At the door leading to the exit from the dormitory building, Maisie found herself trapped, blocked from walking out of the building and into the parking lot where her car was located. The impediment standing in her way was a girl, a hefty college student with long, thick, black hair, whose girth took up the entire width of the doorway.
Worn out and ready for a long soak in the hot tub at home, Maisie’s lack of patience manifested. “Excuse me. I’d like to get to my car, if you don’t mind. You’re in my way. I’ll need you to move.”
The girl craned her head and looked at Maisie like she was trying not to laugh. “I’ll move when I’m ready to move, Grandma. There’s another door around here. Find it.”
Grandma?
The girl slapped her knee and cackled. Then she turned and resumed the conversation she’d been having with two boys standing in front of her.
Realizing the girl had an obvious lack of manners and needed to be taught a lesson she wouldn’t forget, Maisie reached into her handbag, moving a few things around until she found what she wanted. Scissors. She sliced them open and shut in the air for effect, and this time when the girl turned, Maisie said, “Again, excuse me, but if you value your long mane of hair as much as I assume you do, you’ll get the hell out of my way, and never, ever speak to your elder in the manner in which you just did again.”
The girl shook her head, roaring with laughter like she found Maisie both funny and ridiculous at the same time. Once again the girl ignored Maisie’s warning and returned to her conversation. Maisie opened her scissors and sliced a four-inch section off the bottom right side of the girl’s hair. As the strands of hair fluttered to a glorious heap on the floor below, the girl felt the back of her head and screamed. And this time when Maisie snapped the scissors open and shut, the girl got out of her way.
Halfway to her car, Maisie received a text message from Linda: Brennan and I are willing to talk, but not here. We’re being watched. We’ll meet you tomorrow morning at the coffee shop on 9th and 9th.