Alvaro Embraces the Future by Manny

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Something looked different about Alvaro -- something about his hair. It seemed a bit shorter, especially in front.

Normally, Alvaro’s hair was worn in a high part with long bangs swept to one side, blending into glistening blond locks that covered his ears and collar.

I had always been attracted to Alvaro’s hair -- the rich color with natural highlights and a silken sheen that would make any model envious. His hair -- along with his huge green eyes, creamy fair skin and natural rose-colored lips -- set him apart from others, making him appear almost angelic.

But, today, the fringe was significantly shorter, falling to just above the eyebrow. The bottom half of his ears were showing, as was most of his collar.

"Hi, Alvaro," I greeted him before asking, "Did you get a haircut?"

"Did I get a haircut?!" he groused. "I got shorn by a maniac! Some new fellow at the salon who couldn’t follow instructions. Especially here…."

As Alvaro reached for his fringe to demonstrate where more hair had been cut than he intended, a stiff breeze blew it straight back from his face.

I was alarmed to see a seriously receding hairline!! OMG, what a shock! There was no doubt that Alvaro was beginning an MPB journey.

"Alvaro!" I gasped. "You’re beginning to go bald!"

It was a spontaneous remark. Without any intention to embarrass him or hurt him, I just blurted it out.

Alvaro’s cheeks reddened.

"You don’t have to tell ME that," he scolded. "I’ve known for over a year now, almost two. It’s been a battle to keep it hidden with longer hair and arranging it forward to cover those inlets."

Then, his tone softened, "Does it look awful?"

His voice was filled with a piteous plea for me to be gentle with the response.

I couldn’t give a direct answer. I didn’t know what to say!

"It’s a fine haircut. A bit shorter, that’s all. But, I’m surprised about the, uh, it’s um, just that I never imagined you losing your hair, especially so young. I mean, you’re not even 25 yet!" I stammered.

"I’m a Norwood #3 now, on my way to a #4. Male pattern baldness, MPB. That’s the official, dreaded diagnosis from the dermatologist. They have a chart to track the progression. My destination is a #7. A wrap-around fringe and a massive dome on top, like my grandfather’s," Alvaro noted with a decided lack of enthusiasm that bordered on derision.

"Oh, maybe it won’t happen like that. A lot of fellows have just a bit of a receding hairline and some thinning. It’s natural," I said, trying to comfort him.

"And that goofy guy at the salon! I couldn’t believe it! My bangs are combed down over my eyes, dangling to the tip of my nose, and I’m not even thinking about anything other than he’ll just trim the tips, per my instruction," Alvaro recounted. "And, then, suddenly…SNIP, SNIP, SNIP! I was in shock. The scissors were above my eyebrows. Several inch chunks of my strategic forelock lay in my lap! Without the length and weight, the short fringe has been flying about ever since, exposing my MPB!"

"Let me see how bad it is, Alvaro," I said.

He pulled his hair back with his hand to clearly reveal where things stood with his hairline. It was quite bad! I marveled that he’d kept the MPB hidden for so long.

"Well, I do like the way the new guy at the salon cut it shorter in back and sides," I said, trying to find something positive to comment on. "It’s still very full in back."

Alvaro didn’t say anything for a while. It was like he was trying to process something. We walked in silence.

Finally, he said what was on his mind.

"I’ve been thinking," Alvaro said in a halting, uncertain tone. "Maybe it’s time I face the future, embrace my destiny."

I wanted to say something, but let him go on.

"Reveal it. Even, advance it!" he said nervously.

"What?!" I stammered.

"I’m tired of hiding the receding hairline. I’m tired of worrying that situations -- like what just happened, you noticing it and this awkward revelation -- will keep repeating themselves. It will be like death by a thousand cuts to my self-esteem. One by one, people finding out. And, it’s like somehow, I’m responsible or I’m a failure," Alvaro said, pouring out his heart.

"Of course you are NOT responsible. And it’s no failure. It’s just a fact. I guess, for people like me, who always admired your beautiful mane, it’s just a shock and maybe even a disappointment," I said. "It’s painful clear that your iconic locks won’t be around for us to admire forever."

"The golden-boy Alvaro needs to be retired," he scoffed. "The new Alvaro needs to be introduced to society…."

"Meaning?" I said, not sure I wanted to know his plan because I was still a secret admirer of the golden-boy Alvaro.

"Would you help me, Pauly?" he asked. "I want to buzz it all off, these golden locks that remain. Everything down to a tight buzzcut."

"I wouldn’t do that, if I were you," I began, but realizing how he was struggling, decided to support him, "But, I could fire up my set of clippers, if that’s what you really want."

"I need someone who will do more than buzz off the fluffy remnants," he said, pawing at his hair nervously. "I need someone who will support me emotionally, at least for a while. Stand by me while I take in all the negative reactions and silly comments."

"I’m your man," I said in an upbeat tone, wondering to what level that support would go.

"Because, what I really want to do is to advance myself, I mean, to the next Norwood phase. I am so tired of seeing all the strands on my pillow when I wake up. Then, more strands in the bathroom sink. When the shower backs up, I lean over and pull a massive wad off the drain. Constant reminders of my plight! I’m a nervous wreck," he moaned.

"But, how can you advance it?" I asked skeptically.

"I want to shave the receding area past a #4, even to a #5 -- all the hair that is next in line to fall. Have someone -- you?! -- take it off pre-emptively and leave a significantly large bald inlet on top! The first glimpse of the shining dome that will emerge, like a harvest moon rising above the horizon. My introduction to a horseshoe ring of hair around the sides and back of my noggin that will become sparser and wimpier as I evolve to a #7," Alvaro said with a sort of odd grin.

"That’s insane, Alvaro!" I stammered.

"Is it? Or am I just embracing my future? Giving myself some emotional space where I don’t have to worry about hair loss anymore?! I can get used to my future look before the time, just like a young person heading into the army might have a buddy buzz his head before he arrives at bootcamp so that the shock won’t be so big," Alvaro explained.

"Or, someone shaving their head before they start chemo," I added, beginning to understand his point.

I admired his braveness (or was it madness?!).

"I’ll help you," I said. "But, do you really mean shaving cream and a razor on top?"

"Yes, I really do!" Alvaro exclaimed. "I know that’s a lot to ask. But, let’s have fun with it! In fact, I want you to shave it all the way to a #5! Let’s get this transformation taken care of! Now!"

Once we were in my kitchen, I helped Alvaro out of his shirt and then set about to getting my barber kit.

"Don’t forget the shaving cream and a razor," he called out.

"I’ll bring them, but I really hope you don’t actually go through with this!" I replied.

When I returned, Alvaro stood shirtless in the kitchen. Such a sexy chest, covered with plush manly fur! He had a bit of a come-hither look and struck a model’s pose. He tossed his locks about. Actually, his hair still looked great!

"I’m ready to have all this shaved off," he stated with determination, running his fingers through his golden locks. "Are you ready to play barber?"

"Reluctantly, I guess, but I understand where you’re coming from," I replied, knowing that he would not be deterred.

Since making the decision, Alvaro had seemed more confident, less morose, even excited.

I plugged in the clippers and snapped a plastic #2 guard on.

He plopped down in the makeshift barber chair; I watched his leg shake restlessly.

The back and sides were still very plush, and the fresh crop at the nape made his hair look especially full and healthy. But, from my vantage point, I could see that there had been significant thinning on top.

I brushed through his mane, pulling it straight back from his face. While there had been thinning, it was not nearly as bad as he seemed to think it was. This business of making his receding hairline seem more pronounced by shaving it seemed overly dramatic.

I toyed with his glossy locks, savoring their incredible feel, and was just about to question his decision again, when Alvaro snapped, "If you have a cape, put it on me. If not, fire up the clippers and start mowing."

There was no cape. The locks that fell would get caught in his furry chest or fall directly to his lap or to the floor.

The clippers roared to life. Just get it done with, I told myself.

I brought the chattering metal teeth up before his eyes and sent them straight into the thinning hairline.

Alvaro jolted a bit as the teeth hit his hair. I steadied him with my other hand and began mowing down the top.

Mounds of lovely blond hair tumbled in all directions.

Alvaro said in a feeble, nervous voice as he watched it pile up on his lap, "My, there was more up there than I thought…"

I kept clipping and more hair fell.

I considered saying -- ‘that’s what I was trying to tell you’ -- but what would be the purpose?

I brought the clippers up the back through the nape. What a shame! His beautiful locks, cascading in sheaves of gold to the floor.

I fondled the glossy shag before taking the clippers through it. His sexy style was giving way to a simple butch cut.

"I can’t remember when the last time I had the clippers taken to my hair," he laughed nervously. "How’s it looking?"

Tell the truth, or make him feel good? That was my conundrum.

"You can be the judge of that," I replied evasively.

"That bad, eh?" Alvaro muttered, resigned to the fate he’d chosen for his hair.

"It’s fun clipping it, however," I added, trying to find some upside.

"You like playing barber?" Alvaro asked.

"Yes, I enjoy cutting men’s hair. I wish you had asked me to cut it before today. You have such great hair!" I exclaimed.

"HAD such great hair," Alvaro said bitterly. "Now, I have advancing MPB."

I worked quickly. A few more touches around the ears and once over the whole head. Then it was over!

I stroked the freshly shorn pelt.

Alvaro smiled nervously.

"Still no opinion?" he asked, fondling some cut hair that he had picked up from his lap.

"Actually, it’s not as bad as I thought. You’re as handsome as ever. Without all the hair, your other features are more on display, like your eyes and lips," I said.

"My lips," Alvaro stammered, "You’re noticing my lips?"

"They are so full and have a soft rose color to them," I remarked, tenderly stroking his thinning pelt on top.

I hoped that Alvaro would be content just "revealing" his MPB with the buzzcut and forgetting the scheme to "advance" it.

"Thanks for being the friend I’m needing just now," Alvaro said in a quiet, grateful tone.

"I think you’re brave," I said, giving him a small peck on the top of his head.

He turned to look up at me.

"These full lips with the soft rose color are feeling sort of left out," he said, half smiling and half serious.

I leaned over. Our lips kissed for the first time.

"Did I just lose my locks and gain a lover?" Alvaro asked sheepishly.

"Come, there’s a whole new you to discover in the bathroom mirror," I said, trying to brush off the cut hair from his body.

His chest fur was soft and silken.

"I wish I had a cape. You might need to pop in the shower to get this off," I noted.

I could tell Alvaro was nervous as we walked to the bathroom. He explored his clipped pate with his hand as we went.

I flipped on the light.

Alvaro was aghast at the change.

"OMG!" he gasped. "You were rhapsodizing about my eyes and lips. What about my ears?! That’s why I always wore my hair long, to cover them!"

His lip quivered, and then he steeled his resolve.

"But, it had to be done!" he said in a firm definitive voice. "And, I’m glad it’s been done! Go get the clippers, the razor and shaving cream. I want to watch this transformation. It’s time a dome is born!"

"You’re not going to…" I began, but quickly altered course. "Uh, I’ll, um, be right back."

When I returned with the implements to "advance" his MPB progress, he was grinning wildly.

Alvaro blurted out, "At first, I was thinking about taking the hairline back a half-inch. Not much. But, then, I thought, go ahead and make it a full inch."

"Oh, not an inch," I said quickly.

"No, indeed! MORE!" he exclaimed. "Much more!"

Alvaro traced a semi-circular path that began at one temple, went back to half the head on top and then arching around to the other temple.

"What, shave off half the hair on top?" I asked.

"That’s right! My two inlets will give way to a big bay! It’s nice to be in control of my hairline for a change, instead of my hairline controlling me," Alvaro said in a sure, firm tone. "Will you do the honors or should I do it myself? You know, if I’ve got the razor, I might just decide to go all the way. A full MPB. A Norwood #7. A dome! Nothing left but a wrap-around fringe," he said, almost with maniacal delight.

"Just give me the number. Even, a Norwood #7! I’ll do it!" I suddenly blurted out.

I pulled the plastic #2 guard off the clippers and adjusted the lever so that the teeth would cut right at the scalp. Then, I plugged the machine and then snapped it on.

Instead of quibbling with Alvaro, I decided to give him what he wanted -- to carve out a big bay on top, Hudson’s Bay!

I began shaving at the temple and moving the machine back farther and farther toward the cowlick.

Alvaro squirmed uneasily.

"Oh, uh, that’s a lot you’re taking off," he said, with a tinge of panic in his voice as he watched the process in the bathroom mirror.

"I’m doing what you told me to do," I snapped. "Do you want to take over?"

"Oh, uh, no," he replied quickly. "Guess I’m just nervous. This is insane, really!"

I took the clippers back well past the center of his head. He was going to have quite an emergent dome! As I saw more and more stubble replacing the pelt, I got excited.

"You’re going to look so sexy with your MPB dome!" I exclaimed as the clippers started arching back to the other temple.

Almost the whole top had been reduced to stubble.

Alvaro looked in amazement at how much had been removed.

"I think I like it," he said tentatively. "Am I just trying to convince myself?"

I soaked the part to be shaved with a warm, moist towel. I could tell Alvaro felt excited.

Then, I began to massage in the shaving cream.

"We could take it to a #7 -- a quick, bold transformation," I commented casually. "You would look stunning with a full dome!"

Did I want that, or was I using some reverse psychology on him?

"A full dome!?" Alvaro stammered as he began laughing uncontrollably. "Should I go for it?! I mean, it would be crazy fun! Let me flip a coin. Heads, it’s a full dome. Tails, it’s just half a dome."

He pulled one out of his pocket. Into the air it went. He caught it. It was TAILS!

Alvaro blew off the coin toss.

"Guess what?!" he asked gleefully, his eyes twinkling with delight.

"You’re going for a full dome, a #7 Norwood!" I laughed. "From golden boy to grandpa!"

"You’re exactly right! Start shaving!" Alvaro instructed me. "I hope you like mature men...VERY mature men! My #7 Norwood is NOW!"

I lathered the top of his head and dragged the razor across it quickly, leaving Alvaro with no option to back out.

"Good-bye, Golden Boy, forever," I cooed as I continued scraping away stubble and foam.

Alvaro’s huge green eyes welled up with tears.

"My ears," he murmured.

"It’s a whole new you," I confirmed, as I ran my fingers across the thick pelt on his chest. "Let’s finish this off in the shower."

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