A Bald Women's Road Trip, Chapter 3

 A Bald Women's Road Trip, Chapter 3

After another day of driving, the four stopped at a hotel for the night. They paid for one room, which had two double beds. It was a bit late, but they kept talking for a bit.

Sitting on the bed, Sharon talked growing up in New York with Jan.

"I don't know if I would have liked growing up there. Too big and loud. San Francisco is more my size, I think."

"More bald women in New York, but I understand what you mean. I suppose I was used to it."

When Sharon turned off the lights and they went to bed she thought about growing up in New York. Unlike her mother, she was grateful that she had grown up around other bald women. When she met Patricia, they became fast friends and they stayed together as they got older. Although Violet's role in the Bald Women's Society diminished as the years went by for her, the leadership was expanded among her daughters and later, granddaughters. Sharon knew all of them, Violet's lineage producing beautiful bald women. One granddaughter was actually born with hair, but she shaved it smooth daily.

At first, Sharon didn't think of leaving NYC, but she got accepted to a university in Toronto. She didn't really know anyone there and it was a bit hard at first. Sharon didn't see any bald women at first and people often looked at her funny, as she went around the streets with no wig. Eventually, she talked about it with her mother and she was able to connect her with bald women who lived in the city.

Now that Sharon realized she was able to do so, she was able to find bald women in various locations. She was able to meet some out of the country, but she was able to hear about bald women in even more places around the world.

But when college was over, she wasn't quite sure what to do. She went to talk to Patricia, she might know what to do.

"Well, I have sort of wanted to go someplace warmer for a while." Patricia offered.

"Like where?" Sharon asked.

"California, perhaps?"

"Where in California? I don't really know about another huge city like Los Angeles."

"What about San Francisco? I hear it's got culture as well."

"Sure, I could do that." Sharon said and they started looking into it. She was a bit sad to leave New York, but they could always come back. Besides, as long as they could find some bald women, they would feel at home anywhere.

Their mothers came to see them off, among others.

"I don't think you will have much to worry about. I was able to adapt when I came to this country." said Sasha.

"My hometown was rather small, I had never seen the city when I moved." offered Camille.

"Thank you all for your kind words. I'm sure I'll be alright." said Sharon.

"Yes, I'll take good care of her." Patricia said, laughing as they went off.

There did turn out to be a group of bald women in San Francisco, obviously not as many as New York. The leader, Athena, was happy to have them.

"I've met Violet before. You're lucky having been around her more."

"I like having you as our leader." Sharon replied. Although she wasn't as old as Violet, Athena did have all the right qualities for a mentor position. She had studied and traveled a fair bit. However, she ended up being working at a salon as a hair stylist. Despite being bald, they had heard she was very good with hair. The women she worked on always said good things.

One day, a young bald woman came with her to one of the restaurants they liked to frequent. She was instantly noticeable due to her height.

"This is Jan. I've been mentoring her for a while now, and she helps me out a lot in return." Athena wasn't very tall, so they believed that. She explained more about how they met, and Sharon noticed Jan wasn't chatting that much. "Perhaps you'd like to tell us more about yourself?" said Athena.

"Please forgive me, I haven't been around this many bald women before." Jan said, even though there weren't that many.

"I'm Sharon." she said, offering her hand for Jan. Patricia followed, extending her hand.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you... May I touch your heads?"

Athena seemed to think she was silly, but Sharon let her. Jan started with one hand at a time, but then grabbed it with both hands gently.

"I haven't got anything odd on mine, do I?" Patricia asked when Jan had moved onto her.

"No, just the glare." Jan sat back down and they talked more. She was from the area, so she knew where to go. Jan was especially in the arts. Her current job was not very well paying, and she wanted to try acting, singing, perhaps dancing professionally.

Times had changed when all meetings of bald women were in private. Some still were, but they enjoyed going out as their more natural selves. Once while Sharon and Patricia were out at the cafe, a bald woman they didn't know came up to them.

"Excuse me, are you Sharon?" she asked.

"I am." she replied.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Su."

"It's a pleasure. This is Patricia."

"Oh, hello. I heard you have sometimes other bald ladies with you." Sharon wasn't aware she was becoming so popular. My friend Eric was talking about you. He said he had heard of another bald woman in the city."

"As you can see, I'm not the only one, either. Perhaps you'd like to come to a meeting?"

"I would love that." said Su.

She did, and formed a near-instant friendship with Jan. A little while later, Sharon and Patricia had noticed that the apartment across the hall was open. They mentioned it and Su and Jan said they might want to take it. Things worked out and they were able to move in.

Sharon was happy to bring everyone together. Bald women were able to bond with each other, have relationships, and she often took charge herself to make that all happen. Miss Violet, she thought, would be proud.