How you been baby?

"How you been baby?" Gigi asked Gwen as they embraced.
"I've been fine Gigi. Just getting through life."
"Are you back at work?"
"Yes. You know I can't stay away from work too long. That seems to be my safe haven."
"I know what you mean." Gigi said as she removed the smock from the young lady sitting in her chair. So how are you and Brandon holding up?"
"We aren't," Gwen responded quickly and dryly. "I had to let him go. That situation wasn't good for me. I had to understand what I needed in my life so that I could learn how to appreciate it."
"Well," Gigi said sarcastically.
"Well what," Gwen replied.
"Have you found what it is that you were looking for?"
"Yes, I found that I needed me. I needed to understand me more, so that I could learn what makes me happy."
"So what is his name?" Gigi asked Gwen.
"What's whose name?" Gwen asked confusingly.
"The new guy."
"There is no new guy. Why do you ask that?"
"I was just wondering. Just thought I'd ask. Well," Gigi continued, "since there is no one in your life, or no one that you want to talk to me about, come on over here so I can get to your wig. But let me tell you this, when love is in the air, you'd better breathe deep and exhale slow." "What does that mean?" Gwen asked confusingly.
"Baby, when you understand that statement, you will not be afraid to accept love into your life."

Gigi led Gwen to the sink to begin washing her hair. As she washed, she hummed gospel songs to relax her mind. Gwen closed her eyes and listened as Gigi hummed the tune Standing In The Need Of Prayer.

"Gigi," Gwen began, "I didn't want to bust you out, but Derrick says that you can blow. Now since you have been doing my hair and as long as I can remember, you have always hummed. I have yet to hear you actually sing."
"That's what Derrick told you huh?" Gigi said looking for Derrick.
"Yes he did and don't you go starting anything with him for telling me." Gwen laughed. "Just tell me if you can sing and if you can, why don't you?"
"Girl," Gigi started, "I have been singing all my life. I have sung solo, with a group and even was a group. But even with all that singing I wasn't happy until I started singing about something. That was when I started singing gospel. I felt complete then. So now, all I sing is gospel."
Gigi ended her statement as she removed Gwen from the sink. "But Gigi, all you do is hum. You never sing."
"Baby, my mother told me that when you hum, the devil can't hear what you are saying. I'm talking to GOD right now and I don't need the devil in my business." Gigi laughed aloud.

Tanya and CJ were already sitting under the hair dryer when Gigi placed Gwen under the dryer. They were laughing at Derrick's humor and his instant and evident attachment to CJ. Tanya made points to let Gwen know of the extra care that Derrick took in washing CJ's hair. As well as the extra attention he paid to CJ's requests. Gwen felt compelled to inform the two of them that Derrick was unstable, but felt the responsibility of holding it in until they left the shop. She figured that way CJ's reaction wouldn't change, causing Derrick to be uncomfortable.

The two and a half hours spent at the shop was worth it as the girls all prepared to walk out with fresh new hairstyles. Gwen toted her usual style. While Tanya went with the long feathered look and CJ went with a tailored bob cut. After last minute looks in the mirror, each of them thanked Gigi with a hug and a nice tip. Gigi thanked them for the opportunity to do their hair and told them they would always be welcomed at Split Endz. As they discussed the plan for the rest of the day, Gwen decided to tell CJ and Tanya about Derrick.