Short is Best
Sometimes spontaneity is a blessing but often it leaves you somewhere in between.
I was out running errands on a Friday afternoon just before 5pm. I had just finished my last stop when I passed a storefront and noticed my reflection. Specifically my bushy hair. I usually kept myself up but had been so busy lately that I had gotten a bit unkept. I usually make a point to get a haircut every four weeks on routine. Short back and sides parted on the left. I think I really have been avoiding realization that I was starting to thin a bit which contributed to the growth. My reflection confirmed this as a noticed the sunlight emphasizing the my hairline receding.
Walking past the storefront just up ahead a barber pole spun as if it had been summoned. I decided quickly to see if they were still open. Approaching the shop a woman sitting on a bench outside caught my eye. She was striking. She sat comfortably wearing a mini skirt with her legs crossed. The black tank top revealed quite a few beautifully done tattoos. She was scrolling on her phone and casually enjoying her vape. As I approached she looked my way making eye contact as she took a long draw on her vape. Turning she blew it out and ran her fingers through her hair moving her chin length bob to the right and revealing the left side of her head with a tightly shaved sidecut. As I reached for the door she instructed me to. “Have a seat in my chair. I will be right with you.”
The shop was empty when I entered to see a lone barber chair and a black cape lain over the backrest. I took a seat and waited a bit nervously surprised that she might be the barber. A minute passed as I waited and investigated the simple but well kept shop. She entered as I was taking the place in “Hey. I’m Chris and you look like you need a haircut but let’s wash you up first.” She stopped and flipped the closed sign and locked the door announcing “Your my last cut for the day.” She motioned me to the back where she patted the chair in front of the basin. I sat as she draped a towel over my shoulders giving me an unexpected massage as she lowered to back and placed my head in the basin. She ran her fingers across myself scalp as she tousled my hair chirping “Yeah, you definitely need a real haircut.” Not knowing how to take this I tried to relax as she readied the water temperature and began rinsing my hair. She shampooed me rather sensually to the point I felt a bit awkward. After rinsing me she continued to massage my temples and reaching down my neck into my shirt massaging my back. Feeling a bit violated as well as relaxed she pulled up the towel and began to dry me abruptly directing me “Now, back to my chair.” I complied as she quickly applied a neck strip and caped me rather firmly. Without speaking she used the hair dryer and a comb to finish the job. As I sat there she made her way around my side inspecting me in silence. She casually pulled out her vape inquiring “Do you mind? It’s just you and me here now.” “Feel free.” I stammered a bit. Nonchalantly she said “Thanks” as she put the vape to her lips inhaling deeply with her eyes fixated on me.
She exhaled, her plume floating through the shop leaving a sweet lingering smell of mint “You need a real change. I am thinking something really tight would suite you from where I am standing.” I could feel that I may have already lost control of this situation as I inquired “What were you thinking? I was just planning on my usual haircut.” Just as I got the words out she exclaimed “That’s boring! How about you trust me and I have you leaving here looking like the stud you could be?” Fully realizing I was coming under her spell and not knowing what to say I replied “Sure.” She smiled taking a long draw on her vape before offering it to me “Want to try? You look nervous and this will help.” I reached out and took it from her outstretched hand. She reassured me “You will like how it takes the edge off.” Hesitantly I brought it to my lips and pulled on it before inhaling the sweet minty vapor. Two more draws and I realized she was right as the lightheaded buzz took over. Handing it back she smiled “Knew that would help. Now let’s get you done.” I questioned “How are you cutting my hair?” Now behind me, she placed her hands on my shoulders “Short, military grade. Maybe a flat top or a skinned high and tight. We will she where it goes.” Still light headed and a bit disoriented she reached for a pair of clippers. They were loud and whirred in complaint as she changed the blades. “Chin down.” as she pushed the crown of my head forward and without hesitation guided the machine up the back of my neck all the way to my crown. I would instantly feel the cool air on my scalp realizing the severity of the shearing I was about to receive. She didn’t hesitate as she barred my scalp all around finishing “Your thinning a bit on top. A short horseshoe will work best.” Unsure of what she meant I began to inquire when she whispered “Shhh, you will see in a minute.”
She then took her comb and another slightly smaller clipper that hummed quite aggressively and began working on the top taking off most of my bulk. She then applied a product and prepared my top for the flattop. Surprised she pressed the clippers directly on the crown of my head and moved them forward only stopping before she reached my forehead. A few more passes revealed the same cool breeze on the top of my head. Then back came the comb as she evened out what little hair I had left. Just when I thought she was through she would continue to trim more and more only taking a break from time to time to draw on her vape as she carelessly exhaled in my direction. She seemed finished with the top and I nervously anticipated what I would look like she stated “Almost done. Let’s shave the back and sides to get this tightened up.” Before I could protest she was massaging warm lather on the back and sides of my head and using her straight razor to bare my scalp above my occiput and high on both sides. Retrieving a warm towel she wrapped my head and massaged away any remaining lather. Drying me off and finally thinking she was done she tickled my nape and sides with her nails stating “You just got peeled stud and I like it. Do you?”
She spun the chair revealing me in the mirror. I was taken back. If that was a flattop, it was the shortest one I had ever seen. Barely a fringe of visible stubble remained on top and the middle was bare as I quickly realized the horseshoe reference. She removed the cape and caressed my shoulders and nape unexpectedly saying “You look amazing. Amazing to the point that this girl might let you have whatever you want next.”
Quickly realizing all of her previous actions were with clear intent and honestly wanting a bit of revenge I stated “Would you like to take my request here or back at my place?” Smiling, she licked her lips and took one last draw on her vape before sitting in my lap “Here and now suites me just fine.”
