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finger with a headshake
and directed Alan to a seat. Alan allowed Hector to place a cape around him,
tightened at the neck. The bright lights and light chatter from other patrons
in the hair salon made Alan feel anything except at ease.
    Alan’s hair grew slowly. The length he
let it grow meant that he only needed a haircut a few times a year. When he did
go it was only because Tony insisted. Tony would provide him with a few dollars
and he would make his way to a small mom and pop shop that usually meant a nick
or two on the ear or neck.
    Hector chatted on about dances and how
well Alan would be received as his fingers flew over Alan’s hair like his
cousin’s while tying the bowtie.
    Alan smiled where he had to however
his mind was anywhere but in the moment. As the time for the dance grew closer
Alan began second guessing himself. His hands begin to perspire on the smooth
metal of the styling chair.
    What if you’re wrong. What if you
are doing all of this just to stand in the corner by yourself all over again?
    Alan started to zone out as the
familiar feelings of fear and doubt began to seep their way into his veins.
Ironically it was Hector’s voice that made him stop.
    “Come on now, we have to wash and
style your hair.”
    Alan looked up at the mirror in front
of him just as Hector ran to block his view.
    “No—no peaking now we’re just
about done come on.”
    Alan obeyed following the hyperactive
hairdresser to the washing basin. He sat in the leather recliner-like chair laying
his head back for Hector.
    The salon attendant chattered on while
he used generous helpings of shampoo and conditioner.
    “Nervous?”
    Alan looked up at Hector’s smiling
face. “Why would you say that?”
    “Ummm… well let’s see. You’ve hardly
said a word while you’ve been here, you look like you’re going to bore a whole
through whatever you’re looking at and I saw the sweat marks on my chair when
you got up.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry I—“
    “Don’t apologize. I’m just asking if
you’re nervous. First dance?”
    “Yeah, I mean I am nervous and, yes,
it is my first dance.”
    Hector dried his hair and instructed
Alan to follow him back to the styling seat. He stood in front of Alan blocking
the view of himself in the mirror. “Don’t worry. We’ve all been there. Be
confident and know that you look great. The tuxedo is perfect and…” Hector’s
voice trailed off as he mixed a small amount of gel into Alan’s hair. “And your
hair—if I do say so myself. Looks amazing.”
    Hector stepped back taking off the
long apron covering Alan’s suit. Alan didn’t know what to say. He didn’t
recognize the person looking back at him with an open mouth.
    Alan had always either had long hair
or hair in the process of becoming long. Hector had cut his hair short, with a
style that pushed the top forward. The front was combined up and to the side.  “What
do you think?”
    “I—I—“
    “Good. That it the response I was
looking for. Now come on, Cinderella, you’re going to be late for the ball.”

Chapter 10
     
    Alan patted the pocket that held his
wallet as he thought of all the money spent for the few hours he would be at
the dance. All the money and all the trouble he would be in when he got home.
    He drove carefully, making double
certain to follow all of the street signs. It was dark now and as Alan turned a
corner he saw the parking lot to his school. It was already full with the last
dance attendees making their way into the school’s large gymnasium.
    Alan took a long breath as he pulled
into the school’s parking lot. More than one eye caught sight of the sleek
black car and stopped to see who would exit. He glanced at himself in the car’s
rearview mirror one more time.
    You can do this. You can do this.
You can do this. It’s like pulling off a band-aid. Just get out of the car.
    But he couldn’t. He wanted to so very
desperately, but fear had seeped in again. He looked through the car’s