A reward for being helpful by Storyteller

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When I was 12 years old, in the 70’s, I had my straight brown hair always long, completely covering my ears and, sometimes, almost reaching my shoulders, the bangs were also long, I kept them combed to the side, so they didn't cover my eyes.

Since the age of 8, my parents have allowed me to grow my hair if I went to the barbershop from time to time and kept my hair clean and neatly combed. The barber I used to go to always cut my hair the way I wanted, so it was easy for me to stay in 70’s fashion.

I was an obedient and respectful boy, long hair wasn't a sign of rebellion, it was just for fashion. And I was hoping I wouldn't have to cut my hair short because it would draw too much attention and make buds make jokes about me.

One day I was walking on the neighborhood and I saw a gentleman of a certain age carrying some heavy bags and, as I was very helpful, I said: "Good morning, Sir, would you like me to help you by carrying the bags?" and he said, "Oh, thank you very much boy, yes, if you can help me, I need to take it to my shop which is two blocks from here." I promptly grabbed some bags and walked along with him.

As we were walking, he said, "You are a very nice boy, I want to reward you when we get to my shop" and I replied "Thank you very much, Sir, but it is not necessary" and he say "I insist". I then just smiled and nodded my head.

We walked a little further and finally arrived at the 'shop', which I then discovered was a barbershop. He opened the door and said "it's here son, come in with me" I went in and asked where he wanted me to leave the bags. He showed me and I let them there. He then said: "Sit in my barberchair, son, I want to reward you with a haircut" It's been a long time since I got a haircut, I couldn't say no, so I smiled and sat down saying "Thanks, Sir".

He gently wrapped a cape around me, making sure my long hair didn't get inside it. He started combing my hair and said "how long has it been since you got a haircut, son?" I smiled and said, "It's been a long time, Sir." He then took a pair of scissors and with the aid of the comb began: snip, snip, snip. I saw big strands of my hair falling out, I tried not to show that I was scared so I smiled at him. "You really needed a cut, huh?" I smiled and said "Yes Sir, thank you very much" And he kept cutting my hair a lot with the scissors. I kept smiling.

He then said "You're really enjoying the cut, huh?" And I smiled and said "Yes Sir". And he said "Oh, then I'll make it shorter for you". He then picked up clippers, with the #4 blade and started to pass on the right side. I was startled but kept smiling. He said, "It's good with the clippers, isn't it?" And I, who had never had my hair cut with clippers before, said "Yeah, yes Sir." He kept running them on the right side, left side and then the back. I was terrified of how short my hair was going to be but I didn't have the heart to be impolite with him and kept smiling.

He then said, "You are enjoying the cut with clippers, it will be cool to use them on the top too" and immediately started buzzing the top. A lot of hair started to fall out. I was already totally freaked out, but I kept the smile. He then said, "What a joy, huh, son?". Not knowing what to do, I smiled and said "Yes, Sir". And he said, "You really are a very nice boy" and finished buzzing the top. Then he said, "You really like short hair, don't you?" With my hair cut and wanting to be nice I said "Yes Sir".

He then said "Oh, so I can cut it shorter for you", and swapped blade #4 for #2 and immediately started running clippers all over my head again. Now I saw little hairs flying around as clippers worked. I, having nothing else to do or say, just smiled.

He then said "Hm, I think you want it even shorter, no problem I'll make it for you" and changed the #2 to #1 and only buzzed my top with it. He then put on #00000 on clippers and started buzzing the back and sides one more time again.

Then, he finished. He took a duster brush and dusted off my whole head, he took off the cape and said "okay son, a haircut as a reward for being such a helpful boy" I smiled and said "Thank you so much Sir" while looking at me completely transformed into something I would never have imagined in the big mirror.

He then told me "Come back here for a haircut whenever you want, son". I said "Thank you Sir, it was a pleasure to help you, good morning" and I walked down the street not really understanding what had happened to me and trying to see in my reflection how I was, while I ran my hand over my buzzed head.

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