NEXT 2 years later by Barbershop memmories

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A lot had happened in the 2 years since that first saturday in Hanks barbershop.

The free tea and coffee for the waiting customers was a real success and saturday had become his busiest day especialy for the parents of boys who took advantage of the 3 weekly booking appointments which meant a small discount if their kids where just getting a simple short regular type clipper cut or tidy up as Hank called it.

I loved my saturday job, i got on so well with Hank as well as the customers, especially the parents, most of which had been customers of Mr Fletcher the previous owner who was well known for his more conservative attitude and style when it came to boys hair.

They would chat away to me while they sat waiting and watching as Hank went about his business, often complimenting me on my flat top haircut which always looked freshly clipped, the back and sides wet shaved clean and high by Hank every saturday before we opened.

Both Mums and Dads all seemed to like my look and especially liked my good manners which earned me a lot of tips as i served them tea and coffee.

Most Dads seemed to know what haircut they wanted for their son, however some would ask Hanks advice on what particular style and how short he thought would best suit.
He would reccomend different styles depending on the type of hair and shape of their sons head, often pointing to the poster on the wall above the mirror that showed pictures of different boys haircuts, all of which were short as the poster was from the 1950s

Hank always erred on the shorter, smarter side in his suggestions and due to his polite friendly manner nearly all parents went along and agreed with everything he suggested.

On a couple of occasions in the past year one or two Mums after seeing me with my severely short, smart and perfectly cut, clean look, had even asked me what cut i thought their sons would suit best.

A really good short back and sides is really smart was my answer, and if you bring them back every 3 weeks for the same it's cheaper i added,
All three Mums where now regulars every third saturday.

A few months earlier Hank had asked me if i wanted to come in on sunday at twelve pm to give him a hand,
What for, i asked.
It's a bit of a suprise he said.

When i got there, their were 7 or 8 sea cadets and their captain.

Go on Jones, in the chair, the captain said.
A boy stood up, walked over to the chair and sat in it.
Hank caped him,, ok Chris, you've watched me taper the sides and back lots of times,,, Now it's your turn,, think you can do it.

My heart began to beat faster, yeah i think so i said,, trying to appear quite casual about it.

Ok put a number 6 guard on and don't worry about any little mistakes as the're all getting basic number one or two crew cuts after you've done practicing

The guards where set out in a line on the counter in order from a half guard to the No6,, i did as he said.

Ok start at the back, you know what to do.

Jones, Do what the boy tells you the captain ordered.

I placed my left hand on the top of his head, put your head down i said as i switched on the clippers and placed them under his hair at the back then ran them up to the top of his head then made a second then a third pass then tilted his to the side and ran them up behind his ear and carried on along the side then the other side.

Without being told i changed the no6 guard for a 5 and repeated the whole thing again this time not taking the clippers quite as high up as the first time, numbers 4, 3, 2 then 1 followed.

I had managed to create a pretty good even looking taper. The boy had kept absolutely still throughout the whole thing wich probably helped.

Thats almost perfect Chris, you're a natural Kid, Hank said.

Is this the kid who's getting the zero crewcut,, if so i think we could let christopher have a go with a number 1 guard and i'll finish him off, if thats alright with you Hank asked the captain.

He is, yes, i don't see why not.

Ok Chris, Hank nodded at me.

I could hardly contain my exitement as i snapped the No1 guard on the clippers and switched them on.

Talking to him might help calm me down, i thought to myself.

Do you know how short a zero crewcut is i said to him.
Yeah, i think so, it's what my Dad ticked on the form we took home from cadets for our parents to sign agreeing to the new haircut rules, zero, No1 and No2 crewcuts were free and my Dad put a tick in the zero box.

Oh Wow, ok put your head right down i said and then carefully ran them all the way up the back and over the top of his head, the butterfly sensation in my stomache felt great as i went up and over the back and sides and accross the top front to back repeatedly until his whole head was completely even with just a millimeter or so of bristles left.

All done i think,,. I said as i switched the cippers off.

Thats pretty much perfect kid, you really do have a natural talent, said Hank

I don't think we need to go any shorter than that today, the captain said,

Who else is a No1,,,, well come on, Jones was the only zero and i know there where 3 No1's and 3 No2's,, so hands up the number ones, "thats an order" , three boys nervously and slowly raised their hands, ok Baxter in the chair, come on now, double quick,.

Jones walked accross and sat back down on the bench seat constantly rubbing his hand over the tiny dark bristles on his now very pale looking scalp.

Baxter looked three or four years younger than Jones and a lot smaller, Hank put the padded board accross the arms of the chair and the boy sat down on it.

Hank looked at me ., go on chris, i picked up the marroon cape and put it over his shoulders then wrapped it tightly around his neck and tucked a tissue into it.

His hair was blonde and really quite long, especially for a sea cadet.

Same again Sir, a number one all over is it i asked,,, looking over at the captain.

Thats correct young man.

Please Sir not that short, not like Jonesies, please Sir not shaved like his.

Quiet Baxter,, it's what your parents want, stop this nonsense right now do you hear, thats an order.

Baxters protesting ceased.

Sir, I think it might be better for him if i turn him away from the mirror, that usually helps when boys are nervous.

Yes good idea lad, said the captain.

Ok just keep nice and still you'll be fine i said to him as i turned him round away from the mirror.
I took the guard off the clippers and cleaned the blades with the brush then clipped the guard back on .

CLACK, The boy jerked, just keep really still and look straight ahead, you'll be fine,, ok

I swept his long wavey fringe back over his head with my left hand and placed the humming clippers in the middle of his forehead then pressing them quite firmly against his head i ran them right over the top of his head all the way to the back quickly followed by a second then a third, OMG Wow, he looks completely bald.

The tiny bristles were almost invisible because of his blonde wavy fine hair.
With the top complete i started running the clippers up the sides and over the top then the back, ten minutes later he was done, i brushed over the top with the palm of my hand to clean away the loose hairs it felt almost smooth then i realised my mistake and the reason why he looked so bald.

I had put the half guard on by mistake.

OOOPS.

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