Sal nods hello and returns to the nape
of some guy's neck, razor buzzing
in competition with a local oldies station.
Even after six visits
I am not comfortable here—it is not
a woman's place
although we're featured everywhere—
calendars, magazine covers, even
on the handle of the shaving mug
a naked white female, one breast chipped.
My four-year-old is still
too young to sit bravely
across the shop
on the only empty chair
so he straddles my lap, facing out
counts aloud the bowling trophies
on shelves above the mirror
as I listen:
Can't understand how the old lady can spend hours at the damn mall.
Dunno. Would drive me nuts.
Taylor edges shyly over to a pile of magazines
selects Hot Rod, hurrying back
to the safety of my arms.
We turn the pages together
both unsure of makes and models.
Sal asks the guy in the chair how it looks.
You took a hell of a lot off the top this time, Sal.
It will grow back even thicker, I promise.
The man grunts, slaps a ten on the seat.
Now it's our turn.
Taylor's turn.
Sal hunts for the kiddie seat so my son can sit
as tall as a man. I try smiling in the mirror
at his reflection
but Taylor recognizes my diffidence.
There we go, big guy. This will just take a few minutes.
Hold still now.
My only child disappears
under a blue & white striped tent and
takes directions from Sal.
That's right. Keep your head up.
Now point your chin down a bit, that's a boy.
I bet your Mama likes all these curls, don't she?
Probably hates to see 'em go.
The last phase is the vacuum hose
sucking up hair off neck and ears.
Taylor winces
then laughs at the tickling.
I lift him off the chair,
he is rewarded with grins, thumbs up
from the waiting crowd
a Tootsie Pop from Sal's Giant's cap
turned over for a bowl and filled with sweets.
Seconds after the screen door slams shut
I bend down to catch slivers of hair
still stuck to Taylor's forehead and cheeks
determined flecks that will not budge.
I lick my finger and
rub harder.
Catherine Fraga lives in Sacramento and teaches writing at Sacramento State University. She has published her work in several literary journals and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in Poetry. Her newest collection of poetry, published by Poet's Corner Press, is titled Running Away with Gary, the Mattress Salesman.
