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Shawna's Last Stand

(This is a re-write of the 1998 story, Shawna's Last Stand, from my old 70's site. This is one of the first stories I wrote for internet visitors and the first for a re-write. Although it contains the cutting of some beautiful hair, it by no means promotes it. Instead, it tells those who cut that they are still beautiful and can grow long hair again!!)

      Shawna was feeling blue again. School had let out for the summer where she taught first grade, and this was always a time of depression for her. She was quite tall with very long brown hair, usually hidden in a braid and rolled up behind her head when she was teaching. She was very dedicated to teaching, taking pride in how well her pupils did in reading and math. She spent hours researching better ways to help them learn, and was Teacher of the Year many times. But something was missing in her life, and it always became very apparent this time of year. She always dreamed of having a family of her own, but it wasn't working out that way. She was now 38 years old, and she was resigned to the fact that it may not happen. It looked like another lonely summer for her with reading up on the latest teaching trends and the two other things she had a passion for, her long hair, and new Trans-am.

     Shawna spent hours on her hair. For many years, she let it grow and it reached mid thigh. Every night, she would take down her hair and gently brush it and pamper it, loosely braiding it again for bed. On Saturdays she would wash and deep condition it, letting it air dry for many hours hanging free. Her long hair was her main beauty asset, but very few ever saw her with the full length hanging free. When teaching or at school events, she braided her hair and rolled it behind her head. For other occasions, she would wear it in a bun behind or rolled up on top. Only Kathy, a friend from college, would see her long hair free, and that was when Shawna went to her for regular trims. On Sundays, she would wash and wax her blue Trans-Am while getting some sun with her hair rolled up on top of her head. Sometimes pieces of her long hair would come free as she worked.

     This year, Shawna signed up for a one week voluntary summer teaching workshop, involving teachers from all over the district to sharpen teaching skills. For the first day, she wore a long flowing summer dress and her hair in her braided teaching style. She signed up for a seminar taught by Dr. Roy Living, an accomplished artist, musician, and head of the district art curriculum. For lunch break, she went to the plaza district where there were many types of outdoor cafe's. She ordered a diet soda and a small salad and sat by the sidewalk. Noticing her was Dr. Roy Living, recognizing her from the seminar due to her large braid .  Dr. Living had graying hair and a beard, and was six feet tall, three inches taller than Shawna. "What a beautiful day it is to be outside today. Mind if I join you?", said Roy to Shawna. "Please do. My name is Shawna Smith. I teach first grade at Walk Elementary.", said Shawna. "Roy Living, Belfort High, in Groveport. I saw you in my seminar." he said as they shook hands. "I'm so pleased to meet you, Dr. Living.", said Shawna. "I've heard so much about your work. I see two of your seniors got grants from the endowment for the arts to continue with their project!". "That's what keeps me teaching, seeing the raw young artistic talent bloom. Please, call me Roy." The two of them talked more about teaching, kids, and other interests. The subject came up about Shawna's hair. "I dated a beautician for many years before we broke up last month. She was an artist in her own way, taking long hair like yours, creating and transforming it into so many different styles and cuts. She would use the scissors like I would use a brush to create a masterpiece. I would spend some afternoons just watching her work. One time, I saw a lady come in with hair past her bottom, and she took this lady's hair and cut it up to her ears and put it in tight curls. At first, this lady cried, but she came back later liking the new style much better. Maybe you should try something new and daring.", said Roy. "Oh, no. I'm not ready for any drastic change just yet. I've had long hair ever since college and can't see myself with short hair!", returned Shawna.

     The two of them met each day for lunch, and grew closer because of their love of teaching. Each day, Roy would try to get Shawna to go with him and get her hair cut. Each time, Shawna would reply with "I'm happy with my hair the way it is." Once, he tried to talk Shawna into letting him drive her Trans-Am. She said, "Maybe later."

     Roy and Shawna saw each other regularly for the next month, growing closer. But the seed was planted in Roy's mind, he really wanted his new friend, Shawna, to let go of her long hair in favor of a new, shorter style.

     Shawna always wore her hair up in a braided bun or twist, thinking Roy disliked her long hair. On one occasion, they were leaving a cute outdoor cafe. "Roy, could I have a moment to put my hair up better, this bun's starting to lose it's hold. I won't be long.", she pleaded. "You know, Shawna, we can do something about that problem, a permanent fix, I may add.", returned Roy. "I know, Roy, a shag.", said Shawna. "Really, Shawna, the shag's really in style, no one but the old hippies that can't change with the times wear hair long anymore. I know just where we can finish our evening.", inserted Roy.
"Where?", asked Shawna. "Pete's Hair and Beauty, right over there across the street. Come on, Shawna, give up that hair and modernize. Do it for me, I'd love to see what the transformation will do for your soul. No more tight librarian buns, let your hair hang free in the breeze in a new short shag!", sang Roy. Shawna looked away, then to the ground. Her mind raced with thousands of thoughts. "Should I give in? Should I cut my hair for him? I really like him, a lot! Will he leave me if I hold on to my long hair? Is it worth risking losing him just because I'm emotionally attached to my long hair? Will he see me as a prude, not open to change? What do I tell him???", she asked herself in her mind. Her thought process was broken by Roy repeating, "Shawna, come on, lets take a stride on the wild side! Let's go cut your hair!" "OK.", said Shawna, instinctively, but sorrowful.

     The salon was empty as they strolled in, hand in hand. Roy had a big smile on his face, but Shawna showed doom and despair. Jeannie, the lone hair stylist, was sitting in her chair. "May I help you folks?", she asked. "Yes, my pretty lady has just decided to cut her long hair. Do you accept walk ins?", he asked. "Not a problem tonight. Come on over here, honey. What sort of new haircut did you have in mind.?", asked Jeanie as she started undoing Shawna's bun. As her hair fell down in front of her shoulder, Roy was able to see for the first time how long her hair was. His eyes were as wide as the ocean seeing this sight. Jeanie was equally amazed at the length. "Wow, honey, I've never seen hair this long, not to say any length in this wonderful shape! How much would you like trimmed?", she continued, looking at Shawna's trembling face. Shawna looked over at Roy, tears forming. Jeanie looked at Roy.

     "How about one of the popular shag styles. I think a new, modern style will make her feel great!", he implied. Jeanie looked back at Shawna. "Is that what you want, honey?", she asked. Shawna looked away to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. She nodded her head, yes. "Are you sure, I'm not convinced you're ready for a drastic haircut.", said Jeanie. "Yes, she is. Could you leave the bangs long, right to her eyes? I think that makes the shag haircut look even more enticing!", said Roy. "Honey, I haven't heard you say a word. Are you sure you want to cut this beautiful hair?", asked Jeanie. Shawna
sat still, much like a statue. "Honey?", she repeated. Shawna broke down into a hard cry, but shook her head in agreement.

     "Sir, look at her, she's so upset, she can't even answer me. Is it her or you who want a short haircut?", asked Jeanie. "She does, believe me, she's just nervous. Go ahead and start, I'll watch her new transformation from over here. Don't worry, Shawna, everything will be great and you'll look marvelous!", he said, taking a seat.

     Jeanie paused for a moment, hoping to let Shawna compose herself. She knew in her heart Shawna wasn't ready for a drastic cut any more than she was ready to retire from hair styling. "Honey, unless you tell me in your own words how much you want me to cut off, I can't go on. I don't want to do anything that's against your will. Shawna glanced over at Roy. "Go ahead, Shawna, tell her what style you'd like.", said Roy. Shawna looked away, crying more. Finally, she found the courage to speak up. "I'm sorry, Roy. I can't. I just can't do it. Give me another week to think about what new hairstyle I might want.", she cried. "Very sensible choice, honey. Here, take this style magazine home with you and look through it. Give me a call after a week goes by and you're sure what you want.", said Jeanie. Shawna saw Roy's disappointed look and felt bad, for he never asked anything of their relationship before. They left the salon, silent toward each other on the way back to her apartment.

     "I'll call you.", said Roy as they pulled up into Shawna's apartment parking lot. Shawna knew she did the wrong thing, first getting his hopes up then have them tumble down. There was no good night kiss tonight, no walk to the door. She failed and she knew it. She got out of his Jeep and walked alone to her door. Once inside, she went straight to her mirror and un did her hair. "This hair may have just cost me Roy Living, my reason to love and exist.", she cried.

     Roy called one more time the next week to see if she changed her mind about cutting her hair. "Roy.", she cried, "I can't. I'm not ready to cut my hair just yet. Please, I need more time!", she pleaded. "That's OK, Shawna. I'm busy preparing for next year's curriculum anyway, let's skip tonight.", he returned. Shawna put down the phone and cried the rest of the night in her living room. Roy didn't call again.

     After two weeks not hearing from him, she decided to give him a call. He told her that he and Lisa, the beautician, reconciled their differences and might get back together. "Roy, I have one last thing I want to do with you, a visit to the Museum of Art. Please, Roy.", she pleaded. "Saturday's free, Shawna. Lisa has to work. We'll give this another shot." returned Roy. "I've made a decision about my hair. I'll tell you after dinner. Everything will be my treat, museum, dinner, then we'll do my hair in any style you'd like.", said Shawna. "See you at five, Shawna. I'm sorry if I caused you pain and suffering, forgive me. I'm looking forward to seeing you again, and see what we can do with your hair.", pleaded Roy. Shawna knew she wanted to spend her years with Roy and she had only this one chance to win him over. Even if it meant giving up things very dear to her. It was time for one last stand.

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     That week, Shawna was off to the mall to find just the right dress to wear. She settled on a pale pinkish sundress with matching white jacket, white lace up boots, and a white ribbon for her hair. She rehearsed what she would do over and over, hoping to win him back. She added a sheer nightgown to her arsenal to use along with matching heels. Finally, a new boar bristle brush to use on her hair for the evening, hoping to entice his interest in her hair.

     The fateful Saturday came. Shawna did her normal routine of washing and conditioning. Teary eyed, she brushed her beautiful mane in front of the mirror, knowing her hair would be her last effort trump card to play in winning Roy back. "I've grown my hair and nurtured it for so many years, waiting for this very moment. Will it be enough, or will my hair be wasted? I'm dooming myself to virtual loneliness for life if I blow this chance!", she cried. By 3 PM. her thigh length locks were dry, so she slipped on her new dress. She also left her hair down and free, brushing every so often to keep out the tangles. She looked at herself in her mirror, her long hair from in front wisped behind her head, tied with a white ribbon, cascading back in front of her shoulders and down her pretty new dress with the short hem. "I'm ready for him. Is he ready for me?", she asked herself. Storm clouds began to form on the horizon.

     Shawna walked from her apartment to her car. One of her neighbors called out, "Shawna, nice dress! Big date tonight?" Shawna nodded yes, walking beside her car. The neighbor called out again as Shawna opened her car door. "You know,, I never realized your hair was so long and pretty! You should wear it that way more often!" "Thanks.", returned Shawna, looking down. "Long and pretty. Right, for now.", she mumbled inside her car.


     Shawna drove her Trans-Am over to Roy's place and went to the door. Roy was stunned as he saw her with her hair long and free. "Why Shawna, you look absolutely beautiful tonight. Your dress is so youthful and free, Shawna, and even I could get used to long hair when worn in a style like that.", said Roy, feasting his eyes on her newfound beauty. As they left, Roy started toward his Jeep. "Roy, let's take my car. Here, take my keys." said Shawna as she walked to the passenger side. Roy was dumbfounded. "Roy, why don't you see what this car can do?', she added. "Are you sure, Shawna?", he asked. "Yes, as sure as I ever will be!", she returned, waiting for him to unlock the passenger door of her car for her.


     After some exhilarating moments at 100MPH, they arrived at the Museum of Art. Shawna took $20 out of her purse and gave it to Roy. "Here, this is for admission. It's on me." While inside, Shawna pointed out how long hair was prominent in great works of art. Many visitors were turning their heads for a glimpse of Shawna's hair. This was noticed by Roy. It boosted his ego as many eyes fielded the beauty of Shawna's rare exhibition of her long hair. He was beginning to see Shawna in a new way, more like a work of art with her glorious hair so shiny and free. He was very quiet throughout this event, content on listening to her talk about art and about the importance of long hair within the art. Exhibit after exhibit, Shawna showed him many samples of long waist, knee and ankle length hair, admitting she, one day, had hoped to grow ankle length hair herself.

     Arriving for dinner, Shawna took another $100 out of her purse while they were still in the car, and handed it to Roy. "Here, take this. Dinner's on me.", not wanting to embarrass him by paying the check herself.

     During dinner, Shawna noticed the lack of conversation about cutting her hair that usually went on between them. Instead, the conversation was about teaching styles, academics, the future and children. Roy found out about her hopes and dreams for the future of her students and how caring a teacher she really was. He had no idea what a gem she was to the academic world! "Roy.", she said. "It's time for me to do something for you . It's time for me to let go of my hair for the furtherment of our relationship. You've not asked anything of me other than this, thus I will surrender for you tonight."
"Which style did you decide to go with, the shag, or the bob?", he asked. "This is not for me to decide, but for us to decide as a couple in lasting love.", said Shawna. "Will we be seeing Jeanie over at Pete's tonight?", asked Roy in wonderment. "No, Roy. We'll be going to my apartment to look at Jeanie's magazine. Then we'll decide what to do with my hair.", she spoke, softly. Fully enticed by her actions, he agreed to come to her apartment. Now was the time for Shawna to play her last hand. It was time to use her long hair as never before. It was going to be a big gamble, one she couldn't afford to lose!

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     Upon entering her apartment, Shawna excused herself. "I need to go freshen up a bit. Wait for me here in the living room. I won't be long. Jeanie's magazine is right there on the table.", she stated as she closed her bedroom door. While in her bedroom, She removed her dress and placed it neatly on her bed. She stared at herself in the mirror in her strapless bra and panties. "Do I still have enough in me to win him over? Is there still romance left in my empty soul, starved for love for so long??", she asked herself. She took her hair and brought it around one shoulder. This is all I have. The one thing that
still sets me apart. My hair, my long hair. What will his reaction be when I go back out to him?", she mused.

     She put on a pale blue nightgown and brushed her long hair in front of each shoulder. She removed the white ribbon and placed it on her dress. As she looked at herself in the mirror one last time, she began to have second thoughts about what she was about to do. "No turning back! If I truly want him, I must go through with this! I must get rid of my past and my petty desires and thoughts of how I think things must be and how I must look. I should only look forward.", she whispered to her hair. She put her purse over her shoulder and put on the high heeled pumps that matched her nightgown to go back into the living room where Roy was waiting, reading the hair style magazine.

     Roy looked up, pleasantly surprised at Shawna's attire, smiling. Standing in front of him, she whispered, "I have a surprise for you tonight, Roy. I have something in my purse that will enable you to do what you've been wanting me to do for you a long time! I'm ready to eliminate the last barrier we have to deeper love for each other." She reached into her purse and took out her new brush and brushed her glorious mane while still standing in front of him. She could feel his mounting excitement. She reached again into her purse and retrieved a wrapped package. She kneeled in front of the recliner where Roy was sitting and gently placed it in his lap on top of the magazine. She dropped her purse to the floor from her shoulder and ran her fingers slowly through each cascade of hair over her shoulders, one side at a time, further enticing Roy's senses. Roy remained speechless, watching Shawna display her beautiful hair. She dropped her brush and looked up to him with half open, but wet eyes. "Open the package, Roy, and proceed to do to me what ever you feel." She looked down at the floor, closing her eyes, tears flowing. Roy looked at the wrapped package sitting on his lap. Thunder crackled outside, temporarily dimming the lights.

     Roy opened the package while Shawna continued kneeling in front of him. On top of the contents in the package was a note. It said, "You are the artist, I am your canvas. As a canvas changes to suit the artist's desire, I, too, will change to become whatever you desire. First, I wanted you to know how I felt about what you see now, untouched for many years, waiting for the right time. I believe the time for change is this very moment. It's no longer what I want, it's not what you want, it's what we want together as a team. Use the tool contained in this box and sculpt me as you desire. I will not resist as you transform me according to your whim." While Roy was reading more tears came from Shawna's eyes as she picked up her brush and brushed her hair more. In the bottom of the package there was a pair of scissors, wrapped with a bow. Roy was speechless as he realized her writing was referring to her hair. As Roy made eye contact with her, she froze, dropping her brush to the floor. His eyes bounced up and down the length of her shining hair. Her heart sank as she felt the doom her hair would soon feel. Both stared, silently, Roy's hand shaking, clutching the bow tied shears. Rain could be heard pouring outside. "Rain! Rain! Wash away any doubt he has about my love for him!", she mumbled.

     "Come on, Dr. Living, I'm waiting for you to start. The whole time you've known me, you wanted me to make a drastic change with my hair. I've decided that being with you is more important to me than anything else. Everything, be it my desires, my thoughts, my dreams, even the passion I have for my long hair which I've selfishly held on to in spite of your desires. To prove it, I'm letting you cut it. You watched Lisa be the artist before, now it's your turn. Go ahead, cut it." sighed Shawna. Roy was still shocked, so Shawna held out both hands. "Give the scissors to me" she cried. "Wait, Shawna, let's discuss this. I know how attached you are to your hair. Don't cut it for me.", he stammered, placing the shears on his lap.

     "Roy, I saw the reaction you had when I backed out of a short haircut before. It wasn't long after you quit calling me. I'm not completely dense. Go on, cut my hair as short as you wish. I won't resist, I'll kneel here patiently waiting for you to finish. Come on, Roy, come to the floor with me and cut to your heart's desire.", said Shawna. "No, Shawna, I can't.", returned Roy. "Roy, you don't have to make any life long commitment to me. I'm just letting you live out the fantasy you have about seeing me with short hair! I'm removing this barrier we seem to have. You can cut my hair, laugh at me, then walk right out the door to Lisa if you so choose. You can even take my car home so you don't have to walk.", cried Shawna. "But Shawna..." "Roy, it's OK, it's time I cut my hair.", interrupted Shawna.

     Roy stammered some unintelligible words as Shawna snatched the scissors from his lap. She took the scissors and held them to her hair at her shoulder. "Is this short enough?", she asked. "Shawna, don't cut your hair. It looks great hanging down to your thighs!", he pleaded. She moved the scissors higher, just below her jawbone. "How about here?", she cried. Roy could only stare in disbelief. "Shawna, put the scissors down. I don't want you to cut your hair. I am an artist with oil on canvas, not shears on hair!", stammered Roy. Shawna moved the scissors up above her jaw all the way to her cheek, even with the top of her ear. "Roy, let's go all the way tonight! My ears haven't seen the light of day or felt the summer breeze since I was sixteen!", she shouted. "Shawna, I mean it! Put the scissors down!", demanded Roy as he got out of the recliner.

     "Kneel down in front of me, Roy.", she demanded. "Take those scissors away from your hair!", demanded Roy in return. Shawna rested her arm at her side as Roy kneeled in front of her. "Shawna, You don't need to change for me, for anyone. Your long hair is beautiful tonight, don't destroy it. Please, give the scissors to me.", said Roy, peacefully. "Roy, I'm supposed to see Kathy tomorrow for a trim. She will touch up anything we do to my hair tonight.", said Shawna, raising the scissors to her hair again. "If we decide on the shag, I'll cut right here.", said shawna, lowering the shears to just above her shoulders. "If we decide on a bob, I'll chop my hair up here.", she added, moving the shears up to her ears. "We'll cut my hair, right now, that way I can't change my mind and disappoint you again. Once we cut, I can't back out and keep my hair long. I'll have to finish tomorrow what we start tonight!", she cried.

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     "Last time you were partial to the shag, but tonight, I saw you were looking at the bob haircut pictures. I think I would look better with the bob haircut, what do you think?", asked Shawna. "Shawna, reconsider.", said Roy standing up from his kneeling position in front of Shawna. He moved to the door. "Roy, please don't leave!", she cried. "I'm doing this for you!", she cried louder. Thunder roared again outside, a bolt of lightning lit the darkened room. "Shawna, I don't like how this evening is progressing. Perhaps we should call it a night before the storm intensifies.", said Roy. "Dr. Roy Living! I now cut my hair so there's no more barriers between us!!!", she screamed. Lightning lit the room again. In desperation, she took the scissors to her hair, hand shaking violently, and started to cut her hair at the chin. She struggled through her thick hair with the scissors for a couple of moments, practically destroying the left side of her hair. Roy came back, kneeling down in front of her. In tears, she fumbled and dropped the scissors at Roy's knees. He picked them up and took them to Shawna's hair, now short and limp, hanging front of her left eye, and cut bangs at her eyebrow. "I'm partial to bangs, Shawna. I'm partial to you. There's no barrier!", he trembled. "Go on, Dr. Living, finish the sculpture.", she stammered.

     Roy tried to continue, but was overcome with desire for Shawna. He dropped the scissors as he unbuttoned his shirt. He embraced Shawna as they rolled to the floor in her fallen hair. "Shawna, you have the most beautiful, pristine thoughts on earth! You are a masterpiece!", he exclaimed. They became more passionate to each other, climaxing on the living room couch. She collapsed in his arms as they savored the moment they just shared together.

     "Oh, Shawna, you just destroyed your beautiful hair!", said Roy, out of breath. "No, Roy, we eliminated the final barrier to our love. This is the result.", she whispered, lying in his arms with her half shorn hair and bangs. Roy ran his fingers through the remaining long side of her hair. "But Shawna, you DESTROYED your beautiful hair!!", said Roy in a louder tone. "I guess I'll clean up and finish what we started. Tomorrow, I'll have Kathy cut my hair into a nice angled bob with bangs.", she continued, standing up. "Your hair is ruined, Shawna, and I caused it!", he lamented, almost in tears. "I'll be right back, I'll start some coffee.", she said, going to the kitchen. She could hear him chant, "no" several times over, followed by silence.

    She started the coffee pot and came back to the living room to find Roy dressed and writing something on a piece of paper. "I'll be right back, Roy. I won't keep you waiting long.", she said, going top her bedroom. Once she put her dress back on, she looked at her botched haircut in the mirror for the first time. Tears rolled down her cheeks once she realized the magnitude of what she did to herself. Bangs over her left eye, another length too short to reach her shoulder, and the rest in it's former glory, hanging free to her thighs. She went back to the living room to find Roy gone!!

     "ROY!!", she screamed, running out to the hall. She ran to the apartment door entrance screaming for him to come back, seeing him drive off with her car in the rain. "ROY! ROY! Come BACK!!!!", she screamed, waking some of her neighbors. One came out to the hall to see what was happening. She stared in shock at Shawna and her half chopped hair. "SHAWNA! What did you do to your hair!", she exclaimed. "Don't ask!!", cried Shawna, running back to her apartment. Once inside, she saw a note on the table on top of the style magazine.

     It read, "I'll call you Shawna, I can't live with what I drove you to do. I call myself an artist, yet I drove you to destroy your beautiful hair. I'm not an artist, I'm no better than the Nazi's who destroyed so many magnificent paintings during the war. I'm sorry Shawna. I don't know how I can face what just happened. I'll have your car back to you by 2 am. Signed, Roy Living.

     Crying, she went to the bathroom with the scissors to finish the chop job. She cut as even as she could, trying to match the bangs on her right side to the left. She decided to stop and wait for tomorrow, letting Kathy even it out into a short bob with bangs. Knowing she destroyed something she loved, she went to bed in sorrow. No longer did she have her beautiful hair, and only a one night stand to show for it!

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     About 1 am, Shawna's phone rang. It was Roy calling from a pay phone. "Shawna, I'm bringing your car back. Watch for me out your window. I have something to tell you, it's very important.", he pleaded. Shawna knew in her heart he was coming back to break up the relationship permanently. She waited by the window until she saw her car pull up to a spot just outside her window. The thunderstorm passed, and all was quiet. Roy got out, carrying an acoustic guitar. He sat on the hood of the car and played a few chords. He broke out in song, singing the words, "Well, a man should leave his mother and a woman leave her home.." He continued with the verses of the Wedding Song, loud enough that a couple of the other tenants opened their windows to listen. Shawna leaned out with her new short cut to listen, a smile appearing on her tortured face.

     "Ah, there's love, there is loooove..", he finished, followed by a few more chords on the guitar. He leaned the guitar against the front of her car and came to the window. "Shawna, my love, you removed what you saw as the final barrier keeping us apart by cutting your hair, something you did not for you , not for me, but for us, Now it's time I remove my barriers. It's not Lisa and her artistic haircuts I wanted all along, it's you and your pristine beauty, your infinite desire to please, your caring heart for the little ones, your compassion to do what you have to make things right. The barrier wasn't your beautiful hair, after all! The barrier was me, yes me, for being blind to your thoughts and dreams. Shawna Smith, first grade teacher, the one who instills the learning habits of so many, I humbly ask you to accept me as I am, with all my faults, to be your lifelong companion by accepting this token.", he said, producing a diamond engagement ring.

     "Yes, Roy, I accept!", screamed Shawna. "Way to go , Shawna! Congratulations!", screamed the lady listening in the next apartment. "Roy, come inside before we wake up the whole complex.", she exclaimed. Roy never left her again.

     As the next school year started, all were shocked to see Shawna without her long hair. Knowing how she felt about her hair, many asked why she cut it. Her reply was always, "I traded it for something more important, lifelong happiness.", and would show off her ring.

     The next summer, she gave birth to their first child, a boy. Two summer's later, their second, a girl, who would grow up learning her mother's desire to have long, beautiful hair. Shawna retired from teaching to raise her children, all the while growing her hair to it's former splendor. By the time the girl graduated from college, Shawna had long, silver hair, reaching to her ankles, with her daughter sporting thigh length tresses! Roy was converted to a lover of long hair, always willing to lend the helping hand they needed. She owed it all to that one evening, her last stand.

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Shawna and her story are fictional. Any related happenings are purely coincidental. This story is not to promote the cutting of long hair, but to show how a woman sacrificed unselfishly to not only win the man show loved, but to convert him to love and appreciate the beauty of the woman with very long hair!