Sarah and the Angelic Magical Makeover Read online

  Valerie grinned. “I think she means a special hair gizmo, but I’m not sure.”

  Taylor and Margie shared a look of horror in the mirror. They must wonder what kind of women had wandered into their salon and if they’d survive.

  Taylor cleared her throat. “I’m going to the back to mix color for you. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  Margie left to do the same.

  Sarah glanced at Valerie. “I’m nervous. You?”

  Valerie nodded. “I have no words to describe my anxieties.”

  Sarah heard her tummy rumble. “I wish we’d eaten before we came in here. I’m hungry.”

  “I’m too tense to eat and that’s a first for me.”

  Sarah rubbed her midsection. “Our early dinner didn’t stay with me. I hope I can hold out until we’re finished here. I’m ravenous.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw Taylor approach with a bowl. She set the container on the table and Sarah gazed at the contents. The goo appeared to be a creamy, yummy, caramel pudding.

  Leaning forward, Sarah scooped up a small amount of mixture with her index finger and promptly stuck it in her mouth.

  Taylor gasped. “What are you doing? You can’t eat that! It’s hair color.”

  Sarah licked her lips. “I thought it was butterscotch pudding. It doesn’t taste like butterscotch and it doesn’t smell like dessert, but it doesn’t taste too bad.”

  Taylor took a giant leap to stand beside Margie. “Should we call nine-one-one? I’ve never had a client eat hair paint.”

  Margie scrutinized Sarah. “I don’t know. She didn’t swallow much. It was a small dab. Let’s call poison control and ask what we should do.”

  “Don’t eat anymore of it.” Taylor admonished Sarah, and then the two stylists scurried off to find a phone number.

  Sarah shrugged. “Why are they so worried?”

  “You swallowed chemicals. I guess they need to find out if the medic should come and pump your stomach.”

  “Oh, no way. I don’t need that. My stomach is big enough already.” Sarah patted her belly. “It doesn’t need any extra inflations. I’m working like crazy to make it smaller.”

  “No, I meant the doctors would remove the contents of your stomach.”

  “Kind of like liposuction? I sort of remember hearing about that procedure when I studied human anatomy. I don’t fancy having that done either.”

  Before Valerie could answer, the two stylists appeared.

  Taylor inhaled. “Thank goodness you ingested a tiny portion. Fortunately, that product is a new green one.”

  Sarah gasped. “I’ve seen women with purple, green, and pink in their hair. I once saw a woman who had all three of those colors. Please don’t make my hair green. That’s not me.”

  Taylor inhaled deeply. “No. no. Your hair won’t turn green. I meant our salon uses several environment friendly products, and our temporary color is made primarily from vegetable extract. It contains no formaldehyde, peroxide or ammonia, so the poison control officials think you’ll be okay. They said to drink a lot of water. How do you feel?”

  “I’m fine, really. I’ll let you know if I feel funny.”

  ~ * ~

  Two hours later, Sarah and Valerie strutted out of the salon.

  “I love your color. You look stunning.” Sarah smiled at Valerie.

  “Yours looks great too and the shorter hair is becoming. Let’s celebrate with frozen yogurt, unless you feel sick from eating the hair dye.”

  Sarah waved a hand in the air. “I feel fine. Let’s indulge and put sprinkles on top.”

  “Sounds good to me, and maybe the cold, creamy stuff might erase the dark chocolate shade on your tongue. You look as though you ate something nasty. If I were you, I’d keep my mouth shut as much as possible.”

  Twelve

  The next morning the ladies prepared for an appointment with a cosmetic specialist. The plan included a facial and a lesson in applying makeup.

  At breakfast, Sarah spoke her thoughts aloud. “I’m looking forward to learning how to wear cosmetics. You?”

  Valerie smiled. “We have a new hairstyle and now we’ll fix our faces. This is getting exciting, but I’m not sure I’m ready for it.”

  “Why not?”

  Valerie shrugged. “I see myself changing, and I don’t know if I’m prepared to accept change.”

  Sarah gave a fist pump. “Best news I’ve heard. It’s good to change for the better, and you are.”

  “Outside, yes, but inside I know I’m worthless and all the gook I put on my face or pounds I lose won’t change that.”

  Sarah placed hands on her hips. “Well, then we need to work on that too. Why do you think thoughts like that anyway?”

  “I guess I believed my dad when he told me I was stupid, ugly and would probably end up in jail one day. He says I should’ve never been born.”

  Sarah inhaled sharply. “I’m sad he said those things to you. I can’t imagine a father saying such unkind and untrue things.”

  Valerie’s expression looked as if she’d lost her best friend. “He has a good reason. I’m a twin. My mother carried two of us to term. I survived but my brother didn’t. I was born first, but my brother was tangled in the umbilical cord and died before the doctor could save him. Dad always wanted a son and he blames me for the death of his only boy. At times the grief and loss overwhelms me. If Roger had been born alive, my father would’ve loved him the most, but perhaps he could’ve tolerated me. Eating brought comfort when he’d make those remarks.”

  Sarah’s insides turned to jelly. Why hadn’t the Superiors mentioned this tragedy? She might have been better prepared. “I’m sorry your brother didn’t make it, but it’s not your fault.” Without saying a word, she walked to Valerie and hugged her new friend. They cried together.

  ~ * ~

  At the department store, they sat on stools while the cosmeticians draped cloths around their necks.

  Sarah’s specialist analyzed her skin tone. “Do you always choose beige for your foundations?”

  “How do you know the color of my undergarments? Can you see through my clothes?” Sarah’s heart did a fast pitapat routine. Did this woman have super powers?

  At first the specialist gave Sarah a look that said, “you’re either naïve or you need medication.” The woman recovered from her thoughts and then smiled as fast as butter melting on toast. “I see now that you aren’t wearing makeup, and no, I can’t see through your outfit. I also believe you’re the perfect candidate for our extended line.”

  Sarah drew in a ragged breath. “Oh, I don’t want to buy any kind of rope. Just something for my face. Sell me the works.”

  The lady gave her a million-dollar smile. “The line I spoke about isn’t a rope. I meant our line of cosmetics. We have cleansers, exfoliants, moisturizers, makeup and perfume. Since you seem unfamiliar with our products, I think you’ll need them all.”

  Sarah chewed the inside of her jaw while the makeup artist went to work.

  ~ * ~

  With their bags of cosmetics, Sarah and Valerie strode away from the beauty area.

  Sarah caught a glimpse of herself in a nearby mirror. “Is that me?”

  Valerie’s smile would rival the sun. “Yep, and look at me.”

  Valerie’s transformation would stop a train. She’d styled her hair with the flat iron before they’d left home. The makeup artist had chosen a mineral foundation for Valerie, and her skin tone was even—no freckles or blemishes showed. Her round, blue eyes were contoured with a tan shadow, outlined in brown. The specialist had added eyeliner and mascara. Valerie’s cheeks were the color of peaches in spring.

  Sarah’s cosmetician had given her color as well. Her cheeks were a rosy blush color, and her eyes held a tad of blue shadow and mascara. This lady stuff was fun. She felt cranked up for whatever next event the Superiors threw her way.

  Pulling in her stomach, Sarah grew taller. “Let’s try the shoe store next.”


  As they walked down the mall, several men stared in their direction. One whistled.

  Sarah poked out her chest a bit further and wondered what pleased expression she wore. Men were eyeing her! Whistling at her! Should men notice her this way? Well, after all, it wasn’t her idea for this mission, so why not enjoy the attention?

  Boom! A clap of thunder reverberated through the mall.

  The sound caused several shoppers to flinch, Valerie included, and she voiced her thought. “Must be storming outside.”

  Sarah slowed her steps. “No. It’s probably heaven trying to get my attention again.”

  Valerie giggled and Sarah shifted her gaze to look through the roof.

  The Lieutenant was frowning at her. “The looks and whistles are for your charge. Not you. Angels don’t seek a response for their appearance.”

  Sarah felt as though a cement truck had hit her and wondered if her eyes showed her shock. She mouthed “Sorry.”

  Changing her focus to Valerie, she said, “Did you see the guys admire you? One of them even whistled at you.”

  Valerie’s countenance resembled God’s majesty in springtime. “They were admiring us. I kinda hope it was me and you and not someone else.”

  Sarah shook her head. “Nope, not me, that attention is all for you. Trust me, I know that for a fact. Heaven says those looks and whistles are all for you.”

  Valerie grinned. “You and your heaven notions. Honest to goodness, you talk as if you have a direct line.”

  Sarah gave a smile to rival a politician’s promises. “Oh, I do. Seriously. I do.”

  ~ * ~

  At the shoe store, Sarah saw an adorable pair of red stilettos. “Look, Valerie, aren’t these cute enough to live for?”

  Valerie’s eyes ping-ponged from the shoes to Sarah. “I think the expression is cute enough to die for.”

  Sarah didn’t smile. “No, let’s live while we’re here. Dying comes later. We can serve God as we breathe, and we can live to enjoy the creations He gives us.” She turned back to the shoes. “And for me, this is one to appreciate.”

  Valerie bought black pumps and Sarah indulged in the red stilettos. Maybe she could learn to walk in them later. She’d practice in the bedroom after Valerie went to sleep.

  “Now we need to buy dresses to go with our shoes.” Sarah skipped down the mall with her purchase. Was it okay to be this excited? The Heavenlies hadn’t spoken, so maybe she was in the clear.

  The ladies shopped until they found dresses. Valerie bought a black sheath, and Sarah chose a navy sheath with short sleeves and red piping around the neck.

  Valerie sighed. “My budget is shot for the next three months.”

  “I know, but hasn’t this been fun?”

  Valerie giggled. “You aren’t good for me, you know that?”

  “Oh, that’s where you’re wrong. I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

  Both women walked from the mall, arm-in-arm, laughing all the way.

  Thirteen

  Sarah strolled into the kitchen. Valerie would head to school for the opening day with kids in a few hours, and Sarah wanted to encourage her before she left.

  Sarah adjusted her spectacles and peered at Valerie. “Good morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “Not very. I’m always a bit nervous at the beginning of a class. I met many of the littles and their parents on welcome night, but a few didn’t make it. It usually takes a few days for the children to adjust to house rules, so the next week will be a challenge.”

  “You look great. Your new style becomes you. The added brown highlights soften the original color.”

  Valerie touched her mane. “Thanks. I’m glad you talked me into a new do. I don’t know if I’ll have time to use that flat iron gizmo every day or not, but I wanted to start out right.”

  “Everything about you is spot-on. I like your new outfit, and I can see that fourteen-pound loss. You’ll dazzle the kids.”

  Valerie’s smile would light up a dark sky. “Thanks. You look good too. We’ve both lost the same amount. It was hard and we stuck with it. I can’t believe we did it, but I’m glad we did, and it was worth it. Dieting and working out in the gym for six hours a day seems to be producing results for us. We wouldn’t have lost this much if we hadn’t been there for a full day.”

  Sarah glanced at the diet sheet they kept handy. “Hours and reduction of calories. I guess those two make a difference.”

  Valerie scrunched her nose. “We had no expense when we signed up, but now we’ll have to pay.” She touched her hair. “And this hair thing will cost a small fortune to maintain.”

  “A gym and trainer are pricey, but we’re making an investment in our health, looks and mental attitude. We’ll go at night now that you’re back to school during the day, and maybe we can learn to do our own hair.”

  Valerie placed yogurt, baby carrots, fruit, and nuts into a lunch box cooler and then zipped it closed. “I don’t think we should try doing our hair. Let’s cut expenses in other areas. As for the gym, we need that too. Travis said he’d adjust his schedule to be there for us, and Daniels agreed to sign up too.” Her face shaded to the color of a soft cotton candy color. “Can you believe I’m going to dinner with Travis this coming Saturday?”

  “No problem for me to imagine. He’s been flirting with you at the fitness center, but you wouldn’t believe he was interested. You seem to be the one who finds it hard to believe a man finds you attractive.”

  “Yeah, well, he’s the only guy to ever ask me for a date, and he probably wouldn’t have asked me if I weren’t getting thinner and wearing makeup.”

  Sarah's sigh was audible. “We’ve gone over this before, Valerie, and I’ll say it again. You’re accepted based on who you are, not what you look like, not the color of your skin, or the amount of money in the bank account.”

  “Yeah, but people do look at those things. Men want beautiful women.”

  Sarah rotated on her stool at the island bar. “You’re prettier than you know, but what’s that age-worn phrase people use down here? Something about beauty in the eye of the beholder. The Apostle Peter wrote a letter back in ancient days to residents in Asia Minor. He reminded the group that a woman’s beauty shouldn’t come from outward appearance but from within. He said women are attractive when they have a gentle and quiet spirit. Besides being physically pretty, you are virtuous and upright.”

  Valerie placed a hand on her hip. “Thanks, but you know men look at the face and body. Sex appeal and beauty are the first things they consider, and by the way, we both know I’m not pretty.”

  Sarah cocked her head, studied her charge, and decided to ignore Valerie’s negative response about her looks. “Do you want a man who only considers the outward appearance?”

  “Of course not, but men look at the outside before they discover the inside.”

  Sarah's sigh came out as a whistle. “True. Okay, look at it this way. Even if you don’t believe you are attractive, you have the inner beauty, now you’re working on the outer you.”

  Valerie gave a shoulder shrug and gathered her things. “Don’t know about that inner beauty part, but I know thoughts about this dinner date make me queasy. I still can’t figure out why he invited me. I feel like a politician before a debate—nervous.”

  “Daniels and I will be there, so no worries. Let’s just look forward to it.”

  Valerie took a deep breath. “I’m so glad Daniels suggested a double date when he heard Travis invite me out.” She grinned. “He sincerely likes you, you know.”

  “Daniels likes us both. He’s a kind and helpful man. I’m grateful he takes me to church as well as other places I need to go, but we’re merely friends.”

  Valerie narrowed her eyes as she studied Sarah. “Maybe you won’t let me teach you to drive because you like Daniels’ companionship, and he’s certainly quick to volunteer for chauffeur duties.”

  Sarah placed hands on hips. “I’m scared to drive. That’s the o
nly reason I refuse to learn. I’ve made too many mistakes in a vehicle. My Father wouldn’t be happy with me if I injured someone.”

  “I’ll take you to a country road where there’s no traffic. We’ll begin with the basics.”

  “What are the basics?”

  “Adjusting seats, mirrors, learning the gearshift, the accelerator and brake. That sort of thing.”

  “I’d wreck your car, and then what?”

  Valerie clucked her tongue. “No you won’t.”

  Sarah looked heavenward. “Should I do it?”

  A cloud clap of thunder sounded and the windows rattled. Sarah and Valerie ducked as if expecting the ceiling to cave in.

  Sarah straightened when the building stopped shaking and peered with wide eyes at Valerie. “I think the answer is no.”

  With her own eyes as big as the moon, Valerie nodded. “I think you’re right.”

  ~ * ~

  Valerie dressed in new, slim cut jeans with bling adorning the sides of the hem. She chose a blue tee-shirt, and wore the new black heels. Sarah decided on skinny jeans and red tee-shirt. She had yet to put on the red stilettos but planned to wear them.

  Sarah complimented Valerie’s choices. “You look lovely.”

  “Thanks. I’m so nervous, I don’t know how I can eat anything. What about you?”

  “I’m not anxious about the meal or the men, just these shoes.” She held up one.

  “They’ll look adorable with your outfit.”

  “I think so too but walking may be a challenge.”

  The doorbell rang, and the friends gazed at each other.

  Valerie spoke first. “They’re here. I’ll get it. You put on your shoes.”

  With her hands shaking like she was at a praise convention ready to say halleluiah, she buckled on her shoes and stood. She clung to the back of a barstool as Travis and Daniels entered the room.

  Daniels spoke first to Valerie. “Valerie, you look stunning.”

  He then came to Sarah’s side. “You look amazing too, Oceana.”

  “Thanks.” Sarah refused to release the barstool, but she smiled at Daniels.

  “I’m thinking I’m a lucky guy. My date looks pretty awesome.” Travis was staring at Valerie and he grinned when she blushed.