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I’d never been good at staying still. Or rather, I was too good at it. Once I stopped, the darkness of past pain sank claws deep into me, trapping me in place.
I didn’t like being trapped, especially now that I was trying to get on with my life. So, as I started gingerly enjoying that life with Mona, I found ways to keep myself occupied.
Today, I’d run out of things to do. My apartment was clean. My laundry was done. I needed a task.
“Can I wash your hair?” I blurted as Mona moved towards the bathroom with a towel.
She raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that sent a wave of warmth through me. “Looking for an excuse to take a bath with me, Max?”
“Maybe another time.” I rose from the couch, where I was on the verge of getting trapped. “I just need something to do with my hands.”
Expression softening, she nodded. “Sure. I have plenty of hair, after all.”
She did, and it was beautiful. Dark brown, dark enough that it almost looked black in the shadows where we’d met. Light glinted off it as it swayed in the soft ponytail that skimmed her upper back.
After she was in the bathtub, I pulled up a stool and took her hair out of that ponytail, letting her hair tumble freely. For a moment, I just slid my fingers through the dark locks, and she leaned back into my touch with a contented sigh.
I took up a pitcher, filled it with warm water, and poured a slow stream over her hair. I took another, dampening the few strands I’d missed the first time. After running my fingers through it again, making sure everything was wet, I lathered shampoo on my hands and worked it in.
Mona didn’t seem to be in any rush to get on with the rest of the bath, so I didn’t rush. I scrubbed lightly across her scalp and through her hair, then rinsed it clean of all the shampoo. Conditioner followed, and I obeyed her chiding not to use too much.
I rinsed that out too, making sure no residue remained. “There. Your hair’s all clean now.”
“Thanks, Max. It feels good.” Mona turned, eyes sparkling. “Sure you don’t want to join me?”
“Hmm.” I stroked my fingers through her wet hair and smiled. “Maybe I will.”