A Good Haircut
My entry for Oneg’s #MayMicroMaker unofficial Vocal challenge
Ruthie used a paper fan with a picture of blue-eyed Jesus while the air conditioner audibly struggled. She’d brought her daughter to Connie’s salon for a trim. Connie cleared her afternoon, knowing it would take hours. First to dye, set, and style the look that Ruthie had maintained for twenty years. Then to comb the girl’s knotted clumps of auburn hair.
The girl tolerated the pain, eyes shut, biting her lip. Ruthie scrutinized the whole operation. Connie’s grip on the comb was difficult with her arthritis. This, of course, made the process take even longer.
After a few minutes of agony for the child, Connie pulled Ruthie aside.
“Listen, I’ve taken care of you a long time. You trust me?”
“Connie, what are you getting at?”
“Let’s ask Susanne if she wants a short haircut.”
“Little girls shouldn’t have short hair. She’s enough of a tomboy as it is.”
Susanne preferred overalls and catching frogs with the boys. But now that she was getting older Ruthie imagined it was time for her to put away childish things and act more like a lady.
“It’s just hair, Ruthie. It’ll grow back. Besides, it’s summer. Let’s get it off her neck.”
Ruthie grumbled in response.
Susanne heard every word. She was used to being talked about and her mother was terrible at whispering. She braced for the tug of the comb again. But then Ruthie met her gaze in the mirror.
“Is that what you want?”
Susanne nodded tentatively, watching for her mother’s reaction. Connie handed her a book of hairstyles. Susanne flipped past pixies and bobs to pompadours and crewcuts to make her selection. Now Ruthie bit her lip..
Hair fell like confetti. When Connie shut off the clippers, Susanne was grinning ear to ear.
“I reckon that suits you, baby.”
***************
Author’s note:
I was inspired by Jules Heron, a hairstylist and Instagram content creator I follow. They specialize in helping LGBTQ+ clients achieve a look that aligns with their identity. They ask the right questions and personalize the experience with kindness and respect. Something as simple as a haircut can have a big impact and you know I love a glow up! 🏳️🌈
If you liked this microfic you might also enjoy this longer short story I wrote about a mother and her queer son.
About the Creator
Leslie Writes
Another struggling millennial. Writing is my creative outlet and stress reliever.
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Comments (19)
I like how you capture part of the complexity of parenthood- the struggle to balance your own wants for your child, with theirs. Nicely done Leslie👏
This story really shows the complexity of parent-child relationships. It makes me think about how hard it can be to balance our own ideas of how our kids should look and act with what they actually want. Like Ruthie, I've probably had similar moments where I had a certain vision for my kids, but they had different ideas. It's tough to let go of that control sometimes. I also appreciate how Connie stepped in and suggested a different hairstyle. It takes a lot of courage to offer an alternative, especially when you know the parent might not be on board. It makes me wonder if there are times in our own lives when we could be more like Connie and offer a fresh perspective to someone we care about. Overall, this story is a great reminder that our kids are their own people, and we need to respect their choices, even if it's something as simple as a haircut.
Nice little ending. I do love having short hair too. 🙂
amazing
I love how this thing that is routine for most of us is literally life-changing for others. Thanks for the story and also for sharing where your inspiration came from, that really opened my eyes 👀🙏😁
You captured so much in such a small moment. Congrats on getting Top Story
nice
nice
good work
amazing
Such a tender, empowering story—beautifully captures how something as simple as a haircut can become a quiet act of self-affirmation. Susanne’s smile at the end says it all. 💇♀️❤️✨
Good story❤️🩹.
Congrats on the well-deserved Top Story, Leslie!!
That is so wonderfully clever, ask don't assume. Great tale of growth
Ugh, Ruthie is such a controlling mom. Also, just wondering. How old is Susanne? Because you mentioned that Connie has to dye, set, and style the look that Ruthie had maintained for twenty years. Congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Perfection. My rib cage expanded when she shed her rough tangles and stepped into herself
The feelings are real , amazing!
This was great, thanks for sharing and congrats on your top story!
Awww this is so sweet, to finally see yourself the way you feel 💕