Free Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan Page A

you finding some pretty ones or is that a silly question?”
    “It’s a silly question, Lady Glo. It is truly amazing how many different shades of red there are. God wasn’t joking when he made flowers. And you, Baby Girl. Happy anniversary one more ’gain. Anyway, I’m about to start loading the truck. I have one more little stop to make, and do not ask me where that might be. I’ll swing by the grocery store right afterward. I should be home in the next forty-five minutes to an hour, tops. If that’s okay?”
    “That’s fine. Marvin, I hope you remember what I asked you not to do?”
    “I can’t hear you!”
    “I’m not kidding, Marvin. Don’t you spend a dime on me! Do you understand?”
    “I can’t hear you! Did you say you’re gonna drop a dime on me?”
    Gloria stomped her foot. She knew she was too late. This just meant he wouldn’t be so mad at her for going a little overboard and getting him that twenty-six-foot day cruiser he’d been fantasizing about for the past three years. He needs to fish. And they need to know what it feels like to sleep below the deck on a lake and rock with the waves. Marvin was going to flip. At first he’d be upset. She could hear him now. “Have you lost your mind, baby?” And she would simply say, “Yes, and so what?” And he would say, “It’s beautiful and it’s a dream come true, but I can live without this. We could use this money on a lot of other things.” And she would say, “I know that, but this is what I spent it on. It was my money. Now go on out there and touch it and then stand at the helm and be quiet.” She already had a berth, and this boat was going to get parked in it.
    Plus, Gloria could afford it. The past four years at Oasis had been quite profitable. Since she hired Joline to do weaves for white hair, business jumped. Adding a few more braiders who specialized in natural styles also made a big difference. They’d just recently started cutting and dying men’s hair, since they seemed to spend as much time primping as women did. Metrosexuals is what Joseph said they’re called. Hot-lather shaves had become so popular Gloria had Monique and Twyla specially trained.
    It’s taken almost ten years to update her services and Gloria still can’t keep up with requests for spa treatments. Everybody wants everything waxed. They don’t want hair on their bodies. They live to exfoliate. Crave glycolic peels. They want to be touched, which is why deep tissue, shiatsu and hot stone massages top the list. Cellulite treatments aren’t far behind. And then there are body wraps, scrubs and polishes. Folks want to glow, to leave their worries and dead skin behind.
    For months, Marvin had been helping her search for a bigger space, one that wouldn’t require much work. They knew plumbing would probably be the most extensive thing they’d have to do. Marvin was excited he and Isaac could build those “treatment rooms” with their eyes closed. They thought of them as walk-in closets. However, if Gloria was finally going to have a full-fledged day spa along with her hair salon, they wanted to do it right. Her lease was up in August, eight months from now. So they had a little time. No more strip malls for Oasis Hair & Beauty. Gloria wanted it in a nicer area, one with healthy palm trees and expensive landscaping. Next to a boutique or a hip new restaurant serving food that needed to be explained. Even a Starbucks wouldn’t hurt. So far, no luck. This was just one of many reasons why she bought Marvin that boat. He’d been looking out for her ever since they met.

    Gloria was back outside when she heard her grandkids running on the gravel walkway along the side of the house. They didn’t know how to walk. They sounded like little ponies.
    “Slow down, Blaze!” Nickida yelled. Blaze is four. Nickida yells a lot. She’s six years older than Tarik, which puts her at thirty-eight. She gets on everybody’s nerves except his. Gloria doesn’t know if