CHAPTER 43: EXTREME MAKE-OVER
We park in their driveway without leaving tire marks on the pavement. One by one, we abandon the SUV. As we walk towards the house, the front door swings open. Kenya steps aside as we enter the living room together.
"What took you all so long?” she asks in an alarmed tone.
"A human came around her house, a teacher from school,” Daniel answers.
"Was he followed?" she asks with distress.
"No, we didn’t see anyone,” Daniel responds.
"Are you certain?"
Daniel becomes frustrated by her questioning.
"Yes. I’m sure.”
Kenya holds her forehead and proceeds to shake her headache away.
"The last thing I want right now is more innocent people killed,” she stops and looks at the floor, contemplating. "You all should've lured him away somehow.”
Daniel rubs the back of his head and looks away.
“Is it someone we know?” She asks.
“It was a teacher from school. Mr. Nelson.”
“Oh my God. You should’ve called,” she presses on.
"Listen, mom, he was not followed. No one is gonna get hurt.”
“We didn’t call because everything was under control,” Jason adds. “We didn’t want you to worry.”
She looks up at me with worry in her eyes, and I can feel the concern transferring over to me. Then she shifts her eyes at the rest of them.
"We don't want the humans involved. They can attract needless attention or get killed. I don’t want any more blood on my hands.”
She then tries her best to bury that worried expression.
“Did you manage to convince her about school?” she asks me.
“Yes, I did.”
“Okay, that’s good,” she replies bleakly.
She rotates and walks into the dining room.
"Well, I’m happy that’s settled,” she says with a hint of uncertainty. “You all go wash your hands and help me prepare the table.”
Everyone quietly empty the living room and walks upstairs. I, on the other hand, slip into a slight trance. The worry in Kenya's eyes has me thinking about my mom again. When I feel a warm hand touching my shoulder, I blink back into reality. I look up and see Jason looking down at me with his precious baby blue eyes.
"Hey, don't worry about it,” he says soothingly.
I nod to him softly.
"Come on,” he proceeds with a smile. "I'm starving. What about you?"
I let out a smile before walking with him in the kitchen. I actually managed to eat a full meal today, although I’m still a bit nervous about my mom. I begin to consider Jason's advice. What if I don’t need to worry? I disobey my negative thoughts, yet somehow I keep getting this bad vibe in the pit of my stomach.
After dinner, Jason walks me to my bedroom door. He can read me like an opened book, or maybe I'm just that obvious. He looks deeply into my eyes and says...
"Keep your mind off her. She’ll be fine. I promise.”
His charming smirk and warm embrace did good damage to my paranoia. We break off into our separate rooms, but before we depart ways he winks at me and then says "Catch you later". Luckily my body didn't fight much to fall asleep…
Surprisingly, I wake up while the sun is out. I didn’t toss or turn all night long. Somehow, I feel totally refreshed. It’s a brand new day. I don't need to worry about yesterday anymore. I wake up with a feeling that my mom will be just fine. I yawn and rub my eyes before sitting up in bed. I hear busy feet and commotion outside my room, so I walk over to peep into the hallway to see what’s going on.
"Hey, what’s up guys?" I say to Jessica and Maria, who are about to make their way downstairs.
They turn to me with a smile.
"Oh my God, what’s up with your hair?" Jessica says with a huge grimace.
Maria sees my hair too and giggles at it. I look up to see my frizz hanging in my face.
"It’s not funny. I have frizz problems sometimes.”
Suddenly, Eric and Jason comes out of the room across from me, arguing about which baseball team is better. Their eyes lands onto my hair and then their conversation ceases almost immediately. Eric's jaw drops and Jason smiles brightly.
“Damn girl, you look busted, crusted, and mistrusted,” Eric says to me.
I puff out air and shut the door close. I walk over to my bed and flops face first onto a pillow. I moan in attempt to get this embarrassing feeling off my back. My self-esteem level has just hit rock-bottom.
Eventually, I lift my face and decide to start the day. I pick out a nice blue shirt, a pair of denim jeans, and a fresh towel from the linen closet. I try to remain unseen as I sprint across the hallway to the bathroom. I didn't waste much time doing my hair. I take a long thirty minute shower to rinse away the remaining anxiety I had the day prior. Afterwards, I get dressed and then start my hair. I figured a nice ponytail would do just fine.
I walk back into my room and check my appearance in the door mirror. The mirror allows me to see my entire reflection from head to toe. I'm happy with the final results. I give my reflection a smile before opening the door. I’m starting to believe that Jason is some kind of mind reader. We both exit our rooms simultaneously. We instantly laugh at one another.
"The stalker strikes again,” he tells me.
"Yeah, I know, I have to file a restraining order against you.”
He laughs at my counter insult.
"Good comeback,” he compliments me.
He then looks up at my bushy ponytail and says…
"I see you tamed the beast, or whatever it was.”
I giggle mildly.
"I tried to.”
He looks down into my eyes with a super-charming smirk.
"I still think you’re cute, even on your worst hair days.”
I tuck my lips in and feel my cheeks beginning to burn.
“Thanks,” I reply.
We walk downstairs and into the dining room, where everyone is eating at the table. I’m totally surprised to see Daniel sitting at the table today.
"Are you hungry, Iva?" Kenya asks.
"Yes,” I reply.”
"Come, have breakfast with us.”
I sit down at the table and Jason sits next to me. Kenya places a plate of scrambled eggs and two blueberry pancakes in front of me. She gives Jason his plate afterwards.
“I just want some fruit, if you don’t mind,” I tell Kenya.
“No , you’re fine. At least someone likes eating healthy.”
“You made it down today,” I say to Daniel with amazement.
“Surprising isn’t it?” Kenya asks.
Daniel shakes his head and continues eating without saying one word.
"Iva,” Kenya calls to me while she reads the morning paper. “Margie’s relatives are dying to meet you. You should make yourself acquainted with them today.”
"Oh, yeah. Aero and Rave's aunt and uncle, right?"
“Yes. That's if you want to go.”
“I don't mind.”
Maria nudges me on the shoulder.
"A ponytail, is that it?" Maria interrogates.
"Yeah, I just gave up on it. It's the humidity that does it.”
Maria looks into my eyes, then at my hair, and into my eyes again.
"What?" I ask in a curious tone.
"Hey Rave,” Maria calls to Jessica, yet she's still looking at my hair.
"Yeah,” Jessica answers.
"I think we should do something about this problem.”
She looks over at Jessica and gestures towards my hair. Jessica lips shifts sideways as she gazes at my half-assed ponytail. I can see her mind contemplating something mischievous.
"What are you two thinking about?" I ask curiously.
They look at me and back at each other.
"It’s worth a shot,” Jessica says to Maria with a twisted face.
After some peer pressure, we meet in Maria's room after breakfast. I can't believe I'm actually letting them do this, but at the same time, it’s a little exciting to finally get some girl time. As I sit down in a chair, Jessica and Maria get some equipment prepped.
"Okay guys, nothing to crazy,” I tell them nervously.
"Okay,” Jessica says as she places a makeup kit on the dresser next to me.
"Have you ever had your hair done?" Maria asks.
"Not really,” I reply.
Out the corner of my eye, I can see Jessica putting several small jars on top of the dresser. I turn to her with my jaw dangling.
"What's all that?" I ask them in a high volume.
Maria shifts my face away from the dresser.
"Leave that to us,” Maria says with her chin in the air. “Stay right there. Don’t move a muscle.”
She turns and walks towards the door. When she opens the door, Eric falls flat onto the floor, face first. Jason swiftly plays a fool, turning away and walking down the hall.
"What are you doing?" Maria asks the back of Eric’s head.
Eric pushes himself onto his knees and places his ear onto the door and knocks gently on it.
"It seems like this door has no termites either,” he whispers to himself.
"Termites? What the fuck are you talking about? Get out!" Jessica yells at her brother.
Eric shoots up and walks down the hallway swiftly. Maria sighs and shakes her head.
“Be right back,” she informs me.
She leaves the room for a minute and comes back with a box in her hands. She takes something out the box and plugs it into the wall.
"What’s that?" I ask with a pinch of worry.
"Oh, it’s a flatiron,” Maria responds.
"You’re going to burn my hair?"
"Yeah,” she says in a duh kind of way.
"I don't want to be bald.”
Maria and Jessica’s eyes instantly meet. They then explode with laughter.
"It doesn’t burn your hair off, crazy,” Jessica says with a giggle.
"It straightens it,” Maria adds. “Girl, you really have to get out more.”
"Oh, okay. That makes a lot more sense.”
Soon, Maria begins to straighten my hair and Jessica starts applying the foundation.
“So, what’s up with you and Courage?” Jessica asks.
“What do you mean?” I act stupid.
“You know what I mean,” she replies.
“I like him,” I reply. “That’s about it.”
“Iva, are you a virgin?” Maria asks.
“Yeah.”
“Damn girl. Don’t worry, we about to make you look good. Every girl needs some dick now and then.”
“What? That is not happening,” I reply while laughing.
“We just teasing you,” Jessica replies.
“Is this how girls talk?”
“Yeah,” they both reply in a duh kind of way.
“Any who, I’m not ready for intercourse. Definitely not,” I inform them.
“Intercourse? Only you would say it like that Iva,” Jessica says this while laughing. “It’s called knocking boots.”
“I’m not ready to have a penis in me anytime soon, so that’s totally out of the picture. I want to wait until marriage.”
“We all said that,” Jessica replies.
“Right,” Maria agrees. “And Iva, it’s called a dick.”
“No, it’s called a penis or peewee,” I reply confidently.
Maria stops combing my hair and smacks her teeth loudly.
“Girl, you about to get me heated,” Maria replies. “What the hell is a peewee?”
“It’s definitely called a dick or cock,” Jessica agrees.
“This can’t be how girls talk.”
“Iva, my dear, you been in the house way too long,” Jessica tells me. “All females talk like this behind closed doors. It’s no urban myth.”
“We sure do. But it’s all for fun,” Maria states. “Females talk weird like this.”
“And you’re not wearing jeans today…,” Jessica tells me. “…Or anymore granny clothes. I have an old white dress that would fit you perfectly.”
“If you say so.”
It's been almost an hour. It’s taking forever for Maria to comb through my hair. I can’t help but cringe as she struggles to untangle my hair by each firm stroke. Afterwards, she massages some kind of liquid onto my scalp; a leave-in conditioner of some sort. Jessica is busy powdering my face and putting eyeliner on me. Then Maria puts her flatiron to the test. She slowly straightens a bunch of my hair at a time. Another thirty minutes later, I’m growing impatient.
“Are you two almost done?” I ask.
"Yup,” Jessica says cheerfully.
Suddenly, someone knocks on the door softly.
"Who is it?" Maria asks.
"Hey, we’re just wonderin what you guys are doing? Eric asks.
"Go away!" Jessica yells angrily.
A hush comes over the room, but then I hear this low conversation taking place outside the door. Eric starts snickering about something before he clears his throat.
"Hey, I need a comb,” Eric whispers through the door.
"For what?" Jessica backfires with aggravation.
"For my hair woman,” Eric responds.
“When did you start combing your hair?” Jessica fires back.
Eric gets tongue-tied for a second.
“It's for me,” Jason replies.
“Bullshit,” she fires back.
“Aight. It’s like that?” Eric asks. “Don’t ask me for nothin then. Word to my timbs.”
“Y’all are annoying as fuck,” Maria replies.
She groans in frustration and picks up a comb from the dresser. She unlocks the door and then grabs the handle…
"Wait…” Jessica says very low.
Maria freezes and looks over at her.
“Slide it under the door,” Jessica tells her in a whisper.
Maria locks the door again. She then kneels down and slides the comb under the door.
"Shit,” Eric whispers lowly.
I can hear Jason snickering outside the door. Eric clears his throat again.
"Uh, thanks a lot,” Eric says. “But I'm goin to need some, uh, hair-gel. I need the biggest, non-flat, bottle you have.”
I burst out into laughter.
"Aero, quit it, seriously,” Jessica says with anger.
"Come on guys, we just want to see,” Jason says.
"We'll be down in five minutes,” Maria informs them.
“We don't negotiate with terrorists,” Jason replies. “We demand to speak to the hostage.”
“Word-up, we need to know that she's okay,” Eric adds.
“I'm okay guys,” I reply.
“Iva, is that you? Thank God you're safe,” Jason says in a relieved tone.
“Now, can you stop eavesdropping and go away?” Jessica asks.
"Oh, aight,” Eric says in a childish tone. “Just hurry up.”
I then hear their feet marching away from the door.
“Finally,” Maria says to herself and places the flat-iron down.
“What color lipstick would you like?” Jessica asks.
“Red, purple, I don’t know. You’re the stylist.”
She looks through her assortment of lipstick and grabs a lavender colored one.
"Keep your mouth still for me,” Jessica says as she applies the lipstick. "Okay, now rub them.”
I roll my lips around in a circular motion to get the color on evenly.
"Wow, you look amazing,” Jessica says with a bright grin.
I feel the jitters bouncing inside my stomach.
"Bring me the mirror,” I reach forward with fluttering hands.
Jessica grabs the mirror off the dresser.
"Not yet. I’m not done,” Maria says.
I drop my hands and poke out my bottom lip like a little child.
"Don't worry, I'm almost done,” Maria assures me as she combs my edges.
Seconds later, Maria puts the comb down on the dresser and switches it off. They both walk backwards and observe my appearance with amazed expressions.
"How do I look?" I ask with my excitement overflowing.
But they’re way too deep in a daydream to respond. I scan the dresser and find the mirror myself. I lift the mirror to my face and gasp loudly when I see my reflection.
"Oh my God,” I utter as I gawk at my reflection.
I look in the mirror to see this supermodel beaming back at me. Her hair is straight and curled at its tips. I love the purple lipstick, it’s just my color. Jessica did a perfect job at getting rid of my annoying blemishes. I just refuse to believe it. It's impossible for me to look this beautiful, right?
"You like it?" Maria asks anxiously with her hands pressed together.
"Yes, I love it,” I reply honestly with my throat beginning to burn. “I mean, I can’t believe it….I’m…I’m finally beautiful,” I finish while swallowing down my emotions.
“You can cry. But not now,” Jessica tells me. “I don't want your mascara to run.”
“Okay,” I reply.
Maria walks over to the dresser and picks up a butterfly hairclip.
“We don't have a crown for you. But I do have this golden hairclip. I don’t use it.”
Maria grabs a portion of my hair and pin it back with the butterfly clip. I look in the mirror to see how it looks. I have to admit, I really do believe the butterfly suits me very well. It’s a great finish to my makeover.
"We have to go show my mom,” Maria demands.
“Okay, just one more thing. The white dress.”
It only takes a couple of minutes for me to put on the dress. I proceed down the hallway with the jitters spinning wildly inside me. I walk slowly downstairs and into the living room, feeling like a princess going to a ball. I see Kenya, Jason, and Eric waiting on the sofa. They stop breathing when they see me coming.
"Who is this?" Kenya says, nearly having a heart-attack.
She runs to me with her hands pinned against her heart.
"Who is this beautiful woman in front of me?" she asks in utter amazement.
She pulls me into a tight hug and leans back with a huge smile, studying me.
"This is how a princess ought to look,” she tells me with amazement.
I try my best not to smile too much. Kenya steps back so Eric and Jason can see me better. Their faces are priceless.
"You look aiiiight,” Eric says with a side grin.
“Thanks, Aero.”
Jason stands to his feet and approaches me.
"You look beautiful,” he smiles honestly.
Somehow, I manage to smile even harder. And here comes Goliath, marching like a tortoise down the steps. Everyone steps aside so Daniel can see my new appearance. He turns and spots me standing in the center of the living room and freezes momentarily. His stern look disappears and is replaced by an unreadable expression. Maria clears her throat loudly for a response from him. All of a sudden, his eyebrows go narrow again.
“What's the big deal?" he says while grabbing the keys off the dining table.
"Seriously, how does she look?" Maria demands a better response from her brother.
He nods his head.
"Great job,” he responds boringly.
Even though that compliment is halfhearted, it still means a lot coming from Daniel. He makes his way through the crowd and exits through the door.
"Well, that was fun while it lasted,” Jessica says as she walks out the door.
"He's always ruining the moment,” Maria says as she marches out the door behind Jessica.
Eric follows. Jason lifts his elbow into the air, which I grab without thinking twice. We exit the house and cram into the metal, six-seated, chariot.
"Be safe!" Kenya shouts as we reverse out the driveway and cruise up the road.
"Iva, just a heads up,” Eric calls out from the front passenger’s seat. “Be warned. Our aunt has a mole on her face, bigger than yours. She hates it when people stare at it.”
I chuckle.
"Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind.”
Suddenly, my cell-phone alert goes off. I dig into my jacket and pull out my phone. I discover a text message from my mom that reads…
"HELP ME"
I gasp and catch my heart before it can burst from my chest. I place my other hand on Jason's shoulder firmly.
"What's wrong?" he asks.
I look into his eyes with a frighten gaze. It takes a moment for the words to come out of my mouth.
"My mom…" I stop talking to breathe.
Maria turns her head towards me.
"What’s wrong?" she asks urgently.
"They have my mom. She sent me a text.”
I can feel the panic inside me building momentum. Everyone snaps alert. Jessica turns to me with shock in her eyes and asks…
"What did the text say?"
I gulp again, this time it goes down with difficulty.
"It said help me,” I reply.
"Shit, you have to be kiddin me,” Eric says.
Daniel slams his hand against the steering wheel and yells...
"Damn it!”
The car skids to a rough stop. He turns the car around then zooms down the road at full-speed. My worst fear has become a reality. My mom's life is at stake. I find her number in my phone and press the call icon.
I wait for the dial tone. It's ringing and ringing nonstop.
"She’s not answering,” I say with panic.
"Keep trying,” Daniel orders me.
Suddenly, I hear her voice.
"Mom..,” I stop talking, realizing it’s her voicemail greeting.
"Is that her?" Jason asks.
"No, it’s her voicemail.”
I press call another time. Again, it rings constantly until her voicemail answers. My heart feels like it’s going to explode right now. I press call again with my quivering thumb, hoping she will answer this time.
"It’s going straight to voicemail,” I reply while sobbing.
"The house phone, try that,” Jason says.
I stop and think for a moment.
"I don’t know it.”
"Call mom,” Maria tells Daniel.
"I’m about to,” he responds.
I continue to dial her number, but once again it goes straight to voicemail.
"Now it’s going to voicemail,” I announce between my heavy breathing.
I can feel tears slide down my cheeks as I give it another useless try. Jason pulls me close and holds me.
"It’s going to be alright Iva,” he whispers into my ear.
"Mom..,” Daniel says into his phone. “They’ve got Julia. Yes.....we’re heading over there now,” he says and disconnects.
The engine goes wild as we zoom through traffic. We fly pass cars on the highway like a rabbit to a mob of turtles. My heart is beating rapidly the entire way to Rochester. The car slides sideways, burning rubber, as we turn onto Lakeview. Daniel race down the street and lowers the car speed.
"What?" Eric blurts out with confusion.
I look out the window and see my mom pulling the trashcan from the curb in her pajamas. She turns and shows off her pearly-whites. I exhale deeply and wipe the tears from my face. Daniel rolls down the windows with a baffled look.
"Hey guys,” my mom says in her normal, not threaten for her life, voice.
"Uh, um, Iva just had to stop by a get something,” Daniel says to her.
He shifts his face to me.
"Oh, yeah, right,” I say as I unbuckle myself and get out of the car.
My mom jaw drops and her eyes broaden when she sees me.
"What happened to your hair?" she asks shockingly.
I try my best to appear normal and not emotionally distressed.
"I got it done,” I reply.
"Who did it?"
"That was me and Jessica,” Maria responds.
My mom grins and nods her head with an impressed look upon her face.
"I love it. It fits you well.”
"I’m glad you like it,” I force a smile across my face.
Together, we stroll up the walkway and onto the porch steps.
"Hey, guess what? Your uncle wants to meet up for dinner. He's going to flip when he sees you,” she says as we walk into the house.
"Oh, really, that’s awesome,” that line came out somewhat convincing.
"He wants to hangout tonight.”
"Not tonight, um, I'm busy,” I say as I rush into my room and look around for something to grab.
I pick up something random off my bed and start to walk out of the room, but my mom folds her arms and leans inside the doorway; blocking me from leaving.
"You came all the way back home for a shirt?" she looks at me suspiciously.
"Um,” I look down at the shirt I grabbed and then back at her. "Yeah.”
"You’re acting strange. It's bugging me out.”
I blow out loudly. My annoyance is totally showing its true colors towards her.
"Mom, I’m cool. Please, don't start.”
"Have you been crying? Your mascara is a little runny.”
I clear my throat as my brain comes up with a decent lie.
"No, um, it’s just been irritating me. That’s all.”
She grins halfheartedly.
"Okay. Well, Frank will be over this evening. I think some family time would be nice.”
"No mom, I told you already, not today,” that line came out a little rude so I revise. "I mean, just not today okay?" I finish in a milder tone.
I then smell something oddly and annoyingly familiar. It’s the smell of fermented fruit.
“You’re drinking again?” I ask her.
“I just had some wine. I’ve been a little stressed at work. I took the day off. And not seeing my child every day is only adding to it. I think you should spend some more time at home. Your behavior is bugging me out. You don’t answer your phone…”
“Mom, you’re not the only one stressed. I have problems too. I’m not a little girl anymore. I can take care of myself. Or would you rather have me in the house all day, staring out a window for the rest of my life? Isn’t that what grandma use to do to you?”
She pauses for a second as she’s hit with a notion of reality or, for the lack of better words, a reality-check. She sighs and throws her hands up into the air like some kind of silent form of surrendering. I guess the irritation in my voice cause her to back away.
"Okay, okay,” she says.
She turns away from me, but I stop her from proceeding into the hallway.
"Mom” I call to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Honey, it’s fine. You’re right. You are a woman. And you are old enough to make your own decisions. It’s just something I’m…….(sigh)…….not use to.”
I sigh as well, trying to fight the swelling anxiety in my chest.
“For Christ sake, just answer your phone so I know you’re safe.”
“I will. Hey…..um…I was just wondering, where’s your phone? I tried calling you earlier and I couldn’t reach you.”
"I don’t know. I was destroying the house looking for it. I must have dropped it somewhere, maybe in the parking lot yesterday. I just don’t know where my mind is sometimes,” she continues, thinking hard about where it could be.
"Well, mom, I have to run.”
I walk over and give her a tight hug again.
"I love you, mom,” I say while holding a lump in my throat.
My mom gently pushes me away from her. She stares deeply into my eyes, which are stinging badly right now.
"Iva, I'm not a psychic, but you've never been that hard to read. What is going on, really? And don’t you lie to me."
"Mom, it’s complicated. One day, when the time is right, I'll tell you everything. It’s nothing to worry about.”
That’s the biggest lie I’ve ever told her.
"I'll be fine. Call me later,” I say as I walk pass her.
She sighs and follows me into the living room. Before I leave the front door, I turn to her.
"And mom, do me a favor, lock the front door, okay?"
"Oookay…" she replies with uncertainty.
"Love you, see you later.”
I walk out the house and hurry into the SUV, taking my spot next to Jason.
"What’s going on?" Daniel says, eyeing me in the rear-view mirror.
"She thinks she dropped her phone in the school parking lot.”
"Those bastards are toyin with us,” Eric states.
Daniel breathes out slowly as he starts the car.
"Well, we’re not playing any of their games,” he says as we glide down the street.
"Thank God she's safe,” Maria says in a relieved voice from the middle row.
"Yeah,” I agree with her.
My heartrate finally starts to slow down. Dan