Hairdresser’s Life Takes An Unforeseen Turn While Combing Teen’s Hair
Unexpected Visit
Fear gripped the hairdresser. Her client almost got cut. What was that? ” Martha let out a harrowing scream and dashed for the door.
In her chest, her heart thudded like a drum. After seeing what she had just witnessed, her tired mind struggled to make any sense of it. In an attempt to clarify the image, she blinked repeatedly in disbelief.
In spite of this, what she saw in front of her was real and flesh and blood.
An Artist
As an avid hairstylist, Martha loved her job immensely. Empowering a feeling of self-confidence and beauty in people was something she held close to her heart.
Located in Los Angeles, California, her salon was in the heart of the city. Over the many years, she had built up a loyal clientele.
A life-changing surprise would come her way one fateful day.
Shifting Gaze
No one could have prepared Martha for the surprise she received when she walked into her beloved hair salon. Someone burst into her shop as she was combing through a customer’s hair.
As Martha stared at the creature with darting eyes, she was frozen in place. Despite her best efforts, the creature fled when she attempted to talk to it.
Creature
As Martha finished up with a client, it was a quiet afternoon like any other. She didn’t expect it to walk into her shop after ten years of business. About four feet tall, with tiny darting eyes, it looked absolutely petrified.
As Martha ran away, she wondered why she was so fearful. Although she was confused, she tried not to let it rattle her.
Back Again
As usual, Martha opened her salon the next day. As usual, her staff arrived individually. They heard shuffling by the door all of a sudden.
The creature surprisingly returned. Despite its small size, it appeared to be weeping. Her eyes were glued to its face as she tried to examine it more closely. In order to find out what it was, she was absolutely determined.
Unusual Critter
As Martha slowly approached the creature, she was extremely cautious. The creature wore a dark green hoodie littered with animal fur.
There was a huge, high mound like a cone on the head. With each encroaching step, her heart pounded harder and harder.
There was a whimper from it. Because its head was aimed straight down, Martha couldn’t get a good look at its face. Little drops of what seemed to be tears fell from its miniature face to the earth.
A Books Cover
It wasn’t a creature at all; it was, in fact, a small child; as she got closer, Martha eventually came to the realization. A little girl stood before her rather than the terrifying creature she had anticipated.
Eventually, after much back and forth, Martha convinced the girl to remove her ragged hoodie and take a seat for a haircut.
Martha was totally perplexed at the sight she saw on the child’s head. Her eyes simply couldn’t make sense of what they were seeing. Looking around urgently, her jaw dropped, wondering desperately if anyone else was, too, bearing witness.
Unexpected
A chaotic mess consumed every inch of the little girl’s head. The hair she had was all tangled, dry, broken, and in the worst shape, she had ever seen.
What could cause a child’s hair to become so unkempt? Peering closer at the immense damage, Martha’s thoughts began racing.
She had matted hair beyond restoration, and her entire head appeared like it had been inhabited by a wild animal. Inhaling deeply, Martha got straight to work at what she was best at.
Love Yourself
It was a surprise to Martha when the creature eventually made its return. She felt silly for thinking it was a supernatural being. Despite her matted hair, she was just a scared little girl with wildly neglected hair.
In order to get the girl to sit down, Martha tenderly asked if she needed a haircut. Brianna was her name, she said. As Martha touched Brianna’s hair, she realized she had her work cut out for her.
Dire Situation
Martha was unsure if she could bring order to the chaos worn on poor Brianna’s head. In spite of this, she tried her utmost to unravel Brianna’s severely matted hair, which took her the better part of her work day to accomplish.
In spite of the challenges, Martha was beyond determined. She was dead set on helping this lost child gain sight of her true identity once again.
I’m In It Now
She spent hours combing through Brianna’s hair, slowly untangling the mess. The girl sat still the entire time, and Martha could see that she was still scared.
As she worked, she gently asked Brianna about herself. The girl didn’t say much, but Martha learned that she was a foster child who had been bounced around from home to home.
A True Story
Brianna had always felt trapped. Her mother was incredibly controlling, always hovering over her and her younger brother, making sure they did everything exactly as she wanted.
Brianna’s father had left home years ago, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own. With her brother having special needs, her mother was constantly stressed out, and money was always tight. Martha’s heart broke as she listened to the girl’s sad tale.
Rough Childhood
Brianna had been home-schooled her whole life, and she rarely had the opportunity to play outdoors or have any kind of social life. As she approached her teenage years, Brianna felt like her childhood had slipped away from her.
“Just cut it all off Brianna shouted. “I don’t want it, I don’t like it!” Martha knew now where this anger was coming from. She had to help this girl come out of her shell.
Poor Self Image
One thing that Brianna held onto during these difficult years was her hair. She hadn’t cut it in three years, and it flowed down her back in long, tangled waves. It was a small act of rebellion, but it made her feel like she had some control over her own life.
But now, she was growing into a young woman, and she was changing. She couldn’t bear to live like this anymore. She had to speak out.
A Sign
Brianna said, “One day, when I was walking past the hair salon, I caught a glimpse of a kind-looking angel woman working inside; it was you.” Martha smiled and understood because she was a hairdresser with decades of experience.
Brianna found herself drawn to Martha, and she mustered up the courage to go inside and talk to her. It was a sign of change.
Real Feelings
As Brianna sat in the chair, Martha listened to her story. Brianna poured out her heart, telling Martha about her controlling mother, her absent father, and her isolated childhood.
Martha listened with empathy, and Brianna felt like someone finally understood her. But were Brianna’s intentions real? Was this a true relationship? It was too soon to tell.
Help A Girl Out
Martha suggested cutting Brianna’s hair, and Brianna hesitated. Her hair was the one thing that made her feel like she had some control over her life.
But Martha gently reassured her that cutting her hair could be a symbol of a fresh start, a new beginning. Brianna looked at her ugly hair in the mirror. She hated her reflection.
It’s Time
This was the final moment, and she had to let go. Brianna took a deep breath and agreed to cut her hair. “What can we do with you?” the hairdresser said as she analyzed Brianna’s messy mop.
As Martha snipped away at her matted locks, Brianna felt like a weight was being lifted from her shoulders. As the long strands fell away, Brianna felt like she was shedding her old self and starting anew.
Trying To Help
As Martha worked, she talked to Brianna about the importance of self-care and self-love. She encouraged Brianna to find activities that brought her joy and to prioritize her own mental health.
“How can I love myself if nobody loves me? Nobody wants to talk to ugly girls like me.” Martha tried to stifle her tears as she worked.
A Depressed Girl
“Brianna, why do you say such things?” Martha cried, “You’re still so young, and you have your whole life ahead of you, don’t give up!” “You don’t understand; nobody wants to be my friend, I’m all alone”
Martha was heartsore that such a delightful girl was going through such trauma. She had to help her no matter what.
The Big Reveal
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Martha was finished. Brianna had finished her story, and by the time she was done, Brianna’s hair looked brand new. They chose smart layers which framed her face, and she looked amazing.
Brianna’s hair was no longer a tangled mess but a beautiful, shiny mane. She looked clean and neat for the first time. But would the teen love her new look?
Moment Of Truth
The girl looked up at Martha and smiled, and for a moment, Martha felt like she had made a real difference in someone’s life. “I love it!” Brianna exclaimed. “It doesn’t even look like me!” she squealed.
“Hold your horses, America’s next top model; we are not even done yet. I still have to put a hair mask treatment on you.” Martha asked Brianna to come back when she could, and Brianna happily agreed.
Something Unexpected
The two organized for Brianna to head back to the salon in a few days to get some more treatments.
But just as the young girl sat up to leave the salon, Martha couldn’t help but notice something that made her go pale.
She wondered if she should bring it to the girl’s attention or just leave it. She felt the burning need to help the girl, but what would it cost her?
Disturbed
What Martha had noticed disturbed her even more than the girl’s hair. She felt her motherly instincts kick in. She wanted to protect herself from anything that could harm her, but she seemed a little out of her depth here.
He stared at the girl as she headed for the door. She only had seconds to react.
If she didn’t do something, who knew what would happen to the girl?
Running Out After Her
Martha stood frozen in place as the girl left the store. That’s when she snapped back to reality. She knew she couldn’t let her leave like that. She ran for the door to see if she could catch Brianna in time.
But as she got to the door, she noticed that she couldn’t see her anywhere. The girl had just vanished.
Did she run and hide as soon as she went through the door? Had Martha just hallucinated everything?
Searching
Normally, Martha would have left well enough alone. But she felt tied to the girl for some reason. Martha locked up her hair salon – she didn’t have another client for a few hours anyway.
She saw her go left out of the door, so that’s where she started. She hurried down the sidewalk and kept walking further and further away from the safety of her store.
She had no idea what she was walking into.
Following Her Trail
Martha followed the trail that the young girl must have walked on. There didn’t seem to be any other direction she could have walked in.
She needed to talk to the girl; otherwise, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
That’s when she caught a glimpse of the girl walking through an alleyway. Martha chased after her, calling out her name.
Catching Up
Finally, Martha caught up to Brianna and got her to stop. “Hold on! I noticed something at the store and couldn’t let it go,” She said with concern in her voice.
“What’s wrong?” Brianna asked, but she wasn’t ready.
Martha handed her something. At first, it looked foreign, but then she recognized it. It was her wallet. It must have fallen out of her purse. But that wasn’t the thing that worried Martha most.
Concerns
Martha had seen something that she wasn’t supposed to when she picked up the wallet. She noticed that the girl had receipts sticking out. But she saw one that concerned her greatly.
She had no idea if Brianna’s mother was supportive or not, but she would be.
She stared at Brianna before asking her about a particular item she had purchased. But once she confronted her, there would be no going back.
Pregnancy Test
Martha couldn’t help but notice a receipt for a pregnancy test. “Are you okay, darling? I saw the receipt in your wallet, and I’m only concerned.” But the girl seemed to close up at the mention of it.
She went scarlet and then said, “Yes, it’s true I bought one. But it wasn’t for me. It was for my mother.” That’s when everything suddenly made sense to Martha.
She needed a role model if Brianna’s own mother was making her buy her things like that.
Truth or Not?
Whether or not Brianna was telling the truth or a white lie, it didn’t stop Martha from feeling bad for her. She told her that the next appointment would be free and said she was looking forward to seeing her.
Martha told Brianna to be safe and went on her way. She walked back to the store and got ready for her next appointment.
But she couldn’t shake the thought of the girl feeling like she was all alone.
The Day Came
Over the course of the week, Martha helped dozens of clients with their hair, but she hadn’t forgotten about the girl. She imagined helping her get her self-esteem back. The girl sorely needed it.
The day finally came, and Martha got all of her beauty products ready for the girl.
She was about to get the royal treatment at no extra charge. But something was about to happen.
Racking Her Brain
She racked her brain for an explanation and then thought about Brianna’s mother.
Maybe she had forbidden her from coming back. It would have made her very sad if that was the case. But she tried forgetting about her suspicions.
She still had other clients to attend to and got stuck in her work. However, she wasn’t going to have to wait long to find out what had happened to her newest customer.
Looking For Her
It wasn’t the first time that Martha considered running out of the store and looking for the girl. Maybe she was nearby and just needed a bit of encouragement to walk through the door.
As soon as the hairdresser had a break, she decided to lock up the store once more and search for the girl. Luckily, she had seen the route she had taken just a week prior.
Maybe she would find her?
Following The Route
Martha followed the route that she had seen the girl take a week prior. She went down the same alleyway and saw it pop up close to where the train went through the city.
She looked around, having no idea where she could have gone from there.
The girl could have walked anywhere from here, but Martha trusted her gut and turned right. If she didn’t find the girl, she’d have to just go back.
Finding Something
After walking for another ten minutes, she found something she couldn’t believe. There was an apartment complex just to her right. The walls were stained and weren’t maintained. It was the rougher side of the neighborhood, but that’s when Martha heard a familiar voice. Out of an open window, she heard Brianna’s voice. It sounded raised as if she was fighting with someone.
Martha had to control every inch of her body to stop herself from calling out to the girl and telling her everything would be okay. She decided that she couldn’t meddle in other people’s business when it was this severe.
She decided to walk back to her salon and just pray that the girl would decide on her own to come back so that she could get the help she needed.
Round Two
Martha was looking forward to seeing Brianna. She thought she would come in the morning, but she didn’t show.
She couldn’t understand why the girl wouldn’t have shown up. It worried her greatly. Had something happened to the young girl on the way to her?
Or was it something at home that stopped her from coming altogether?
Troubled Face
Finally, after waiting all day, there was good luck. It was towards the late afternoon that the worried hairdresser saw her latest pro bono client.
Brianna looked at her with a troubled face.
“Is something wrong, Brianna?” Martha questioned. “Don’t worry about it,” the troubled teen scoffed. She was ruining her new haircut with her sad smile.
Not What I Hoped
Martha continued to massage the relaxer into the teen’s dry scalp. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” Martha reassured her.
Brianna burst into tears. “My mother didn’t even notice my haircut,” she cried, “It’s like I don’t even exist to her at all! Why did she adopt me if she can’t love me?”
Beating Herself Up
Martha held the crying girl tightly, “You’re not alone dear; I promise you will be okay.” Brianna tried to hold back her tears, but she couldn’t anymore.
“The truth is that I’m ashamed of my hair,” the distraught teen cried. “I feel so embarrassed about my appearance, and I don’t want to be here.” Martha knew that she had to do something drastic to help this girl.
Desperate Measures
The worried hairdresser quickly finished with Brianna. She showed her how to maintain her hairstyle and keep her hair healthy.
The troubled teen was feeling slightly happier after seeing her new do and flicked her hair as she looked in the mirror. Martha was getting anxious. She tried to talk some sense into Brianna before she left.
I Tried
Over the next few days, Brianna started to make small changes in her life. She started going for walks in nature, something she had never done before.
She started practicing yoga and meditation, and she found that it helped to calm her racing thoughts. She started to act like a new person too. Her new image definitely had an influence on her interests.
Going Smoothly
Brianna’s hair was shorter and more manageable, but it was also a symbol of her new identity. She was no longer the passive, controlled girl she had once been.
The next week Brianna went to see Martha. She walked into the salon with a frantic look on her face. She seemed to be worried about something. Martha noticed that she looked different.
Spoke To Soon
She was wearing her green hoodie again. The young teenager was trying to say something, but she was speaking so fast that Martha couldn’t fully understand what she was saying. “Slow down, Bri,” Martha said and grabbed her by her shoulders, “Who? What?”
Brianna choked on her tears; my mother, she said…she saw…” The poor girl fell on the floor crying. Martha was in shock as she tried to pick the girl off the floor.
Hidden Hair
Martha held the crying girl close and said, “Tell me what happened.” Brianna looked up at her, her face full of tears, and said, “I’d rather show you.” She slowly pulled off the hoodie.
What she revealed made Martha scream in shock. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. What had she done? What happened to her beautiful creation?
Bad Hair Day
Brianna’s hair was a mess. It looked like someone had ruffled it up on purpose. Martha thought she knew who it was. “Look!” the teenager turned her head; there was bubble gum stuck to the side of her head.
“Was it your foster mother?” Martha held the girl’s face in her hands. “I don’t know,” she said, “I was sleeping; maybe she did it then.” Martha was furious.
She asked Brianna to come back the next day for a touch-up, and the girl agreed. But she also knew that she was in a bigger problem now.
Arrival Mama Bear
The next day, Brianna’s mother barged into the salon, demanding to know who had cut her daughter’s hair. Martha was scared, thinking that she had done something wrong,
But when Brianna’s mother walked into the salon the next day, Martha was terrified. The woman was big, loud, and looked like she was ready to start a fight.
Blunt Confrontation
“Who cut my daughter’s hair?” she demanded, looking angry. Martha took a deep breath and stepped forward. “I did, ma’am. Is there a problem?”
Yes, there is a problem, actually,” the tall woman said with a stern voice. Martha was prepared for the worst, but she also had her comeback ready if Brianna’s mother overstepped her boundaries. She was in her salon, after all.
Unexpected Response
Martha braced herself for a screaming match, but Brianna’s mother surprised her by thanking her. “How is it possible that you are this good with this type of hair?” Martha was speechless.
“You have to squeeze me in some time,” the mother said coolly. All Martha could do was say thanks.
The woman’s expression softened. “No, no problem. I just wanted to thank you. Brianna never lets anyone touch her hair, not even me. But when she came home yesterday, she couldn’t stop talking about you. Thank you.”
The Mothers’ Side
Brianna’s mother explained that her daughter had never allowed anyone to touch her hair before and that Martha’s efforts had made her daughter incredibly happy.
Brianna’s mother was a big and loud woman, but her gratitude towards Martha was sincere, and Martha was happy to have helped Brianna.
But Brianna looked doubtful. She kept shaking her head in disbelief. Did the troubled teen know something more about her mother?
Fine For Now
Martha felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She was relieved and happy that she had made a difference in Brianna’s life.
From that day on, Brianna came to Martha’s salon every week, and they developed a close bond. Martha had never felt so fulfilled in her job, and she knew that she had found her calling.
Taking A Stand
Brianna also started standing up to her mother more. She set boundaries and refused to be controlled any longer. Her new hair gave her a new attitude.
It wasn’t easy, but with Martha’s encouragement, Brianna found the strength to speak her mind and assert her independence. But what would her mother have to say about it?
A New Life
As the weeks went on, Brianna became a regular at Martha’s salon, and her hair looked better than ever. Martha had never been prouder of her work, and Brianna’s transformation inspired her to help others in similar situations.
Martha realized that being a hairstylist wasn’t just about making people look good on the outside but also about making them feel good on the inside.
Busy Ladies
Brianna’s story became known around town, and Martha’s salon became a haven for people who needed a little bit of extra care and attention. Martha’s clientele grew, and she became known as the “miracle worker” among her customers.
Martha never forgot the lesson she learned from Brianna, and she continued to treat every customer with the same care and compassion that she had shown Brianna.
Making The Most
Martha realized that even the smallest and most unexpected moments can change a person’s life forever. Brianna’s arrival in her salon had been a surprise, but it had also been a gift. Her mother also eased up on her, and they tried to develop their relationship.
It taught Martha that no matter how difficult a situation may seem, there is always hope for a happy ending. But she didn’t know that her story wasn’t over yet.
Not A Good Idea
Martha was overwhelmed by girls trying to take chances to get free hairdos. Some girls purposely mess up their hair to get free treatments. Martha lost a lot of money in the business. Martha had to shut her doors for a week.
During that week, Martha was determined to come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again. She decided to implement a new policy where she would charge a non-refundable consultation fee for any hair that needed significant work or fixing.
This fee would be deducted from the final cost of the service if the customer decided to proceed with the treatment.
Guess Who’s Back
When Martha reopened her doors, she was surprised to see Brianna waiting outside. Brianna had a smile on her face, and her hair was now in pristine condition. Martha was overjoyed to see the transformation and asked Brianna how she managed to fix it. Brianna explained that she had been using a homemade hair treatment that she learned from her grandmother, who was a hairdresser.
Martha was curious about the treatment and asked Brianna to share it with her. Brianna agreed and even offered to help Martha make the treatment for her other customers. The treatment consisted of natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, honey, and avocado.
Martha was amazed at how effective it was, and soon her customers were raving about the results. As word spread about Martha’s new hair treatment, her business began to thrive. People were even coming from other cities just to get their hair done by her. Martha was ecstatic and couldn’t believe how much her life had changed because of Brianna and her grandmother’s recipe.
Still Growing Strong
One day, while combing a teenager’s hair, Martha got the surprise of her life. The teenager was none other than Brianna, all grown up and with her own hairdressing business.
She popped in for a surprise visit. Brianna explained that she had been inspired by Martha to pursue a career in hairdressing, and she wanted to thank her for everything she had done for her.
Martha was filled with emotion and couldn’t believe that the little girl with the matted hair had grown up to be such a successful and kind person. Brianna even gave Martha a plaque that read “Best Hairdresser in Town” and told her that she would always be her mentor.
Lesson Learned
Martha realized that sometimes, the biggest surprises in life come from unexpected places. She was grateful for Brianna and the lesson she had learned about the power of determination, hard work, and generosity. From that day forward, Martha knew that no matter what challenges she faced, she could always overcome them with the help of those around her.
Brianna also started to make friends. She joined a local theatre group and discovered a love of acting. She even landed a lead role in a play, something that would have been unimaginable just a few months earlier.
Through it all, Brianna remained close to Martha. The hairdresser had become a mentor and a friend, and Brianna knew that she could always turn to her for advice and support.
Beautiful Brianna
Looking back on that fateful day when she first walked into Martha’s salon, Brianna knew that it had changed her life. She was grateful for the kindness and wisdom that Martha had shown her, and she knew that she would carry those lessons with her for the rest of her life.
And as she admired herself in the mirror and ran her fingers through her newly-cut hair, Brianna smiled at her gorgeous new self. Now, she was finally herself and felt comfortable in her own skin.