If I Was Mrs. Price’s Daughter

August 1972.

18 year old Cindy Pratt’s Mother sent her to the store to get a some last minute groceries for a summer party. Mrs. Pratt told Cindy not to stop by her friend Kayla’s house to hang out. After departing her house Cindy took the ally to the grocey store which goes past Kayla’s house. She just wanted to see what Kayla was up to; surely, there would be no harm in that.

Cindy noticed the kitchen window was open and she could hear sobbing. Curious Cindy opened the Price’s back gate and peered in the window. Cindy was surprised to see Kayla’s mom cutting Kayla’s hair rather short. She heard Kayla sobbing and Mrs. Price say…
“we go through this every year! I don’t care if this is your a senior this year; you are getting a back to school cut.” Cindy was rather intranced by the situation that was unfolding in her friends kitchen.

Mrs price looked up from her work and saw Kayla’s best friend’s face in the window. Seeing the nosey Cindy peeping in the window, Mrs price followed her out the back door scissors in hand. Cindy took of running scared.

“You come back here Miss Pratt! You know better than to peep and be noisy…im calling your mother.” Mrs price shouted after the retreating girl.

Cindy stopped running when she reached the back gate. Cindy knew her mother would not be pleased that she had stopped to see Kayla on top of having to explain why she was acting like a peeping tom. Cindy let her shoulders fall down in a defeated shrug as returned to the Price house. Cindy knew Mrs. Price wasn’t joking about calling her mother; running off will only make matters worse. Especially because her mother told her not to stop by Kayla’s to hangout.

Once Cindy was standing on the Price’s back porch she could tell Mrs. Price was rather cross. Mrs. Price then ushered her inside the house which gave Cindy a closer veiw of what was happening. Kayla, whom had clearly been crying was sitting on a tall stool with newspapers on the floor spread on the floor. Mrs. Price had wrapped a large beach towel around Kayla and was half way though cutting her daughter’s shoulder length hear into a pixie.

Kayla was more embarrassed that her best friend was wittnessing her receive her Mom’s back to school haircut. Cindy had always wondered why Kayla and her older sister Molly always came to the first day of school with a fresh pixie cut. Throughout the school year Kayla grew out her hair. Kayla not wanting to make bigger scene sat there puffy faced as she forced herself to stop crying. Cindy watched as Mrs. Price went back to work slicing off her daughters hair above the ears using gaint shears.

“Once I get done with Kayla; I will call your mom and explain to her your unlady like behavior. What kind of young lady goes peeking goes peaking in other peoples back windows?” Mrs. Price said as she kept cutting the bulk of her daughters blonde hair; sending it to the papered kitchen floor.

“Please don’t call my mom, I will get grounded and I have to run to the store. I was just seeing who was crying” Cindy plead not wanting to miss out on the last week of summer.

“Well then. If you dont want to take your punishment for disobeying your mother you will return to me for a nice short haircut tommorow. That will serve as a lesson for your peeping and disbeying your mother. Kayla always cries during her haircut, which is why I do it at home. You violated my families privacy, Cindy” Mrs. Price stated as she stared down Cindy as she finished reducing Kayla’s hair to a rough pixie.

Cindy was completely intimidated by her friend’s strict mom. She just wanted to avoid getting grounded and get away from this ackward situation. Cindy exchanged a look of understanding and pitty with Kayla, that only best friends could understand. Cindy couldn’t bring herself to words but simply nodded her head “yes” to Mrs. Price’s proposal. In an equal wordless communication Mrs. Price dismissed Cindy with a wave of her hand as she began wetting Kayla’s hair.

The rest of the walk to the store and back home Cindy thought about what awaited her. She had made a real deal with the devil. Trading the rest of her summer for her long dark brown hair. Mrs. Price had always seemed stricter than her own mother. Now it seemed undoubtedly true. The rest of the evening Cindy thought about sitting on that stool as Mrs. Price chopped her hair off. Sleep hardly came easy.

Cindy’s Comeuppance Cut.

After breakfast Cindy did the dishes and told her mom that she was going over Kayla’s to hang out; then maybe go to the pool. Mrs. Pratt was hardly surprised that Cindy would be going to hangout with her best friend. Her attention was mostly focused on setting up for her afternoon garden party.

“Alright be safe honey.” Mrs. Pratt said as Cindy headed out the house. Cindy was dressed in pair of tan shorts and a pink polo shirt. She walked the short distance to the price’s house. Cindy wrang her hands nervously as she walked to the front door and rang the bell. It didn’t take long for Kayla to answer the door.

“You really got my mom worked up. Come on we might as well get this overwith.” Kayla said softly as she welcomed her friend in the house. Kayla was dressed nearly identically except her polo shirt was green and her short blue.

“Yea, I know but I rather not be grounded for the rest of the frigging summer kay.” Cindy replied as she played with Kayla’s short pixie cut. She guessed that Mrs. Price would likely give her the same haircut. It was a short soft pixie with bangs; almost like the singer Lisa Minilli’s. The two of them walked into the kitchen which was again set up like a make shift hair salon. The stool was placed on top of fresh newspapers and Mrs. Price’s haircutting items were laid out on the near by kitchen table.

“Have a sit I guess. I’ll go get my mom.” Kayla said as she turned and walked off quickly to fetch dreaded Mrs. Price.

Cindy sighed as she took her place on the stool. If only she had listened to her mother and gone straight to the store she would still have her summer and be keeping her long hair. Cindy looked over the scissors and combs while she waited. When she heard Kayla and her mom walking closer Cindy snapped her hands away from the scissors and sat up straight.

“I am glad you decided to come by early. Now I won’t have to wait around for you all day.” Mrs. Price told Cindy as she she put her floral apron on over her head. Then she held the strings out behind her for Kayla to help tie. Which Kayla did without being prompted.

“Gotcha yourself in a real pickle didn’t you girl.” Mrs. Price said as she moved behind Cindy and shook out the large folded towel before wrapping it around Cindy’s shoulders.

“Yes Ma’am.” Cindy replied completely intimidated and terrified of losing her hair. Cindy looked over at Kayla who had moved over against the wall after tieing her Mom’s apron.

“Well you certainly earned a good Price family haircut. I can’t believe you would sneak around and disobey your mother like that.” Mrs. Price added as she folded Cindy’s polo shirt collar down inside of her shirt so it was out of the way. Then she secured the towel around Cindy’s neck with a large safety pin. The use of the safety pin was something Mrs. Price came up with when her daughters were younger. The pin stopped the girls from pulling the towel off. Feeling Mrs. Price’s fingers moving around her neck gave cindy goosebumps.

“I know most mom’s let their daughters grow their hair how they like after age ten or so. However, I find that a nice short haircut keeps Kayla focused at school. A clear reminder that summer is over. I don’t know why she still fights me on it. Kayla looks great in shorter hair.” Mrs. Price said as she started brushing out Cindy’s hair.

Kayla watched the whole thing from the corner of the room. She couldn’t believe that Cindy wasn’t crying; Kayla always cried. The way her mom talked to Cindy as if she was her own daughter wasn’t so weird. Kayla and Cindy practically lived at each other’s houses.

Cindy hardly listented to Mrs. Price’s talking other than her tone making her angry. The brushing wasn’t so bad; Mrs. Price seemed to know what she was doing. Once Cindy’s long hair was brushed out Mrs. Price combed through it one more time using a wide tooth comb. When cindy heard the clink of the large shears leaving the table she turned around to plead with Mrs. Price.   She tugged at the towel but it didnt budge.

“Please Mrs. Price do not cut my hair short. I am not your daughter” Cindy said as she tried to stand up fed up with Mrs. Price’s bullshit.

Mrs. Price had seen such outbrusts from her own daughters and placed her hands firmly on Cindy’s shoulders. She pushed Cindy back down on the stool while holding the shears tucked inside her hand. That way the pointed shears posed little risk of poking her struggling victim. Kayla noticed a slight smile of satisfaction cross her Mom’s face when the towel didnt come loose.

“Now that is quite enough Cindy. You made this deal and you are going to keep your word. Which is something you seem to have a problem with. If you were my daughter I think you might be a little more respectful.” Mrs. Price stated as quickly moved her left hand so it was clamped down on top of Cindy’s head. Then the well practiced motherly hairdresser snapped the scissors open and hacked off a large hank of Cindy’s hair by her ear lobe.

Cindy struggled but Mrs.Price was too quick and well practiced at taking girls short. When Cindy heard the snick of the shears she felt like she was going to be sick. She let out a “Ugh” noise as she stared wide eyed at her long lock of hair on the newspaper. In a near panic Cindy reached her hand up out from under the towel and felt the damage. She found that she had a three inch tuff of hair sticking out amoungst her long dark hair.

“You ruined my hair!” Cindy exclaimed in shock and anger.

“I didnt ruin it, I just cut it. You are over due for haircut. Now sit still so I can do a good job.” Mrs. Price replied coldly as she pushed Cindy’s hand down and straightened the towel. She kept her hand clamped down firmly Cindy’s head.

“Fine.” Cindy huffed as she crossed her arms under the towel. She figured that her long hair was already ruined. Not even the best hairstylist could blend in the big chunk of hair Mrs. Price had chopped off. She was resigned to her fate of being punished like Mrs. Price’s daughter.

Sensing Cindy had accepted her fate of getting a haircut Mrs price picked up her comb. She lifted a large section of of hair away from Cindy’s scalp, quickly chopping it off with the large dressmaker’s shears. Mrs. Price settled into an almost rhythmic pattern of combing and chopping. Long dark locks fell to the towel and the newspaper covered floor.

Cindy glanced over at Kayla who was standing motionless by the wall. Kayla had never seen her mom give someone other than her sister a haircut before. It was any less tramitic from this perspective. Once Mrs. Price finished reducing Cindy’s hair no more than four inches she set her scissors down. She knew the Cindy was unlikely to protest for the rest of the haircut.

“You girls always settle down after the bulk is gone.” Mrs. Price mentioned as she picked up hair spray bottle and started wetting down Cindy’s hair. Mrs. Price settled into a new rhythm combing and spraying until Cindy’s remaining mop of hair was wet. When she was satisfied Mrs. Price she exchanged the spray bottle for her hairdressing scissors.

Cindy’s anger hadn’t subsided, however the damage was already done. Now the only thing she could do was let Mrs. Price give her the pixie cut she saw fit. She was glad that this would be her one and only Price family haircut. Cindy felt sorry that her friend had to go through this every summer. The noise of smaller scissors leaving the table brought Cindy out of her thoughts; signalling that she was about to loose more hair to Mrs. Price.

“That ought to do nicely. I think you will look great in a pixie just like my Kayla” Mrs Price said as she ran the comb through Cindy’s hair one more time. Then she began combing Cindy’s hair into her fingers and snipping it to length. Mrs. Price had preformed this haircut so many times she could do this haircut in sleep.

Cindy was unconvinced that she would look great in a pixie. She had do agree that the pixie did suit Kayla’s heart shaped face, soft features and blue eyes. Cindy’s face on the other hand was more oval shaped and her cheekbones were higher. Even if she didn’t look bad would her boyfriend like it? She looked down in disgust as the towel and floor covered up in snippets of her damp hair.

“Keep your head up for me dear.” Mrs. Price instrusted as she placed a finger under the girls chin lifting it. Then she went right back to combing and cutting. “Seniors tend to slack off during their last year of school. These haircuts should remind you both to focus on school…not partying and boys.”

Cindy quitely scoffed at her strict hairdresser’s comments and rough handling. A real stylist would never do this. Cindy could tell that Mrs. Price was being much more precise with her scissors judging by the snip snip snip noise they where making. This was a big difference compaired to the harsh scrunching noise gaint shears made when her hair was chopped off. Kayla continued to watch as her mom gave her friend the all to familar pixie. She was embarrassed that Cindy had to go through this all for checking on why she was crying.

Mrs. Price quickly and efficiently cut Cindy’s hair into shape. The back and sides had been reduced to two inchs. The top was slightly longer at around three inches. Now that Cindy’s hair was cut to shape Mrs. Price began cutting the finishing touches. She cut Cindy’s sideburns into points. Then she set about point cutting the girls bangs for a softer more modern look. She wanted the girls to have an no nosense haircut but still have it be stylish.

Cindy felt the cold scissors against her forehead as Mrs. Price worked. She was relieved that Mrs. Price wasn’t giving her short blunt bangs. She blew some hair off her nose as she sat still and slightly more relaxed. She truely hoped her haircut was almost finished.

“You look so cute and fresh sweetie. I think you will find this will really refocus you.” Mrs. Price said as she finished cutting and combed Cindy’s hair one last time. To both Cindy’s and Kayla’s relief Mrs. Price finally put down the scissors. This time she reached for the plugged in blow dryer and began styling Cindy’s hair all while humming contently to herself.

Having her hair styled was the most relaxing part of this ordeal for Cindy. When Mrs. Price finished with the dryer she gave Cindy a good dose of aquanet. Then she held up a hand mirror so Cindy could see her back to school haircut.
“I bet you will listen to your mother and act like a perfect young lady for quite awhile.” Mrs. Price told Cindy as she unfastened the safety pin and whipped the towel off the girl.

Cindy was relieved when the towel came off her body; signaling the end of her punishment. Looking in the mirror Cindy could see that the her new pixie wasnt too bad. She wondered how she would explain this to her mother. Her mother would no doubt wonder why she and Kayla had matching haircuts.
“Its actually not bad. I will try harder Mrs. Price.” Cindy promised as she got up from the stool, stepping over the massive pile of hair on the floor.

“You will get used to it.” Kayla said offering a word of encouragement to her freshly shorn friend. Kayla noticed they looked like sisters with near matching outfits and haircuts.

“You to can run along and enjoy your last week of summer. I will clean up.” Mrs. Price told the girls as she started packing up her makeshift hairsalon.

“Lets go to the pool.” Cindy suggested as she and Kayla went up stairs to hangout. Cindy often barrowed cloths from Kayla or vice versa so they didnt have to go home. The two of them packed a backpack with swimsuits and towels before leaving the house. Cindy was very happy this morning was over.

Mrs. Price watched as the two girls departed the house sweeping up. She smiled at what she had accomplished: producing two perfectly short haircuts and respectful young ladys. She was pleased she had got a chance to reign Cindy in some before the school year started. Cindy was always the or adventurous of the two. Now, maybe Cindy would think twice about acting up and possibly leading her daughter astray. With that she dumped Cindy’s hair in the trash bin.

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