A Christmas Gift by Armando94

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“Let me do it, hun."

“I’ve got it, go mind yourself," Daniel McGuiness swatted at his wife, Maureen. He had just gotten out of the shower and figured he would trim the back and sides of his hair slightly, now that it was damp. It hung above his collar (for when he wore a collared shirt, besides attending mass, and even then) and slightly over his ears. But he had thick hair, and healthy too, still at the age of 30. Even given everything life had thrown the two of them, especially Daniel.

Where Daniel came from, he was a promising young man. Only child dotted on by his parents, star athlete, loved by classmates and teachers even though he could be a real ball-buster. Never the homecoming or prom king, but always well-respected. His grades were okay, but he had an emotional intelligence that most his classmates lacked. Even though he had the talents to play D1 sports, he was only able to make it out D3, which was fine by him. The football coach at the small liberal arts college he was recruited by had been scouting him since his sophomore year. Even if Daniel came from a small rural town, he was still sought after for all the recognition he got by the state in the papers.

But senior year hadn’t been so kind. Just a week shy of his graduation, after a long and lengthy battle, his mother had passed of breast cancer. Daniel’s father had never been strong, always leaning on liquor, and so Daniel feared for the worst after this. But just over a month later, when Daniel was already at summer preseason for school, he received a call that his father had suddenly passed. Not taking his life, not overindulging, the doctors said his heart just…stopped. All of this, and Daniel was only eighteen years old. When the school year rolled around, he tried to do his best both on the field and in the classroom, but he struggled. He’d met Maureen through some classmates. She tutored him, but then, a friendship blossomed and bloomed further. And then, Maureen fell pregnant. Her parents were furious, and she was so nervous. Daniel wanted to do her right, and said they’d make it work. They got hitched just before Christmas, a few friends in attendance. But after that, they headed out of town. That spring semester, Daniel was no longer enrolled, and neither was Maureen. They virtually cut everyone off.

Flash forward, and four daughters later, the couple struggled to make ends meet. But it was a loving family, in a loving home, albeit a tight one at times. Daniel worked in a factory, and picked up extra shifts wherever he could, as well as odd jobs. They budgeted like crazy, just so that their daughters Anne, Elizbeth, and the twins Catherine and Cathleen, weren’t too aware of how much the family struggled. But they made it work, as best as they could. Like Daniel cutting his own hair. He liked it this way, it was simple. He trimmed it so often it would be silly to spend on going to a barber. Although, he occasionally got the itch for something shorter. He’d been tempted to take his beard shaver and just plow through his head hair, like lots of men had during the pandemic. But ao many were envious of how healthy and just how much hair Daniel still had, where most guys either barely had it or it had truly parted long ago.

After finishing up with his hair, he joined his daughters in the kitchen for breakfast before dropping them all off at school and heading to work at the local factory. The day had been going fine, nothing unusual. When they called for the fifteen-minute break around 10:30, everyone moved off the floor. What came unexpectedly, as all the men sat around pouring coffee and water, some others outside having a cigarette, was when one of the managers rounded everyone up with an announcement. This didn’t happen, not ever. And the fat old man didn’t waste time, he got right to it: layoffs. Right in front of the whole crew, he called out different names: young and old, every ethnicity, nationality, color and creed, there were even a few women working here to help with their own families expenses. Daniel waited and waited, name upon name called, holding out hope and praying to the Lord that everything would be alright.

“…and Daniel McGuiness."

His heart dropped to the bottom of his stomach. He’d felt like his gut had been punched. Daniel’s eyes looked over at the man holding his pink slip out, waiting for Daniel to come collect it. He’d slowly walked over, and surprised himself when he said, heavy with breath, “This can’t be."

“Sorry young man," the manager didn’t even look Daniel in the eye.

“I…" Daniel went to say something, but he didn’t know what. His feet still glued to the floor, the floor that felt so cold, like this whole warehouse all of a sudden. “I’ve worked here six years."

“And we thank you for every one of them. You’ll see you get a severance."

Daniel could care less about a severance. What about other work? Where was he going to find work now? Maureen worked as a receptionist and had the luxury of leaving that early enough to get the girls from school. Albeit, they docked her pay because that. But Daniel needed a job, the family needed that. Who knew if any of the neighboring town factories would take any workers at this rate, and especially someone like Daniel. While he had the resume to prove it, so many of them wanted employees with at least an associates degree, and Daniel only had his high school diploma, always folded neatly in his wallet.

Daniel and all the others didn’t have to work the rest of the day, they would still get paid out for it and the week. Daniel drove himself into town, to one of the local taverns. He had a bit of pocket money on him, and he ordered himself a beer, and then another. He stopped at three, and then spent the next couple hours just sitting there, nursing some water. Afterwards, he walked around town, his beanie cap snug over his head, his coat just barely warming him up in what felt like the town had dipped below freezing.

Daniel went to the only other place he could think of, before having to eventually go home. He needed time to think, allow himself to grieve a bit, and plan for the future. The church doors were always open, which Daniel had always found alarming, but now he was grateful. No one was in the dimly lit hall. He sat down in one of the backrow pews, away from where he and his family usually sat. He held his hands in prayer, and just sat there a while. Willing and wishing for something to happen.

***

“You heard what happened at the factory the other day?"

“Somethings always happening, ain’t it?" Nick the barber said to his client Frank.

“The factory had major lay-offs."

“No kidding," Nick shook his head, “and just before Christmas. Pitiful."

“I know," Frank sighed. “Terrible, and I heard it was a ton of people, nothing small."

As Nick continued with Frank’s usual businessman cut, hair slightly greased back like he thought he was still some hotshot investment banker, the doorbell rang a new customer in. The two men looked in the sound’s direction, and almost in sync bowed their heads, “Evening Father Theo."

“Evening, gentlemen," the young (for a priest, in his forties) Catholic pastor bowed to them, and walked over to the waiting area. “I hope I’m not too late for a haircut."

“Not at all," Nick said. Moments later he was brushing off Frank and shooing him out of the chair. Once Frank exited the shop, Nick pulled the blinds and flipped the sign for his last client of the day. Motioning his hand to the chair, he said, “Have a seat, father." Nick liked the local priest. He’d been with the parish for about five years at this point. Nick also liked, being a man of his mid-thirties, having a pillar of the community be someone closer to his age instead of like the other men around here. Not that Nick felt like he did anything biblical, but it was a service being frequently coined the “town barber". A trade picked up through generations of the men of his family. But a service no less, and one he felt called upon to do. Just like Father Theo, called upon to this duty from God.

Nick also really liked that this priest was no fuddy-duddy. The first time he saw him at mass, he was inspecting the new priest’s hairstyle more so than his sermon. It was a typical longish look. That was until, maybe two weeks later, possibly after Nick and many others of the community had introduced themselves to the new priest, that he found Father Theo walking through his shop doors. Much like tonight, the last cut of the day. When the pastor sat down, Nick was stunned when Father Theo said:

“A flattop, please. Rather boxy, and not too tall on top. But definitely high and tight on the sides."

Nick was stunned, but within that first conversation of the priest in his chair, learned that Father Theo had been waiting for the opportunity to shed his mane. He didn’t know why he’d resorted to it. Father Theo had been a military man actually, and then served as a priest in the army before ending his service in that regard.

“I just heard about the factory’s news," Nick said, as he too the clippers to Father Theo’s left side and began to sheer off the three weeks’ worth of growth.

“Yes, I learned of it recently as well," the priest said with a simple yet solemn sigh. “Anyone you know effected?"

“Not that I know of," Nick shrugged. “You?"

“Oh, yes, of course. Whether they are parishioners or not, I still feel the effect. Especially at this time of year of our calendar."

“That’s what I said," Nick shook his head, making sure to still focus on the cut and not accidentally angle the blade awkwardly as to have his client lose and ear. “Don’t they need people?"

“I do not know what to say," Father Theo said, “other than to suggest prayer, not just for those effected, but from all of us to contribute a prayer each night for those men and women. And their families, as well. They are part of this after all."

“Its just terrible," Nick shook his head again as he moved to the back of the priest’s head, plowing through the occipital bone. “So did ya hear of anyone specific."

“Well, no one confessed anything to me, if that is what you are asking," Theo commented. “But if I have my math and timeline correct, one parishioner found himself amongst our pews that day. Perhaps he was trying to speak with the Lord."

“I shouldn’t ask," Nick said.

“And you shouldn’t. But," the priest continued, “I know you are a caring man, a family man, and so could sympathize perhaps. In fact, this particular man is as well. One wouldn’t think it, his family being active members, but they are one of the many families who have struggled in the holidays before. This setback couldn’t be any worse, though."

Nick and his wife were active in the parish, helping wherever they can. From readings and giving out communion at mass, to any of the holidays calling for volunteers on something. “Is there anything I can do more, for this guy and his family?"

“Yes, I suppose," Father Theo announced. “Allow me to think on it, how we can proceed."

The rest of their conversation flowed on from there, as Nick continued to clear the rest of the priest’s sides and back, before fine tuning it down to the wood, his white skin glowing in the barber shop light. Then taking comb and clipper, and re-perfecting the plush flattop. Nick would take pride that weekend when seeing Father Theo hosting mass, his haircut sharp yet smooth, knowing who was responsible for it. Nicely greased in the front, but not too distracting, yet strong enough to hold the sharp bristles that Nick now evenly cut down. Even like a brush, no strand out of place or too long. Nick’s own hair was fairly simply, simple enough he could cut it himself. A mid fade with a longish brush cut on top, the same sort of style he gave his three boys in the summer. During the year he’d allow them to grow it, but not obnoxiously long. They still had to keep it presentable, he made sure of it, and they knew it too.

Eventually, Nick added some talcum powder to a separate brush, and wiped down Father Theo, before releasing the cape from his body. “Good as new, father."

“As always," Father Theo nodded, and winked at himself in the mirror, before standing up and shaking his barber’s hand. He paid and tipped him, and then suddenly said. “I believe the man’s daughter, one of his four daughters, is in the same grade as your oldest boy, Nick. I could be wrong, but I don’t think I am." And with that, Father Theo slipped out of the shop with his fresh cut.

As Nick swept up from a long day, he thought some more on it, who it could be. When he drove home, it went off like a light bulb. That guy, Dan, or did he go by Daniel. His four girls and wife, all so pretty looking, always smelled like they had bathed in a bottle of vanilla extract. Nick wondered if maybe they did dab bits of it on themselves, unable to afford even cheap mall perfume. That family always attended mass, whether Sunday morning or Saturday evening, and the daughters were always dragged to Holy Days of Obligation in the early morning, much like Nick and his wife, Terri, did for their three boys. Although, Nick knew those McGuiness girls weren’t getting a bribe of a donut after mass like he had to do for Ben, Chris, and Dylan, to get up extra early that day. If only there was something he could do more to help…

***

Daniel was still going through the motions, but his spirits were slightly lifted. He would take anything at this point, truly. Just like when he attended mass that following weekend, not even a week gone by since the news. He was speaking with Father Theo after mass. Usually it was simple niceties but this time, the priest took a true interest in having a conversation. The priest did not hold back and asked how he had faired this week with the lay-offs, and Daniel told it straight. The priest offered his sympathies and his prayers, and if he needed anything, Father Theo was there to ask. Soon after stepping away from the priest, who Daniel had been distracted by both during mass and during this brief discussion, much thanks to the sharp and short haircut he sported, Daniel was surprised when a parishioner approached him:

“Its Daniel, right? Daniel McGuiness?’

“It is," Daniel shook his hand out, slightly shameful he couldn’t point this stranger. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name."

“Oh, that’s fine, I’m Nick Lundy," the other man shook his hand back firmly. “Listen, I don’t know if you are able to, but we need some help with the volunteering for Christmas coming up. Picking either the toys or food up for those different drives. I don’t know if you’re able to help, or want to, fine if not. But figured I’d ask another father around here."

“Oh!" Daniel was shocked by this. Usually, he’d be embarrassed to interact with others. But, seeing as he had no work going for him, and this Nick was rather friendly, and he did recognize him from weekly mass, Daniel was more willing to be persuaded. That and he too seemed to have just gotten a fresh haircut himself. His sides bare, but not as much as the priest, and a really short top that was somewhere between juvenile and mature man.

“How may I be of service, then?" And after that, Nick exchanged numbers with Daniel, saying he wasn’t working tomorrow and laid out that most Mondays he spent doing the runs for toys and other things. Daniel said that would work for him, and where should they meet. Nick offered they meet for breakfast once the kids were all in school. To Daniel’s surprise, at that breakfast, the two got on swimmingly, as if Nick were the older brother Daniel never had. Nick was even surprised to learn how young Daniel was. And, Daniel felt embarrassed but also relieved when Nick offered to pick up the tab. It wasn’t much money, coffees and some simple eggs, toast, and bacon, but he felt a literal rush down his body when he didn’t have to shell out cash.

The rest of their Monday proceeded even better, as if they had been friends all along. Nick had them stop several places, checking in on different shops and stores who would be able to volunteer or donate things. They even stopped in at one of the local grocery stores and spoke with management. While there, Daniel spotted a hiring sign. Not for a seasonal gig, but for the deli. He didn’t know all that much about that business, but he kept it in mind. Daniel didn’t know that Nick caught him looking twice, or maybe ten times, at the sign while they were there. Nick would make sure to put in a good word with management, and a nudge about Daniel’s predicament. The son of the store’s manager was an old buddy of his.

At the end of the day, Daniel couldn’t believe how time had flown by. They pulled into the church lot so Daniel could get into his car. Daniel said, “Thank you, Nick, for asking me to help out. It felt good, and, it just was a good day. That’s all."

“More than happy to have some extra hands," Nick took his off the wheel and waived them, “and you’ve been great company, seriously."

That comment really touched Daniel, so much so, that he completely opened up to Nick. The whole day, Nick did not ask him about his work, or wasn’t too nosy. They talked like old friends over simple yet important conversations, about their children, things they hoped for the world. Now that a foundation had been laid, Daniel felt comfortable speaking about his predicament. After he’d let it all out, Nick sat there continuing to nod his head, not saying “boo", Daniel felt even better than he already did.

“Well first off, I’m sorry to hear that Daniel," Nick said, not giving away that he already knew. “Wouldn’t have thought you were going through all that, judging by how you were today. You have a real good Christian soul, son."

“Son? You’re only five years older than me," and the two of them laughed.

“Alright, alright," Nick said. “Well, until next week?" Nick held his hand out and Daniel shook it before stepping out of the vehicle. During the week, however, Daniel was able to help out more at the church in the lead-up to Christmas, much to Nick’s suggestions over text message every day. From that, Daniel was also able to pick-up a temporary job at the church as a janitor in the evenings. The old parishioner who’d done it forever was having surgery soon, and would be out at least a few months, if even to return. The great thing for Daniel was he could break it up over several nights as it was just a one pay deal per week. And while he was helping out and working at the parish, he received an update from Nick about a job opening at the grocery store they’d gone to. Not for the deli though, but in the fish department. They were desperate to have anyone, and so Daniel took no shame in stepping up to the plate.

***

Christmas Eve was the following day, so this Monday would be the last time that Nick and Daniel did any of their runs together. As sad as it was for this journey to be over, the two knew they’d created a friendship. Nick was looking forward to having Daniel around more often with some other men from town around their age. There were just a few surprises he had left for this new buddy of his, asking Daniel if they could make one quick stop.

“So," Nick said, as he was seemingly driving Daniel home. They’d taken to truly carpooling now for these runs. “I thank you again for all your help. And its been great just to have somebody help out, and make a new friend out of it."

“Likewise," Daniel beamed, truly glowing. Even given his predicament a few weeks ago, he seemed like a whole new person. Little did he know just how new he was about to become.

“You’ve really showed your true colors, and they are incredible, Daniel," Nick continued. “I know you’re a humble man, a decent man too, and don’t ask for handouts or help. But I know times have always been tough on you and your family, for a while now. That’s why Terri and I wanted to extend to you and Maureen, and the girls, to spend Christmas Day with our family. We’ve got plenty of company coming, so there will be plenty of food to go around."

Daniel beamed even more now, “Thank you, Nick. You are a good man, too. Better than me."

“I’ll let the Lord be the judge of that," Nick teased, just as he turned down a street and parked in front of his shop. He could see Daniel tense up just a bit. “Mind if we stop in? Got something in there."

As they entered, Nick flicked on the lights. Daniel saw a huge sack like Santa’s left in the middle of the space. “Like I said, know you don’t like handouts, but at least your girls are deserving of a little extra special Christmas this year. And I know because of that, that would make you happy." Inside the sack, as Daniel combed through it, he saw more toys and gifts than he and Maureen had ever been able to give to all the girls combined. He also spotted a few things in there for him and her, some new clothes and other essentials they usually had to cheap out on."

“Please don’t be mad, its not just me. Many others pitched in to help. We just wanted you all to have a really special Christmas this year. Mean it." At that, Daniel finally turned around, eyes brimming with tears, and enveloped Nick in a huge bear hug. Softly whispering “thank you, thank you" again and again. When he pulled away, Daniel cleared his throat, wiped off his face and laughed at himself in the mirror he was facing.

“So this is where the real magic happens?"

“Yessir," Nick nodded. “Figured I had neglected in showing you all of this after these last few weeks. That and," Nick cleared his throat, “there is one other gift…if you’re interested." Daniel turned to stare at Nick, eyes wide, clearly speechless, but sensing what the town barber was getting at. Nick continued, “I know you try to save a few bucks here and there, and you aren’t half so bad as maybe you think when it comes to trimming this," Nick tussled some fingers through Daniel’s overgrown thatch. “But I think your deserving of a little something special, right? And now with the new job and all, easier to manage. You get what I’m saying?"

Oh boy did Daniel ever. He felt himself gulp so hard, his whole body go over warm. He’d walked into a bit of a trap, unknowingly. A part of him was petrified, and a part of him was not opposed to where it was heading. His eyes flickered to the open chair, that throne just calling his name. “Oh, I couldn’t make you."

“Not making me," Nick shook his head, “more like I’m making you, from the sound of it. But the offer is there," he extended a hand to the chair. Daniel was mesmerized by its maroon leather, in such great condition, even after God knows how many butts had been sat in it. And he liked the thought of his joining that club. And the fraternity of men and boys whose hair would join others down on these black and white tiled floors. Have a chance to stare at himself in the mirror as he was transformed not only by what he imagined Nick being a master barber, but by someone he genuinely trusted. He could think of no one better. At that thought, Daniel croaked out a weak, “Okay," and marched around to the chair’s front, catching a glimpse of Nick getting all excited for what lay ahead.

Then Nick cast a pinstriped cape across Daniel’s body. Engulfing him and securing him. Daniel felt his Adam’s Apple throb up and down, even as Nick dressed the tissue wrap around his neck. Truly signaling there was no turning back. Daniel griped to the metal armrests for dear life as if he were riding a roller coaster.

“So, sir," Nick acted out. “What are we thinking of doing today?" His hands pawing through Daniel’s luscious locks, revealing a healthy hairline at the forehead. “You’ve got an impressive head of hair, great to work with."

Daniel was speechless, truly not knowing what to say. Does he ask Nick to make him look just like him? Does he ask for the Father Theo special? Or something totally else? “Oh…I….just," Daniel looked thoughtfully at the mirror, really looking at the barber. “I trust you, Nick, just make it look good. Let this be a part of the new me."

“New me," Nick murmured, playing with Daniel’s hair one last time. “We’re gonna make you look like a fine, respectful man of this community, sir. Not that you aren’t already, but even better."

With that, Nick took a simple comb and unhooked one of the clippers off its station. Lifting from Daniel’s right side, long hair poking through the comb, Nick sheared it right off. That “ZZZPT!" noise it made sent chills down Daniel’s spine, as Nick repeated it again and again, from right, to back, to the left side. “We’re just gonna be taking some of the bulk off, sir, that’s all."

“Sounds good," Daniel miraculously was able to find his voice. He knew this was only the beginning ,the easy part in fact. He didn’t look so different than before. Just a bit haphazard, like he’d actually taken clippers to it himself and tried cutting things that way. Once that initial part was complete, Nick picked up a different pair of clippers and, starting at the right again, cleared straight up the sideburn region. Daniel could feel the clippers touch his skin. It was a strange sensation, he couldn’t tell you the last time he felt that, perhaps in the middle of high school. And he really meant skin, as Nick took swath after swatch off, his feet fixated where they were. Daniel couldn’t believe how much he was sheering off just from that one angle. Did he really have all that much hair?

“And here I thought your hair wasn’t that long," Nick commented, and this made Daniel laugh. When Nick stopped and moved to the back, Daniel caught a quick glimpse of the right side. Holy moly! That WAS his skin, halfway up towards his temples. Then he heard the barber err, “Head down, please," and Daniel obeyed. This sensation was totally different. The way the clippers crept up from his neckline to halfway up his skull. It forced Daniel to literally drop his jaw to his chest, in astonishment yet glee. Boy, this was going to be a short cut. And for some reason, Daniel knew that was going to be the case. More than that, he was totally okay with it.

Then Nick took care of the right side just like the other, and then started to blend what had been taken down to skin with the bit on the sides still left reaching for the top. Then switching out the clippers with ones that sounded so piercing loud in the silent barber shop, Daniel thought he’d go deaf. Nick grazed the foil shavers up and down the more bare regions of Daniel’s scalp. Wow oh wow, Daniel could not believe this. It felt like his new buddy was taking sandpaper to a piece of wood. Or at least, Daniel knew that would be the sensation he’d feel later.

Finally, the clipper work seemed done. As Nick was switching things out at his station, Daniel took his right hand from under the cape, and let it graze all over his shaved parts. His mouth emoted a simple “o". He was beyond shock.

“Feels good, don’t it?" Nick teased his client. Then he returned with a spray bottle and comb, and began to wet down the top of Daniel’s head. Once it was sopping wet, the barber brandished a pair of sheers that shined brighter than diamonds. With scissor and comb, he started to work his way all across the surface of Daniel’s head, reducing the remaining long locks to about an inch and a half in length. Wet clumps fell down like snow falling off the roof a few days after a storm. Even still, Daniel, and Nick too for that matter, couldn’t believe just how much hair was on his head. As Daniel took his growing new look in from the mirror, he was amazed by the man he was becoming. Gone were his longer locks that had made him seem young. He still looked young with this super short and sharp haircut. Just a lot more refined and like he meant business! When he put the paper cap on at work next, people might think he’s bald by the skin that would be showing! No need for that additional hairnet, clearly.

Just when Daniel thought there couldn’t be any more to “trim" off the top, Nick took out a different pair of scissors, or at least, something that looked similar. The barber chopped across the surface of Daniel’s head now. Not much seemed to be flying off this time, until Nick combed through it. Then some additional strands came off from thinning out the top, that way it could lay flat better.

Eventually, all the cutting possible was done. Nick let the blow dryer scream as he dried off his client, then applied a bit of pomade to the top of Daniel’s head so it had a both a bit of style and shine. “I wish I had you turned around the whole time so it could be a big reveal, but it was worth it seeing your reactions the whole time." Then Nick dusted Daniel off and released the cape from him. Daniel stood up like a newborn baby horse, slightly wobbling, maybe even a little light headed from the minimal amount of hair he had now compared to when he walked into the shop.

“Merry Christmas, my friend," Nick said, holding his hand out.

Daniel swatted it away and brought him in for a big hug, muffling into Nick’s shoulder, “Merry Christmas to you too," grateful that he couldn’t see the tears leaking out. When many moments had passed during this embrace, Daniel released himself and said, “Can’t imagine what my wife and girls are gonna say when they see me…" to which Nick laughed, and Daniel couldn’t help but join him. Feeling up the back of his skull at his newly clipped self. It was going to take some getting used to, but Daniel was open to the challenge. New Years was around the corner anyways.

Maureen was more than surprised, and it took her a good hour to “warm up" to the new look. Their daughters all screamed and giggled, but being kids, they didn’t mind it too much. Just kept teasing their dad about it. Eventually, Maureen saw how Daniel was practically unphased by the look thrust upon him, especially the next day when they attended Midnight Mass and she felt like her husband had grown a whole inch overnight, or at least was standing taller and prouder than in the last few struggling weeks. Daniel was truly a whole new man, with a whole new path set out for his life here in town. A new job or two, some new friends, and a new look, as well as outlook. All of this from gracious people like Nick and Father Theo, pillars of the community whom Daniel wished to emulate going forward.

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