Structure

The beginning of the short story “Appointment” by Olivia Parkes introduces the narrator – the main character – who arrives at the hair salon for a haircut appointment:

‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ I said, unwinding my scarf and piling my layers on an empty swivel chair beside the stylist’s station. The crumpled clothes looked shabby in the gleaming, mirrored room, like something you’d find under a bridge. I was wearing pretty much everything I owned. This little jaunt was the first time I’d left the house in weeks, and let me tell you, you could die out there. 

The beginning also offers some hints about the narrator’s situation, as she is dressed shabbily and does not go out much. The story unfolds chronologically as the narrator goes through a makeover with the help of Moira, the hairstylist. Throughout the text, several flashbacks offer readers more information about the narrator’s situation. For example, we find out that the narrator has a complicated relationship with her son, with whom she has not spoken for quite some time: “People did not want to hear it. This verbatim from my own son, who had not spoken to me in years. I don’t want to hear it Ma, Paulie said, though I had apologized and tried to explain.” 

Anot...