“Come on, it’s Friday night! You have to go out, just one drink, I swear!” She yelled from across the salon, above all the noise of blow dryers, shampoo bowls, radio, and recepionist, even the hushed whispers of gossip had stopped at least an hour ago. 

The whirling ambient noise of the washer and dryer were helping me. 

However, the salon was still unusually quiet.  

I tried ignoring her, pretended not to hear, acted as if round brushing this client had my whole attention. 

“If she only knew” I thought to myself “that Friday night means nothing when you have a book full of prom girls on Saturday.” 

She was one of  the owners most dedicated and loyal clients, she also spent a fortune at every appointment, she tipped everyone generously no matter how small of a roll they played in there experience. 

I viewed it as a manipulation, she was the highest bidder on my friendship but my friendship wasn’t up for sale. Nor my sanity.