’d been talking about a different Linda.  Oh, you meant this Linda! 

During our visit, we always catch up and visit as Linda works.  I told her about our trip to Santa Fe, and we chatted about the new things Claire is doing.  She finishes up, and as I’m gathering my purse, she gets an odd look in her eye and says, “This is very hard for me…but I’m moving.  I’m quitting and moving to Albuquerque, because Richard proposed!”  Her face bursts into a joyful expression as she throws her left hand forward. 

I hadn’t even noticed the ring!  I’d been too busy trying to keep Claire from pulling products off the shelves and ushering her to the back “spa” section to notice anything different. 

It was hard to be devastated with Linda standing there beaming.  What am I going to do?  She’s been a part of my life for six years!  “Congratulations!  That’s great!” I said out loud, silently gasping for breath in my head. 

She went right into her prepared speech about “Lauren” who will be taking over her clients, and blah blah blah.  Honestly, I only heard the “Lauren” part and something about how she charges the same and has a different schedule.  Linda has been a part of my life for six years!  And, she’s leaving me?  Just like that? 

“Uh, Richard didn’t clear this with any of us,” I jokingly said.  “This is all coming as quite a shock!”  She and I have always joked, and she thought I was joking this time, too.    She went on to tell me about how he proposed and how excited she was to start this new life.  I know in talking to her over the years that both of her parents had passed away years ago, and that she doesn’t have any other family.  Linda is not a young woman, and I was happy that she’d found someone to share her life.  But, still, I was stunned.

I know it seems silly to be so emotional over “just an aesthetician,” but Linda was much more that that.  Just as people spill their guts to bartenders and barbers, Linda was like my therapist.  She’d seen all the changes in my life, the highs and lows, the sadness and joy.  You can’t hide the emotions on your face when someone is studying your eyebrows.  She’d been a part of my life, every month, for the last six years.  I’d left every visit with a calmer outlook and beautifully sculpted brows.  Talk about getting a bargain!

“I’ll really miss you,” I said, and the tears welled up in my eyes.  Of course, my eyes always water when I get my eyebrows done, so I was hoping she didn’t notice.  Claire and I gave her a big hug and wished her the best.

So, I wonder what this “Lauren” person is like.  At least Claire won’t be so confused when we go to visit.