Thursday, January 20, 2011

Barbara Gets Her Nails Done

"I just don't fit in with those girls.  I try to be so nice.  I'm always telling them about great clothing sales and inviting them out for cosmos and they blow me off.  It's like some secret inner circle that I can't penetrate," Barbara said, while eyeing the rows of nail polish colors on the wall.
"They don't know the real Barbara.  Those girls, they come around," said Mimi, patting her hand reassuringly before tearing off some cotton and pouring on the liquid polish stripper.
"But Mimi.  Last week, I made my special coconut lemon cake.  The one with the extra fluffy icing.  Now mind you I wasn't making it for myself, being that I'm doing South Beach again, but I was making it for them.  No one can resist my cake.  I set it up in the flight lounge during our long layover, and the only person who touched it were Mr. Dan and his copilot.  They hate me so much they won't even eat my food," Barbara wanted to swipe at her eyes, but as her one hand was being held by Mimi and the other was soaking, she let the stray tear drop quietly down her face.
Mimi tsked and said, "Those girls, they need a good swat.  Their mothers didn't raise them right.  They shouldn't treat you like that."
"Oh, Mimi, it gets worse!  Wednesday night we were in Chicago.  The other girls were talking about going out to some brewery.  Right in front of me.  So I said, 'Oh, that's sounds like fun, I'd like to go too' and Vicki was all, 'Actually, Barbara, maybe you should focus on getting your nails done.  They're looking a little chipped' and I just looked at my nails in horror and realized she was right, while the other girls started laughing.  That's when I called to make the appointment with you.  Still, though, I just get the sense that maybe she didn't want me to come, and wasn't just pointing out that my nails look bad.  Although we all know it's important for flight attendants to look good, so it's hard for me to tell exactly what Vicki meant," she shook her head slightly, replaying the disappointing scene in her mind. 
"You just let Mimi take care of you.  You don't need other girls.  No, they just trouble.  You still want Tickle Me Pink?"
"Actually, I'd like to try that new, brighter pink, Enchantress this time," Barbara replied, watching as Mimi began shaking the bottle.  She sighed, "You know, my whole life I've always been on the outskirts.  Looking in, watching all the other girls.  I've never even had a best friend.  Not even when I was little!  I try so hard too.  And not that my Mom was much of a friend, what with her drinking and all, but I even wish she was still around to talk to some days.  Last month Cosmo had all these suggestions for meeting friends, and I already totally do most of them.  I belong to a gym, I do pilates classes, I get my hair done, my nails.  I even tried going to a couple of those Young Socialite meetings.  So I get out there.  I should be meeting friends.  Making connections.  Instead, I'm just more aware of my failings and wondering what's wrong with me that I can't connect with others."
Mimi shook her head as she started applying a clear coat on top of Enchantress and said, "Maybe you should try those new Zumba classes.  Just like on Today Show.  Dance, get fit, meet girls.  Fix all problems."
Barbara's eyes lit up with hope, "Oh Mimi, do you really think so?"
"Of course.  Mimi know all.  Here, you sit under dryer.  Think happy thoughts," Mimi said, and she patted Barbara's hand reassuringly once more before standing. 

This post is linked up with The Red Dress Club, using their evil prompt to write a piece using all dialogue.  Being that dialogue is a weakness for me, I figured I'd torment myself participate. 

Also, if this piece is a prelude to another piece I did on Barbara, which you can read HERE

15 comments:

Unknown said...

I hope she makes other friends, but I am glad you has someone to talk too.

TexWisGirl said...

Well, you picked the perfect place to set your short story - I stopped going to salons because I couldn't stand the constant chatter! And even if I didn't talk, it was all around me!!!

Poor Barbara. She should at least try blogging...

Chatty Crone said...

I think this is one of your writings - excellent - would love to read more. sandie

jp@A Green Ridge said...

Don't send Barbara to the Hollow, Baby Girl! I draw the line somewhere! Besides, I ripped out Mint today with my bear hands and she wouldn't like the looks of my hands, let alone the "doo"!...:)JP

Nancy said...

Very good, excellent! Love the details. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, good job! I was really feeling bad for Barbara.

Valerie Boersma said...

I knew someone a few years ago like Barbara-she just tried too hard to make friends and she came across as desperate. I'd like to see Barbara learn to love herself eventually:)

See-this piece was so real I really care about this girl!

Good work!

Jennifer said...

In the end what this piece really made me think about what Mimi and all of the Barbara's and Vicki's that she must meet. I thought the dialogue was true to someone who doesn't get a chance to talk to 'friends' very much, people like this tend to overshare to say the least.

Carrie said...

That sucks. Poor Barbara.

You picked a perfect setting for a heart-to-heat mini therapy session. Men get the bars, women get the nail salon! This was very realistic and it flowed beautifully.

Visiting from RDC

Unknown said...

I sympathized with Barbara---because I saw myself in her. I don't gab at the nail salon (nor do I go there very often), but I do feel left out a lot of times, and lonely. Like the other girls don't want to hang out with me. stupid, i know.
I'm so glad you linked up and did this today--and you were too hard on yourself. I think Barbara is a great character and now I want to get to know her better!

Andrea said...

Oh, Barbara. You are just trying too hard. Beyourself, don't try to make friends with cake. Por woman.

Perfect setting. And as the second commenter said, Barbara should try blogging! ;)

Cristina said...

aw, poor Barbara.... I hope she realizes the other girls are just jerks, she seems to nice and she isn't even real :)

Cheryl said...

You portrayed Barbara's loneliness and desperation very well! And Mimi was a perfect foil, kind and reassuring but detached. Nice job!

{Stephanie}The Drama Mama said...

Your Barbara is so very relateable. I can think of plenty of women that go through this. Your dialogue is perfect too.

Great job!

Jessica Anne said...

Poor Barbara, I hope zumba does it for her. I loved the dialect you used.