Hair Like Mommy’s

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Victoria’s son had just turned 3.

Having never given him a haircut, little Jimmy’s hair had grown quite long. Strong hair genes, Victoria thought. While her husband, Jimmy’s dad, had slightly blond and thin hair, both Victoria’s and Jimmy’s hair had a strong brown color, and amazing thickness. Often times people would joke about how Victoria’s son looked so much like her, sometimes even mistaking him for her mini-me daughter.

Being Victoria’s first child, she’d always been extremely sensitive about him. Always washed his hair, made sure he was as clean as possible, giving him the very best food. She even breastfed him until he was 22 months old. He was now 3, and never went to day care. Since the moment she gave birth to him she became a full time stay-at-home mom.

A lot of things in Victoria’s life had changed the moment she became a mom.

Even before Jimmy was born, she and her husband decided to get married when they found out she was pregnant. She didn’t really mind, she wanted to marry him. She just never thought it would happen when she was 22. So the first thing that changed was actually her last name.

But then, other things began to change as well. Her social circles differed. She couldn’t really find any common ground anymore with her old friends. All talking about one night stands and drugs, while she had to quit drinking. Even before giving birth she had matured, both mentally and environmentally.

After little Jimmy’s birth, the changed only escalated.

She’d always been a very skinny girl, but now she’d gotten a bit thicker. Not a bad thing, she thought, She even felt sexier. But needless to say, heavier. Her face changed a bit due to the pregnancy. Somewhat chunkier.

But, she was still herself. She still felt like herself, her better self. Everyday she woke up with fulfillment knowing she was taking care of the thing most important to her. Even when she quit her job after her maternity leave expired, she was happy about it. In a few years I’ll get back to it, she thought.

One thing that hasn’t changed was her hair. She’d always worn it long, a little after her mid-back. She’d trim it herself, never trusting anyone else with is. Well, at least after what happened when she was 15. Her hair was also mid-back-ish at the time, and she went with a friend to get it trimmed. Her friend went first and then Victoria did. When the barber asked what she wanted, she just said “same as her”. While she meant trimming the ends like her friend did, the barber took it that she wanted it cut the same length as her friend – a bit above her shoulder blades. She hated it. She had grown it out over high-school, but it was still a dark part of her past, from her perspective.

10 years later, and she still hadn’t trusted anyone with her hair since, and kept it long.

“Jimmy’s hair is way too long”, said her husband. “By the time I was 3 my dad gave me a buzzcut.” “Yes, hone-“, Victoria answered, only to be interrupted by her husband. “Now I don’t say just shave it all, but why shouldn’t he get a cute bowl cut? People are beginning to think little Jimmy is a little Juliette.” “Yes honey, you are right. But wouldn’t he be scared?” “It’s only scary for the first time, trust me. If we don’t cut it now we’ll have problems in the future. You don’t want to take care of lice when he gets to preschool do you?”
Victoria agreed with her husband. “I’ll make a reservation for that kiddo barbershop next Thursday. My friend recommended it, she took her daughter to get her first haircut there a week ago.” “And, was her hair cute afterwards?” asked her husband. “Very. She looked like Dora.”

 

It was now Wednesday. Victoria sat her son down and told him about the next day.

“What do you mean a haircut?”

“Well, you know how boys have short hair and girls have it long? Since you are now a boy, a big boy, it is time you get a haircut like all the other boys!”

“But I don’t want to, mommy.”

“Well, you have to. All boys do. Don’t you want hair like dad’s?”

“No! I want my hair like mommy’s.”

Smiling, she answered “Okay sweety, we’ll see tomorrow,” thinking he was going to oblige when sat in the chair by the clown barber.

 

The next day arrived, and the hour for their reservation came. Walking into the barbershop, everything looked cutesy and childish. A big Winnie the Pooh drawing was all over the wall, and classic songs were playing.

Jimmy sat down at the little chair, and the barber came. “Whoa! looks like we have a very big boy here! What’s your name, champ?” the barber asked. “I’m Jimmy!” “Wow, Jimmy! Such a cool name! I’m Alex and I’ll be cutting your hair today. I’m guessing your his sister?” Alex asked, looking towards Victoria. “I’m actually his mom.” “Wow, who would’ve thought. So, what are we getting him today?” “Well, it’s his first haircut. Me and my husband were thinking a cute, plain bowl cut.” “Sure, seems like a lot of hair to take off. Are you sure he’s okay with that?” Thinking for a moment, Victoria answered “Yeah, he should be fine.”

 

“NO!!!!” Jimmy screeched after the first scissor crunch. “I don’t want to get my hair cut!”

“But you’re such a big boy Jimmy! Look at my hair, don’t I look good?” said Alex. “Don’t you want your hair cut like me?”

“NO! You’re ugly! I want my hair to be like mommy’s!”

“It’s okay, we deal with stuff like this all the time. A few more chops and he’ll stop.”

But he didn’t.

As Alex’s hand, holding the scissors reached Jimmy’s head, he tried to push it aside. When that didn’t work and Alex got another chop, Jimmy started crying like he never cried before. “What’s wrong, Jim?” Victoria asked while hugging him. “Mommy, I don’t want to get my hair cut.” “Why not?” “I like it when we look alike. I love looking like mommy.” “But you’re a boy, you have to get your hair cut. Mommy has to keep her hair long, you have to keep it short.” “No! If you’re keeping it long then I’m keeping it long!”

Then, a scary thought popped onto Victoria’s head. “And what if mommy also cuts it short?”
That left Jimmy, and even Alex, astound. “Then… I will cut it too!”
“Great! So you go first and then mommy will get her hair cut right after you!” Victoria said while winking at Alex. “NO! Mommy has to go first!”

Now it was Victoria who was left astound. Her mind started racing. What if she cuts it? Will she still be able to look at the mirror? What if she leaves Jimmy with his hair long? What will her husband think? What’s best for Jimmy? What’s best for her? No, It doesn’t matter.

“Fine. Alex, are there any adult sized chair around here?”
“Ma-am, I don’t really think that it’s a good idea. I don’t know any adult haircuts.”
“Didn’t you hear the boy? Cut mine like you would cut his.”
“So a plain bowl cut?”
“As plain as it gets.”

Victoria sat in the chair. A bit cramped. She wasn’t a kid, after all. “Should I first make a ponytail or-” “Just cut it already!” “Y-yes ma’am.”

Alex just took her hair all into his hands. From the left, and the right, and created a big pony in his hands. “Rea-” “Just do it!”

Alex pushed the scissors towards the hair. Slowly, Victoria began feeling her shorter hair coming down. First on the right side of her head. Then slowly on the middle, back, and left. All while just hearing *clunch* *clunch* *clunch*.
She was horrified. Why had she done that? What is wrong with her? Does she hate herself?
Alex had finished with the pony, and set it aside. Some kid waiting there said to his mother “Look ma! So much hair!” Victoria was too scared to look, but did as soon as she heard that mother say “Well, some mother just always think about themselves. I promise you you’re the only one getting a haircut today!”. The kid started laughing. It was that moment when Victoria remembered why she decided to do that. It was for her boy. Her son. The love of her life. She now looked at it. It really was a lot of hair. And it was so beautiful. The color. The shine.

“Ma’am, now I would usually get the clippers and start forming the bowl shape. What do you want me to do?”
“Can’t you speak English? Do the same thing you would do to my son later.”
“Yes ma’am.”

Alex got the clippers, turned them on and put them to the back of her head.  A terribly strong sound started. BZZZ. BZZZZZZ. She could feel it at the back of her head. BZZZZZZZZZ. God, what was he doing? Little kids really sit through this? BZZZZZZZ. Now the sides. She could actually see it this time. BZZZZZZZ. Boom, her left side looks half shaved. Kinda bowl-ish. Now her right side. BZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Alex put the clippers aside and returned to the scissors. “Now I’ll just be shaping it up a bit and then you’re good to go.” He started watering her head, and slowly and precisely cut her hair. “Now I’ll do the front, you’ll want to close your eyes for this. She closed her eyes and felt the soft and cold scissor metal to the forehead. Chirp. Chirp. “Good to go!” “Can I open my eye now?” “Only if you promise not to assault me.”

She opened her eyes and saw an adult woman with a child-like haircut. But it looked kinda good on her. While she always looked like she was still 22 with her long hair, she now looked more fit to the age of being a mother. She looked almost 30. And she didn’t hate it, at all.

“Jimmy, now it’s your turn!”

 

When they returned home, Victoria’s husband was delighted. “Jimmy! You look so good! Come here champ!”
And then he lifted his eyes up. “Vi-viv??”
“Yeah… I ran into some trouble. You like it?”
“You look so much older!” Victoria pouted. “In a good way!”
“I thought the same thing. I look so much more like a mom now, right?”
“My exact thought, Viv. But wow, how can my hair be longer than yours?”
“You did notice you were balding, right honey?”

 

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