#31 - Whacked by the River.

Next: Michaela's Massacre

Mary Ann has not had a drastic cut in her 47 years of life. This changed today when her step-daughter, Eve, beckoned her into stopping by the river to watch the tugboats for a relaxing after work break.

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Mary Ann and Eve sat on a bench to enjoy the first warm day of spring. Mary Ann, fashionable for a woman her age, set her oversized pink bag between them and Eve picked it up.

"Wow, this thing sure is heavy!" she said as she stood with Mary Ann's bag over her shoulder.

"I have a lot to carry." Mary Ann smiled.

Eve walked to the road by the river, still with Mary Ann's heavy bag. Mary Ann sat back and crossed her legs on the bench.

"My, it's sure peaceful here. There is no one around." said Eve.

"Yes." agreed Mary Ann as Eve turned towards her.

Mary Ann checked her wound up ponytail. Unsatisfied with how the stick held her graying black hair, she removed it where all her hair tumbled to the bench. Short haired Eve had a wild thought run through her mind seeing all this grey hair freed.

"Have you ever cut your hair?" she asked.

"No, why?" replied Mary Ann.

"I've wondered that ever since you married my father. Does he like your hair this long?" asked Eve as she rooted through Mary Ann's bag.

"What are you looking for?" wondered Mary Ann as she stood to join Eve at the roadside next to her pink Jeep.

"I'm seeing what you could lose to lighten this load. Tell me, what does Daddy think of your hair?" she pried again.

"Actually, he's been after me to shorten it a bit." said Mary Ann.

"Ah." said Eve as she spied shears from the pink bag but did not let Mary Ann see this fact.

"Are you about through with my bag?" demanded Mary Ann, who wanted to regain control of her belongings.

"Not yet. I want to see how long I can put up with carrying this load." said Eve as she put the scissors on top and put the bag over her shoulder.

"You get used to it." said Mary Ann as Eve walked away.

Mary Ann followed Eve to the river and back again.

"It's hot. Why are you still wearing your jacket?" asked Eve.

"Eve, a woman of my age doesn't go around town in a dress like this without a jacket." smiled Eve.

"There's no one here to see. Take it off." said Eve.

Mary Ann removed her jacket to reveal a sleeveless low cut dress.

"Turn around and let me see your hair. You have a brush in this suitcase, right?" chuckled Eve.

"Three." replied Mary Ann as she turned around.

"So, you are 47 and have never cut your hair?" asked Eve as she brushed.

"No." said Mary Ann.

"Will you let me try on your necklace?" asked Eve.

"Sure." said Mary Ann as she released the latch to her necklace and surrendered it to Eve, who put it around her neck.

"This is sure pretty. Can I try the choker, too?" she asked.

"Fine." said Mary Ann, getting a little uneasy with Eve.

"Would you like my earrings and my dress, too? You have everything else!" scowled Mary Ann.

"Just one." smiled Eve as she donned her step-mother's accessories.

"So, back to your hair. Daddy thinks you should shorten it?" asked Eve as she brushed.

"He's been saying that since I turned 40." said Mary Ann.

"Ouhhh. Bend down, I think I feel a tangle here on top." said Eve as Mary Ann squatted.

"Why don't we make Daddy happy. Let's cut your hair right now." suggested Eve as she put one leg around Mary Ann to prevent her from standing.

"I  THINK NOT! Now Eve, I think we should get back to town. Let me have my belongings and hush this talk about shortening my hair." demanded Mary Ann.

"No. I told Daddy this morning I would talk you into cutting your hair." said Eve as Mary Ann tried to stand, but couldn't.

Eve pulled the shears from Mary Ann's captured bag. Before Mary Ann knew what happened, a large part of her hair was cut and lying in the grass in front of her tortured face.

"See, that wasn't so bad! Daddy will LOVE your new shorn locks!" sang Eve.

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