A New Career by Armando94

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(another small town story! Sorry its a little longer, but hope y'all enjoy)

Henry Douglas slammed the truck door behind him on the quiet street he’d pulled up to. After giving up a career in law at the beginning of last summer, and a life on the West Coast, he’d spent the summer through fall traveling the world. Henry never traveled abroad during undergrad, and certainly had no time post law school. But as he was nearing the big 4-0 in age, Henry knew he was missing out on a whole lot life had to offer. And, had he ever been that happy with his career? Or even living out in the sunshine?

So, he risked it all, and got a whole new lease on life, and an adapted new look as well. He’d let his hair grow, and boy did it do so. Unknown thick waves burst from his skull, now touching past his collar and on his shoulders. He even let his beard go, something he’d never done before with his clean-cut look he’d always sported. By the time he’d made his way through most of Europe that summer, he looked like he belonged with the carefree hair and right amount of scruff. When he traveled through Southeast Asia in the fall, Henry was constantly tempted to be rid of his new look, or at least get a clean shave from this beard. All those cheap vendors he passed through the many markets, barbers casually waiting around for an unexpected client like Henry. Would it just be the beard he’d surrender? Or would he walk out through that shop, stepping over and on top of the luscious locks he’d let form?

Flashforward to right before Christmas. Henry returned home to spend it with his family. While he was gone, an elderly aunt had passed away. The shock of Henry’s world was being named in this aunt’s will. Henry only remembered her from gatherings when he was young, but never going to visit her in her small town. Well, here he stood. In front of her barely upkept Victorian. With the keys he just picked up from the lawyer, along with this truck he was renting. Henry stepped onto the porch, confident that it wouldn’t hold his weight and crack right under him. But this house had strong bones.

Upon entering, the dark and musty state it was in, Henry’s first reaction was: this aunt must have been a hoarder. There was so much crap around! But the moment Henry flicked on one of the lamps, he was amazed to see what lay in front of him, down the hall, in every corner of every room, and all the way up to the second and third floor. While inheriting a rundown house sounded like not much of a win, everything inside was like he’d walked into a collector or trendy thrifter’s paradise. Henry had good taste, or at least most previous boyfriends had told him that. Envied him for it. As Henry moved from one room to the next, an idea began to hatch in his brain. Over the course of his travels, Henry had found many valuables and interesting items (and shipped them back to his parents’ place, much to their aggravation). Some of this he would keep for himself, and some of it…

"Hmm," Henry flicked on and off what had to be a Tiffany lamp. THAT he was definitely keeping. But so much else around here, someone else would love it. Over the course of the next several days, Henry made haste to organize and alphabetize everything he had found. Even opening the closets and drawers, he was amazed to find so much else! There was an incredible amount of clothes too, not just from his aunt it seemed. Some of the pieces had definitely seen better days, but a few of the men’s coats and shirts he figured he’d keep. On the Friday night, he went out to some local bar for food, anonymously eating a burger and beer as some band of relatively looking young men played. The place got super crowded. Henry said nothing to anyone except the bartender. The next morning, he continued to comb through the last of things. Last night, he’d asked the bartender if there was any sort of donation or Goodwill he could bring some clothes too. The bartender regretted to inform Henry that he’d have to travel out of town for that. But, he could always go to the local Catholic parish. They always took donations.

Not being much of a church person, Henry researched online what time the Sunday masses were. He figured he would go sometime after the last one finished after 12 PM. When he pulled up to the church with a few of his aunts old clothes (things that definitely no one would purchase, or should have to), the coast seemed clear. Henry walked into the church, hoping to find a priest or someone, but the place was empty. The place, a beautiful place, Henry had never seen anything like it.

"May I help you, sir?" a voice called from behind.

Henry whipped himself around to find a priest switching out of his garments. The priest was not what Henry was expecting: some old, white-haired, feeble figure. No this man was, well, he was less than a decade older than Henry, if he was correct. Henry never watched that show Fleabag but if there was an actual Hot Priest out there, it be this guy.

"Yes, reverend, uh, father, your holiness?" Henry fumbled for words.

The priest softly smiled and laughed, "Father Theo, is fine."

"Thank you…Father Theo," Henry fumbled. "My name is Henry, Henry Douglas. I’m from out of town but I am clearing out my late aunt’s place. She had quite a bit left behind, if you can believe. I was wondering if I could donate some of the clothes? I have some of them in my car right now, and more at the house. If that would be alright?"

"Certainly," the priest beamed. "Do you have them in boxes? Why don’t you bring them to the rectory, next door. And then head back to your aunt’s and bring the rest back. I can help you sort through them."

"Alright, uh, thank you," Henry bobbed his head and made moves. When he came back later with the rest of the stuff, the priest had already brought the other boxes into the rectory. Father Theo was there waiting for Henry, too, upon his arrival, beckoning him in. He asked Henry if he’d like a glass of water or tea or anything. Henry gladly accepted some water as the two of them began to look through what he’d brought over. Father Theo said that most these clothes would be good, seeing as they covered all four seasons of stuff, and had a range of different sizes and different ages. Henry wasn’t so sure why his aunt had all these different clothes, and he didn’t want to call her a hoarder after all the good things he found in her house. Maybe she had been meaning to do something like what he was doing right now? And just never got around to it.

"Thank you, son," Father Theo said as he and Henry sat down for some tea and cookies afterwards. Henry and Father Theo ended up having a bit of back and forth, talking about all the places they had traveled, if they’d been to some of the same places, or places one had been but the other was still dying to see. Henry was also surprised to find out that the priest was not that much older than him. Although, he was really hot, if Henry was even allowed to think about that. Another thing Father Theo talked at length about was his involvement in this particular parish, and indeed the town itself it seemed. The priest talked about how this small community, many with so little, really looked out for each other. It was something he appreciated, from both his Catholic brotherhood background, but also having been a man of service before that. Hearing the priest literally gloat about this town made Henry’s original plan slightly change.

"Father Theo," Henry interrupted. "You did mention, when we met earlier today, that there really isn’t a consignment store."

"That’s correct."

"Well, is that something people of the town might find interesting? Or something like selling antiques? Or…I don’t know, my aunt left behind a lot of good valuables. It be a shame to let them go to waste, and I can’t possibly haul off with all of them."

Father Theo pondered this for a moment, nodding his head and tapping the table surface. "Well, I like to think the town might be a little shocked by something like that. But then quickly realize how on earth they never had one in the first place. Bringing in, say, the original country store. But perhaps with a little bit of your fancy flare? You lived out west, a beach guy, and have traveled the world," Father Theo nodded some more. "I think anything is possible with someone like you, son. The world is truly your oyster now, from the sound of your stories."

Henry nodded his head, a plan hatching even further in his head. Then he said he better get going, but was quick to take down Father Theo’s number, should he need anything else. Henry was also quick to thank Father Theo for his time, "I am sure you have many other things to worry about, or work on."

"Oh nonsense," Father Theo swatted at him. "Sunday afternoon is rest time for me anyways. Things to think about for the week to come. Different meetings, events to attend," Father Theo caught a glance of himself in the mirror by the front door. He touched the edge of his neckline, and rubbed it. "I suppose I will need to visit my barber for a bit of a touch up, too."

Compared to how Henry looked, Father Theo looked perfectly fine. Sure, his dark hair seemed a little fuzzy out on the sides and back, and along the edges. His top seemed fine though. Perhaps Father Theo was the kind who preferred regular trims to keep a pristine and clean look. He must have been thrilled to forego an army look, even if this was still conservative enough. And besides, anything compared to Henry’s current look was definitely more business-forward-thinking.

And so, Henry headed back to the house and gathered his belongings. He’d hit the long road back to his parents tomorrow bright and early. But he had a feeling he wouldn’t be gone from this small town for long…

***

"Its about time!" Nick shouted as Father Theo walked through the barbershop door that Tuesday. Nick was busy with one of his regular clients, a man in his fifties by the name of Brian. Nick and Father Theo had both tried to get Brian to attend the new men’s group more often, but he was a busy man, handling the leasing office in town as well as playing landlord to a few house properties as well.

"You’re telling me," Father Theo nodded his head to the two of them, "Morning to you as well, Brian."

"Morning Father," Brian subtly nodded his head, so as not to cause any trouble with his barber’s work. Brian received a fairly simple cut, but like many men of the town, was found regularly in Nick’s throne every two or three weeks. His sides were taken down to a #2 (and sometimes #1 in the summer), and faded to the crown and top of his head which was parted loosely to one side. His sandy-colored hair was slowly starting to show more of its gray roots than he could get away with a decade or two ago. The tufts of fair hair covered today’s pinstripe cape as Nick deftly did his duty to put the business man "back in the game".

"Don’t you have calls to be making, and rents to be checking on?" Father Theo teased Brian from the waiting area.

Brian laughed, "Can’t I get a lunchbreak, too?" This made all three men erupt in laughter.

"I suppose a thirty minute break wouldn’t be so terrible," Father Theo commented. He usually didn’t come at this hour, but he couldn’t wait until the evening. He needed this thatch scalped pronto. Things had been busy both at the parish as well as in the Diocese. He’d be visiting a lot of those other parishes and the cathedral a lot in the coming weeks, better he get cut now before he let it go too long and Nick would charge him double!

"Say, Brian," Father Theo interjected. "You’re the guy to ask, actually. A young man, well, not young-young, but a bit younger than me, stopped at the church after Sunday mass. He was clearing out his aunt’s old place and donated a lot of clothes. But it seems he was interested in, I don’t know, I guess you could say any business rentals that might be available in town. He didn’t outright say he wanted to set-up shop here, but he hinted at it I suppose."

"What did he have in mind? And what sort of shop, really?"

"You ain’t trying to run me out of business, are ya Father?" Nick joked.

"Oh never, Nick! You know I’d never," Father Theo gushed. "Actually, this man, name is Henry, was looking to open some sort of consignment or antique shop. We were spitballing some ideas about it, lightly of course. He isn’t here now, went back home. But I think with some encouragement, he could be persuaded. At least to check some properties out. He’s definitely going to need to come back, for other things, most of all the house with all these belongings."

Brian nodded at the mirror before him, "Why don’t you have this Henry reach out to me? I know we’ve got some spaces open, sadly. Some vacant a while. But it depends what kind of space he’s looking for, and the budget, too."

"I certainly will, thank you Brian. I appreciate it."

"Of course, happy to help," Brian said as he was done and dusted off. He walked over to Father Theo and gave him a business card, just in case. Then, Brian paid and tipped and was on his way. Father Theo’s turn in the chair.

"Ah," the priest let out a little sigh as he sat down in the chair, gently closing his eyes, a smile creeping up through his cheeks. "Didn’t want you giving me talk on Wednesday night. Me and my used tennis ball look."

"Used tennis ball look," Nick cackled. "Nah, that’s the new manager of the pharmacy, Mr. Darrin Caffrey. He’s the one that’s gotta keep his noggin more in check. You can get away with it."

"It does suit him, that short, sharp look," Father Theo commented, "and his brothers too." The two carried on their usual hot topics, now especially with the men’s group, Nick had all sorts of ideas he wanted to share with Father Theo, including a potential mentorship with younger male parishoners to the men of the group. Father Theo was all ears as his eyes were glued to the transformation before him. First, the barber starting with sheering off the side. Boy, was it good to see that hair fall down to the cape and floor. As Nick gabbed on, Father Theo wondered what it would be like if that stranger Henry found himself in Nick’s chair. His long, pretty boy hair. Nick didn’t do no simple styles, he was a true barber. But, the slight waves on Henry suited him, along with his beard. But it was a rather long look, one Father Theo could never see himself with.

***

Later that week, Henry was at a local coffee shop near his parents. He was doing some work on his plans. He figured it was time he reach out to Father Theo, maybe run them by him. It only took two rings before the priest picked up. "Hello, this is Father Theo?"

"Father Theo—its, its Henry. From the other day. Henry Douglas."

"Oh, Henry!" the priest exclaimed from his end. "Boy, am I glad to hear from you. Travels home went well, I take it?"

"Yes, indeed, thanks for asking. I’ve been working so far on some plans on, well, what we discussed. About…well,"

"If this is about a possible career change for you, son," Father Theo cut in. "I just wanted to let you know, I might be able to help you even more than I thought. When I was at the barber shop the other day, the man before me is our local leasing agent. I mentioned your interest in opening an antiques shop. Not that you were one-hundred percent sure yet. Thought I’d put in your name for him, just as a heads up."

Henry was stunned. Was this all really happening? Was he actually going to embark on this new journey that had only come to him days ago? And would he…would he potentially move to this small town? Start a whole life there? He definitely had the money for it, he could live comfortably. Maybe even sell her old house for more money, and find a little rental in town. Hell, maybe he could live above his own future shop…

"I…I really appreciate that, Father Theo. I’ve been thinking about the business a whole lot. And…I really want to go through with it. And, maybe, I have been thinking about your town some more."

"Have you now?"

"S-sure," Henry stammered. "Looks like a nice place for a quiet life."

"Well, no pressure, Henry," Father Theo stated, "but I have the man’s number, if you’d like me to pass it along."

"Oh, absolutely, I’d be grateful, thank you," Henry said.

"Alright, I will. Glad to hear from you, son."

Then Henry asked, "Been busy by you this week?"

"Oh, you have no idea," the priest laughed. "Its about to be really busy. I’ll be traveling a bit for the diocese, all good things."

"Well I’m glad to hear you were able to get that haircut you were itching for…" Henry couldn’t believe that just rolled off his tongue. Why had that stuck out to him? Why had he even said that?

The priest laughed some more on his end, "Itch doesn’t even cut it. My barber, Nick, definitely sorted me out, thank the good Lord. I’ll be much more professional looking for all my events."

"Glad to hear it, and thanks again, Father Theo. I’ll let you know when I’m back in town."

***

Henry made a call that Friday to this Brian, and they spoke at length about what he had in mind. Henry didn’t mind coming out to see some of the properties, so Brian made it a point to arrange something for next week. A couple days before, Henry reached out to Father Theo to see if he would be around, offer to take him to dinner as a thank you. Unfortunately, Father Theo would still be out of town, but hoped to catch Henry on the next trip.

Brian was very nice, new the town like the back of his own hands. He showed Henry several different properties. Some of them were super small, and Henry felt like he needed something big.. He had begun to reach out to some vendors for home good products he could sell. Henry also had the idea he could sell some crafts made by some locals.

"Well, there is one space," Brian sighed. "It hasn’t been used in ages..." They strolled down several more streets till they came to one of the main roads. There were a few businesses along here, but the moment they got closer, Henry could see what Brian was talking about. The place had double doors and the windows were covered by butcher block paper. Brian fished through his keyset to find what he needed, and then revealed what was inside, flicking on the lights.

Certainly dusty, definitely needing some work done, but Henry saw potential. Next door was a bookshop/coffeeshop combo. That seemed like the perfect neighbor for Henry’s store. Old world stuff but with a bit of modernity and flare. Henry walked through the whole space. He started to see where he could place certain things, make this more than just a shop, but an experience. Perhaps a store like his could really drive some new visitors to this town. Might just be what this little town needed.

Eventually, Henry pulled himself away and they stepped outside, Brian locking the place up. He explained the price, and all the other things that would come with it, mentioned some of the other business owners nearby. He mentioned a barber shop, and so Henry had to ask. "Is that the barber shop where Father Theo mentioned my plans to you?"

"Yes indeed," Brian nodded, "the very one."

"Well," Henry tossed a free hand through his hair, the complete opposite to the man standing next to him. "That feels like a sign to me. But let me think on it." Although Henry felt like he didn’t need to think too much on it. He wanted to say yes! But seeing as no one else was coming knocking, for years apparently, he could wait a day or two. By the end of the week, he reached out to Brian to let him know his answer. He was heading home for the weekend but would be back by the end of the following week. Henry spent his weekend and next week planning mood boards for transforming the space. His parents said they’d be willing to help out on weekends when they could make it. Henry said he might stay during the weeks, get a sense for the town, too.

He made contact with Father Theo. He was free for a late dinner on Thursday night. Henry said that would be great, as he planned to sign the contract earlier that day with Brian. After the contract was signed, Brian shook the hand of his new tenant, and then left Henry be. Henry got right to cleaning with a hefty broom. This place was dusty! It was almost like dirt or sand had gotten in! Might not be till spring or summer he could open, but it was his. He had the keys to prove it. Henry would have to have some plumber in here, it could be better. But at least the water pumped out of the sink, albeit ice cold. He washed up his face fast and dusted off the junk clothes he’d worn, putting on clean clothes for his dinner date.

Henry took in the winter air. The sun had set but the streets were all lit, giving the town and a cute vibe. He saw a teenager speed by on his bike, thankfully with a helmet on. Henry followed his tracks, his eyes lit up at one other thing additionally lit along the street. The sight of the dancing barber pole, in fact the barber pole to the barber shop that Father Theo went to. As Henry stood there, he thought about Father Theo’s look, and Brian’s as well, and some of the other men around town he had noticed. Henry raked his fingers through his waves. "It just isn’t gonna cut it anymore, buddy." He laughed at his own unintentional pun. And then, felt the weight and pull from that red, white and blue light calling to him. Locking up his soon-to-be store, Henry turned to his fate.

The barber picked his head up as Henry entered. The barber was sweeping up his days’ work. "Hello there," he said to Henry.

Henry pointed at his broom, "Was just doing that myself, actually. At my store, well, almost store," Henry laughed at himself, then walked forward, sticking out his hand. "I’m Henry, Henry Douglas. I just bought a property a block over. That big space that’s been vacant."

"Oh right," the barber held out his hand and firmly shook Henry’s back. "The name’s Nick, Nick Lundy. Father Theo had mentioned you when he was last in. Happy to hear that space is going to something good. Been empty for ages."

"Well, I’m happy to fill it, or, hopefully fill it. Gonna be a huge undertaking," Henry sounded nervous.

"Hey, well, if you need anything, what are neighbors for?" Nick winked at him. "Pleasure to meet you, Henry, and hope to see you around some more. Know when you’ll be opening up shop?"

"Oh, not for a little while, maybe summer," Henry shrugged. "But I’ll be around for sure. Plenty to do, like I said."

"Glad to hear it," Nick nodded, then kept on sweeping.

"Y-you working late, I take it," Henry asked.

Nick shrugged as he swept, "I don’t mind staying open just a little bit longer," then he paused, but didn’t look up at Henry, "in case, you know, someone changes their mind and wants a cut."

Henry knew his face was red, considering how hot he suddenly felt. He was taking a look at the barber’s own haircut, perhaps a week grown out, but he looked like he got a pretty severe haircut from the looks of it. "W-well, maybe Father Theo will surprise you with a visit?"

Nick laughed, "Well, he does usually like coming at the end of the day, its nice actually. He’s a good man, glad you made his acquaintance."

"Oh, m-me too," Henry nodded. "We’re actually supposed to get dinner, later on. I wanted to thank him."

"Well, that’s awfully kind of you," Nick perched his hands on the top of the broom as if to hold himself up. Without saying anything, Henry immediately got the sense of what Nick’s gaze meant. Anyone with half a brain could tell that this barber was just dying to get in Henry’s hair business.

"Actually," Henry felt the back of his head, "I suppose I could use a bit of a touch-up myself." Nick didn’t say anything back. No backwards comment, he just extended one hand to the chair, motioning Henry to his doom. H

Nick stood behind him, lightly playing with Henry’s hair, "Touch-up, you said? What did you have in mind, Henry?"

Henry was all flustered now, what had he gotten himself into? "Oh, I don’t know. Touch-up, haircut, I’m not sure. Words of expression I guess, Father Theo was saying that when we met, he needed a ‘touch-up’."

"He certainly did," Nick boomed. "He was a little behind his usual schedule but even then, you could tell it was way overgrown." Nick played some more with Henry’s hair. "You have some nice thick hair yourself, Henry. Father Theo’s hair isn’t wavy, but he’s got a nice density that helps it sit on top like it does."

"It sure looked that way," Henry nodded. Since he was in the chair, and given everything he was changing with his life, Henry thought: screw it. "Actually, what do you think I’d look like with a haircut like Father Theo’s?"

Nick looked like he was about to bust out laughing, but he restrained. "You’re…you’re serious?"

Henry was surprised by the barber’s reaction, "Oh, that was silly of me to suggest. I’m sure you must have thought I was coming in for a slight trim to…this," Henry held his hair out at length. As he saw himself do this in the mirror, it irritated him. Man, this hair had to go. He wanted something simple and manageable like Father Leo had those weeks ago.

"I did think that," Nick touched Henry’s head again. "But Father Theo’s haircut would be…drastic."

Henry sat up more in the chair, "Well, maybe drastic is what I need. Especially with all the other changes in my life," he tried to sound tough, but then went meek, "unless…I’ll look stupid."

"No, no," Nick waived him off. "I didn’t mean that. Its just, you’ve got a lot of hair. But I agree, with a change in life, why not change your looks, specifically your locks," the barber held out Henry’s hair. "Father Theo has a fantastic haircut, its rare anyone wants to match him."

Henry found that strange to hear, Father Theo’s haircut seemed fairly standard to him. Shrugging it off, he smiled brightly and said, "Well, like a lot of things for me, there’s a first for everything." With that, Nick didn’t resist temptation any longer. He quickly whipped out the cape and secured Henry like a roller coaster. Releasing any of the long locks that got caught under, before adding the neck wrap, so tight that Henry got the message he was going nowhere fast. Then he delicately brushed out Henry’s hair, letting it shine in the brilliant light of the shop one more time, before more than half of this hair was dressing the barbershop floor.

Henry gulped at the first sight of the shiny silver clippers. When Nick turned them on, the sound pierced the air and made Henry jump in his seat. Before he knew it, Nick was at his side, and the shrill of the clippers was at his ear. A comb stroked through Henry’s right side, pulling some up and away, the barber went from underneath, right at the skin. Buzzing where there should be a sideburn, clearing a path. Henry felt the heat of the clippers so close to his skin, he was wondering how short the barber was actually going. But his mind was quickly distracted after the first swipe, and second, executed with mounds of his long wavy hair falling down to the cape. Some sliding off his shoulders and splayed on the ground like dry seaweed. Even after several swipes in the same spot, it looked like the barber was far from done on this one part.

"Sure is a lot of hair," Henry tried to joke, his voice laced with fear.

"Not for long, my friend," the barber said with a serious, determined expression. Nick remained focused and fixed in his spot as sheave after sheave of hair came tumbling down. When Nick finally seemed done with the section he’d been on for what felt like an hour, he moved to the back. Henry tried to move his head to the side, to catch a glimpse of the damage. But before he could fully expose what was left, the barber strong-armed his head, and said, "Head forward, please." Henry wasn’t about to fight the man wielding the clippers. He gulped and focused forward. Resigning himself to being surprised about the final result.

Nick plowed vigorously through the back of Henry’s head, right up the center, through the occipital bone, and so close to the crown. As the barber went over the same patch again, and then a little over to the left, Henry was starting to feel slightly uncomfortable in this predicament. He said he wanted Father Theo’s haircut. Last he remembered, it looked like a slightly overgrown crew cut or something. Not that Henry had been allowed to see the damage on his right side yet, but judging by the sensation he was feeling up the back at the moment, he wasn’t sure there’d be any hair left. There couldn’t be two Father Theo’s in this town, could there?!

Sighing into the chair, accepting his fate, Henry decided to relax. The more he relaxed though, the more he grew in tune with the sensations. The clippers making fast work of his hair. The long locks he allowed to flow in his travels. Gone was all the memories, all the travels they’d been on. Henry’s look at the moment was still a peculiar one, a huge birds nest still sat on top of his head as the rest of him was sheered down like a sheep. But now he didn’t mind the feel of the clippers, or the way Nick occasionally abrasively grasped at his head, neck, or shoulders. Or the smell of the shop, that true barber shop smell. Henry wondered if he could get Nick to bottle it up and make candles and cologne of it, to sell at his antiques shop. Wouldn’t men love this?!

After the right, back and left side were all cleared, the barber stepped away for a moment. Henry seized his opportunity to get a quick look. His eyes bugged out: gone! GONE was his hair, there was hardly anything left, barely faint stubble. And even that was soon stripped away, as Nick came back to him with these small but even louder clippers that sounded like a thousand bees. But oh God…this was another sensation Henry hadn’t anticipated. The way the barber rotated over every inch of scalped skin with these new blades. Henry could fall asleep right here. But then that was quickly finished, and the barber began the top.

He started wetting it down, soaking it really. Combing it forward, then backwards like a nice undercut. Nick took the blow dryer to it, briefly, left damp afterwards. With a new comb, placed from the front to the back, hair sticking out through it, the barber took a set of clippers and zipped along his guide. Henry thought his eyes had bugged out before, but now they were truly falling out. More mounds of hair found its way to the cape, slipping down onto the floor too. And if Henry wasn’t mistaken, he felt like this comb wasn’t all that far away from his scalp. While he thought the sides and back were already severe…how much hair would the barber leave him with on top??

The bell to the shop door dung at that same moment, and in walked, "Saw you were still open, Nick, you work-aholic," Father Theo laughed at himself, "but looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you, for…oh…oh my."

At the intrusion, Nick stopped his work, and turned to smile at the priest, "Never get someone coming in here asking to ‘Give me the Father Theo cut!’ so I had to seize it for my newest neighbors. Ain’t that right, Henry?" Nick looked at his client staring wide-eyed in the mirror, the comb now release from the top of his head to show the haircut’s progress. Henry was in shock. What…was this a…a flattop?! Oh jeez, how could that be? But when he looked at Father Theo through the reflection, his haircut closer resembled this cut Henry was receiving than the look he’d had when they met.

"Ah, Nick," Father Theo turned red, tried not to laugh. "I think our new friend was mistaken with my…shall we say signature style? He met me before your relieved me of my overgrown thatch the other week."

"That does add up timeline wise," Nick nodded. "I’m sorry Henry. But for what its worth, I think the flattop would suit you well."

"I’m not sure," Henry admitted. "I’m sorry, this is…quite the change."

The barber recognized the man’s sadness. "Tell you what, its on the house, and since we’re neighbors, I’ll make sure you never have to get this cut again. We’ll give you something standard and practical going forward. Even if that means I won’t see you in my chair for a bit longer. Deal?"

The kindness offered by a stranger touched Henry. Yes, he’d made the right call in making this town his new home. And besides, hair always grows back. "Deal, Nick. And I should have spoken up. But feel free to finish up the cut like you do for Father Theo."

"And the beard?" Nick asked. "Before I do something you’ll really hate me for.

Henry laughed, "I’ll think about the beard, keeping it or shaving it." And so the rest of the haircut proceeded as it had, now with Father Theo there to break the ice for some genuine good conversation. By the end, when Henry was being clean shaven with the razor on his sides, down his neck, then dusted off with the talcum powder, he wasn’t so embarrassed by the severe cut. Sure, it wasn’t a look he was going to keep. But thank God it happened. He was proud he took a plunge and was leaving his long tendrils behind. Gone were those days. Here was the Henry Douglas of this new life. He stared at himself in the mirror. The short bristles on top were like a horse’s brush. Standing erect not just thanks to the goops of gel Nick massaged in, but his deftness with the clippers at making everything even.

Henry and Father Theo bid goodbye to Nick as they headed out for their dinner. Only two storefronts down, the priest cackled. "I’m sorry son, really. Sure I can’t convince you though to keep it? Would be nice to see someone else with it around here."

"No, father," Henry shook his head, his skin feeling the cold even more now with his bare scalp. "But I’m definitely a new resident, and Nick will be my barber. Just…a different short cut, how about that?"

"Short cuts seem to be the popular thing around town now," Father Theo commented as they continued their stroll to a celebratory dinner, "Short cuts indeed, I do have to say…"

Even with the shock result of his new look, Henry was eager to start his new life here in town. Plenty of work to do with the shop to come, but he had the time and patience for it. Besides, he needed the patience and time to grow his hair back, at least a little bit more than this. Heck, Henry might rock a mustache with his next look!

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