Breath Of Life

“Wait. A what?”

“Yeah, man. Apparently, there were carrots everywhere.” The bearded man’s lips twitch upward as his body shakes.

“Houston, that’s ridiculous as hell.”

“I know, Ollie,” he replies, grinning.

Ollie. It fits him. I tune out their conversation as I hug Efia. “Tell me what to do, and don’t let tall, tan, and cocky know my name,?

? I mumble.

She laughs. “You pick up an admirer?”

I roll my eyes. “No.”

“Ohhh ho ... It’s mutual, is it?”

“No,” I reply lamely. She can read me like a book, but I’m not ready to admit I’m feeling him.

“Right. I have three girls ready to go, and one girl started. We had them booked for two days, but then the timetable got shifted around and I got caught trying to play Wonder Woman.”

“Girl, you are Superwoman. I’m just your sidekick for the day,” I say with a wink.

“Thanks for coming through for me, Quinn,” Efia says quietly.

“Anytime. You know us makeup artists have to stick together.” I bump her hip. “Hello, ladies, I’m Q. I’ll be helping you out today.” They’re gorgeous in vintage dresses, peep toe heels, and extravagant hairstyles full of volume, curls, and plenty of bobby pins. Around their necks are bibs that are par for the course with makeup and expensive clothing.

“We’re doing the fifties style look?” I ask.

“Think the sixties as a base, only a little heavier and edgier for their time, while remaining clean by today’s standards.”

I mentally rifle through my Rolodex of looks until I mash one together that fits the requested profile. “I got you.”

I introduce myself to the petite brunette with coal black hair, brilliant green eyes, and full lips. Sandra and I are fast friends by the time her look is done. The deep red pops against her pale skin and adds a much-needed splash of color to the black peasant top and matching circle skirt. Proud, I move on to the next girl in line and find a steady rhythm.

“YOU STILL GOING TO make me guess your name?”

I glance over my shoulder at Ollie and snicker. “Seriously? I figured you’d have forgotten about me by now. It’s been a busy day.” The shot had gone on for a grueling four hours with retouches, powders, and new looks as they changed outfits. The sun had set thirty minutes prior, and we’d all packed it in swiftly. This wasn’t the best place to be at night, but the gritty background made for amazing shots.

He nods. “It has, but the photos—especially the ones I got to see taken during the sunset—were spectacular.”

“Will this go up on your website?” I ask as I snap my case shut.

“Yeah. It was time to update our look and get some new faces in. We like to have the same girls on the site and in our calendars on hand to attend out car shows. It gives them exposure and brings people in.”

“I bet. They’re gorgeous.”

“The girls or the cars?” he asks.

“Both,” I say as I grab the handle and move to walk toward my car.

“Please, let me go with you.”

I glance around and realize everyone is pairing up and pulling out. Efia had run off to meet her boo just minutes earlier. It was adorable. A year after the wedding they were still in the honeymoon stage. Between the trips to exotic locations and their busy schedules, they enjoyed hosting friends and family at their home. She’d moved in with him, and they rented out her home for the income. I love her savvy decision making skills. It seemed to me she and Edgar were the epitome of meeting in the middle.

Their wedding had been a massive, bright, and eclectic affair tailor-made for them. I admired their compromises. Some people didn’t know how to give—they only took. My mood sinks as the memories threaten to break through the barrier I keep them shoved behind. Nothing like a failed marriage to turn you off love and relationships. I’d poured everything into my marriage, and it almost stole my sanity, identity, and damn near killed my hope.

After all the years I lost sight of who I was and how to operate by myself. It’s a mistake I vowed never to make again. Love doesn’t mean unyielding sacrifice. That’s a one-way ticket to heartbreak and co-dependency. Co-dependency, a word I wish I’d known the definition of back then. When Bryan and I got together. Looking back, we were babies playing at being in love.