Had to do it myself!

When I was entering High School, I made an agreement with my Dad about the length of my hair. We made an agreement I could have any style of hair I wanted. There were several ‘strings’ attached to the agreement. I had to keep my hair clean and neat. The other agreement was if I let my grades drop below 90 in any class, the agreement was ended and I would have to shave my head - not just get my head shaved, but I had to do it myself. Talk about an incentive to do well in school. Well the first two years went really well. I had let my hair get really long, down past my shoulders. I did keep it clean and neat. Keeping it clean was really a task. My hair took a long time to Dry since it was so thick. As I said I kept it clean so there was always a good shine on the blonde hair.

My junior year was a different story. I had been able to get good grades up until my junior year without much studying. The junior year started off well, but I got lazy and found that it was difficult for me to maintain a 90 or above in my grades. The final grades for my final grading period of my junior year, was good, but I had slipped below 90 on my Chemistry grade. Actually the grade wasn’t that bad - 89.

Well! I knew what that meant. Every time I thought about it, I began shaking. Not only was I going to lose my long hair, but I had to cut it all off myself. I couldn’t go to the barber or have a friend do it for me. It had to be done by myself. On my way home from school, I kept thinking about it. I knew there was no way of talking myself out of this. It was an agreement. I knew that Dad, wouldn’t budge from the agreement. Even though my overall average was well above the 90 mark, the agreement was that NO grade will drop below 90.

When I got home, I changed my cloths and then thought about doing the shaving. Then I remembered that Senior Pictures would be taken for the yearbook sometime during the summer. I sure didn’t want to have a bald head for the pictures, but I didn’t think Dad would buy that argument. I had an hour before the folks would be home.

I got my razor and shaving cream and headed for the basement. Dad had the clippers on the shelf there in the basement. I thought, ‘maybe they won’t work and I could go to the barber. I knew even if the clippers didn’t work, I would have to cut it off with scissors and then shave it.

I slowly descended into the basement. I walked to the workbench and picked up the clipper box and opened it. I had forgotten that they were bright red in color. I plugged them in and turned them on and they came to life immediately. I noticed that the blade on the clippers were the shaving blade. I remembered that Dad would always clean up my neck with that blade just before he finished my cut.

I sat down in front of the mirror and studied my hair for a long time. I thought, ‘if only I had studied a little harder, I wouldn’t be sitting here almost ready to pass out. Just as I was about to begin cutting my hair, the doorbell ran and I went up to answer it. It was my best friend, Jim. He wanted to know what I would be doing that afternoon. I told him of my agreement with my Dad and he said, “You aren’t going to shave your head are you? Surely your Dad will let you off for just that one percent. I told him that it wasn’t a possibility since I had agreed to it and I am a person to keep my word.

Jim said, “Let’s go to Bob’s Super Cuts and let him do it.” I explained to Jim that the agreement was I had to do it myself. “WOW! How are you going to do that?” I told Jim I was about to start when he rang the doorbell. I wanted to know if he wanted to watch? He said, “Sure! This should be good!” So down to the basement we went and I picked up the clippers and turned them on. Where to start? I decided to start on the right side and get rid of the sideburn and then on up. I sat there for a good full minute and then took a deep breath and began. It took me a good 10 minutes to cut the hair off. As I was cutting the hair, I thought, ‘this is fun and I like how it feels.’ When I got finished with the clippers, I went to the sink and shampooed my head and then leaving it wet, applied the shaving cream. I had put in a new blade and I began shaving, ever so carefully. It took a long time to shave my head, but I got it done and just in time.

I looked at the time and it was time for my folks to come home. My head hurt a little from the shaving but I was finished and I had a good shine on the head. I remembered to bring along some baby oil so I had put some on and that helped with the burning. Jim said, “That looks cool. How about doing mine for me?” I said, “Sure! What are your parents going to say?” Jim said that his parents could care less what haircut he had.

I told Jim to have a seat and I would get started. Just as I made the first pass across Jim’s head from forehead to crown, I heard the folks come in. I had forgotten to close the cellar door, so they heard the clippers. Dad came down and asked what was going on. He looked at me and said, “Jim! Did you do this to my son?” Jim told him that he offered, but I had refused his help. Dad sat down and watched as I cleaned all of the hair off of Jim’s head. The shaving went quite well. It was easier to do it on another head.

When I finished, I put some baby oil on Jim’s head and he looked really cool also. Dad rubbed both of our heads and then left. I cleaned things up and Jim and I came upstairs. Mother was shocked to see us both bald. Soon Jim left.

Dad came to my room and knocked. He wanted to know if he could come in. I said, “Of course.” Dad sat down and said, “Well! How bad is it? I handed him my grades and he read them aloud, AP English 11, 98; AP Trig, 99: AP American History, 96; Physical Education, 100; Advanced Computers, 100; and AP Chemistry, 89.

Dad looked at me and said, “Son! You were a little hasty there with the clippers. I would have let you off the hook with grades like this.” I looked at Dad and said, “NO! I made an agreement with you. I never thought about trying to get out of it. I let you and Mom down. I should have better grades that this, but I slacked off.

Dad got up and came over and gave me a big hug. He said, “Dave! I have never been as proud of you as I am right now. It takes a man to do what you did. I do appreciate it.” I know once your mother sees your grades, she will be as proud of you as I am. I then began to smile and said, “You know what Dad? I really like this look. I was really tired of the long hair, but couldn’t bring myself to do something about it. I didn’t mean to go below 90 but I am glad I did since it gave me a way out. Would you and mom care too much if I kept my head shaved? I really like the feel and the look.”

Dad said, “We can discuss it after supper, but I don’t think there will be a problem with that.” Just then Mom called and said that supper was ready! We came down stairs and had a delicious dinner.

After dinner while I was helping do the dishes, I asked Mom if she would mind if I kept my head shaved. She looked surprised and then said, “I don’t really care. I think you look great with the bald head. What do you think Dad?” Dad gave her a hug and said he thought I looked much better with the bald head. He didn’t mind if I kept it shaved. Then Mom asked, “What brought the head shave on, anyway?” I told her of the agreement I had with Dad and I showed her the grades. She looked at me and said, “These are great grades.” Dad said, “I told Dave I would have let him off since the grades were that great, but he insisted in following through with the agreement. Mom hugged me and said, “I too am proud of you!”

Well! I had a great summer and the head became really tanned and the shaved head looked even better. I was having a great time until I received the notice in the mail of the day and time for my Senior Picture. I had forgotten all about it. It was too late to do anything about the bald head. I went as scheduled and got my pictures taken. When the proofs arrived, I found that I liked them all. The bald head looked really great with the white shirt and dark coat. A selection was made and I continued enjoying the summer. When My senior year rolled around, I decided to keep the head shaved. Jim had kept his head shaved also. We were the outstanding looking gents in the Senior Class….with the bald heads. Several of the other seniors got their heads shaved after seeing us.

My schedule for my senior year was a tough one. I had signed up for more AP classes. I signed up for AP English 12; AP Current History; AP Physics; AP Calculus; Yearbook; and Ceramics. I was determined to get a 5 on all of my finals so I could receive college credit for the courses. I had already chosen my college and they agreed to accept the 5 in my AP courses. Oh! Yes! I did receive a 5 in my AP Chemistry class - the grades arrived during the summer. I was happy about that so that meant I didn’t have to take Chemistry 101 and 102 in college.

All during my senior year, I managed to maintain a 95+ average in all of my classes. When the year was finished, I received a 5 in all of my AP classes so I will begin college with about 8 courses already accepted. I was thinking of the time and money I won’t have to spend on the college level on such courses. It was well worth the extra effort on my part during my Junior and Senior Years. Yes! I kept my head shaved all during my senior year and really love it. I will continue to keep it shaved. I think I was BORN TO BE BALD! as the saying goes.