Elephant in the China shop, Pal in the Beauty Shop

Nancy has been Joyce's hairdresser for longer than I can remember. She is a wonderfully sweet lady who patiently keeps Joyce's hair looking nice. Some time back it was apparent that I would have to "sit" with Joyce while she got her hair done. No more running around doing errands without Joyce for that hour. That is ok, I can sit better than I can do hair.

Nancy was in a small salon that made it almost like being at home. About two months ago, Nancy told me her Salon was closing and they were were moving up the road to a larger place that was actually closer to our house. The first time I took Joyce in was a culture shock to me. This place had separated cubicles, settees, sofas, fine upholstered chairs and four or five very attractive young ladies with big smiles to help anyone walking in to find their way to the proper location. If I hadn't known better it could have been a brothel from an old west movie with computers added in. Most of the customers were well dressed (not sure who they were trying to impress) and very prim and proper looking. I certainly provided a contrast walking in being male, older, heavy and dressed in shorts and Tiva's.

It isn't like they can hide me in a corner cubicle. I have to walk all the way to the back to help Joyce find and adorn a smock. Then walk all the way back up to Nancy's cubicle. There must be a Smile School they send all the employees to before they can work. They all bravely kept showing their teeth as we paraded through. After forty-five minutes in the chair we paraded all the way back to the shampoo room. Joyce doesn't like sitting still so I have to gently restrain her so that her hair gets washed and rinsed and her clothes stay reasonably dry. Then it is back through the gaunlet of eyes to Nancy for her to finish up. Actually, Joyce is very calm in the chair while Nancy works. Most probably the comfort of the long term association.

When we finished I still had to pay and Joyce had had enough and headed to the car. I spell "relief" as the look on those young girls faces as I was leaving. Luckily it isn't something we do everyweek. Some times in life you have to be someplace where you just feel out of place like an elephant in a china shop. That describes me getting Joyce's hair done. I think Nancy (bless her soul) sensed what I felt and on the second visit showed me some employee short cuts from front to back.

Joyce is holding her own, neither better nor worse. She has zero inhibitions so she is oblivious to any of the subtle social signs that we all read everyday. Over time the Salon will become more familiar with Joyce and I will feel more comfortable. Life is just a series of adaptations. Hopefully Medical Research can adapt into a cure.

Thanks to all who still follow the blog. Your support has helped more than you can ever know.

PAL