Memories (Part 2) Author: The Flattopper Content: PG Location: Salon Category: Consensual Type: Fiction Post date: Saturday, January 30, 2010Language: English Rating: Page views: 3374
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This second part of Memories takes up where part one left off. It is March 1995 and Nanci and Rob are reminiscing about her past haircuts and the haircuts of their two daughters Jonnie and Sammie. Rob clearly has a strong fixation for short hair on women which began earlier, but was greatly reinforced by his seventh grade fascination with Nanci's short haircut. Nanci has her own interest in keeping her hair cut short as well, although it is more a strong preference rather than an obsession. That dual influence had been absorbed by both their daughters. The story proceeds in a series of flashbacks as they relive their haircutting experiences. At the end the stories continues in the present until it dénouement on Nanci's birthday in nineteen ninety eight.
March 1995
“I remember when Jonnie was only 6, how you took her to your stylist and both of you got those Dorothy Hamill wedge cuts. You were pretty impressed by that style and wanted to try it."
“That's right. I was still young enough to be thrilled by a nineteen year old girl winning the skating competition and wanting to emulate her, even though I had already finished my master's degree and was almost through with my doctorate research and ready to write my thesis. Of course having Sammie had slowed things down quite a bit," Nanci laughed.
“Not too much as I remember. And those wedge cuts didn't last long," Rob recalled.
“True. I quickly came to the conclusion that it wasn't my style. And I'll never understand what got into Jonnie. That's when she decided that she wanted her hair cut very short, the shorter the better and she's never changed her mind about it.
Early February 1976
“Come here and sit on my lap Jonnie. We can watch the ice skating together," Robert told his oldest daughter who had been born in nineteen seventy and was now in her first year of school.
Nanci sat in the big rocking chair in their comfortable family room nursing Katie's sister Sammie (short for Samantha) who had been born nine months earlier in May of nineteen seventy-five.
“Isn't she a wonderful skater," Nanci said said to Robert and Jonnie. “I love her hair style, especially the way it flies out when she spins and then fall right back into place. How would you like to have your hair cut like that Jonnie?"
“It's nice. Could I get it cut like that?" Jonnie asked.
Jonnie was a devoted ice skater at six years old, having been introduced to the sport three years earlier. Now she looked forward to her weekly lessons at the local indoor ice rink.
“I think you could. I kind of like it too Robert. I've kept this style for ten years now. I think I'd like a change and her bob appeals to me. Would you be too disappointed if I let my hair grow a little so I could try it for a while. If it doesn't work I can try something else or go back to this style," Nanci argued.
“It is an attractive style. And no I wouldn't mind if you had that style. You'll look good with it too, although you know that I like the shorter styles better."
“I know. I'll get it cut shorter sooner or later, probably sooner, but I'd like to try it for a while anyway. Besides I've been too busy to get it cut and it's long overdue. In another month I could almost get it somewhat like that, although it wouldn't cover my ears. That might take another two months. How about if I try it for a total of six months starting now. If either of us is really not happy with it, off it comes," Nanci laughed.
“I can certainly live with that," Robert said.
With her bangs now covering her brows, Nanci decided something had to be done. She called Dot, her stylist, and set up an a late afternoon appointment for Jonnie and herself. Robert arrived home early to relieve her of taking care of Sammie. She picked up Jonnie after school and they arrived at Dot's salon a few minutes before four.
“There you are. I wondered what had happened to you," Dot greeted them.
“There was a lot of traffic at the school. I had to wait until most of the buses had left. We just made it," Nanci answered.
“I getting a haircut like Dorothy Hamill," Jonnie interjected.
“So you are. Let me get my special seat for kids. Then we can get started. Do I need to shampoo her?"
“No, I did it last night. OK, Jonnie, let me help you up. Are you ready to get a Dorothy Hamill haircut?" Nanci said as she boosted Jonnie up into the chair within a chair.
“Any special instructions for her?" Dot asked.
“Actually yes. I don't want the back to be too heavy. So taper it close and up pretty high."
“I could buzz the back and blend the sides into it. I've done that variation a few times. It's more like a traditional shingle bob with the sides a little longer. I think a buzzed back looks particularly sharp."
“I'm tempted. I had a short shingle bob when I was twelve. I think she would look very cute with it done that way. Well why not? Go ahead and do it like that. I'm sure your Daddy will like it like that Jonnie," Nanci said, knowing that Jonnie was very close to her Father.
Half an hour later it was done. Jonnie's simple side parted style that reached to below her jaw line was replaced with a Dorothy Hamill style bob with the back tapered higher and closer than the Hamill wedge was done. The sides just covered her earlobes and had only the slightest curl toward the front. The wide straight bangs came close to her brows and framed her eyes nicely.
The use of the clipper had transpired without a hitch. Dot had shown it to her, turned it on and let her hold it. She explained that it actually felt kind of tingly and sort of good. Despite the noise close to her ear, Jonnie had no fear and said that it felt funny.
“That looks super Jonnie. Shake your head and see what happens," Nanci said.
“OK," she said as she vigorously shook her head from side to side. When she stopped her hair fell back into place with barely a hair misplaced.
Jonnie had frequently complained that when she was skating her hair would come loose and fall in her face. Nanci had been on the verge of letting Jonnie's hair grow so that she could wear it in a pony tail tied back off her face.
“Wow, that's great Jonnie. It didn't fall in your face at all! What do you think?" Nanci said enthusiastically.
Jonnie smiled at her. “I'm glad it doesn't get in my face. Can I keep it like this?"
“You most certainly can. I'll bring you in for a haircut as often as you need it so it stays neat and looks good," Nanci promised her.
Dot helped Jonnie down and led her to a little table in the back of her salon where there were kids books and a few games and a couple of dolls to entertain her.
“OK. Do you want me to clean up your Sassoon. It sure has grown out since I last did it," Dot told her.
Nanci laughed. “You're right about that. No, I'm letting it grow out so you can give me a wedge cut like Dorothy Hamill. I suppose it's still a little too short on the sides to make it work exactly right, but maybe you can get fairly close and in another two months it will be just about right."
“I think I can get pretty close. It will just be a little shorter on the sides than a Hamill wedge should be, but it will still look good. Like you said, in a couple of months it will be just right. Actually six weeks should do it. Come on back to the wash basin and I'll shampoo you."
“I figured you could do it. I don't know how long I'm going to keep it, but I did want to see how it would look. I'll have a little different look when I start back to work in two or three months."
“So what will you be doing?" More digging up of old stuff," Dot asked.
“I won't be doing any digging," Nanci laughed. “There's a big project starting up on one of those early plantations along the Potomac River called Hume's Hundred. I've been doing historical research about it. That's my field and it's quite exciting – at least it is for me!"
“ I never could get interested in history. OK. Your shampoo's done. Let's get you to my chair so I can get started."
Dot wasted little time in getting started after covering her with a cape.
“I'll redo you nape to give it a taper that's closer to a wedge," she said as she got started. “It's supposed to have a strong weight line, so the taper from the nape is actually quite short. That's what makes it a wedge rather than a shingle."
“I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right. It's almost a mechanical description isn't it?"
“Right. It was my husband Harry who explained it to me. They were just words up to then. I really didn't have a clue about their origin or why they were used to describe women's haircuts."
Dot proceeded to create a short taper that would blend with longer hair coming down from the top of Nanci's head. Her hair had been center parted and the bangs defined, so now it was a matter of combing the hair straight out from Nanci's head and cutting it at an angle so that the top layer fell to the same location as the bottom layer. This produced the strong weight line with only a little taper to soften the line. Finally she cut the fairly thick bangs so that they curved into the sides. It was an easy and simple style, that required only a precision cut with comb and scissors.
“Well Nanci, it's almost done. It's actually easier to do than your Sassoon because I don't have to do as much tapering. In a wedge you actually want it to be full on the sides and back with just that little short taper from the nape to where the weight line begins. I'll blow dry it to add a little fullness and you'll be done."
“It certainly was quick. You spent a lot more time getting my Sassoon done. I guess it was because of all the tapering and thinning of the sides and back that it required."
“That's about it. Have a look," Dot said as she turned Nanci toward the mirror and held up a smaller one behind her.
“You can still wear them although they won't show much. What about the bangs. I left them pretty long, but that's how the wedge is supposed to be. It's your turn to shake your head and see if it falls back into place the way Dorothy Hamill's did every time she did a spin," Dot laughed.
Nanci took her at her word and gave her head a good shake. Sure enough it all fell back into place quite satisfactorily.
“Well, it's cute, but I'm not sure how long I'm going to keep it. It looks a little like a mushroom, although the bangs are nice this long. I hope they don't get in my eyes," Nanci observed.
“Actually, that's exactly how Dorothy Hamill's wedge looked most of the time. At the Olympics it was a little longer than it had been for the past year," Dot explained. “When she went on tour she kept it quite short. Just come back for a trim every three weeks and the bangs won't be a problem."
“I want to keep Jonnie's cut short, so three weeks should be about right. Set us up for an appointment on Saturday morning if you can," Nanci requested.
“I'll have to squeeze you in. I think I can do it at eleven thirty."
“That's good. Jonnie's skating lesson isn't until two. I'll see you then. Jonnie, let's go and show Daddy our new haircuts."
“We're back," Nanci call up the stairs where she could hear Robert talking to Sammie.
“Daddy, look at my new haircut," Jonnie said as she raced up the stairs.
Robert emerged from their large bedroom, which held the baby bed where Sammie slept as well as a changing table and the rest of the accouterments of a baby's room. Sammie would soon move to the nursery, as the agent who sold them the house called it, a small bedroom adjacent to Jonnie's bedroom.
“My goodness, let me have a look at you. That certainly is a very cute haircut. I wouldn't have recognized you if I hadn't heard your voice. I like you new haircut very much," Rob complimented her. “How do you like it?"
“It's neat. I can shake my head really hard and it doesn't get in my eyes," Jonnie exclaimed while simultaneously demonstrating the truth of her statement.
“And this is my great looking wife with her new wedge haircut. It's very flattering to you Nanci. I like the way it looks."
“I think it looks good too, but I think I like the Sassoon even better. It has more of a businesslike look to it, while this is more girly don't you think?" Nanci responded.
“I understand and I agree, but it's certainly nice for a change."
That's what I though. I'll keep it for a while anyway. I want to see how it works after a couple of trims," Nanci agreed.
“That's fine with me. And I'd better let you have Sammie since you're the only person in sight who can give her what she's been fussing about for the past half hour," Rob joked.
“Hand her over. I'll take care of that, but you'll have to fix dinner," Nanci said as she took Sammie to their favorite rocking chair.
Saturday Morning Late March 1976
“Come on Jonnie. Let's go. We don't want to be late for our haircuts."
“I'm coming Mommie. I was reading my Sesame Street book," Jonnie said as she rushed down the stairs.
They arrived at Dot's shop with a few minutes to spare.
“Hello Nanci. How are you Jonnie? Looks like you need a haircut," Dot said to her.
“I guess so. Mom said I did."
“You're looking good Nanci. I guess being a Mom energies you."
“I don't know about that, but I do enjoy it. It is a joy to have a baby, even if it's a huge undertaking."
“Mommie has to feed Sammie a lot. She's always hungry," Jonnie volunteered.
Dot had finished her previous client and had retrieved the booster chair which she fastened into her styling chair.
“Come on Jonnie, let's get you up here so I can get started."
Jonnie started to climb into the chair eagerly. She had almost mastered it, but needed a little help from Dot. Although this was only her third visit to Dot's shop, she had already developed a lively interest in coming to the salon and getting her hair cut, an interest that she would never lose.
“Well, young lady what can I do for you today?" Dot asked seriously.
“I want a short haircut please," Jonnie replied with equal seriousness.
“She does, Dot. So go ahead and make it a short buzzed bob. Take it up so that about half of her ear shows and give her a nice buzzed back. She's really gotten quite interested in having her hair short. I have no idea who she got that from," Nanci laughed.
Twenty minutes later Dot was brushing her off and giving her a quick styling with her blow dryer and a tiny bit of a product to keep her hair tamed and give it some shine.
“How's that Jonnie," Dot asked her.
“It's nice," Jonnie said smiling broadly.
“It is nice. You did a great job Dot. It's just right for her," Nanci said enthusiastically.
“Thanks. It's your turn. Do you need a shampoo?" Dot asked as she removed the booster chair and set it aside.
“No, I did it this morning," Nanci said pushing herself back in the chair.
“OK. It looks like you've grown out enough to have the perfect Hamill wedge. I'll just trim around the sides to even it up, clean up the wedge in back and neaten your bangs. That should do it," Dot told her.
Twenty minutes later, after a quick blow dry, it was done.
“There you go Nanci. I left the bangs longer so they almost cover your brows. The wedge is short now, just like Hamill's was. If you did a spin on the ice it would fly out just like hers and fall back into place. That's as close as I can get it. What do you think?"
“I liked your Sassoon too. It was quite flattering and gave you a more businesslike look. This is a lot more girly, if you follow my meaning," Dot replied.
“You're right. Of course it's a girly type of style. It's a Dorothy Hamill wedge and she's a very girly girl even if she is a terrific athlete. Actually it's even more girly than Jonnie's shingle bob," Nanci observed. “I'll get Robert's opinion, then I'll decide what to do. Come on Jonnie, let's get home and show your Daddy our fresh haircuts."
Robert was in the family room watching Sammie, who had just wakened from her nap and had been changed. She was crawling around on the floor exploring everything she could get her hands on when Nanci and Jonnie arrived.
“That's very nice. It's a sweet look," Rob said when he saw her.
“That's what I thought. Maybe it's a little two sweet," Nanci replied.
“Let me have a little time to think about it," Rob responded.
“Look at me Daddy. I got it cut shorter this time. I like it short like this," Jonnie said.
“That's a great looking haircut. It's just perfect for you," Rob told her.
She rushed over to him to receive a big hug.
“I need one of those too, if you have one to spare," Nanci said.
“The barrel is always full," Rob said as he gathered her in his arms.
Three months and four trips to Dot's salon for trims and Nanci had made her decision.
“Robert, I'm tired of this style. I'm going to get it cut," Nanci announced.
“You've been acting like you were tired of it. What changed your mind," Rob asked.
“It's just not me, even though a lot of people like it. They like it for the wrong reasons. It's cute or sweet or it's very feminine or even that it makes me look younger. I'm going to get Dot to give me a different style, something a lot shorter. Is that OK with you?"
“Of course. You know I like it short, the shorter the better," Rob laughed.
“Jonnie and I have appointments with Dot on Saturday. I haven't decided what I want to do. I haven't had a minute to think about it since the Hume's Hundred project went into high gear. I just know that I want something short and easy to care for." Nanci told him.
“I thought you Sassoon was like that. You could do that again," Rob suggested.
“I could, but I'd had that for years, and I'd like to try something a little different this time," she replied.
“I'll be happy with whatever you come up with. With two girls to deal with we both need to keep it simple," Rob agreed.
“That's for sure, especially now that Sammie is standing up and starting to talk."
Saturday Morning June 1976
“I'm ready to go Mommie," Jonnie said, trying to urge Nanci to get moving.
“Don't rush me Jonnie. We have plenty of time," Nanci laughed as she helped Sammie pull herself up once more.
“I guess we'd better get going Robert," Nanci said as she bestowed a quick kiss on him. “Try not to let her get into too much mischief."
“I'll do my best," he responded as they headed out the door to their car.
Jonnie hurried ahead to the shop and tugged at the door to pull it open and holding it for Nanci.
“Hello Jonnie. How are you Nanci? I'll be with you in just a few minutes," Dot greeted them.
“Hi, Mrs. Smith. Mommie said I could get my hair cut shorter this time," Jonnie told her.
“Is that right? Well we are getting some pretty warm weather, so maybe it's time," Dot replied.
“I don't know what we did that makes her want to keep getting her hair cut shorter and shorter. Probably it's Robert. He always praises her when she gets it cut," Nanci responded.
“She'll probably want it to be long in a couple of years."
“I wouldn't be surprised."
“There you go Janice. How's that," Dot said to the gray haired woman in her chair.
Following Janice's approval, Dot did one final brushing to get rid of any stray hair and removed the cape. After taking the payment and making change she went to the storage closet and brought out the booster chair.
“I'll be ready for you as soon as I get this strap fastened, Jonnie. There! Let's get you up here," she said as she helped Jonnie up into the booster seat.
“So what do you have in mind for her?" Dot asked as she fastened a cape around her.
“I really don't know. I've seen girls her age with quite short cuts that just seemed to be combed forward to lie flat with short bangs," Nanci answered.
“I think you may be talking about a pixie cut. Let me get a picture of one," Dot said as she rummaged around among some books showing many different styles.
“Here it is, in this book of haircuts for kids," Dot said holding the book for Nanci to look at.
“That looks like a good choice. Is that what you would recommend for an active girl her age?"
“Sure would. I can do it several different ways. It can be either longer than in that picture or shorter. I like the shorter version myself. For Jonnie I could make it just an inch long and it would still look quite cute," Dot said.
“That would be short wouldn't it. How long is the version in the picture?" Nanci asked.
“It's described as being about an inch and a half long. I could go with that," Dot answered.
“Maybe you should. Later in the summer she could get the shorter version if she wants it," Nanci concluded.
“That's a good plan. What do you think about it Jonnie?"
“Will it be really short?" Jonnie asked.
“Absolutely. A lot shorter than it is now," Dot reassured her.
“OK." Jonnie responded.
“I'll keep the back buzzed up a bit, then taper it to the length of the pixie. Same for the sides."
“That should be just fine Dot."
It took a little longer to do the cutting for a pixie than it did for the bob, but in twenty five minutes it was done. Dot ruffled it a bit with her hair dryer so that it would have a little body, wiped a few stray hairs from her forehead and declared it finished.
“All done Jonnie. Is that short enough for you?" Dot asked.
Jonnie looked at herself in the mirror, imitating what she had seen her Mother do.
“It's OK. Can I get it cut shorter next time?"
“If your Mommie says you can." Dot answered.
“Can I Mommie," Jonnie pleaded.
“I'll think about it. It's pretty short now don't you think?" Nanci asked.
“I like it really short," Jonnie replied.
“When you grow up you can have it as short as you like," Nanci explained as she helped Jonnie down from the booster seat.
“I suppose I'm going to do something different for you too this time," Dot chuckled.
“Of course. I want something a lot shorter. How about a grown up version of Jonnie's style?" Nanci asked.
“Mother and Daughter pixies. Pixies look good on women of all ages. I've got pictures of quite a few different versions. Let me show you a few ideas," Dot said.
Dot returned with another book opened to a page with six pictures of variations of pixie cuts.
“This one is interesting. I like the way those bangs look. I've never had mine that way," Nanci observed.
“Actually that's almost the classic type of pixie with the bangs being done like that and showing a lot of your forehead through the separated strands. It's a good look. It would suit you very well."
“It looks quite short. How long is it supposed to be?"
“It is short – no more than one and a half or two inches all over except for the bangs which are two inches or a little more. I could make it longer if you like," Dot offered.
“No, if I'm going to get it cut like that I'll want it to look like that. I wouldn't want a watered down version."
“Well, I could show you some other kinds of short styles if you like."
“Actually I like the short pixie style. I just have to decide if I'm ready to face the world with it that short. I think I am. Jonnie and I will have almost matching styles," Nanci said.
“I'm quite sure it will look very good on you. Robert will like it won't he?" Dot suggested.
“Absolutely. I'll never get it cut as short as he'd prefer. He thinks bald women are gorgeous," Nanci laughed.
“That's going too far for me. I've seen some women with buzz cuts that I thought weren't too bad, but bald? I don't think so."
“Some women seem to be able to carry it off. I'm not one of them though," Nanci said.
“I don't do bald anyway even though I'm quite partial to very short cuts on women, like this pixie. So are you going for it?"
“Yes. I think I'll be quite satisfied with it. Like I told Robert, if I'm not happy with my wedge bob off it goes. So off with it," Nanci said with a smile.
“Good. I'll be cutting it with my razor, so I need it wet. Come over to the wash basin and let me take care of that. You shampooed it this morning?" Dot asked.
“I did," Nanci said as she leaned back to let Dot get her hair wet.
“This is going to take a while Nanci. I have to be careful to get the lengths right as I proceed back over your head, and we're going from some fairly long hair to quite short hair that is heavily textured starting almost directly at your scalp. So just sit back and relax. I've got plenty of time to do it right.
Forty minutes later Dot was finishing the back.
“I left the sides a little longer than they were when you had your Sassoon, but the part in front of your ears is shorter. That's the right balance for your short wispy bangs. Now we have a decision to make for the nape. I can taper it up a couple of inches and define a shallow V hairline or I can leave it the way it is - less defined and more textured using my special notched razor. That would make it fit in with the rest of the cut a little better, although having it more like the way I did Jonnie's works well too."
“Well I don't want it too severe, so maybe leaving it natural with some texturing would be better," Nanci suggested.
You've got it. I think I'll undercut it just a little. That leaves it looking natural, but with a little more definition."
“OK. I already like the way it looks. Robert is going to be dazzled by it. And It will certainly be easy to take care of." Nanci said.
“I like it a lot Dot. Actually I like it even more than my Sassoon. It's a little softer looking."
“I think so too. You and Jonnie make a very good looking Mother Daughter pair. Now you just need to get some matching outfits to complement your matching haircuts."
“Hum, maybe I'll get a couple of matching things for us for our vacation trip in August. Sammie gets around now and she'll be walking quite well in two more months, so we're taking her with us. She's starting to try to talk too."
“Sounds like a double handful to me."
“It is, but being at the University has its advantages. They have excellent day care facilities and we can see how the kids are doing anytime we want. I usually spend at least half an hour with them at lunch. Robert often drops in to see them at odd times as well. We're going to a resort that touts it's day care facilities."
“That's good. You and Robert could probably stand some quality time together."
“That's for sure," Nanci laughed. “Come on Jonnie. Time for us to go and show Daddy our nice new haircuts,"
As usual, Jonnie waited impatiently for Nanci to unbuckle her from her car seat She raced to the door from the garage to the house and started calling.
“Daddy! Daddy! Look at my haircut. I'm a pixie, Mommie said."
“Shush. I hear you. Sammie just went to sleep. That is a great looking haircut. You look just like a pixie with it," Rob joked with her.
“So how do you like your wife's new look?" Nanci asked.
Rob stared at her a while then held out his arms to collect her.
“It's absolutely the best looking style you've ever had. I am very impressed. It's terrific. What can I say?"
“I figured. you would be. I'm very happy about it too."
“Your and Jonnie completely wiped out what I was eager to tell you. Professor Andrews called and asked me to give you the message that your committee has accepted your thesis. The only criticisms were that you had a few typos and some convoluted sentences that you need to correct. Congratulations. You did a great job. I like the sound of Dr. Nanci Hunt," Rob said.
“Wow. I've been on pins and needles for two week. Professor Fry is really a stickler and some of the past theses had to be rewritten almost from scratch to satisfy him."
“You know your subject so well, there was never any chance of that. You'll blow them away at your thesis defense," Rob told her as he reached out to bestow a kiss on her, and reach up sneakily to ruffle her new pixie cut.
Back to the Present - March 1995
“You kept that pixie cut for quite a long time as I recall. You still had it when Sammie got a pixie cut like Jonnie's. I think you did that when Sammie was five. And Jonnie kept hers even longer," Rob recalled.
“That's right. Jonnie got hers cut even shorter that first summer, and never wanted to let it get the least bit longer. I got mine cut a little shorter that summer, but I grew it out some for the winter. We all got shorter cuts the following summer. Jonnie's was almost a crew cut and Sammie wanted hers cut extra short as well. I kept us all very short from then on until Jonnie was fourteen when we agreed that she could decide how she wanted her hair cut," Nanci added.
“So what happened then? Every one got different styles about that time I think," Rob said.
“Let me think, Jonnie was fifteen and had her first boyfriend. Sammie was ten and I was forty one. That was a big year in a lot of ways. We finished analyzing what we had found at Hume's Hundred and wrote that big summary monograph. And you had that research breakthrough on a new class of catalysts. We were really busy. I'm surprised that I had time to get a haircut at all. Dot was in her late fifties by then and thinking of retiring. I remember one time when Jonnie wanted me to take her to Dot's salon for a haircut. My pixie had grown out some and I decided to get it cut. It was Jonnie who got things started though and then Sammie gave everyone something to talk about."
July 1985
Sunday Evening
“Mom, I really need to get my hair cut. And Sammie wants to get hers cut too. Can we get an appointment pretty soon?"
“Actually I should get mine cut too. I'm way overdue. We've all been very busy the last couple of months. I'll call tomorrow and get appointments for us. Are you doing anything special in the next few days? Dot doesn't get a lot of business for Tuesday and Wednesday."
“Sure. We're just going swimming at the pool anyway."
Wednesday
Wednesday morning arrived and Nanci cautioned the girls to get back home by one O'clock in time for their two O'clock appointment with Dot.
By one thirty they were ready to go.
“Let's go kids. I need to fill up the gas on the way," Nanci urged them.
With the two girls laughing and joking they barged into Dot's Salon precisely at two p.m.
“Well, you made it. How long has it been," Dot asked.
“More than six weeks I think. Everyone is looking pretty shaggy, to say the least," Nanci answered.
“Yeah. Jason says mine is way too long," Jonnie interjected.
“OK. Might as well get started. Whose first?" Dot asked.
“I know what I want, so I'll go first," Jonnie said as she sat down in Dot's styling chair. “I'm getting a Chelsea. Here's a picture of how it should look."
“That's pretty short. Are you sure?"
“I'm sure. Mom said I can get it cut like I want and that's what I want for the summer. I know a couple of other kids who've gotten one."
Dot looked over at Nanci for confirmation.
“It's her choice," Nanci said.
“OK. So you want to keep your bangs, but everything else is going to be clippered short. Do you have an idea of how short you want it?" Dot asked.
“Yes. It's supposed to be about this long," Jonnie said as she illustrated the length with her thumb and forefinger.
“Are you sure. I'll do it a little longer and you can tell me if you want it shorter," Dot said.
“OK, but I'm sure I want it as short as I showed you."
Dot carefully parted off the bangs and then retrieved her clipper. Attaching a quarter inch guide she spoke to Jonnie.
“Head down. Good."
She ran her clipper up the back of Jonnie's head. Several more runs and she moved to the right side where she repeated the process. The left side and the top followed, leaving a bit of longer hair at the part line that she quickly took care of with her scissors.
“All right Jonnie see if that's short enough."
Jonnie looked at herself in the mirror then reached up and felt her hair, grasping it between her fingers.
“No, that's too long. It should be a lot shorter than that. I shouldn't be able to grab it with my fingers. It should feel prickly," Jonnie insisted.
“All right. I guess you know what you want, but it's going to be awfully short," Dot said as she replaced the guide on her clipper with a much shorter one.
When Dot ran the clipper over Jonnie's head with it, Nanci observed that Jonnie's scalp was clearly visible beneath the very short hair that remained. She still had some hair, but it was just barely enough to make that fact apparent.
Dot continued until Jonnie's head, except for her bangs, was covered uniformly with no more than an eighth of an inch of hair. Nanci saw that Jonnie head was nicely shaped, something that she had never thought of before, although it would have been noticeable with her short pixie if that short cut had not dominated her awareness. Now Jonnie hair was so short that it was impossible not to be aware of her head.
There was little more for Dot to do. She removed the guide and carefully trimmed the hairline, squaring off her sideburns, lining around her ears and, evening her nape and cleaning hairs from Jonnie's neck. She used her scissors to trim close to the part line for the bangs.
“How's this?" Dot asked.
Once again Jonnie examined the result.
“I wanted it a little shorter, but this is OK," Jonnie answered.
“I can go shorter if you want, but you'll be bald. Is that what you want?" Dot asked with a little hint of irritation in her voice.
“No. It's OK like this." Jonnie said trying to mollify her.
“All right. How do you want your bangs. The girl in your picture had pretty short bangs."
“You can make my longer. They should be a little above my eyebrows, but not real high. Maybe they should be thinned a little," Jonnie said. Clearly she had a good idea of what she wanted.
Dot used her razor to give a little texture to the bangs, then carefully trimmed them to just a little above Jonnie's eyebrows. She added a tiny amount mousse to the still damp strands and added a little lift with her blow dryer.
“There you go Jonnie. That's the shortest haircut I've ever given a girl. I hope you enjoy it."
“It's great. I like it a lot. Thanks Mrs. Jenkins. You did it almost exactly the way I wanted it."
“You're welcome Jonnie. Now that I see you from a little distance, I'm beginning to think that it actually looks rather cute," Dot conceded. “What do you think Nanci?"
“It is rather cute. She has a nicely shaped head and having it buzzed like that emphasizes it. And the bangs softens the effect quite a bit too."
“I guess it's your turn Sammie," Dot said.
“OK," Sammie said as she sat down in Dot's chair and pushed her self back.
“Do you want you pixie trimmed up a bit," Dot asked addressing her question to Sammie, but looking at Nanci.
“No! I want it really, really short – like Timmy's. Mom, can't I get it cut like that. That's what I really want."
“I don't know Sammie. Why do you want it cut like that? You won't have any hair at all."
I like the way it feels. I think it looks cool too. Please Mom, I want it all cut off just like Timmy's."
“What is she talking about Nanci. Who's Timmy?" Dot asked.
“He's a boy her age that she knows from school. He and she have fun swimming together. He has a buzz cut. Actually it's practically shaved. I think his Mother gives him a clipper shave every week. I've never seen him with any significant hair on his head. He's basically always bald."
“You aren't seriously considering letting her get her hair cut like that are you?"
Dot's statement had the opposite effect from what was intended. Nanci's thought process did a double take and she had a moment of rebellion. 'Why can't girls have their hair cut just as short as boys did? If Sammie wanted to get a clipper shaved head for the summer, then why not? It wouldn't harm her or anyone else and it would grow out in a couple of months.'
“Are you really sure you want it cut that short. None of the other girls are going to have practically no hair like that. They might tease you a lot and make fun of you." Nanci cautioned.
“I know that. I don't care. They teased me about my pixie too. I want to have it cut so I have no hair," Sammie said with complete assurance.
“OK. That's it Dot. Go ahead and give her your closest possible clipper shave. She'll be happy and I think she knows what she wants and what she's getting into," Nanci said.
“It seems like a crazy idea to me, but if that what you both want I guess I'll have to do it," Dot responded.
“That's what we want Dot. She'll be a cute bald girl and she'll be happy."
“I don't use this clipper very often. I used it to clean up your neckline. It cuts almost as close as a razor. Is that what you want me to use?"
“If that's the closest you have, then that's what I want you to use, Nancy said firmly.
“If you say so," Dot responded, obviously rather taken aback by this development, but unwilling to say anything more critical.
After a brief hesitation to take a deep breath Dot put the clipper at Sammie's forehead and pushed it back over her head to the crown producing a bare swath. A second and third run followed. From then on it was simply a matter of making sure that no hair was missed and that Sammie's head was clippered as smoothly and uniformly as possible. It did not take long. In little more than ten minutes Sammie's head was essentially bare, clippered to a uniform length of less than a hundredth of an inch.
“Well, that's as good as I can do it," Dot stated as she brushed off Sammie's head, face and neck. I hope that's what you wanted. It feels pretty strange for me to be shaving a girls head like this."
A big grin lit up Sammie's face as she saw herself in the mirror. A moment later she was rubbing her hand over her head in delight.
“Thanks, Mom. It's the best haircut I've ever had. I love it. What do you think? Isn't it cool."
“Well I guess you do look kind of innocent and sweet. I'm glad you like it. Good thing it's summer. If it was winter it might be a little too cool," Nanci laughed.
“Mom. Could you do that? I'd like to keep it like this the rest of the summer."
“I don't know about that Sammie. You do want to let it grow out for school don't you?"
“I suppose so, but I really like it like this. Could I keep it shaved after school starts."
“I think it's too soon to be talking about that. Maybe you can keep it shaved for the summer."
“Mom you could buy a shaver and I could keep it shaved for her for the summer. I think she looks really good with her head shaved," Jonnie said as she rubbed her hand over Sammie head.
“Let's see what your Father says before we make any big decisions. He's going to be pretty surprised to find he has a bald daughter."
“So what am I going to be doing for you Nanci. A mohawk maybe. Nothing would surprise me now."
“I don't think so. Nothing very unusual, just a short cut that is simple, easy to take care of and doesn't draw any attention at all."
“Well you hair has grown out quite a bit. You wanted it longer for the winter and now it's so long your bangs are in your eyes unless you push them to one side. I can keep most of the length and get you back to something like the Sassoon that you had years ago. It will be a good bit shorter on top, but won't have the texturing of the pixie. It can still be nicely tapered with a neat hairline in back. Short sideburns would look good and I can round the bangs just a little so they'll be a bit softer looking. How does that sound?"
“It sounds very good. Go ahead and do it like that. I trust your judgment, Nanci told her.
“OK. I'll get started. I'm going to use my clippers to shape the back. I've learned how to do a nice taper with a comb and clipper. I never thought that would work as well as it does," Dot chatted as she began to restyle Nanci's hair.
Scissors and comb gave the sides a tailored look while preserving some softness. The short sideburns provided an attractive accent. The bangs were blunt, but were kept light with some judicious thinning. As promised, they were not the ruler straight wide and level bangs that had characterized her original Sassoon, but gently curved down toward her temples so that they provided the softening effect of a curved line.
Some judicious additional trimming and a final checking to be sure that even if the hair was combed in the wrong direction it still looked as though it was meant to go that way and she was done except for cleaning up the neckline and giving the hair a little lift with her round brush and blow dryer. Surveying the result, she was pleased with the result.
“It's very flattering Dot. I think you did an exceptional job. I like the result very much."
“Thanks Nanci. And Sammie, I think you do look kind of innocent and sweet. Maybe it's not so bad after all," Dot conceded.
“Kid's do the funniest things Dot, but it's usually best to let them try things if it isn't going to do them or anyone else any harm. We'd better be on our way girls. Your Daddy is really going to be surprised when he sees us. I hope he approves."
To no one's surprise he approved enthusiastically.
Return to the Present – March 1995
“I remember that episode very clearly. When I saw Jonnie with that haircut I was surprised, but when I saw Sammie with her bald head I was stunned. I really didn't know how to react. You finally had to give me a hint that it was all right to tell her that she looked like a cute little cherub. When you said that she looked very innocent and sweet with her head shaved I realized it would be OK for me to say that I liked how she looked with a bald head. And of course I could compliment Jonnie on her unusually haircut. What was it called?"
“A chelsea. It was popular about then and several of her friends had gotten one. I liked hers better than most of the others that I happened to see."
“I remember how long it took for me to get around to saying how much I liked that haircut that you had gotten. The three of you really liked the styles that you got that time."
“I certainly liked mine. It wasn't the shortest, but it was good looking and very appropriate for being a professor of history, so I just decided to keep it as my signature style so to speak. I knew I wouldn't be able to find anything more suitable."
“It was a very smart style – no frills, just neat and flattering. I always liked it, even though I sometimes dreamed that you would get it cut shorter," Rob said
“I thought about it a few times. I knew I would never let it get any longer, but it was such a good compromise between being shorter the way I sometimes wished for and a style that fit my various roles as lecturer, researcher and sometimes public figure, that I always ended up keeping it."
“And Sammie surprised us by insisting on keeping her head shaved for more than two years," Rob recalled.
“Jonnie egged her on and kept it buzzed for her, but I'm sure she liked it like that. She's never let it get more than a couple of inches long since then and she's shaved it quite a few times. Jonnie hasn't been much better. She's had buzz cuts and even shaved her head once although we never saw it except in a couple of pictures."
“Yeah. I would have liked to see the two of them together with their heads shaved," Rob laughed.
“You would have liked it even more if the three of us had our heads shaved," Nanci teased him.
“You've figured me out, haven't you?" Rob responded with a chuckle.
Three Weeks Later – April 1995
“We have some shopping to do Robert. Can you take off a little time to go with me tomorrow morning?" Nanci asked.
“Sure. What are we doing?"
“To the carpet store. We didn't redo the girls' rooms when we did the rest of the upstairs and they really look pretty bad. I need you to help me decide on the type of carpet and the color," Nanci said.
“OK. I agree they need it."
The next day they got an early start and were on their way at eight thirty.
“Why are we leaving so early? The stores don't open until ten," Rob asked.
“I have a little surprise for you. Don't ask me what. You'll know when we get there," Nanci said.
It didn't take Rob any time at all to figure that one out, but he didn't say anything, just smiled inwardly at the prospect.
There were very few cars parked on the street near the little out of the way shop where Dot's former shop was located. When she retired several years earlier, she had leased it to Tina who had lost her own shop to a large redevelopment project.
Tina was in her early forties, with short white blond hair. She always encouraged her younger clients to try something shorter, more colorful and edgy, but was very conservative with her older clients who were her major source of income. That explained why she had been reluctant to cut Nanci's hair as short as requested. Tina had maintained Nanci's cut for the past three years. She was unaware of Nanci's history and assumed that she was would be upset if her hair was cut too short.
“I guessed what you were up to. Wasn't too hard to do," Rob said.
“Oh, I knew you would get it almost instantly, but it's fun to pretend it's going to be a surprise," Nanci responded.
“Well, I do have a little bit of anticipatory excitement over what you might be going to do.
“That's funny. I certainly feel free to do almost anything I want now," Nanci said.
“That's so. You were pretty excited when you got that new dual appointment."
“It let's me concentrate on the things that I do best. Being a Research Professor jointly in History and Archeology means that I don't have to give lectures two or three times a week. That was never my strong suit anyway. Now I can concentrate on my research and the book on Hume's Hundred, and only give an occasional seminar on topics of interest."
“So now you can get your haircut anyway you want it," Rob suggested.
“You know better than that, but I can be a good bit more adventurous anyway and I intend to starting today. I'll probably get a lot of stares and shocked looks from some of the guys on my research team, but they'll get over it. Come on, let get to uh, Tina's shop. I almost said Dot instead of Tina," Nanci laughed.
“You knew her for a long time. I'm not surprised."
They approached the shop and observed the sign announcing that it was open. When they stepped in, Tina turned from her arranging of items on the counter behind the single styling chair to greet them.
“Hello Professor Hunt" Tina said.
“It's just Nanci, Tina. You shouldn't keep calling me Professor Hunt," Nanci chided her.
“It seems disrespectful to call you by your first name. You're so famous. I don't think I could get used to it," Tina responded.
“I guess it's no use arguing about it. This is my husband Robert. He came with me to see if you can cut my hair the way I want it this time, Nanci explained.
“Pleased to meet you Professor," Tina said a little overawed.
“Here's a picture of the haircut that I want. It's cut short all over except for a little bit of very short bangs. Now don't try to argue with me or try to get away with not cutting it as short as I want it," Nanci admonished her.
“QK, but are you sure that you want a haircut this short. I thought the cut you have now was awfully short for a woman, especially someone as well known as you," Tina tried to explain her position.
“Don't worry Tina. Nanci has had short haircuts all her life. She kept it a lot longer than she would have liked for the past ten years mostly because she didn't want her haircut to be a distraction to the students in her classes. She doesn't have to worry about that any more and she wants a haircut that pleases her. Of course I'll like it and so will our two daughters who've always had haircuts this short or shorter since they were ten years old," Rob reassured her.
“OK I suppose I should just get to it. How short do you think the sides are for the woman in that picture," Tina asked.
“I would say it's less than a quarter of an inch. The back should be the same up to the top of my ears. The rest can be a tad longer, maybe a quarter of an inch, but no longer than that. And this is a quarter of an inch," Nanci said with her thumb and forefinger illustrating what she meant.
“You probably have a clipper with a bunch of guides that you can use to get just about any length you want," Rob said helpfully.
“I do have an adjustable clipper with several comb attachments. Once in a while I get to use the attachments when someone comes in who wants a buzz cut. I just wanted to make sure that – she paused as she made the decision not to say Professor – Nanci knew just how short this haircut is going to be. I've given clipper shaves to a few girls, and a few chelsea cuts like this. One girl wanted hers shaved to the skin. I thought she looked very good that way. So if you're sure that's what you want, then I'm ready to do it. Come on back to the shampoo bowl," Tina said.
“I'm quite positive that I want it. My oldest daughter got a chelsea when she was fifteen. It was very cute I thought. Her ten year old sister insisted on getting a clipper shave which we all thought made her look very sweet and innocent. She kept it clipper shaved until she was twelve," Nanci explained.
“Really! That's unusual. How do they wear their hair now," Tina asked as she towel dried Nanci's hair.
“I don't have any recent pictures, but Sammie, that's the youngest, had a short buzz last summer which she'd let grow out to a short pixie last Christmas when she was home. She's a senior in college this year. Jonnie just finished grad school with a degree in anthropology. She off in Africa doing field work. I think she's keeping her head clipper shaved," Nanci laughed.
“When they get home send them to me. I'd love to have a chance to do a couple of clipper shaved heads. I'm going to get a special pair of clippers that cut almost razor close. I can certainly do their heads for them," Tina laughed as she use her blow dryer on Nanci's hair.
“I'm sure you'd enjoy it too," Nanci responded with a chuckle.
“I certainly would. Well, are you ready for me to clipper your head?"
“Go right ahead. I'm looking forward to it."
Tina had parted off a thin section of bangs in the front. Now she picked up a battery operated clipper with an adjustable head to which she had snapped on an eighth of an inch guide comb. With the head adjusted to an eighth of an inch the clipper cut to a quarter of an inch. Without hesitating, she began running the clipper up the right side of Nanci's head all the way to the spot where her bangs started. Around her ear and up, then behind her ear, leaving only a quarter of an inch behind. She continued in the back, then the left side and finally the top.
Nanci, who was facing the mirror watching the action observed that Tina was leaving the hair somewhat longer than she thought it should be. When Tina turned off the clipper she spoke to Tina.
“Tina, that doesn't look like it's as short as it should be."
“It's probably not. I have a lot more to do. It will definitely be as short as you want it when I'm finished. I just needed it to be this uniform length, because it's easier for me to get it short and even when I start with something like this. It's a little difficult to tell exactly how short the hair for the woman in the picture actually is so I have to do it stages until I think it looks about right. I'll be going a little shorter on the sides and back next."
“OK. I get it."
Using the clipper adjusted to a sixteenth of an inch, which, with the guide still attached resulted in only three sixteenths of an inch of hair left, Tina went over Nanci's head again and surveyed it critically, comparing it to the picture Nanci had given her. Satisfied she adjusted the clipper once again to a yet shorter length, just more than an eighth of an inch, which she began using on the right side of Nanci's head. Several passes later she had completed the right side and moved on the the left side where she repeated the process checking several times to make sure that the two sides were as close to identical as she could make them. The back followed, but now she didn't go up quite so high, only to the top of Nanci's ears or a bit higher. She would have to blend the sides to the back using a thin comb and the bare clipper at its closest setting.
After comparing the result that she had achieved with the picture, she realized that it was not as short as it should be. This time she adjusted the clipper to an eighth of an inch and carefully went up to the curve of her head before she allowed the clipper to move away. After both sides were done to he satisfaction she did the back clipping it up quite high – just past the point where Nanci's head began to curve back toward the front.
The next step was simple. With the clipper adjusted to it shortest setting she used it with a comb to make sure that the very short sides and back blended perfectly with the short top. Then she edged around Nanci's ears, trimmed her sideburns neatly and evened up the nape. The final step was to trim the short bangs to less than a half inch and get them to stand up slightly.
Surveying the result she suddenly felt inordinately satisfied. Much to her surprise Nanci looked quite good with her hair buzzed close to her head. She had given young boys buzz cuts almost identical to this and had never imagined that such a cut could look so exceptionally good on a mature woman.
“Oh my! You look terrific with this buzz cut," Tina said as she picked up a mirror to hold it up for her to examine herself.
“I can't see a thing without my glasses," Nanci said.
“Oh! Sorry. I've never seen you with glasses before," Tina said.
“You look fabulous Nanci. I've always thought you'd look good with it buzzed short like that, but I was mistaken. It's phenomenally good!"
“Why am I not surprised. Actually I'm as surprised as you that it looks so good. You know Tina I may be seeing you a little more often with it this short. Can you schedule me every two weeks for the next several months?"
“Sure thing. I look forward to keeping it neatly buzzed for you. That's the best looking haircut I've seen on a woman in a long time, maybe ever," Tina responded.
“Robert, you should take a couple of pictures of me and email them to the kids."
“Good idea. They'll be blown away. I know I can get it sent to Sammie, but Jonnie may be a problem. It's been a month since I've heard from her. That village where she's staying is supposed to have a satellite dish and some solar panels to keep it running. It may have broken down," Rob speculated.
“Just do what you can," Nanci replied.
After paying Tina, they headed to the carpet store. A good bit of searching finally resulted in a choice of carpet style and color that satisfied them both. They were on their way home when Rob mentioned what had been on his mind since seeing her new haircut unfold.
“I'm pretty eager to get you home."
“I can't imagine why. Surely you're not intending to ravish me," Nanci said coquettishly.
“If I can get you to bed that is exactly what I intend,"
“What a thought! What did I do that could have brought that on?" Nanci asked innocently. “Could it be something about my hair?"
“Actually it's the fact that now I can see the beautiful brain and mind that was hiding beneath all that hair," Rob joked with her.
“How intelligent of you to notice that. Why just a moment ago I realized that losing almost all my hair had made me quite eager to have you ravish me. Can you hurry up just a little?"
“I shall employ all my skills at accomplishing your desires," Rob said, the double meaning not lost on Nanci.
JUNE 1998
Wednesday Afternoon
When did you say the girls are arriving?" Nanci asked.
“This afternoon. If we arrive at the airport about two p.m. We'll be there just after Sammie arrives and about half an hour before Jonnie arrives. We"ll need to leave in about half an hour.
“I'll be so happy to see them. It's been almost two years now, with Jonnie in Africa and Sammie trying to get her Doctorate in less than three years,"
“She always knew what she wanted to do. The were both determined to be here for your birthday and our thirtieth Anniversary. I'll be happy to have them here again too. It was great that they'll be here for ten days. We can really get acquainted with them again," Rob said.
“It will be rather nice to be able to relax while they're here. I'm looking forward to doing little or nothing except for fixing a little food for them."
Two hours later, Nanci and Robert were busy taking turns hugging their two daughters. When the excitement of greeting each other had died down some other observations and surprises became the center of the conversation.
“Mom, that is a great looking haircut. I love it! It's a lot better when I see it than it seemed to be in those pictures," Sammie complimented her.
“Yeah, Mom. Sammie's right. I'll bet Dad really likes it too," Jonnie said with a little smirk in his direction.
“As it happens he does seem to appreciate how convenient it is," Nanci joked.
“Well, I think it's great. You must like it a lot if you've kept it buzzed like that for more than two years. It's certainly a lot better than this shaggy mess that I have," Jonnie laughed.
“You're right about that," Sammie agreed with a chuckle. “It's better than this pixie of mine too. I think I'll have to do something about it. You too Jonnie."
The remainder of the week passed happily for the reunited family. Nancy's birthday would be on Monday and their Anniversary the following Sunday.
On Monday morning during breakfast Jonnie made an announcement.
“Listen up everybody. We have a special treat planned for Mom on her birthday. So everybody be ready to go at one p.m. OK.
“What's it all about?" Nanci asked.
“Can't tell you. It's a surprise," Sammie said.
Promptly at one p.m. Sammie called them.
“Come on Mom – you too Dad!"
“Mom, you and Dad take the back seat. We're your chauffeurs for today," Jonnie told them.
“OK, we're on our way," Sammie announced as she slipped into the driver's seat and started the car.
A short time later they were parked along a street in town that Nanci had rarely driven by. It featured some specialty shops that held little interest for her. She wondered which of them had caught the girls' fancy.
“It's just a little way down the street," Jonnie said as she headed in that direction.
She stopped at a shop door and waited for them.
The marque announced it's name - REINCARNATIONS
Below the name was the tag line in smaller print:
Not just a Haircut - A totally new Outlook.
'Now that's different,' Nanci thought.
Here we are. Come on in. I:'ll let then know we're here." Sammie told them.
A moment later the two girls were waiting eagerly for their two operators while Nanci and Rob sat patiently in the waiting area, still not quite sure what was going to happen.
“This is going to be fun. Do you remember that time when you were only ten and we got those crazy haircuts," Jonnie asked.
“I sure do. I don't know what was going on in my head, but I sure wanted to get my hair cut off. And you kept buzzing my head for the next two years," Sammie laughed.
“I thought you were the cutest thing with no hair. I've been dreaming about doing something like this for years," Jonnie replied.
“I guess you're getting your wish. Here come our stylists," Sammie said.
“Hi. I'm Pat and this is Vi. We'll be taking care of you. I guess you're Sammie and Jonnie," Pat greeted them.
“That's right. I'm Jonnie and this is my sister Sammie. Our Mom and Dad are over there. You have all your instructions?"
“We're good to go. Come on back. We have a pair of chairs ready for your parents so they can watch," Vi replied.
“Super. This is going to be fun," Sammie said.
“Mom and Dad come on back. You get to watch us get our haircuts," Jonnie giggled.
Jonnie and Sammie had taken their places in the two adjoining chairs and capes had been fastened around their necks.
Nanci and Rob sat in a pair of chairs facing them, still slightly perplexed about what was to come.
The two stylists looked at each, then picked up identical clippers and stood on opposite sides of Jonnie and Sammie. Finally Pat said “ready?" and received a nod from Jonnie.
Almost simultaneously the two women placed the clippers at the center of the foreheads of Jonnie and Sammie and pushed them back to the crown of the two girls heads.
No one spoke a word while Jonnie and Sammie had their heads clippered to near baldness. Finally Nanci spoke.
“What are you going to do?"
“You'll see," Sammie giggled.
After a little more careful clippering both stylists put away their clippers and brushed off their clients, then turned to retrieve cans of shaving gel which they proceeded to use to cover the heads of Jonnie and Sammie with thick lather.
Now that it was obvious what was happening, Nanci's curiosity was overflowing.
“OK. So why did you two decide to get your heads shaved?"
“You inspired us Mom. We both thought you had made a big breakthrough to get that really short buzz. I couldn't let you get ahead of me. Besides I actually liked having my head clipper shaved. I thought I looked quite good when I had developed a little tan. The women in the village were very complimentary and we got along extremely well because I fit in. The men were impressed too. I should have kept it shaved, but I thought that back in the states I wouldn't fit in. Sammie persuaded me that I would if I just kept my nerve and had confidence, so I'm going to be bald for as long as I like it and that may be for a long time," Jonnie said.
“What about you Sammie?"
“You know me Mom. I've always liked being bald - ever since I was ten years old! If it wasn't such a hassle I'd never have any hair. I'm determined to stay shaved this time. I already have a shaver that I can use every day. If that gets to be too much of a hassle then I'll consider some more permanent solution," Sammie told her.
Pat and Vi were well into the shaves for the two women. Each one was using a multiple blade razor and shaving against the grain. Rob could see that they were going to give Jonnie and Sammie very close shaves. It was an extraordinary experience, one that gave him some decidedly odd feelings that he wasn't sure he wanted to have, but he managed to put them in their place while he enjoyed the spectacle of seeing two women get their heads shaved perfectly smooth.
“This is an unusual salon. I had no idea it existed. And it's name is rather provocative. Do you do this sort of thing very often?" Nanci said, addressing the two stylists.
“Actually we discourage women from coming if all they want is a traditional cut or things like that. In a university town like this we are pretty busy doing all sorts of different things. So shaving a woman's head is not that unusual for us. Personally I think a woman with a shaved head almost always looks better than she would if she had hair. I must admit thought that your buzz looks just terrific. It's the kind of style that we try to get our clients to adopt," Pat explained.
“"We'll do all sorts of things. If you want a purple mohawk, we'll be delighted to do it for you. We think that getting a radical make over can really be something that gives you a very different outlook. It can really be like being reborn. It was for me. Before I came to work here I had a traditional mid-back curly style. When I saw a help wanted notice I put my resumé together and applied.
“They offered me a position with the condition that I would have to get a short haircut in order to qualify. I made an appointment for my next day off at my salon and came here. I told them to cut it anyway they wanted except shaved. I ended up with a faux hawk. I actually liked it and It sure changed my outlook. I'm having my head shaved next week. I'm really looking forward to it. Pat promised to shave me every morning that we're working together," Vi told them.
By now both Jonnie and Sammie were shaved smooth and the two stylists were doing some final cleanup in a few spots where some roughness had been found.
Sammie was having her newly shaved head massaged with a little moisturizing lotion and was the first to acknowledge the pleasure that had engendered.
“Oh my. That feels so good. I'm going to have to find somebody who will do that for me," she laughed.
“You're right," Jonnie said as she received the same treatment. “This is so relaxing. I've never experienced a massage this good."
“What do you think Mom," Sammie said as she stood up and walked over to her Mom smiling very broadly.
“I thought you were very sweet and innocent looking when you were a bald ten year old and you look even better now. I guess I think you look just darling and absolutely fetching, if that is a word that people still use."
“I think It's the perfect hairstyle for you Sammie. It's really a wonderful look. I thought so when you were ten and it's absolutely a hundred times better now. Don't you ever let it grow out again," Jonnie told her.
What can I say? You both look fabulous!" Rob exclaimed.
“Well thank you. Actually I feel like I have a whole new outlook on things. It sure feels nice too, Jonnie said as she ran her hand over her smooth head. “It's worth keeping it shaved just so I can feel it like this. I liked it clipper shaved, but I didn't like the bristly feel. This is really wonderful to feel."
“You've got that right. Mom give me a hug, and you can give me a kiss on the top of my head too," Sammie said as she embraced her Mother.
As requested, Nanci bestowed a kiss on the top of her head as Sammie bent down to receive it.
“I think I could use a hug and a kiss on my nice smooth head too," Jonnie said as, in turn, she embraced her Mother and received an affectionate kiss on the top of her head.
“It's your turn now Mom," Jonnie said to the suddenly flustered Nanci.
“That's right Mom," Sammie said. “You don't want to miss out on the fun. Besides we would love to have a beautiful bald Mom to be with for the rest of the week and for a long time afterwards."
“You're almost there already. You might as well complete the job. You'll look even better than we do," Jonnie added.
Nanci looked past her two daughters to see that Pat and Vi were standing at either side of the styling chair waiting patiently for her to come and sit down. She knew that she had been set up, but somehow she didn't actually mind. The idea intrigued her, although she was not yet persuaded.
“Say something Robert. Aren't you supposed to come to my rescue, save the maiden from the Amazons who are threatening to shave my head, or something?" Nancy said trying to treat it all as just a little fooling around.
Jonnie was having none of it.
“You know you want to do it. And we'd be so proud of you. You'd be setting a great example for other women who want to shave their heads. I met so many grandmothers in Tanzania who looked really super with their shaved heads. We need to get that tradition started around here."
“You do want to be a bald Grandmother don't you? I sure want to have a bald Mom," Sammie added her voice.
“Is someone planning to make me a Grandmother?" Nanci said in sudden surprise.
“No plans for that, Mom. You just ought to be ready for it when it happens," Jonnie laughed.
Well, Robert. Don't you have anything to say?" Nanci asked.
“You'll look stunning. You already know that don't you?" Rob replied.
“I guess I'm outvoted. Help me get over there and seated before I run out the door," Nanci laughed.
With considerable merriment Sammie and Jonnie escorted their Mother to the styling chair where she took a seat. Vi quickly covered her with a cape and Pat had her clipper ready to go.
There was a short pause as Vi spoke to her.
“We're ready. Are you OK with this?"
“I'm OK. Go ahead," Nanci answered.
Pat pushed her head forward gently and began running the clipper up the back of her head, then up the right side followed by the left. Not until she buzzed off her sideburn did Nanci notice any difference. When the top was buzzed the difference was obvious as her skin became visible and the halo of salt and pepper hair disappeared. Nanci had become noticeably gray in the past four years very much as her Mother's had at about the same time in her life.
Pat completed her clipper shaving and Vi immediately began spreading the shaving gel on her head, massaging it in to form a dense coating of thick lather. She had already replaced the head on her multi-blade razor and began shaving Nanci starting from the front and working toward the back. When she was about half way back she switched to the right side shaving upward to meet the previously shaved area. The left side followed leaving Nanci with the front half of her head smoothly shaved. Vi pushed Nanci's head forward and began at the neckline shaving up in careful strokes. Soon the lower half of the back was done and Vi continued with the sides, always shaving against the grain in order to get the smoothest possible result. The remainder of the back and then the top followed. Several strokes from left to right and right to left at the crown took care of any possible odd directions of hair growth there. An exploration with her fingers and the use of a little of the excess lather followed by a re-shave quickly remedied any issues of insufficient smoothness.
She shaved a few other areas a second time just to be sure nothing had been missed in the process. Pat handed her a warm damp towel to clean off any remaining lather. That was followed with an application of soothing moisturizer.
Just as Jonnie and Sammie had felt the unique pleasure of having their bald heads gently massaged, Nanci took a deep breath and closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. Jonnie and Sammie looked at each other and smiled knowingly.
“Just about done Nanci. A little of this nice scented oil to give you a little shine and you're be good to go," Vi announced.
“That was a very nice massage. I think I could get used to that, assuming I can come to terms with being a funny looking old bald woman," Nanci said as she looked at herself critically.
“Mom! You'll anything but funny looking. And you're not old either. You're beautiful with your bald head," Sammie corrected her.
“She's absolutely right Mom. You look wonderful. So soft and, well, sort of angelic. It's amazing! I really want to hug you," Jonnie said.
The cape had been removed and her neck carefully cleaned of any stray hairs from the clipper. Nanci felt sort of odd – lightheaded perhaps, but something else she could not quite identify. Her misgivings of a few moments earlier had melted away to be replaced by a new outlook, just like it said on the sign over the door. It was a strange feeling. She saw herself in a different way. She looked clean and pure somehow, as though a new aspect of herself had become visible. A relaxed serenity suffused her. Then the oddest thought went through her mind. I've been reincarnated as a bald woman. And I like the new me very much. Isn't that remarkable. She reached up and touched her head with her fingers and smiled.
“Well, Robert, you haven't said a word. How do you like your new bald wife?" Nanci asked with a mischievous little smile.
“I was afraid to say anything. I think you look gorgeous, stunning, beautiful and ethereal somehow," Rob said struggling to find the right words.
“Do you think you can live with a bald woman the rest of your life?" Nanci asked.
“Only if she's you," Rob responded.
“Then I think we're going to be quite compatible," Nanci said.
“What does that mean Mom," Sammie said, perplexed.
“I'm sure you had no idea what the effect of seeing myself bald was going to have. It was an epiphany you might say. I saw myself as a bald woman and I knew it was the new me. There's no going back. No matter how hard I might try, I'll always be a bald woman. The dark haired woman you knew an hour ago doesn't exist anymore. You'll never again see me with hair. I guess that's as plainly as I can say it."
“So you really like the way you look,. That's great," Jonnie said.
“Something a lot more than that happened Jonnie. A part of me woke up and took charge. I can't explain it really, but I know that there was a mental shift and I found that inside I'm a bald woman, completely and permanently. It may take a little while for the permanent part to take shape, but it will start very soon. Now I would love to enjoy giving hugs to and receiving hugs from my wonderful husband and my two extraordinary and lovely bald daughters," Nanci announced.
There were hugs and maybe a few tears, but mostly there was a special new feeling that they shared as they started their new lives as openly bald women, serenely confident in the rightness of their choices.
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