The Swear Jar by burrlypup

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Rebecca was fed up with her son Samuels' language. After tea with friends, he had the nerve to call her by her name. Her name! Not mom. His behavior soon mirrored that of his new friend Kyle, a profane and disrespectful 'free spirit' who lived off of his parents. Well, that would not be the case with Samuel! If he chose to waste his life, she would not finance such an existence.

On the day of his 18th birthday, Samuel left without a word and came home after midnight inebriated. Samuels' father would do nothing; his son was just getting some rebellion out of his system before college. This is when the profanity started. A few weeks into July, Samuel called his mom the B-word and not even his lax father could protect him.

Rebecca emptied a gallon size glass pickle jar down the sink and scrubbed it clean, then affixed a label 'SWEAR JAR'. She shouted for Samuel to come downstairs. When he was halfway down the stairs he gave his mom a dirty look. "NOW!" she exclaimed and surely woke Samuel to the occasion.

"Your father and I have always told you we would pay for your college, but I will not be sending a disrespectful, entitled jerk into the world. Have a seat." Rebecca said as she unfolded a padded seat.

"What's this all about? I'm sorry I called you a b*tch, it won't happen again." Samuel spoke, trying to downplay the situation.

"I know it won't. Now sit." Rebecca continued. Samuel hesitantly took a seat, not sure what to expect. His mom pulled his long blond locks back and combed them neatly and bound all of it into a ponytail.

"I have allowed you too many freedoms and now I see where that has gotten me. Every time you swear or disrespect me, I will take back one of those freedoms. For calling me a b*tch, the price will be your earrings. Take them out and place them into the swear jar." Rebecca calmly asked. Samuel took the studs out of his ear lobes and placed them into the jar.

"For coming home drunk, the price will be more severe." With that, Rebecca handed her son a pair of scissors.

"What are these for?" Samuel asked, rolling his eyes. Rebecca stroked his ponytail.

"No way! You're crazy! I'm not cutting my hair." Samuel asserted and stood up.

"SIT!" Rebecca shouted. "You want us to pay for college? You want to keep your brand new car? You will do as I say or you will leave now with nothing!" Rebecca said as she grabbed the scissors.

"Please don't! You love my hair!" Samuel begged.

"Don't try to play sweet with me now." Rebecca said as she slid the open shears to where they would sever roughly five inches. She hastened her resolve and closed the blades. She tied up the thick blond hair with string and dropped it into the swear jar. Tears were streaming down Samuel's face as he realized how short his hair had been cut, he reached back and only felt a nub where his long hair was.

"Consider these punishments light. The next time you swear, or call me 'Rebecca' or disrespect me otherwise, the consequences will increase in severity." Rebecca placed a list of new house rules then went to bed. Samuel couldn't believe what just happened. Part of him felt like his behavior was out of control, but part of him now hated his mom. She cut his hair off! It would take a year to grow his hair long again.

When Samuel went to his summer job, his boss hooted and hollered over the haircut. Over the next few weeks, things stabilized and Samuel felt confident that the swear jar would go away. After Kyle became aware of the new rules, his devious nature began to stir and he tried to encourage Samuel to disobey his mom. But Samuel would not be moved. He was on a better path and began to see why his mom was being so strict. Kyle sensed his friend was drifting away, so he put some weed and rolling papers into Samuel's pocket.

The plan worked too well.

Once again, Rebecca had Samuel sit down and confronted him about the pot. Samuel had no idea where it came from and started crying. He didn't do anything wrong, but knew he would be punished anyway.

Rebecca didn't say a word. From the haircutting kit she had set up, it was obvious he was going to get a haircut. Rebecca picked up the clippers with a #3 guard on them and began shearing off her sons hair. When it was all buzzed, the sun kissed highlights were gone, leaving a dull pelt of velvet behind. But it wasn't over. Rebecca took off the guard and ran the clippers over his head once more, until nothing was left. Samuel looked into the mirror and saw his grey scalp, shuddering in disbelief. How could his mom do this to him? Still, it wasn't over.

His father entered the room and dusted off the loose stubble with a wet towel. Before Samuel could object, his father placed some warm lather on his scalp and began shaving him bald. Once with the grain, and once against the grain. He could not believe his eyes. He was completely bald.

"Your mom is upstairs clearing out your belongings, which will be held in storage. I purchased you clothing which you will wear unadorned by anything else. Every Sunday you will go to church with us. Once a week you will sit and I will shave your head. Instead of going away for college, you will live here and go to the community college down the street. This is what will happen for the next two years. If you stay, you accept the terms." His father explained. Samuel rubbed his smooth head and nodded yes.

A few minutes later, Samuel looked around his bare room. A few hours before, it was filled with his clothes, 'toys' and random stuff. Now it only contained a bed, a desk and a dresser with five pairs of slacks, five button up shirts, socks, underwear and a suit coat hanging in the closet. His scalp felt numb against his pillow as he laid in bed. Soon he found himself in the bathroom looking into his reflection. It really wasn't as bad as he imagined. He was a good looking man, his strong jaw and facial features really popped without hair. He heard his parents downstairs arguing.

Samuel went to his mom and hugged her, saying "Love you, goodnight," and then back upstairs. His mom looked at his father incredulously and they turned in for the night.

Samuel was keen to adjust to his new life, but as he dozed off, realized Kyle had set him up. He grinned devilishly as he planned his revenge.

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