Read Online The Column Racer by Jeffrey Johnson - Free Book Online

Estrella and Samara were standing next to it. Samara, warm and smiling. Estrella with a look of indifference. They assisted Areli into the large marble tub, surrounding her with bubbles that rose like mountains from the hot, soothing water.
    “You two make sure that she is as polished as one of these statues. I don’t want a single speck of dirt on her,” said Emilee, and then she turned and walked out of the room. Estrella used a rough brush on Areli’s skin. It seemed as if she was determined to clean her to the bone. This took away from the delight of Samara’s gentle fingers massaging shampoo and oils into her hair.
    When Estrella was satisfied, she told Areli to exit the tub. Each woman took one of Areli’s hands to make sure she didn’t slip and fall. They brought her over to an area of raised red marble, next to one of the corner statues. Estrella knocked on a door and whispered in orders when it was opened. As Areli stood there, she couldn’t help but use bubbles in an attempt to cover herself.
    A pair of women servants came out of the room, impeccably dressed, each carrying a thin bucket filled with steaming water. Estrella told Areli to hold her arms out, and the servants set to work rinsing her off, pouring water on her head, her shoulders, and then using silk cloths to clear away whatever the water didn’t get.
    Next entered another pair of servants who carried big thick towels. After she was dried, Areli was thankful her naked body was covered with a robe so soft it felt like it was made from a cloud. Samara gently hooked her arm into Areli’s and gave her a reassuring smile. The two girls followed behind Estrella into the previous room.
    Emilee was waiting for them next to a white marbled table overlooking a large mirror.
    “What in the world took you two so long?” barked Emilee, “I asked for her to get cleaned, not for her to know your whole life stories.” Both girls gave their sincerest apologies. “Anyways, sit her down.”
    Areli was placed on a comfortable red chair, and Emilee went to work instantly. She had soft hands, but she was rough with them. She pulled Areli’s hair into a pony and examined the young girl’s face.
    “Chin up, missy,” she hissed, as she placed her hands on Areli’s cheeks and turned her head to the left and then the right. “Not all bad,” said Emilee, “your hair, you’ve been growing it long.”
    “Ever since I was a child,” said Areli, proud of her hair. It was a beautiful blonde and traveled the length of her spine. She didn’t even notice the thing that Estrella placed in Emilee’s hand, or the wicked smile. If she had, she might have put up a struggle, but she knew exactly what happened when she heard the familiar sound. Snip. It was reminiscent of the sounds heard in their kitchen once a month, the sounds that came from her mother’s bathroom once a week.
    The tears fell before the first strand of hair touched the ground. Areli froze in her chair. Time seemed to stand still. She was in too much shock to even scream. Feeling came back to her hands, and she forced herself to feel behind her head . . . it was gone. Her beautiful hair was gone, or at least it’s length.
    “You’re not going to miss it, missy,” said Emilee, “now put your hand in your lap unless you plan on missing fingers as well.” Areli did as she was told and watched as Emilee continued to cut and measure what was left of her hair. “And will you please stop your crying, it’s off-putting.”
    Areli sniffled back her pain and felt the kindness in Samara’s fingers as she wiped away the tears that Areli couldn’t keep from washing onto her face. Emilee continued to tug, push, and pull Areli’s head in every-which-direction until she was finished. She took her final measurements and instructed Areli to look at the mirror.
    Areli didn’t want to look, but Emilee was quite convincing, as she rested the blade of the scissors on her shoulder, the tip nuzzled against the