I really like your hair.
SATURDAY NIGHT
He said:
I really like your hair, it’s cute.
She heard:
I really like your hair, you’re cute.
She smiled, said thank you, and left. Trish said that he told her she was cute because he wanted her to buy his band’s CD. Trish was WRONG, though, because he already had her money, before he told her that. It was something.
THE NEXT DAY
He said:
I really like your hair, it’s cute.
She heard:
I really like your hair. I love how your raven hued bob glows violet under these lights. Do you believe in love at first sight?
Box after box piled up in the Target shopping cart, all reading “#106 BOLD BLUE BLACK”. Trish had said that they discontinued this line. Trish was usually WRONG but she couldn’t take that chance. He loved her for her hair, and she intended to keep it that way.
THREE DAYS LATER
He said:
I really like your hair, it’s cute.
She heard:
I really like your hair. I, um, wow..this is kinda weird, but I feel like we have a connection. So, let’s talk more. Let’s keep talking.
Click.
He’s from San Francisco.
Click.
He has a dog.
Click.
He eats eggs.
Click.
He also plays the drums.
Click.
She sent a message two days ago. She sent another message yesterday. He’s touring, Trish says. He’s oblivious, Trish says. Trish is WRONG. He’s posting pictures from this morning. They’re for her, letting her know that he’s busy but that he’ll get back to her soon. He can’t stop thinking about her.
Click.
ONE WEEK LATER
He said:
I really like your hair, it’s cute.
She heard:
I really like your hair. I feel like this is it for me, you know? Like everything in my life has lead me to this point. Meeting you, here, right now. I feel like we have something that can’t be broken.
Please don’t leave.
His tour didn’t take him that far away, so she went to every show that was in a four-state radius. She wasn’t on the guest list at any of them, but she was fine with this. She was happy to support his dream of playing music for a living. Trish came with her to one show. Trish said that by not being on the guest list and not being allowed backstage meant that he felt nothing, that there was nothing. Trish was WRONG. He posted about how tired he was and that they have a long road ahead of them. She understood.
TWO WEEKS LATER
He said:
I really like your hair. It’s cute.
She heard:
I really like your hair. I’m stubborn, so I need someone that can break through that to help me see what I might be missing. You’re that person. Don’t give up on me. You’re it for me.
She used to loved him for who he was, even the parts that kept him away from her. But it wasn’t enough anymore. Her existence depended on his love, and she needed to be closer in order to survive. He posted a picture of his dog and how happy he was to be home. Trish said it wasn’t an invitation. Trish said he didn’t even remember her. Trish was WRONG. She booked a flight. She would soon be home, too.
ONE DAY LATER
He said:
You’re the girl who keeps messaging me, I recognize the hair. You need to leave.
She heard:
My love for you transcends your hair, it transcends everything. I’ve never felt this way before, I’m terrified.
She left. She knew that he was sensitive and that love can be a very scary thing. She parked her rental car around the corner of his house so that when he calmed down she’d be there. Trish told her to leave. Trish said this was out of control. Trish was RIGHT. It was out of control, out of her control. He needed time but she didn’t have time, she needed him. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t exist without seeing him, touching him, smelling him.
THREE HOURS LATER
She was comforted by his soft breathing. She stood next to the open window, letting the cool midnight air calm her. Moonlight bounced off raven hair and fell to her naked body. Looking down she noticed a spot of dog’s blood on her left breast. His dog had tried to stop her. His dog tried to stop her love. She knew he’d understand.
He heard:
The sound of the floorboards creaking were a comfort to him. He loved the way the dog would check on him during the night, just like his mother used to. The bed springs squeaked as he felt the dog climb on the bed.
She said:
How do you like my hair?
