Chapter 4 I'm Coming Out

Lyla can see you now, said the receptionist as she showed Angela to a chair. She was offered water, champagne, or wine. " She smiled and declined. It may be a little early but we won't tell if you don't tell," Lyla said. Lyla asked Angela "Do you want to keep it about this length? Are we thinking a bob, or do you want to go sexy and maybe do a pixie cut?" Angela was not much of a risk take, but today she decided she would be adventurous. "Give me a Tinkerbell" she said. "Pixie cut it is" said Lyla. "So this is a breakup hook-up I heard.

Angela began to fidget, she really did not want to discuss her private life with a stranger. While reclined at the shampoo bowl she could feel the warm water cascading over head and the soft suds that rose as her hair was being washed. Her troubles seemed to wash away as she felt the tips of the wash girls fingers simulating her scalp. The longer she was at the salon the more

comfortable she felt.

Before she knew it Angela was telling Lyla her life's story. Lyla asked for a glass of wine. She drank that glass and then she had two more glasses. " To think I was going to surprise him. While being a stay at home wife I received two degrees and I'm working on my third." "Do you know how hard it was to keep that a secret" she asked with her words slightly slurring. " I saved money and invested it. I have amassed a small fortune, but everything was in my name. I brought paperwork to our anniversary lunch for him to sign and he brought divorce papers for me to sign." " How could I be so blind?" "They say love is blind sometimes I think it's a little stupid too. " Lyla replied. " I'm sure the signs were there but you chose not to see them because you did not want to see them. I don't mean any harm or to add insult to injury, but it seems to me you need that one friend that will give you a reality check. I'm willing to be that friend."

Hearing the word friend was like a shot to the heart for Angela. Michelle was once her friend and now she's the woman who took her place. Thoughts began to run through Angela's mind like how many of their friends knew what was going on and no one told her. Angela felt more alone now than she ever had. She was understanding that she had no real friends and her husband was gone. Her eyes glazed over and tears began to well up in her eyes when she heard fingers snapping beside her ear. "Earth to Angela she heard Lyla saying. "There is no crying in the champagne room or should I say wine room?" They both giggled and Angela declared"I will take you up on your offer." "What offer? inquired Lyla. " For you to be my friend." Lyla spun the chair around to the mirror to reveal Angela's new hairstyle and hugged her in agreement. Angela looked at herself feeling amazing. She was stunning. She was coming out of the salon with a new look and a new friend.