Lets play Barber Shop!

         It was summertime in Texas and the air was thick and steaming with humidity. Sue and Randy swung high on the swing set in Sues' backyard, laughing all the time.The wind cooled their bodies, drenched with sweat.

"Your mom and dad sure have a pretty back yard with all those flowers," Randy said.

'I like the roses the best," Sue said as the swing came down where she could see the roses blooming all along the side of the garage. The colors, were deep red, peach, yellow and lavender, with large white ones.

"When we have our windows open, you can smell them in the house," Sue said.

         Sue was an imaginative five-year-old, who was known as "That little Flower Thief." She had, had more thirty minute time-outs than most of the neighborhood children. Every time she picked someone's flowers and got caught, she had to sit in the corner for thirty minutes. She didn't mind though, she loved the flowers.

         All of the kids on the block had the run of the neighborhood during summer and were allowed to stay out until dark. Once the house and porch lights came on, they knew it was time to go in for dinner, a bath and bedtime. This was pretty much the routine every day.

"Sue," her mom shouted, it's time to come in and get your bath. The Wheeler's will be here with their little girl, Christina, pretty soon."

"Okay mom. Bye Randy, see you tomorrow."

         Sue went into her bedroom to get some clean underwear. She noticed her mom had laid out her Sunday best dress and fancy socks on the bed with her shiny Patent Leather shoes placed on the floor.

She knew tonight was different. Especially when she went through the little kitchen and saw the pretty yellow table cloth laid on the round table. Her mother had set two of the colorful dishes, one red ,one blue, with the silverware on cloth napkins and their nice glasses.

In the dining room the table was draped with moms' best table cloth. Cloth napkins with silverware rested beside the dishes and crystal glasses. In the center, a cluster of pink, lavendar and red roses sat in a lovely vase. The colors bounced off the white china. WOW, mom is going all out. The whole house smelled of pot

roast and bread as they cooked in the oven. She was excited because her dad had made some homemade ice cream with fresh peaches. This was her favorite desert.

         Sue finished dressing and was in her bedroom when she heard the knock on the front door.

"I'll get it" dad said " Hi Chuck, Dianne, come on in and have a seat. Who is this pretty little girl you brought with you?"

"This our daughter Christina," Dianne said.

"Hello Christina, how old are you?'"

"I four," Christina said.

"We have a daughter name Sue and she is five. Sue, come out and meet Christina,"

Can I get you anything? A drink, water?"

"I'll have some water please," Dianne said.

"I'd like a drink. What do you have O.L.?"

"I have Vodka and tonic or Whiskey. Which do you prefer?

"The vodka and tonic sounds great, but not too stiff please," Chuck replied.

About that time Evelyn, Sues mom, came into the living room.

"Evelyn, this is Chuck and this is Dianne," O.L. said.

"We have ice tea too, if you prefer it," Evelyn replied.

"Evelyn, meet Dianne and Chuck."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

         Sue came out from her bedroom to meet the little girl. She thought she was the prettiest girl she had ever seen. Christina had large blue eyes and long blonde, wavy hair that was swept back from her face and tied with a large pink bow. Her pink fluffy dress and shoes made her pale , porcelain skin glow.

Sue liked her immediately and took her into her bedroom to play with her dolls before dinner.

"You have a beautiful daughter," Evelyn said. When is your next one due?"

"We have one month to go and we are really excited about having our second one," Dianne said.

After dinner, Sue and Christina went back to the bedroom to play while the adults had coffee and talked.

"Christina,lets play Barber Shop."

"Okay," Christina said.

         Sue went into her mom and dads room and got the scissors and her mothers small mirror. Then she went into the bathroom and retrieved a towel. Sue placed her little chair, from the tiny table she had, and told Christina to sit down, that she would be the barber first.

She placed the towel gently around Christina's' neck and began cutting hair. Several minutes later, a pile of blonde hair lay on the floor. Sue gave Christina the mirror to see her hair cut.

"This is pretty, I want mommy to see it," Christina said excitedly.

         Being so pleased with their selves, they ran into the living-room to show off Christina' s new do. As they entered the living room, both couples looked up. Christina's' mom stood up, let out a piercing scream, and looked as though might have the baby right there.

Before them stood their daughter, her beautiful long hair cut very short and jagged.

In a flash, Christinas' dad picked her up in his arms and with quick goodbyes, they left.

Sue was banished to a corner for one hour everyday for a week; She didn't understand what all the fuss was about. She thought Christinas' hair looked wonderful.

         When Evelyn and O.L. visited with their next door neighbors, Helen and Bud Burford,

Helen started laughing so hard everyone thought she would pass out.

946 words