Secrets Between the Legs: Hairy Scary Stories of Waxing

By Cassidy White

Have you ever been curious about what goes on behind the closed doors of a waxing shop? In Secrets between the Legs, author Cassidy White gives the inside scoop of the hairy, scary stories from the viewpoint of a professional cosmetologist.

She shares some of her wildest memories since her waxing career began in 2019. With a humorous outlook, White describes what goes on behind the scenes of a “simple” wax appointment and what estheticians deal with in their everyday work. In “Let It Snow,” White tells happened when she worked during a New York snowstorm. “The Bug on My Head” confronts White’s insect phobia. And, “Alma” narrates a poignant encounter with a woman who was a child in Poland when the Holocaust began.

White’s stories record the drama and outrageousness of some of the situations she’s been in—the good, the bad, and the scary.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9781665757409

Cassidy White

Cassidy White attended cosmetology school in 2015 and became a waxer in 2019. She is a first-time author who is a professional body waxer by day. She currently resides on Long Island with her family and three animals: Caesar, Star and Bella. When White isn’t writing or waxing, she enjoys spending time with her friends, and traveling to Texas and Italy to spend time with her families.

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Copyright © 2024 Cassidy White.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Archway Publishing

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

844-669-3957

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Interior Image Credit: Gina LoPresti

ISBN: 978-1-6657-5739-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-5741-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6657-5740-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024904205

Archway Publishing rev. date: 03/01/2024

In Memory of

ANDREW

You can’t fire me, I quit!

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CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART 1: THE GOOD

Chapter 1  Alma

Chapter 2  A Sign from Above

Chapter 3  Bottoms Up

Chapter 4  A Medium, a Rockette, and a Porn Star

Chapter 5  Live TV

Chapter 6  Welcome to the World

Chapter 7  A Big Surprise

Chapter 8  Enemies to Besties

Chapter 9  More than Coworkers

PART 2: THE BAD

Chapter 10  The Wrong Swipe

Chapter 11  Shots

Chapter 12  Let It Snow

Chapter 13  The Wasted Call

Chapter 14  Not Your Typical Fur

Chapter 15  The Bug on My Head

Chapter 16  RIP?

Chapter 17  Two Sizes Too Small

Chapter 18  Eat It

Chapter 19  The Bagel

Chapter 20  Baby Momma Drama

Chapter 21  The Mask

Chapter 22  150 Pounds Down

Chapter 23  The Forbidden Graveyard

Chapter 24  The Influencer

Chapter 25  One-Way Love

Chapter 26  Drinks for the Seller

Chapter 27  Thirty-Plus Years of Hair

Chapter 28  The Italian Peach

Chapter 29  Cover-Up Cookies

Chapter 30  The Spying Girlfriend

Chapter 31  All Is Fair in Love and Wax

Chapter 32  Sistersin-Law?

Chapter 33  Land Ho

Chapter 34  Nailed This House Call

Chapter 35  Inches or Centimeters?

Chapter 36  The Other Girl

Chapter 37  Quit Vaping!

Chapter 38  That’s Not My Name!

Chapter 39  Let’s Get Intimate

PART 3: THE SCARY

Chapter 40  The Insurrection

Chapter 41  Swing Batter Batter

Chapter 42  Piping Hot Tea

Chapter 43  The Worst Waxers

Chapter 44  Get the Judge

Chapter 45  Pregnancy Hormones

Chapter 46  Hit Me, I Dare You

Chapter 47  Hail, Satan

Chapter 48  Cum One, Cum All

Chapter 49  Jerky Jackson

Chapter 50  Golden Showers

PREFACE

I was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I went to cosmetology school in 2015, right after I graduated high school, then a couple of years later in 2019 I became a waxer. Waxing quickly became my thing—I had finally found my passion, and I was good at it.

These are some of my wildest memories since my waxing career began, but I’m not sharing these stories to judge anyone—just to show what goes on behind the scenes of a simple wax appointment and what estheticians deal with in their everyday work. Writing these stories has helped me to deal with the drama of some of these situations and to keep a record of everything I’ve gone through—the good, the bad, and the scary. And while some outrageous things happened, I hope you’ll find a lot of them as hilarious as I did.

A disclaimer: all names in this book and some of the personal details have been fictionalized to protect the privacy of the guests. But if you’ve ever been a client of mine, see if you can find yourself in the book!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Although words on a page will never be enough to express my gratitude for all the help and support I had while writing this book, I would love to thank these wonderful people for being there for me throughout this journey:

Mom and Dad

Auntie

Grace Marie

Casey and Melissa

Grandma Linda and Grandpa Bob

Katelyn, Fran, and Mike

Kirsten and Samantha

Alyssa and Jayden

Gigi

Michelle

Kathryn and Matt

Mrs. Hopkins

My English teachers, Mrs. F, Mr. K, and Mr. L

and la mia cara amica, Maria Grazia

Yes, the list is long, but I consider myself lucky to have such a strong inner support group looking out for me.

Thanks also to my not-so-scary clients who make showing up to work and doing my job a hell of a lot easier and who have been there with me from the beginning:

Akira

Joanne and Katie

Mike

Brian

Taylor

Heidi

Lucy

Sally

Melissa

Leslie

Madai

And to my newer clients I haven’t known from the get-go: you all hold a special place in my heart as well. I appreciate your love and support just as much, especially those who know about this book.

An extra special thank-you to the ones who read over and helped me edit my work, Jacklyn Sanabria, Mia’ Bonventre, and Gina LoPresti.

I would also love to give a huge shout-out to two other people who gave their time and artistic talents to help me by designing the cover and the chapter markers, my sister separated at birth, Gina LoPresti; and my amazingly talented work neighbor, Samantha B. Greatly appreciated is also the help of Sam. Sam helped me transform all of the wonderful art into versions that were now digital. I couldn’t have included the artwork without him. And finally, thank you to Heather of Heather Nixon Photography for my beautiful author photo.

Last but certainly not least, I can’t overlook the three pieces of my heart who love me with every beat of their hearts and provide me with unconditional love and companionship—my pets (though they will never be able to read this), Caesar, Star, and Bella.

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THE GOOD

1

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ALMA

I n 1941 the holocaust started. now, i know what you’re thinking: why is the holocaust in a mostly comedic book about being a body waxer? Well, this story is unlike any other chapter you’re going to read in this book. What happened changed me as a person; it humbled me and made me realize how small the world truly is, how each person has a story, and how it is up to us to connect with each other to learn not only about history but humanity as a w hole.

The year 1941 was seventy-nine years before I met Alma, a sweet older lady with a thick Polish accent. When my morning started, I never expected to be performing a Brazilian wax on a lady of Alma’s age. I had waxed older people before, but Alma was older than any client I had ever serviced, and to be quite honest I was nervous. I was nervous I would hurt her or possibly tear her skin. But I would quickly learn Alma was tough, not only physically but mentally.

I held my breath and pulled a labia strip. Alma called out in Hebrew. I wish I could remember word from word what she said. She looked at me, and I looked at her. As my heart raced, I prayed that I didn’t hurt her more than a normal wax should hurt.

Do you know what that means? Alma asked.

I pressed down on her skin to release some of the pain, too afraid to lift my hand, fearing I might have hurt her. No, I only speak English and Italian, I said as I lifted my hand, noticing I had done no damage—only her hair was gone.

What religion are you, dear? Alma asked as I applied another strip of wax.

I was brought up Episcopalian. However, I’ve barely been to church since I made my confirmation almost ten years ago.

She let out a sigh. It felt as if I had disappointed my own grandmother. She then started her story—the story that would change my whole outlook on life.

You should go back to church. Regardless of if we believe in the same thing or not, you need to pray and to worship. What I said before, it was a Hebrew saying. I’m Jewish, but I owe my life to Christian nuns. You see, I am originally from Poland. I was just a baby when Hitler and the Nazis began the invasion. We had lived close to a church, and when things started to get bad, one of the nuns took me in and hid me. Unfortunately, my family did not make it, but thanks to the giant heart of the nun I was able to survive. I owe my life to her, which is why I tell you: you should go to church. Although I myself am not Catholic, I thank God every day for the nun’s help and sparing me from death.

By the time Alma finished her short but powerful story, I had tears in my eyes. I had read plenty of books and seen plenty of movies about the Holocaust, but I never thought I would meet a survivor. She was history embodied. Her story of a horrible event in history was a first-hand encounter, and to be able to learn from her was an honor.

We continued to chat. She brought up her life after World War II and how she eventually moved to America when she was in her early twenties, married the love of her life, and had two children. Alma told me how incredibly difficult it had been to leave her home, since it was the last connection she had to her family. But she wanted to start fresh, and she was happy she did. I did not ask too many questions but let her speak and tell me what she felt comfortable sharing. Sometimes it is better to just listen.

Actually, my son is outside waiting for me. He is such a good boy. Even late into his fifties he still takes care of his mom.

I’m sure you are a great mother, I replied, trying to do the math of how old Alma would be, because in the fifteen minutes we’ve been together you have been nothing but caring and compassionate. You, Alma, are like a ray of sun in the dark winter. We finished up, and she asked if she could hug me. I am normally not someone who likes to be touched, but for Alma I could make the exception.

I never saw Alma again, but I think of her daily. I hear a lot while I wax clients, but Alma’s story will always stick with me. Although Alma had been through extreme hardships in life that I could never fathom, she was always able to see the positive side of things, and that was the biggest lesson she could’ve taught me that day.

2

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A SIGN FROM ABOVE

O n February 10, 2023, one of my favorite clients had an appointment. Her name is Ellie, and she has a heart of gold. I was excited to see her because I had just