Page 101 of Ghost

“We sure ‘nuf happy you bought that old place.I was afraid it was gonna get torn down fer sure.”The man getting his haircut took a sip of his coffee, his head turned towards Mason.“Well, even my missus went out and got some of them flower boxes like ol’ Mrs.Trudeau has.Said we have to up the ante, so we don’t start lookin’ like the poor folk.”

The man next to Mason also chuckled.“Yep.I went and got some paint samples the other day.Thinkin’ I’m gonna need to get the ol’ house spruced up.”

“And we are looking to do a little renovation in here,” Lloyd said.“Herman, you need to keep your head still if I’m gonna shave that neck of yours.”

“Um...not to be impolite or anything, but...”Mason wasn’t sure of how to ask his question without sounding rude.“What does LD Three mean?It’s kinda unusual.”

The younger man smiled broadly.“I guess to a newcomer it would sound odd.I’m Lloyd David Bogart the third.”He pointed to the other barber.“That’s my grandfather, LD One.My dad is LD Two.”He shrugged his shoulders.“Around here, that’s just how folks know us.”

Mason couldn’t help but smile.“Okay, now that makes sense.”

“Alright there, Herman.”Lloyd took off the cape that had been draped around his customer.“That should hold you for a few weeks.”

“Thanks, Lloyd.”Herman stood and pulled out his wallet and handed Lloyd a ten-dollar bill.He then turned to Mason.“Nice to finally meet you, there young feller.I’ll see y’all around.I gotta git.Lots to do today.”

“Have a good ‘un, Herman,” LD Three said.He turned to Mason.“Come on, I’ll get your haircut.”

“This other gentleman was here before I was,” Mason said, indicating the other customer who’d been waiting.

“I’ll get him,” Lloyd said, as he swept up the previous customers hair on the floor.“I’ve been cutting Jimmy’s hair here since before you was born.”

Mason sat in the barber’s chair and LD Three placed the cape around him, fastening it around his neck.“So, what’ll it be, Mason?”

“Uh...just a trim, I guess.”

LD Three picked up a comb and studied Mason a moment.“Think you might like it short?With what you do, it’s gotta be hot under all those curls.”

Mason couldn’t help but smirk.“Yeah, that’s the truth.Sure, do what you think is best.I gave up a long time ago trying to tame this mop.”

LD Three smiled.“You bet’cha.”He then picked up some clippers and went to work.

When he was finished, Mason was stunned.He was now sporting a military style crewcut.He hadn’t had his hair that short since he was a little kid.He blinked a few times and turned his head from side to side.“Oh,” was all that Mason was able to say.

“Uh-oh.”LD Three looked concerned.“Is that okay?You did say for me to do what I thought would be best.”

“Um...yeah.”Mason looked again.His face looked more angular.More chiseled and his eyes seemed to be more pronounced.“I guess it will take a little getting used to is all.”

“You’ve got the perfect type hair for this style,” LD Three commented as he ran a comb through it again.“Won’t need to use wax or anything.”

“It’s for sure going to be a lot cooler, I can tell that already.”Mason looked again.“I think I could get used to this.”

LD Three smiled.“Good.But if you’re gonna be out in the sun for any length of time, you might think about a hat.Don’t want your noggin to get burnt.”

Lloyd looked over.“That suits you right fine, Mason.Looks good on ya.”

Mason smiled.“Thanks, Lloyd.”He pulled out his wallet after standing.“How much do I owe ya?”

LD Three put up both hands.“Oh no, this one’s on the house.Consider it a welcome to the neighborhood and a great big thank you.I’m thinking business is going to pick up with you here now.”

Mason shook his head.“No, I need to pay you for the work you did.”

“Next time,” Lloyd said, as he went back to trimming Jimmy’s eyebrows.

“Thanks,” Mason said.“I’ll definitely be back.”

Mason walked down the street and stopped to get a coffee a few doors down from the barber shop.‘This must be where LD Three got coffee.’He suddenly stopped.‘Did LD Three try and come on to me?’He tried to remember everything that was said and done.The way LD Three looked into his eyes.The smooth strokes he gave his neck after the shave.The way he touched him, and then the pat, then caress before he got up from the barber chair.‘Yes, I’m certain of it now.’

He had to smile to himself.Mason got his coffee and instantly regretted it.Not only was it terrible, but he started to get the jitters from too much caffeine.