Diane laughed in response.  “You’re right… right.  But I do need a cut.”  She turned to look at the reflection of her back through the wall-sized mirror of her bathroom.   Wow, her hair was well past the mid-point of her back already.

“Well, you do remember that I’d told you I’d be in New York this month, right? Shane asked.

“Mmhmm,” Diane answered, placidly.

“And my friends here say you haven’t been around in over two months, actually,’ Shane continued.

Had it been that long?

“If I had to guess, I’d think you were avoiding the place,” Shane added, the tone of her voice starting to sound concerned.

“Aww, c’mon Shane.  I haven’t been avoiding the salon.  I just haven’t had time to treat myself to a trip there, that’s all,”  Diane tried to laugh it off.

“D…” Shane started to say.

“That’s my mom’s nickname, actually,” Diane cut in, then immediately regretted the shortness of her tone.

“I’m sorry Shane … I didn’t mean to,” Diane started to apologize.

“No … no that’s alright, Diane,” Shane answered quickly.  “I do remember your dad calling your mom that nickname, come to think of it.”

After a short pause, Shane continued, “As I was just about to say, a haircut doesn’t need to be a treat.  It’s just a matter of maintenance, Diane.  And I’d been looking forward to seeing you anyway while I was in town.”

Diane sighed.  After blowing out a breath, she admitted, “Well, you’re right.  I have been avoiding the salon.  And you know why, Shane.”

“Yeah … Jules,” Shane said quietly.

Jules.  Even just the mention of her name stabbed at Diane’s heart. 

Unbidden, tears began to form in her eyes.  Diane fought to keep control of her emotions.

“Where are you, Diane?” Shane asked gently after a long pause.

“DC, at my parent’s house,” Diane whispered, as she bit down on a quivering lip.

“I’d heard from one of my regulars that you’d gone on a vacation all of a sudden. The wife of your boss, you remember?” Shane asked, her deep concern for her friend evident in her voice.  “Something happen at work?  She was asking me if I’d heard from you, because she mentioned something had happened.”