Page 20

“He is all adorable with you and-”

Katie punched Jenni’s arm. “Don’t start!”

Jenni rolled around on the bed laughing, scattering the baby clothes.

Chapter 4

1. A little Taste of The Old World

Ken was in a fabulous mood. The air was filled with a combination of the harsh scents of bleach and hair dye and the fruity fragrances of shampoo and conditioner. His dark hair now had blond tips and his fingernails were carefully manicured. He felt more like himself than he had in ages.

The big room that had been reluctantly turned over to him for his beauty salon was buzzing. Music played softly from a big, ancient boom box in the corner. Next to him, Lenore twisted Yolanda’s hair into a tight French braid that wound around her head while Yolanda flipped through a year old copy of a fashion magazine. They were both sassing Felix, who was trying to ignore them as he read his book. With ebony skin and dark eyes, Felix was a good-looking guy, but painfully straight. Ken had tried flirting with him to no avail. He had been down in the dumps about his single status, but now that his beauty salon was up and running, he felt better.

He was much happier doing hair than working on the construction site.

Besides, he felt he was helping raise the spirits of the people in the fort.

Now, nothing could dampen his mood, not even the sleet pinging against the curtained windows. Another storm had blown in d

uring the morning and was still going strong. But it was nice and warm in the hotel and the nastiness of the deadlands seemed far away. If only Curtis would sit still so he could give him a decent haircut, all would be well.

“Sit still!”

“I think you took too much off the side,” Curtis complained.

“No, I didn’t. Sit still!”

He was having a horrible time trimming Curtis’ hair. The boy kept fidgeting nervously in the chair. He had asked for Lenore to do his hair, but she was halfway through a ten hour marathon sewing in Yolanda’s new extensions. The young police officer had finally submitted to letting Ken do his hair. Ken considered poking at the guy’s homophobia, but decided against it. He was working hard to make friends and find acceptance in the fort. Riling Curtis wouldn’t do him any favors.

Curtis grumbled under his breath, watching Ken’s scissors like a hawk.

Yolanda flipped through the magazine for the fourth time. “When are you going to get the stuff so I can get rid of these damn press on nails? I need some decent nails, Lenore. I’ve glued them onto my nails so many times, they’re wearing thin. ”

“Maybe next time. I can’t grab stuff unless the coast is clear or I’ll get in trouble. Don’t need no Vigilante tossing my fat ass over the wall. ”

Lenore’s nimble fingers kept braiding as she spoke. Ken marveled at her patience and stamina.

Curtis squirmed around his chair. “You’re taking too much-”

Ken grabbed Curtis’ head firmly between his hands and aimed his gaze straight forward. “Stop moving. ”

“Your ass is fine,” Felix drawled from behind his book. There was a pause as everyone looked at him and he slowly lowered it to peer over the wellworn edges. “I meant that it’s not fat. Not that it’s. . . ”

“You saying my ass ain’t fine?” Lenore shot him a cross look, her fingers still braiding.

“I didn’t mean that!” Felix sighed heavily.

“So it is fine?” Yolanda arched both her eyebrows, gazing into the mirror in front of her at his reflection.

Ken giggled.

“Just don’t answer them, Felix. They got you trapped,” Curtis advised.

“They’re just being wicked. ”

“You have no idea how wicked I can get. ” Yolanda winked.

Ken was amazed at how red Curtis’ scalp turned under the golden strands of hair. “You made him blush, Yolanda!”