The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Jenny Harrison was closed four months after her abandoned car was found. I, and I suspect a few others, thought it premature, but the decision was made and life resumed.

Jenny was married to Henry Harrison, his family prominent since gold rush settlement. Her car was found on a quiet road, the driver’s seat splattered with blood.

I’d purchased the local hairdressing salon five years earlier, a new challenge for a young gay man seeking to forget an unhappy upbringing. The townswomen flocked, excited by the idea of a gay hairdresser; very Hollywood-esque. Men were slower to come around, eventually discovering I provided the styles they wanted but basically ignoring me as I cut and trimmed, bantering with waiting buddies instead. They never attended alone.

Most of the women simpered and flirted, and I dropped enough names like Kim and Khloe, to keep them happy. Jenny was different, sincerely grateful for my efforts, and my silence.  She squeezed my hand tightly each time she left. I saw the purple bruises below her necklines when I placed the protective cape around her shoulders, felt her wince when I inadvertently bumped her shoulder.

After the investigation closed, Henry began dating a colleague but I doubted it was his first dalliance with her. Townspeople accepted it; the poor man must have been lonely.

Two years later I sold the salon to my former apprentice, her limited experience unimportant as she was another Harrison.

I headed east, opened a new salon and relocated Jenny Harrison to the back of my mind.

I met Dean and accepted his proposal six months later. We honeymooned at a popular seaside resort. One afternoon, browsing the market, I spotted a familiar face. A smiling, happy, carefree face.

Our eyes met as they often had via the salon mirror, apprehension replacing the sparkle.

Jenny drew a sharp breath. I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tight. The sparkle returned. Her breath exhaled.

Dean called me to a souvenir stand. And Jenny was quickly swallowed up by the crowd.

    5 1 vote
    Post Rating
    9 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    Carrie OLeary
    Carrie OLeary(@carrie-oleary)
    2 years ago

    This is an interesting little tale Sandra. It’s nice to see a good outcome, though I do wish the husband had got his just desserts.

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    2 years ago

    A wonderful wink at ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’! Jenny got away, the abusive husband seeemed to come out unpunished but who knows what happens behind closed doors? I love the happy ending for the kind hairdresser. Just great, Sandra!

    Fuji
    Fuji(@fuji)
    2 years ago

    Hooray for Jenny! I don’t feel the necessity to punish Henry – they say the best revenge is a spectacular life. Now Jenny is happy, carefree, sparkling – she won! I love the caring hairdresser as well, and your line about how he seems so very Hollywood-esque to the ladies in town. A great story, entertaining and satisfying.

    Linda Rock
    Linda Rock(@linda-rock)
    2 years ago

    I loved the relationship between Jenny and the hairdresser and how their lives were interwoven. The line about the purple bruises below her neck actually made me wince too when he bumped her shoulder! A really well-written story Sandra that ended well.

    Melissa Taggart
    Melissa Taggart(@melissa-taggart)
    2 years ago

    I really enjoyed this story, Sandra. As the reader I found myself digging through it and wishing for more. That tells me you’ve written quite the little gem here. I hope you write a part two someday!

    Alan Kemister
    Alan Kemister(@alan-kemister)
    2 years ago

    This is great. A full murder mystery, described including the necessary background and resolved with a twist (no murder). All in 350 words. Now your unnamed hero is left with a problem. It seems clear that Henry physically abused Jenny, but it’s unclear if the blood in the car was from his abuse and she somehow managed to get away, or if she staged her death in order to escape from the… Read more »

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    2 years ago

    This is a great story, Sandra, told in a very convincing, matter-of-fact style, making it very real so that it gets under the skin of the reader. It makes it even more plausible that you have a gay hairdresser as the central person. You made his meeting with Jenny very touching and beautiful. And no, I agree with Fuji, there is no need for revenge. Jenny’s ex-husband is already suffering, abandoned and… Read more »

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    2 years ago

    It is so fascinating, Sandra. Good on Henry. He deserves to be left and abandoned because of his bad behavior and hurting his wife. The flow of the story is so amazing that I never thought it would end like that. What a nice twist, Sandra. Good job.

    Recent Comments

    9
    0
    Selected Authors may submit comments (5 Credits)x
    ()
    x
    Scroll to Top

    Sharing a Post

    Why do my friends need to SignIn to read the post I shared?

    Actually, this is a voting security feature. During public voting, only club members can read posts submitted for that contest. Since anyone reading the story is able to vote (click the Like button), we reserve these capabilities to members who SignIn. Before we implemented this security feature, people were voting multiple times and making the public voting process unfair and out of balance. To fix this, our staff finally decided to allow only members who SignIn to read the stories. Membership is free and easy, and ensures our club is safe, secure, and family-friendly!