Susan discusses the mother-daughter writing collaboration of The Year of the Buttered Cat

by Susan Haas

Haircuts available NOW! the sandwich board sign teased.

I hadn’t had a proper haircut in months. I stood on the sidewalk in front of the salon, my 6-year-old business partner staring up at me from her wheelchair. Using words (mine), gestures, squeals, and groans (mostly hers), we negotiated the terms of our contract:

Simple cut, no highlights but yes, a blow dry and style.

Strawberry ice cream after. One. Scoop.

Okay, Fine. Multicolor sprinkles.

But now the deal was falling apart. Through a curtain of wet hair, I could see Lexi twisting and writhing in her wheelchair. I knew loud groans weren’t far behind.

“It won’t be much longer, Lexi,” I said, trying hard to keep my head steady as the stylist snipped at my bangs. “Do you need a different view for a while?”

Lexi stuck out her tongue—her way of saying yes.