Across
- 2. The owner made her usual busy Saturday appearance. The front desk coordinator filled her in on what transpired. Happy with the outcome, she went into the breakroom and praised the other apprentice for stepping up. Folding towels, Fiona was left confused when her fellow apprentice did not correct her. She proudly stated that she was just doing what was right and loves to see clients leave happy. The owner smiled and looked to Fiona. Smiling back was her mistake. She was lectured about teamwork being even more important since she was about to hit the floor solo in the coming weeks. She needed to adopt the same attitude of her coworker. Her jaw hit the floor as the owner left.
- 4. After sweeping the hair of the last clients of the day, she gathered her belongings. She drove home in a haze. She dreamt of this career since she was a child. She loved seeing people smile at themselves after a haircut or color service. Being a part of someone’s special day whether a prom or a wedding was rewarding. She shared happy moments and difficult life transitions with her clients. Now she was wondering if it is all worth it in the end. The constant criticism left her disparaged.
- 8. Her apprenticeship was coming to an end, and she was offered to stay on as a full-time stylist. Those opinions reversed by the surroundings of the salon chairs. Now that she had been applauded for performing her due diligence while waiting for the right opportunity, they could never know the truth. Too much time and energy had been spent to walk away. Her future was imminent.
- 9. Wrinkled and tipsy, she dried off and dressed in comfy clothes and slippers. She silked her way down the stairs to find the couch empty. She called out for him while venturing into the kitchen. There was a note. He went out with his friends. He couldn’t stand to spend another Saturday night with his depressed wife. She use to be fun.
- 11. Fiona pulled into her driveway and put the gear in park. She agonized over her day. The past chastisement she had faced hijacked her thoughts. Her head was spinning, and tears cascaded her cheeks. Her husband had grown tired of her lamenting over the same situations habitually.
- 12. Fiona poured herself a sizeable glass of wine and announced she was headed for a soak in the tub. Her husband turned around. This was the routine of a difficult day at the salon, and he knew it. He rolled his eyes as he questioned her about the current old drama. His words followed her up the stairs as she insisted he was wrong.
- 13. The cracks had always shown. Not wanting to return to the drawing board, she accepted the problematic patterns she took note of before accepting the position. She didn’t know how much this would alter her future.
Down
- 1. Fiona spent a year combing the classifieds for a place to begin and end her career. In some measure the break was welcome after eighteen months of Cosmetology school, passing State Boards, and planning and celebrating her wedding. Those who voiced their opinions were becoming difficult to brush aside. They did not understand her goal. Their judging eyes and tongues intensified her desire to discredit their opinions.
- 3. There were three weeks left before Fiona hung up her apprentice apron. Two wedding parties were scheduled that Saturday morning. She was booked for three updos as well as her apprenticing duties. All was going according to plan when one of the finished bridesmaids decided she didn’t like her hair after all. Fiona had wrapped up her bridal party clients early and volunteered her services to the bridesmaid in need. The stylist who had originally performed the service was flabbergasted that an apprentice was redoing her work.
- 5. She tip toed into the house and put her bag on the kitchen island. Her husband was watching college football on the couch. He shouted a greeting without turning around. He didn’t move when he asked her about her day. She didn’t want to upset him with her problems and lied telling him it was a great day.
- 6. She sat a few minutes more and blotted her face dry with napkins from her glove box. She fixed her hair in the rearview mirror. With the courage gathered to leave her feelings in the car, she hoped to end the day on a high note with her husband.
- 7. Fiona spent her year-long apprenticeship watching the walls come down around her. The salon was aesthetically beautiful as was the counterfeit family atmosphere of the stylists. No matter where she ended up it would be catty, and this was the only apprenticeship she could find.
- 9. Fiona crumbled the note and poured another glass of wine. She allowed the unhappiness in her career seep into her marriage. It was ruining her most important relationship, yet she could not and would not walk away. She made the decision in the beginning that she was in it for the long haul. No matter the cost, she was not going to let the judging eyes and tongues win.
- 10. She could not shake her feelings. She was dropping combs, fumbling the hairdryer, and spacing out. Like a bead of water, it should just roll off her, but this scenario occurred routinely throughout her apprenticeship. Being reprimanded for either doing too much or not enough were the only conversations she had with the owner. There was no middle ground. Whenever she thought she was finding her groove and making strides, the hammer was brought down on her confidence. This career use to excite her. Now it was a chore.