I cast my mind back to spring break ten years ago. Just as my mother walked out the front door she called to my older sister, “and don’t forget your brothers haircut”, then she closed the door. That was me she was referring to, and I’m telling you now, I hate haircuts! My mum was going away for two weeks and left my sister to look after me. My sister is Sarah, she is 17 and had been lucky enough to give free reign over me and house for that period, it was going to be an interesting week..
My sister and I get along fairly well, she’s nice to me, but very opinionated. See Sarah is in what you would call in the popular group at high school. I know its my sister and its hard to say, but I guess she is attractive cause all my friends are obsessed with her and all the guys her age are as well. Same with her friend Lucy. The are best friends and very similar in every aspect. They both have athletic bodies, long blonde hair and know how to dress and shop. Just secretly I had a major crush on Lucy and was at the tender age of 13 when I just started to take an interest in girls. It was getting to the stage where I would just about do anything she asked! I think my sister was well aware of this as well, but she didn’t mind, just thought it was cute. Lucy was always really kind and playful to me just because I was Sarah’s brother. This next two weeks would consist of Lucy coming over every day which wasn’t too bad at all I thought.
So I was sitting at television playing video games when my sister walked in the room. She walked behind me and ran her hand up my neck. “You mister, need a haircut, so bad! Its gross you look like a girl.”. My hair was brown and fell around my chin and curled at the ends. She was right, I probably did need a haircut, but certainly didn’t want one. “No way, my hair is cool leave me alone” I complained. “Firstly, its not cool, its gross, and secondly mum said you have to have one, so if you don’t you will be in deep shit. Plus, I don’t want my friends to come over and see my brother looking like you”. I ignored her and continued playing video games. She left the room so I thought the case was closed, I lived to fight another day.
About twenty minutes later Sarah yelled out, “Tom, can you come here please?”. I paused the game and walked into the kitchen. There was Sarah standing behind a stool, a sheet draped over her arm, scissors and various other equipment on the bench. “Sit!” she commanded. “You’re not walking around as my brother looking like that for one second more”. My stomach churned at the site if this. I absolutely hated haircuts at the best of times, not to mention one from my sister! “No way! As if your giving me a haircut!” I yelled. “If you don’t sit down on this chair in 5 seconds you wont see a cent of the money mom left us!”. “You’re not a hairdresser! No way! I’m telling mum” I yelled. “I know how to cut boys hair. If you let me cut your hair into a suitable half fashionable style of my choice I will give you the money that mom left for your haircut”. That last proposition was tempting because I sure could use $20 dollars but there was going to be no way my sister was giving me a haircut.
As much as I still didn’t want a haircut I had to reason with her to avoid getting in trouble with mum. “No, take me to the hairdressers at least” I said. That way I knew I could just get a little trim, and keep my long locks like all my friends. “There is no way I’m taking my brother to my salon and paying $20 for her just to trim the ends and have it grow back in two weeks. Just sit down and I promise I wont take too much off!”. “No! take me to Linda (Linda is our family hairdresser) or nothing at all!” I stated. “Your such a little baby. Why can’t you be like the normal boys and go to the barbershop, or are you scared?” she teased. The barbershop, that sent shivers done my spine. Last time I stayed with my grandma she took me to the barbershop. It was possibly the worst experience of my life. I think I had more hair the day I was born than the day I walked out of that shop. I see results of ‘the barbershop’ at school everyday. Kids who have been scalped for summer and that sure wasn’t going to be me. I then walked out of my sister’s mini ‘barbershop’ and back to the lounge where I continued my video game.
About an hour later the door bell rang and I went to answer it. It was Lucy, my sisters friend. “Hey sweetie!, how are you doing?” , she said as she bent down to give me a little hug and ruffle of the hair. She stood tall in her high heels with long slender tanned legs, denim mini skirt and white singlet top exposing generous cleavage. I felt her breasts brush against me as bent down. I was exceptionally lucky something embarrassing didn’t pop up to say hello. “What’s with the hair Tommy?, time for a trip to the barbershop babe?”. I went bright red in embarrassment. I thought my long hair was rebellious and cool, but the girl of my dreams just asked me why I hadn’t visited the barbershop. Little did I know she had been on the phone to my sister earlier and they had set up a plan. “Which barber do you go to Tommy?” Now I really began to get nervous, I didn’t even go to a barber, but if I told her that what would she think of me? I racked my brains and tried to think of one before it was obvious, “Um just near the mall.” I replied semi confidently. “Oh yeh, all the boys from the football team go there, their haircuts are so hot! Well Sarah and I are going shopping at the mall this afternoon, we can take you then” She said smiling. My mouth was wide open, I had no idea what to do. Do I enter the shop of horror to be scalped and made a mockery of, or do I resist and not impress the girl of my dreams. She even said the guys haircuts were hot! This was a huge dilemma.
At the same time Sarah conveniently walked down the stairs. Lucy and Sarah hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. “Your brother sooo needs a haircut Sez (my sisters nickname) said Lucy as she ran her fingers through my hair. “Oh my god tell me about it, its so embarrassing.” “I was just telling Tommy that we can take him to the barbershop when we go to the mall.” My sister smiled knowing of my crush and knowing full well I hated getting my haircut, especially there. “Settled, well me and your sister will go and get ready shall we?”. I was stunned, my fate had been sealed by the girl of my dreams. They walked up the stairs whilst I stood shocked. That girl sure had a way with words I thought.
A very short ten minutes passed and the two girls walked back down from my sisters room. Some how Lucy looked even more attractive this time. “Alright mr, lets go” she yelled. I swallowed hard and followed her to the car. Usually I would have been excited about going in Lucy Graham’s car but it was kind of tough considering our destination. She had a convertible so as we drove along my long hair flowed in the wind. As we drove through the street in town every guy stopped to check out Lucy and my sister, they were used to it. Lucy parked her car right outside the very barbershop I mentioned. I saw the spinning red and white pole and began to get that sick feeling in my stomach. I didn’t have long to get out of this. My only hope was that the girls dropped me off at the shop. That way I knew I had money in my account. I could go to Linda’s, get a trim and be home safe. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case today. We pilled out of the car and the girls headed straight for the door. They waited for me, opened the door and pushed me in first. The doorbell chimed as we made our entrance. The shop was run by two ladies, both ex-marine barbers. I knew that because I had heard the kids at school talk about them. They had various pictures on the walls of men’s hairstyles and pictures of them in the army barbershop. The girls had already sat on the bench at the back and attracted plenty of attention from the male customers. They were loving the experience as they had never been to a barbershop before. I on the other hand felt extremely ill and thought I was going to be sick.
Both chairs were occupied, one was a teenage boy who I think was in my sisters year, and the other was a young boy, younger than me who sat quietly and the barber made short work of his hair. His mother looked up every now and again with an approving smile. I began to study the shop. The chairs were huge, much like the one I sat in that day grandma took me for a haircut. They were large steel chairs with red leather cushioning and several levers and pedals at the base. It was unlike the salon mum took me to. There was no shampoo station or anything like that. Both barbers were using electric clippers, something that I have only had used once, that day with grandma. Linda at the salon, trimmed my hair every so gently and carefully with scissors.
It only just occurred to me that whoever finished their customer first would get me in their chair, I was next! It didn’t really matter who it was that cut my hair, they were both the same. It was just a matter of how long it was before I was invited to the hot seat. My sister and Lucy were having fun teasing the boy in the chair by flirting with him. They would giggle every now and again and he would go bright red with embarrassment. At that moment I heard one of the barbers sternly ask for the mothers opinion. “That’s great” she said enthusiastically. “Short enough?” questioned the barber. The mother nodded and the barber reached for that fluffy brush. She roughly dusted his neck and face before unsnapping that large red cape which completely enveloped the young child. She continued to dust then expertly peeled the cape from the young child whilst lowering the huge chair at the same time. The cape was then thrown over the back of the chair as the child stepped off. I think I was trembling slightly and my stomach felt like I would be sick any minute. My sister smiled at me, she had been waiting for this moment and she knew what time it was as well.
The mother escorted her son to the register where the haircut was paid for. The barber and mother exchanged goodbyes and then it was time. She briskly walked back over to her chair and removed the long red cape. The site of that free flowing cape dangling in anticipation always scared me. She fiercely shook it out to ensure the clippings were freed before she aggressively whipped it against her chair and called out “next!” whilst looking in my direction. She slapped the back of the chair and my heart beat gained as I felt Lucy’s hand on my back gently ease me off the waiting bench. I slowly walked toward the chair where my barber waited, cape in hand. I stood on the footrest nervously and then slowly placed my backside on the edge of the soft leather seat before I felt two hands on each shoulder quickly pull me back into the chair. I swallowed, then waited for the moment I dreaded, the cape to suddenly surround me and then be pinned behind my neck so tight. I’ve always hated stuff around my neck made me feel insecure, especially capes because it meant I was about to get a haircut. I waited nervously but it didn’t happen. She walked past my chair and to the wall where there was a dispenser. Quickly she pulled a length of what seemed to be tissue and tore it off. I had no idea what this was for and waited anxiously for its purpose. She stood back behind the chair, still with the cape under her arm and the tissue strip in her hands. Next she professionally reached forward and wrapped the tissue horizontally around my neck, binding it as tightly as she could. She then folded it in the back so it stayed taught. I winched in discomfort which the barber noticed. I had never received or seen this procedure before in any hairdressers I’d been to and was now completely out of my comfort zone. “You’re a salon boy aren’t you sweetie?” She asked as she noticed my discomfort. I swallowed hard once again and I felt the soft tissue rub against my neck. Mean while she aggressively shook out the cape once more and swung it around myself and the chair. She joined the studs on the cape together as they locked into place. For some reason she then smiled at me and undid the cape. “Don’t worry sweetie, we’ll make a young man out of you yet” she said as she drew the cape two settings higher and pinned it tight against the tissue with a snap, I could barely breath. “Don’t want those little clippings getting down your neck darling” she said with a smile. At the same time the chair rose as she pumped the pedal at the base. Once I was at a desired level for her to work out I came to a halt.
She then spun the chair around so I was facing my sister and Lucy. They were both giggling because they both were fully aware of the trauma I was in. She ruffled my hair and looked me in the eye, “Don’t like haircuts much do you young man?” she asked. It was one of those questions that didn’t require an answer. “well I can tell you now, you’ll be getting a haircut today whether you like it or not. What will it be ladies?” she directed the question to my sister and Lucy assuming that one was in charge. To my surprise Lucy rose and strolled to the chair. The barber introduced herself as Cheryl and they began discussing my haircut. “Something short, and a lot more masculine is in order I think, don’t you?’ she said whilst asking the barber. “Definitely, lets see if we can’t make a young man out of this yet.” “He’s very good at avoiding haircuts”, stated Lucy. “Quite clearly he is, don’t worry dear well make sure that isn’t a problem, wont we young man?” I felt like crying then and there, but I couldn’t. All my ‘cool points’ with Lucy would definitely go out the window if I began crying over a haircut.
I expected then to be turned back to the mirror, but I wasn’t. She proceeded to roughly spray and comb my hair out whilst I looked on at the waiting bench. My sisters smile was ear to ear as I winched every time she pulled her comb through my knotted hair whilst spraying the mist. How she wished she was in place of the barber. Suddenly the bottle was placed down and the barber pulled out her scissors from her top pocket. Quickly she snipped them together in mid air then began to go to work on my hair. I was a little relieved and thought there may still be some chance of just a scissors based haircut. She handled the scissors with such precision and pace and she combed and snipped all the way around the back of my hair. All I could hear was the snips of the scissors as she combed and snipped through my locks. Several long curls of hair were accumulating on the floor and in my lap. As the scissors continued to slice through my hair I had no idea of the length. However I knew it was getting shorter because I felt a little more light headed than usual. This rough combing and snipping went on for another five minutes before she stopped. She ruffled my hair which was still long and commented that she had removed the bulk. I was praying that she would reach for the fluffy brush to signify the end of the haircut. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. She was busy getting something ready behind me, and I know it wasn’t something to look forward to because the girls had smiles from ear to ear.
Next I felt Cheryl’s hand on the back of my head forcefully push my chin into my chest. “Now you sit still and behave for me or else I’ll make sure you’ve got nothing to comb when you leave this chair sweetie”. I gulped and wanted to cry so bad. Her hand still forcefully held my head down as I heard the clippers spring to life with a pop then a hum. Her hand ran up my neck a few times to loosen the clippers path before I felt the plastic guard touch my neck. My whole body began to vibrate and tremor as the first pass seemed to take forever. Higher and high the clippers would go before she professionally flicked her wrists and caused a large pile of hair to cascade to the floor. Pass after pass in the same area for the same result, hair falling in huge amounts. My neck began to strain as I tried to look up to see Sarah. She forcefully pushed my head down more aggressively than before. Even if I wanted to look up I couldn’t. I get the feeling all the waiting customers eyes were on me and my transformation, even though I couldn’t lift my head to see. I get the feeling Cheryl loved the audience. I just was forced to stare down at the red cape which covered my lap and held piles of long curls. The clipping were going right up to the top of my head, this was extremely short as I could feel the cool breeze pass by.
I then felt her grip loosen as she studied her work by running her hand up my freshly clipped neck. A few more random passes were made then my head was returned to normal position. Next she stood beside me and began to clip my right side. She brought the clippers up next to my ear and I instinctively attempted to avoid them. However, Cheryl was extremely experienced in unwanted haircuts and her left hand was in place to prevent this from happening. She slid the clippers under my long side burns and began to peel my hair away, high and short. She was so swift with the clipping motions that in minutes there was nothing left. She folded my ear down and ran the clippers high up through that region, hair spilled to my shoulders. Sarah and Lucy had huge smiles, as did a few approving mothers in the waiting area. I tried to avoid this attention and looked to the ground, but she forced me to look straight ahead. She knew I was embarrassed and she loved it. Next the same process was repeated on my left side. I was clipped extremely high and short once more. The only length left was on top, I could only prey that the scissors would trim it a little shorter.
After much searching around Cheryl returned with a large square flat comb. It was like an afro comb except a lot larger. She stood behind me and dragged it through the front of my hair. It lay horizontally flat, causing lots of long hairs to stick out through the comb. I heard the clippers pop back to life before she began to run them over the comb, causing all the strays to fall. My worst fears were confirmed, I was getting a flat top. The comb lay flat against my scalp as she continued to peel of all my top length. Long tufts of hair fell down in front of my eyes as she would flick her wrists at the end of each pass. After she was content with the length she placed the comb back down and manually made a few passes to even it up. The clippers were then shut off and I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked down at the floor and there was nothing but my dark long hair. My lap was covered in it, as were my shoulders, I just longed for this cape to loosen its grasp from my shorn neck. To my relief and surprise Cheryl began dusting my face and neck with the big fluffy brush, finally it was over. I felt the greatest release of pressure as the cape was unsnapped, she continued dusting my neck. Cheryl reached over and expertly peeled off the cape depositing large amounts of my cut hair on the tiled floor. Next I expected her to remove the tissue and spin me around to the mirror. However this wasn’t the case. Cheryl shook out the cape make sure it was free of clippings then in one motion glided it back over me and pinned it just as tight. “That’s better, nice a fresh” she stated. I couldn’t believe, what more could she possible do? She then walked to the counter and returned to placed a fresh white towel over my shoulder. I heard some sort of machinery behind me begin make a groaning sound.
Next I felt a gentle slap on the back of my neck. I had no idea what was going on. Using my sisters reaction imagined that it wasn’t a good thing. She continued to roughly disperse something on my neck and sides in a slapping manor. She stood in front me then I realised my predicament, shaving cream. Everyone in the store had cast their eyes over to me, the long haired rebellious boy who was going to be shaven. Still standing in front of me she produced a small object from her pocket. She flicked it open with a smile, a straight razor. “Don’t fight this honey, or else I will do your whole head”. I wanted to just cry so badly right now but fought the tears. She held my jaw firmly in her hand as she proceeded to remove the cream with short strokes before whipping the excess foam onto the towel. First it was the sides, then back, I was shaved smooth. She picked up a fresh towel and removed all the shaving cream by wiping my head with it. Cheryl ran her hands all over my haircut with delight whilst chuckling, “Not bad at all…we managed to make a young man out of you yet”. Cheryl turned to the girls and questioned the length, “Short enough girls?” she asked. You would think my sister just won the lottery by the look on her face, “Yes thank you, that’s excellent”. Finally my neck was dusted and the cape unsnapped. I breathed another sigh of relief as she dusted and removed that horrid neck tissue. Luckily this was the last time I would endure a haircut of this nature. The cape was pealed away at the same time she turned the chair to face the mirror.
Words can’t describe how ridiculous I looked. I hated my haircut more than anything. I looked so young and just stupid, my hair had been shorn so short I looked like I was a first day army cadet. The sides had been shaved skin bald, nothing there at all. The top was blended in with the sides to create a perfect flat top. Cheryl knew I hated it but I think that made her even more content. I stepped out of the chair as it ascended and stopped. I walked to the register with my sister as she thanked Cheryl. “Now I expect to see him back in here in two weeks for a touch up” she said. Now there was no way I was coming back in here I thought. My sister agreed whilst she paid Cheryl and rubbed my head. I looked over to the waiting area where there was another long haired young boy waiting. He would have been dreading the end of my haircut because he was next. Whilst Sarah was putting money back in her purse Cheryl made her way back to the chair and removed the cape. The boy gulped as she whipped it against her chair directing her “next!’ at him with a smile. The boy left the waiting area timidly as she slapped the back of her chair. He made his way to the chair walking over the mounds of hair that lay from my haircut. He knew soon his would join mine, I knew exactly what he was feeling.
On the way home I got nothing but teased about how she cut my hair. Both girls said they liked my haircut, but teased me so much about the way it which it was cut. If it was any consolation I got a kiss on the cheek from Lucy which improved my day slightly.
Two weeks passed and mom returned home. My hair had grown out slightly since the haircut but was still incredibly short. Unfortunately mom loved it. She asked my sister where she took me and she told her how much it cost. Mum was so pleased and that afternoon I found myself with mom and Sarah in the barbershop area waiting for my “touch up” from Cheryl….
My sister and I get along fairly well, she’s nice to me, but very opinionated. See Sarah is in what you would call in the popular group at high school. I know its my sister and its hard to say, but I guess she is attractive cause all my friends are obsessed with her and all the guys her age are as well. Same with her friend Lucy. The are best friends and very similar in every aspect. They both have athletic bodies, long blonde hair and know how to dress and shop. Just secretly I had a major crush on Lucy and was at the tender age of 13 when I just started to take an interest in girls. It was getting to the stage where I would just about do anything she asked! I think my sister was well aware of this as well, but she didn’t mind, just thought it was cute. Lucy was always really kind and playful to me just because I was Sarah’s brother. This next two weeks would consist of Lucy coming over every day which wasn’t too bad at all I thought.
So I was sitting at television playing video games when my sister walked in the room. She walked behind me and ran her hand up my neck. “You mister, need a haircut, so bad! Its gross you look like a girl.”. My hair was brown and fell around my chin and curled at the ends. She was right, I probably did need a haircut, but certainly didn’t want one. “No way, my hair is cool leave me alone” I complained. “Firstly, its not cool, its gross, and secondly mum said you have to have one, so if you don’t you will be in deep shit. Plus, I don’t want my friends to come over and see my brother looking like you”. I ignored her and continued playing video games. She left the room so I thought the case was closed, I lived to fight another day.
About twenty minutes later Sarah yelled out, “Tom, can you come here please?”. I paused the game and walked into the kitchen. There was Sarah standing behind a stool, a sheet draped over her arm, scissors and various other equipment on the bench. “Sit!” she commanded. “You’re not walking around as my brother looking like that for one second more”. My stomach churned at the site if this. I absolutely hated haircuts at the best of times, not to mention one from my sister! “No way! As if your giving me a haircut!” I yelled. “If you don’t sit down on this chair in 5 seconds you wont see a cent of the money mom left us!”. “You’re not a hairdresser! No way! I’m telling mum” I yelled. “I know how to cut boys hair. If you let me cut your hair into a suitable half fashionable style of my choice I will give you the money that mom left for your haircut”. That last proposition was tempting because I sure could use $20 dollars but there was going to be no way my sister was giving me a haircut.
As much as I still didn’t want a haircut I had to reason with her to avoid getting in trouble with mum. “No, take me to the hairdressers at least” I said. That way I knew I could just get a little trim, and keep my long locks like all my friends. “There is no way I’m taking my brother to my salon and paying $20 for her just to trim the ends and have it grow back in two weeks. Just sit down and I promise I wont take too much off!”. “No! take me to Linda (Linda is our family hairdresser) or nothing at all!” I stated. “Your such a little baby. Why can’t you be like the normal boys and go to the barbershop, or are you scared?” she teased. The barbershop, that sent shivers done my spine. Last time I stayed with my grandma she took me to the barbershop. It was possibly the worst experience of my life. I think I had more hair the day I was born than the day I walked out of that shop. I see results of ‘the barbershop’ at school everyday. Kids who have been scalped for summer and that sure wasn’t going to be me. I then walked out of my sister’s mini ‘barbershop’ and back to the lounge where I continued my video game.
About an hour later the door bell rang and I went to answer it. It was Lucy, my sisters friend. “Hey sweetie!, how are you doing?” , she said as she bent down to give me a little hug and ruffle of the hair. She stood tall in her high heels with long slender tanned legs, denim mini skirt and white singlet top exposing generous cleavage. I felt her breasts brush against me as bent down. I was exceptionally lucky something embarrassing didn’t pop up to say hello. “What’s with the hair Tommy?, time for a trip to the barbershop babe?”. I went bright red in embarrassment. I thought my long hair was rebellious and cool, but the girl of my dreams just asked me why I hadn’t visited the barbershop. Little did I know she had been on the phone to my sister earlier and they had set up a plan. “Which barber do you go to Tommy?” Now I really began to get nervous, I didn’t even go to a barber, but if I told her that what would she think of me? I racked my brains and tried to think of one before it was obvious, “Um just near the mall.” I replied semi confidently. “Oh yeh, all the boys from the football team go there, their haircuts are so hot! Well Sarah and I are going shopping at the mall this afternoon, we can take you then” She said smiling. My mouth was wide open, I had no idea what to do. Do I enter the shop of horror to be scalped and made a mockery of, or do I resist and not impress the girl of my dreams. She even said the guys haircuts were hot! This was a huge dilemma.
At the same time Sarah conveniently walked down the stairs. Lucy and Sarah hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. “Your brother sooo needs a haircut Sez (my sisters nickname) said Lucy as she ran her fingers through my hair. “Oh my god tell me about it, its so embarrassing.” “I was just telling Tommy that we can take him to the barbershop when we go to the mall.” My sister smiled knowing of my crush and knowing full well I hated getting my haircut, especially there. “Settled, well me and your sister will go and get ready shall we?”. I was stunned, my fate had been sealed by the girl of my dreams. They walked up the stairs whilst I stood shocked. That girl sure had a way with words I thought.
A very short ten minutes passed and the two girls walked back down from my sisters room. Some how Lucy looked even more attractive this time. “Alright mr, lets go” she yelled. I swallowed hard and followed her to the car. Usually I would have been excited about going in Lucy Graham’s car but it was kind of tough considering our destination. She had a convertible so as we drove along my long hair flowed in the wind. As we drove through the street in town every guy stopped to check out Lucy and my sister, they were used to it. Lucy parked her car right outside the very barbershop I mentioned. I saw the spinning red and white pole and began to get that sick feeling in my stomach. I didn’t have long to get out of this. My only hope was that the girls dropped me off at the shop. That way I knew I had money in my account. I could go to Linda’s, get a trim and be home safe. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case today. We pilled out of the car and the girls headed straight for the door. They waited for me, opened the door and pushed me in first. The doorbell chimed as we made our entrance. The shop was run by two ladies, both ex-marine barbers. I knew that because I had heard the kids at school talk about them. They had various pictures on the walls of men’s hairstyles and pictures of them in the army barbershop. The girls had already sat on the bench at the back and attracted plenty of attention from the male customers. They were loving the experience as they had never been to a barbershop before. I on the other hand felt extremely ill and thought I was going to be sick.
Both chairs were occupied, one was a teenage boy who I think was in my sisters year, and the other was a young boy, younger than me who sat quietly and the barber made short work of his hair. His mother looked up every now and again with an approving smile. I began to study the shop. The chairs were huge, much like the one I sat in that day grandma took me for a haircut. They were large steel chairs with red leather cushioning and several levers and pedals at the base. It was unlike the salon mum took me to. There was no shampoo station or anything like that. Both barbers were using electric clippers, something that I have only had used once, that day with grandma. Linda at the salon, trimmed my hair every so gently and carefully with scissors.
It only just occurred to me that whoever finished their customer first would get me in their chair, I was next! It didn’t really matter who it was that cut my hair, they were both the same. It was just a matter of how long it was before I was invited to the hot seat. My sister and Lucy were having fun teasing the boy in the chair by flirting with him. They would giggle every now and again and he would go bright red with embarrassment. At that moment I heard one of the barbers sternly ask for the mothers opinion. “That’s great” she said enthusiastically. “Short enough?” questioned the barber. The mother nodded and the barber reached for that fluffy brush. She roughly dusted his neck and face before unsnapping that large red cape which completely enveloped the young child. She continued to dust then expertly peeled the cape from the young child whilst lowering the huge chair at the same time. The cape was then thrown over the back of the chair as the child stepped off. I think I was trembling slightly and my stomach felt like I would be sick any minute. My sister smiled at me, she had been waiting for this moment and she knew what time it was as well.
The mother escorted her son to the register where the haircut was paid for. The barber and mother exchanged goodbyes and then it was time. She briskly walked back over to her chair and removed the long red cape. The site of that free flowing cape dangling in anticipation always scared me. She fiercely shook it out to ensure the clippings were freed before she aggressively whipped it against her chair and called out “next!” whilst looking in my direction. She slapped the back of the chair and my heart beat gained as I felt Lucy’s hand on my back gently ease me off the waiting bench. I slowly walked toward the chair where my barber waited, cape in hand. I stood on the footrest nervously and then slowly placed my backside on the edge of the soft leather seat before I felt two hands on each shoulder quickly pull me back into the chair. I swallowed, then waited for the moment I dreaded, the cape to suddenly surround me and then be pinned behind my neck so tight. I’ve always hated stuff around my neck made me feel insecure, especially capes because it meant I was about to get a haircut. I waited nervously but it didn’t happen. She walked past my chair and to the wall where there was a dispenser. Quickly she pulled a length of what seemed to be tissue and tore it off. I had no idea what this was for and waited anxiously for its purpose. She stood back behind the chair, still with the cape under her arm and the tissue strip in her hands. Next she professionally reached forward and wrapped the tissue horizontally around my neck, binding it as tightly as she could. She then folded it in the back so it stayed taught. I winched in discomfort which the barber noticed. I had never received or seen this procedure before in any hairdressers I’d been to and was now completely out of my comfort zone. “You’re a salon boy aren’t you sweetie?” She asked as she noticed my discomfort. I swallowed hard once again and I felt the soft tissue rub against my neck. Mean while she aggressively shook out the cape once more and swung it around myself and the chair. She joined the studs on the cape together as they locked into place. For some reason she then smiled at me and undid the cape. “Don’t worry sweetie, we’ll make a young man out of you yet” she said as she drew the cape two settings higher and pinned it tight against the tissue with a snap, I could barely breath. “Don’t want those little clippings getting down your neck darling” she said with a smile. At the same time the chair rose as she pumped the pedal at the base. Once I was at a desired level for her to work out I came to a halt.
She then spun the chair around so I was facing my sister and Lucy. They were both giggling because they both were fully aware of the trauma I was in. She ruffled my hair and looked me in the eye, “Don’t like haircuts much do you young man?” she asked. It was one of those questions that didn’t require an answer. “well I can tell you now, you’ll be getting a haircut today whether you like it or not. What will it be ladies?” she directed the question to my sister and Lucy assuming that one was in charge. To my surprise Lucy rose and strolled to the chair. The barber introduced herself as Cheryl and they began discussing my haircut. “Something short, and a lot more masculine is in order I think, don’t you?’ she said whilst asking the barber. “Definitely, lets see if we can’t make a young man out of this yet.” “He’s very good at avoiding haircuts”, stated Lucy. “Quite clearly he is, don’t worry dear well make sure that isn’t a problem, wont we young man?” I felt like crying then and there, but I couldn’t. All my ‘cool points’ with Lucy would definitely go out the window if I began crying over a haircut.
I expected then to be turned back to the mirror, but I wasn’t. She proceeded to roughly spray and comb my hair out whilst I looked on at the waiting bench. My sisters smile was ear to ear as I winched every time she pulled her comb through my knotted hair whilst spraying the mist. How she wished she was in place of the barber. Suddenly the bottle was placed down and the barber pulled out her scissors from her top pocket. Quickly she snipped them together in mid air then began to go to work on my hair. I was a little relieved and thought there may still be some chance of just a scissors based haircut. She handled the scissors with such precision and pace and she combed and snipped all the way around the back of my hair. All I could hear was the snips of the scissors as she combed and snipped through my locks. Several long curls of hair were accumulating on the floor and in my lap. As the scissors continued to slice through my hair I had no idea of the length. However I knew it was getting shorter because I felt a little more light headed than usual. This rough combing and snipping went on for another five minutes before she stopped. She ruffled my hair which was still long and commented that she had removed the bulk. I was praying that she would reach for the fluffy brush to signify the end of the haircut. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be. She was busy getting something ready behind me, and I know it wasn’t something to look forward to because the girls had smiles from ear to ear.
Next I felt Cheryl’s hand on the back of my head forcefully push my chin into my chest. “Now you sit still and behave for me or else I’ll make sure you’ve got nothing to comb when you leave this chair sweetie”. I gulped and wanted to cry so bad. Her hand still forcefully held my head down as I heard the clippers spring to life with a pop then a hum. Her hand ran up my neck a few times to loosen the clippers path before I felt the plastic guard touch my neck. My whole body began to vibrate and tremor as the first pass seemed to take forever. Higher and high the clippers would go before she professionally flicked her wrists and caused a large pile of hair to cascade to the floor. Pass after pass in the same area for the same result, hair falling in huge amounts. My neck began to strain as I tried to look up to see Sarah. She forcefully pushed my head down more aggressively than before. Even if I wanted to look up I couldn’t. I get the feeling all the waiting customers eyes were on me and my transformation, even though I couldn’t lift my head to see. I get the feeling Cheryl loved the audience. I just was forced to stare down at the red cape which covered my lap and held piles of long curls. The clipping were going right up to the top of my head, this was extremely short as I could feel the cool breeze pass by.
I then felt her grip loosen as she studied her work by running her hand up my freshly clipped neck. A few more random passes were made then my head was returned to normal position. Next she stood beside me and began to clip my right side. She brought the clippers up next to my ear and I instinctively attempted to avoid them. However, Cheryl was extremely experienced in unwanted haircuts and her left hand was in place to prevent this from happening. She slid the clippers under my long side burns and began to peel my hair away, high and short. She was so swift with the clipping motions that in minutes there was nothing left. She folded my ear down and ran the clippers high up through that region, hair spilled to my shoulders. Sarah and Lucy had huge smiles, as did a few approving mothers in the waiting area. I tried to avoid this attention and looked to the ground, but she forced me to look straight ahead. She knew I was embarrassed and she loved it. Next the same process was repeated on my left side. I was clipped extremely high and short once more. The only length left was on top, I could only prey that the scissors would trim it a little shorter.
After much searching around Cheryl returned with a large square flat comb. It was like an afro comb except a lot larger. She stood behind me and dragged it through the front of my hair. It lay horizontally flat, causing lots of long hairs to stick out through the comb. I heard the clippers pop back to life before she began to run them over the comb, causing all the strays to fall. My worst fears were confirmed, I was getting a flat top. The comb lay flat against my scalp as she continued to peel of all my top length. Long tufts of hair fell down in front of my eyes as she would flick her wrists at the end of each pass. After she was content with the length she placed the comb back down and manually made a few passes to even it up. The clippers were then shut off and I breathed a sigh of relief. I looked down at the floor and there was nothing but my dark long hair. My lap was covered in it, as were my shoulders, I just longed for this cape to loosen its grasp from my shorn neck. To my relief and surprise Cheryl began dusting my face and neck with the big fluffy brush, finally it was over. I felt the greatest release of pressure as the cape was unsnapped, she continued dusting my neck. Cheryl reached over and expertly peeled off the cape depositing large amounts of my cut hair on the tiled floor. Next I expected her to remove the tissue and spin me around to the mirror. However this wasn’t the case. Cheryl shook out the cape make sure it was free of clippings then in one motion glided it back over me and pinned it just as tight. “That’s better, nice a fresh” she stated. I couldn’t believe, what more could she possible do? She then walked to the counter and returned to placed a fresh white towel over my shoulder. I heard some sort of machinery behind me begin make a groaning sound.
Next I felt a gentle slap on the back of my neck. I had no idea what was going on. Using my sisters reaction imagined that it wasn’t a good thing. She continued to roughly disperse something on my neck and sides in a slapping manor. She stood in front me then I realised my predicament, shaving cream. Everyone in the store had cast their eyes over to me, the long haired rebellious boy who was going to be shaven. Still standing in front of me she produced a small object from her pocket. She flicked it open with a smile, a straight razor. “Don’t fight this honey, or else I will do your whole head”. I wanted to just cry so badly right now but fought the tears. She held my jaw firmly in her hand as she proceeded to remove the cream with short strokes before whipping the excess foam onto the towel. First it was the sides, then back, I was shaved smooth. She picked up a fresh towel and removed all the shaving cream by wiping my head with it. Cheryl ran her hands all over my haircut with delight whilst chuckling, “Not bad at all…we managed to make a young man out of you yet”. Cheryl turned to the girls and questioned the length, “Short enough girls?” she asked. You would think my sister just won the lottery by the look on her face, “Yes thank you, that’s excellent”. Finally my neck was dusted and the cape unsnapped. I breathed another sigh of relief as she dusted and removed that horrid neck tissue. Luckily this was the last time I would endure a haircut of this nature. The cape was pealed away at the same time she turned the chair to face the mirror.
Words can’t describe how ridiculous I looked. I hated my haircut more than anything. I looked so young and just stupid, my hair had been shorn so short I looked like I was a first day army cadet. The sides had been shaved skin bald, nothing there at all. The top was blended in with the sides to create a perfect flat top. Cheryl knew I hated it but I think that made her even more content. I stepped out of the chair as it ascended and stopped. I walked to the register with my sister as she thanked Cheryl. “Now I expect to see him back in here in two weeks for a touch up” she said. Now there was no way I was coming back in here I thought. My sister agreed whilst she paid Cheryl and rubbed my head. I looked over to the waiting area where there was another long haired young boy waiting. He would have been dreading the end of my haircut because he was next. Whilst Sarah was putting money back in her purse Cheryl made her way back to the chair and removed the cape. The boy gulped as she whipped it against her chair directing her “next!’ at him with a smile. The boy left the waiting area timidly as she slapped the back of her chair. He made his way to the chair walking over the mounds of hair that lay from my haircut. He knew soon his would join mine, I knew exactly what he was feeling.
On the way home I got nothing but teased about how she cut my hair. Both girls said they liked my haircut, but teased me so much about the way it which it was cut. If it was any consolation I got a kiss on the cheek from Lucy which improved my day slightly.
Two weeks passed and mom returned home. My hair had grown out slightly since the haircut but was still incredibly short. Unfortunately mom loved it. She asked my sister where she took me and she told her how much it cost. Mum was so pleased and that afternoon I found myself with mom and Sarah in the barbershop area waiting for my “touch up” from Cheryl….
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