Page 78 of The Scars We Heal

She gestured to the area just below her chin.

My brows shot up. “You want it that short?”

She nodded vigorously with a giant smile.

“All right, then.” My stomach dropped at the thought of her hair being short after so many years of not cutting it. I’d trimmed the little dead ends off before, but this would be her first real haircut.

“What are you going to do, Mommy? Are you going to cut it short like me?” Whitley looked up at me with big doe eyes, full of innocence.

“Oh, I’m not sure.” I laughed while twirling the ring on my thumb.

“I think you would look bootiful with short hair, Mommy.”

My nose and eyes started to burn, and I wiped the corner of my eye with my thumb while sniffling. “Thanks, bug. I’ll think about it.”

“Whitley and Caitlin, I’m ready for you.” Our stylist came up front to grab us. “I’m Emily. How are you two today?”

“Good!” Whitley shouted.

Emily giggled. “That’s good! Have you ever had your hair cut before?”

I shook my head. “I’ve trimmed her dead ends before, but she’s never been into a salon.”

“Well, that’s so exciting! I’ll have you sit right here.” She patted the salon chair, and Whitley hopped up. “Do you know what you want to do?”

Whitley repeated what she showed me, gesturing just below her chin.

“Wow, so you want to cut it short today! Is that okay with you?” She looked at me.

I nodded, knowing this would be a core memory for Whitley regardless of if I said yes or no. It was up to me to decide if it would be a positive one or not.

“Wonderful. Let’s do yours first, and then we’ll do your mama’s. Does that sound good?”

“Yeah!” Whitley cheered, clapping her hands.

Emily draped a cape over her then got down on her level in front of her. “Do you want your hair to be washed today?”

“Mm-hmm,” Whitley hummed in agreement.

“Can I show you where we’re going to go?” Emily offered her a hand then led her over to the shampoo bowl. I took a seat in the stylist chair next to the one Whitley was in and pulled out my phone, noticing a few text notifications from Jake.

Jake

How are my favorite girls today?

Good. We’re getting haircuts.

Jake

I can’t wait to see what you get.

I hadn’t realized Emily and Whit were done washing her hair until Whitley waved her hand in front of my phone. I probably had a stupid grin plastered in my face, and my cheeks heated.

“Mommy, look.” She pointed to her damp hair.

“Wow, did she wash your hair?”

Whit nodded, then Emily patted the chair again and Whitley climbed up.