Mom used to take me to Fantastic Sams to get my hair cut. I knew it was going to be a great month when I was lucky enough to land Linda. She always cut it just right. She wasn't overly nice, just serious about her work. Sometimes I would get someone else and not like what was going down. I would glance over to see Linda's chair occupied by someone else, then look in the mirror at this high school drop-out while she looked like she was expertly trying to cut that last tooth in the pumpkins mouth before Halloween.
When I was 16 I could drive, and by then I figured out how to make sure I got Linda every time. Why leave these things to chance, I thought? With all those pretty girls in class. This is a month defining moment - I don't take these decisions lightly.
Then the divorce happened at 17. In fact, I remember Dad took us kids to Mancino's Pizza and Grinders to break the news. It was fall, and dark outside. I didn't think about it at the time, I mean I don't obsess over these things. But I'm sure Linda was next door, cutting hair - in that same spot.
So it was off to Utah. Finish up high school. Meet new people. Start a new life.
Then it was off to North Carolina. 2 years there. I met everyone from Jose fresh from the border to wealthy employers of Jose and his friends. I saved souls and ate a lot of Boston Market. Sometimes I skipped scripture study to daydream of Lake Powell and cliff jumping.
College is next. A new world. History, Business, Religion, Philosophy, a whole new world of intellectual thinking opened up to me. Incredible.
I met the most amazing person in the world and now have the pleasure of spending my life with her.
We graduated and have been working and starting life, and moved again - back to MI.
Tonight we went up to Brighton to borrow bikes from Dad and Kristi and decided to stop at Mancino's for a medium cheese pizza first. It's only $8.50.
There was Linda in the window cleaning her area after another day of cutting hair. Everyday of every adventure I have been on the past 8 years - Linda has been in that booth cutting hair. She looked the same, a little older - a little more tired.
Sometimes in life I feel like my biggest fear is to be stuck cutting hair everyday while the world is moving around me. Unexplored by my body- and economy-caged spirit. I save money as if I am working to buy my own freedom.
Yet, isn't it simple and safe. Cutting hair everyday. Doing something nice for somebody else - having them appreciate your trade. I think, maybe yes.
I cut my own hair now, though. I was thinking about letting Linda know, but I don't think she would remember me anyway.
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