Growing Up - Part 2 by buzztob

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GROWING UP - PART 2
by
buzztob


On Sunday morning, I was in my usual place waiting for dad to appear, when I heard voices behind me, it was the twins. What are you doing here? Dad is still around. He doesn’t leave for his course until tonight. Steve said that if dad agreed, they would like their hair cut again. I couldn’t believe what they were saying. From ‘long haired scruffs’ as dad had called them only 6 days ago, they were now asking for haircuts. Just then dad appeared and Steve quickly asked his permission if they could have their hair cut again. Pete just winked at me. Dad relished the request and gladly escorted them into his ‘special place’. Dad told me to get in the chair as he would only have to run the clippers over my head as not much had grown since the last cut. It was over within seconds and the cape was being removed. I brushed the loose hairs from my face and sat next to Steve. Pete was on his feet and hoped straight into the chair. Dad had a big grin on his face. He even asked how Pete was! Pete thanked him for his enquiry and asked how he was and was he looking forward to his course next week. Dad said that he was fine and the course was very important for his next promotion so he was out to make a big impression. Pete then surprised me by asking dad if he could cut his hair just like mine. He thought that it was really cool. Dad said no problems and did he want the sides shaved, or just clipper cut? Pete said exactly as he had cut mine. Steve was sitting there with a grin on his face and just winked at me. Dad took the #00000 clippers, switched them on and started to remove the hair. It was not rushed like the last time and I could see that Pete was really enjoying the sensation of the clippers running over his head. The twins were chatting away to dad asking him all about his course and how many others would be on the course with him. Dad seemed to relax with the twins as they fired all sorts of questions at him. Then Steve asked about the hairdressing equipment and what all the bits and pieces were. Dad gave a complete run down on the clippers, attachments, types of scissors and the two razors he used. Pete was now finished and as he got out of the chair, he thanked dad for cutting his hair and said that it looked great. Steve got up and sat in the chair and said that he wanted the same. The clippers buzzed into life and the short hair was cropped even closer. Lather was applied and dad took his time ensuring that all the hair was removed and that the sides and back of the head were really smooth and hairless.

As Steve was getting out of the chair rubbing his head, he said to dad that his hair was a bit long compared to theirs. Dad looked in the mirror and agreed that he was overdue for a haircut. None of his mates were coming over this weekend because of him going away on the course. Steve then said that he was sure that he could give dad a tidy up if he wanted. Dad just smiled and said that he would do it himself. Steve was persistent, saying that he needed to look sharp if he was to make the right impression. Dad finally agreed and said that at the worst, if it didn’t work out, he would just shave it all off.

Dad sat in the chair and Steve wrapped the cape around dad, took a comb and started to move the short hair around, then asked ‘What would sir like today?’ Pete and I started to snigger, but a quick look from dad, wiped that away. To my surprise, dad said that he would like the same cut. Straight away, Steve said, ‘an excellent choice’ then added, you might have to give some guidance on how to use the razor. Dad said that it would not be a problem. Steve picked up the clippers, wiped the blades, put some oil on them, switched them on, turned them off again and wiped off the excess oil. Dad asked him if he had done this before, all Steve said was that he had seen a barber do it in a shop. Steve then switched on the clippers and started at the nape of dad’s neck, slowly pushing the clippers up towards the crown of dad’s head. He went all around the back and sides and stepped in front of dad and said that he thought I should cut the top for him. I was horrified. Me cut my dad’s hair! No, it was OK, and Steve should carry on. However, dad said that it was a good idea and that I shouldn’t be such a wimp. If I were more like Steve, he would have got me to cut his hair sooner. I did not need another word. I took the clippers off Steve, switched then on and started to push them through dad’s hair. The thought of all those years of him cutting my hair just swept before me, but I could not do any real damage as it was cutting it down to his scalp anyway. Steve and I was busy cutting dad’s hair so I didn’t see what Pete was doing. He had removed the key and noted the number down so that we could get another one cut. All of the loose hair was brushed off dad’s head. He then instructed Steve on what to do next with the can of lather. He told Steve that in the cabinet was a Mach3 razor that he could use, as the straight edge razor was tricky to use if you were not used them and he did not want blood all over the place. Steve took up the razor and as dad had instructed, started at the back of his head and worked his way to the nape of the neck. He then moved to the side and again working with the way the hair grew, removed the lather. Dad told him to lather up again and this time to go against the growth of hair to get a really good finish. Steve then wiped away the remaining lather, opened the little bottle, poured some liquid into his hands and swiftly wiped them on the sides and back of dad’s head. You could see dad react, but all Steve said was ‘take it like a man’ Dad burst into laughter. It was the first time in a very long time that I had seen dad laugh. Dad got out of the chair and went over to the mirror, examining his haircut and thanked Steve for an excellent job. On that high note I thought it advisable to get out. I grabbed the twins and was pushing them through the door. Steve turned and wished my dad good luck on his course. The twins said that they were going home and for me to stay with dad and help him clean up. They would phone me on Monday.



I went back into the garage and asked dad if I could help him clear up. He was a little surprised but said that he would be grateful for my help. In no time we were locking up the garage and walking into the house. On the way, dad said that maybe that he had been wrong about the twins and if the local high school could turn out nice guys like that, it may not be all that bad. That comment really came out of the blue. Dad left later that afternoon after a ‘man-to-man’ talk and a sloppy farewell with mom. Great, he would not be back for a whole week! I had a free hand, as I could twist mom around my little finger. Monday morning was strange and the routine was out with dad not being there. Mom had to take me to school and said she would be there to pick me up. It was a normal day, made worse by me having had another haircut on Sunday. The four took great delight in following me all day trying to wind me up. I was glad when the final bell went and I could escape. I ran out of the school and was relieved that mom was waiting for me. Just after I got home the phone rang, it was the twins. Could we meet in half an hour to sort everything out? I asked mom, saying that I would only be a short while whilst she prepared my tea. I rushed over to the twin’s house and met up with Dave who would be driving the van. I had never met Dave before, but being a friend of the twins was enough for me. He was 3 years older and worked in a garage. Dave was about 6 feet tall, well-built and with a very short cropped haircut. Everything was set for tomorrow night. I would be at their house by 1730 hours and we could drive straight over to James’ house as we had found that he went to a local society meeting every Tuesday at 1800 hours. Dave said that he had already placed everything in the garage including his equipment. When I asked about that, Steve said it would be a nice surprise for tomorrow. I asked just before I left if they were sure that they wanted to go through with this, after all I was the only one suffering from this guy. Pete said that if he insulted one of the gang, then he insulted all of them. The twins had really taken to this short hair appearance and they were out to convert as many as possible.

Tuesday arrived, mom dropped me off at school and for some reason the insults they hurled at me that morning had no effect on me. All I could think of was my revenge tonight. Travelling home with mom that night, I mentioned that I would have to go over to the twin’s house as I needed their help with some school work and that I would be home before 2200 hours. She said as long as I was back by then, it would be OK as she had some friends coming over that evening to organise some charity event. As soon as the car pulled into the drive, I jumped out of the car, opened the main door and rushed upstairs to get changed. I put on a black tee-shirt and jeans, rushed downstairs, grabbed my bag and coat and said I would be back later. I ran around to the twin’s house, they were already in the van waiting for me. We drove over to James’ house and parked just around the corner, but we could still see his front door. Right on time, the door opened and out he stepped, shouting over his shoulder that he would be back by 2030 hours. He left the driveway and headed towards the van. The twins told me to stay inside, as they did not want him to see me. The three of them got out, just as James was level with the van. Dave said something to him, and as he stopped to answer, the twins were on him, pinning his arms behind his back, Dave was taping his mouth and they pushed him into the van. Dave got in the front, started the van and we pulled away. No one had seen us grab hold of James. I turned around and could see that the twins had put tape over his eyes and bound his feet together. We drove around to my house, stopping just before the drive. The light was fading, but I wanted to make sure that no one was around. Dave handed me the key to the garage, I went up the side of the drive out of sight of the house and opened the door. The three of them dragged James into the garage and threw him on the floor. Dave went back to the van and parked it away from the house.

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