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Miss Larton's Lovely Locks

The children in Mary Ann Larton's fifth grade class were back in the classroom after spring break. After all were seated, Miss Larton started class. Her pupils had an assignment, write about something they did over their spring break.

Miss Larton was a special teacher. She took pride in how her students faired in life. A teacher in the same elementary school for over twenty years, many of her former students would come by after school and visit her. Some thanked her for pushing them the right direction in life and gave her credit for their success. Others remembered her charming personality and enjoyed her company, even into high school and beyond. Sometimes, she would even have a student that was a son or daughter of a former student, usually requested by the parent.

She was also an ageless figure. Her plain Jane appearance didn't seem to change much. She wore brown rimmed glasses of the same style, and wore cute long dresses that flattered her rather thin figure. Most notable was her hair, midnight black in color, and always worn in cute barrettes out of her face and behind her back. This beautiful hair was neatly trimmed at the upper part of her thighs, always the same length, always holding it's deep color, seeming to resist the urge to turn gray. Many thought she trimmed it meticulously herself. Students were lucky to be placed in Miss Larton's class and they knew it.

As the class began, her students came up one by one, sharing their spring break activities. Mary Ann would ask questions of each of them, intently interested in their lives outside of class, making each feel special. Next was a girl named Lisa Summand, a little blond girl who's older sister was a former student that very much loved Miss Larton's long hair. Lisa had a drastic appearance change from before spring break, her longer hair was cut short.

Lisa started her report. "Last week, my Mom and I went to the beauty shop to have our hair cut to donate to charity. My sister wouldn't go, she was selfish.", she spoke. She went on how she expected some little girl her age who couldn't grow hair would now wear her mother's and her hair. She seemed excited. Mary Ann listened and felt her excitement.

"And that's how I spent my spring break!", finished Lisa.
"That's very unselfish of you and your Mom, Lisa, to donate your hair.", said Mary Ann.
"Thank you, Miss Larton.", replied Lisa.
"Don't blame poor Linda and call her selfish. I remember how she loved her hair and listened to me talk about mine, OK?", asked Mary Ann.
"OK, Miss Larton. I won't call her selfish. But Mom does.", returned Lisa.
"Shame on her. What was the name of the charity again, Lisa?", asked Mary Ann.
"Lovely Locks.", answered Lisa. "My Mom is supposed to ask you if you would donate, too!", she added with excitement. Mary Ann immediately put her hands to her hair as her stomach seemed to contract in fear.
"Maybe later, Lisa", smiled Mary Ann. As the rest of the class gave their reports, Mary Ann felt queasy over Lisa's remark.

After the bell rang at the end of school, Mary Ann took the reports and put them in a neat stack to grade them. She sifted through them to find Lisa Summand's paper to read again. "I remember how Linda always remarked about my hair and how she wanted to grow hers as long as mine. Oh well, I guess Lisa wasn't that way.", sighed Mary Ann as she went to the next paper.

A knock on her door startled her. "Hi.", said the lady standing in the hall. Mary Ann recognized her as Lisa's Mom with much less hair.
"Hi, Come in, Mrs. Summand.", said Mary Ann as she walked in.
"Your new haircut looks very nice. Lisa wrote about your generosity in her spring report.", added Mary Ann.

"Please, call me Janet. I would like to discuss the same subject with you.", said Janet.
"Go on, Janet.", said Mary Ann with a feeling of queasiness.
"We were approached at the mall Wednesday afternoon by a representative from an organization called Lovely Locks.", said Janet.
"Lisa explained. They take cut hair and make wigs for young children who lose their own hair.", said Mary Ann.
"Exactly. They had a display in the mall. They took us and cut our hair followed by a free consultation with a professional stylist who gave us our final look. Lisa felt she was doing a good deed and giving of herself.", said Janet.
"She was proud.", returned Mary Ann.
"Now the reason I'm here. Two things, actually.", said Janet.

"Go on, Janet.", said Mary Ann.
"First, I told the rep I would check into the school setting up a donor drive for anyone willing to donate their hair at the school picnic next Saturday. Maybe some other children or parents will wish to donate as well.", said Janet.
"I would ask Dr. Hollow or his secretary, Janet. He might let them set something up since it's a charity.", said Mary Ann.
"Great! I'll do that. Second, I have a favor to ask of you.", said Janet.
"Sure, Janet, do you need some help with setting up the display?", asked Mary Ann.
"No, they take care of that themselves. What I'm asking you is if you're willing to become a hair donor.", said Janet.

Mary Ann gasped. She sat back and looked away. "I don't know, Janet. My hair is part of who I am, my identity. Isn't there some other way I could help without cutting my hair?", asked Mary Ann.
"Miss Larton, if the children or their parents see you freely donate your long hair, they may be more inclined to donate as well. They look to you as a role model, especially my oldest, Linda.", said Janet.
"But, Janet.", stammered Mary Ann.
"Oh, come on, Mary Ann. You wouldn't pass up this opportunity to make a lasting impression on so many just to keep your long hair? Come on, it's only hair! Look, I cut mine!", pleaded Janet.
"To you it's only hair. To me, it's my identity. Here, I'll write you a check to help with their work. I'm sure they need money as well as cut hair.", said Mary Ann as she reached for her purse.

"They didn't tell me anything about accepting money. As far as I know, they only collect hair.", said Janet.
"How do they make these hair pieces? It must cost something!", reasoned Mary Ann.
"Maybe they sell some of the hair, I don't know.", returned Janet.
"Ok, then instead of cutting my hair and having them sell it, why don't I just write a check for an equal amount and save time?", asked Mary Ann.
"It's not as dramatic.", said Janet.
"For who?", asked Mary Ann.
"The dramatic cuts are what Lovely Locks thrives on. It's how they find more donors.", returned Janet. Both sat in silence. Janet didn't expect to have to defend Lovely Locks. Mary Ann wasn't ready to cut her hair.

Mary Ann sat back in her chair, trying to figure out a compromise to this difficult situation. She could tell she put Janet in a difficult situation. "What's the minimum length of hair they take?", asked Mary Ann.
"Twelve inches.", said Janet. Mary Ann took a ruler out of her desk and brought a length of hair in front of her shoulder to the ruler.

"Fine, twelve inches would be a nice compromise, I'll still have hair to my waist and you'll have a hair donor.", reasoned Mary Ann.
"Oh, go all the way! Make a statement! These dramatic cuts are great advertisement for their work, and there's so few who wear hair as long as yours!", pleaded Janet.
"I'm sorry, Janet. I just can't help you. If you give me a number where I could call in a cash donation, I'll do that. I'm sure they'll understand my situation.", said Mary Ann.
"No, don't bother.", said Janet as she left.

"The nerve she had! Having long hair herself until recently, I thought she would understand. Then again, maybe I'm being selfish. Maybe it is only hair, just not to me.", she said out loud to herself as she started the task of grading reports. At home, the conversation with Janet tortured her. Many questions ran through her mind.

"What will little Lisa say when she finds out I wouldn't cut my hair for charity as she did. Will she think I'm selfish as she does her sister? Will Janet tell the other teachers? Parents? Maybe I should have backed down. Maybe I am being selfish and I should let them cut my hair at the picnic.", she mused.

"NO! What am I saying? Why should I have to give up something that's part of me to look good in the face of others. I'm sure they'll take cash donations.", she mused more.

-------

Nothing more was heard the next week in class, much to Mary Ann's relief. In the lounge, nothing was said about a Lovely Locks booth at the school picnic. "Maybe Janet let it go since I wouldn't donate my hair. Thank goodness!", she thought to herself. The silence was ended Friday, the day before the school picnic.

"Miss Larton?", asked Lisa Summand.
"Yes Lisa?", returned Mary Ann.
"You didn't want to cut your hair to help others?", squeaked Lisa.
"I'm sorry, Lisa, but I helped in a different way. I called Lovely Locks and offered to give them money they also need to help their cause. I sent it yesterday.", said Mary Ann, softly.
"OK. That's cool, Miss Larton. I KNEW you wouldn't let these kids down. I'll tell Mom so she stops talking about how you don't want to help her.", said Lisa, who seemed to be satisfied with the answer and ran out of the class room.

Unfortunately, Janet still planned to have Lovely Locks set up at the picnic, had the OK of the principal, and talked to some of the teachers and parents of children in Miss Larton's class. A meeting was planned by the volunteers and teachers running the booth in Janet's dining room. Mary Ann Larton was not to know of these proceedings.

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"Do you think it will work?", asked Betty, one of the parents of the class above all the murmuring.
"She won't be able to back down.", said another.
"She'll melt.", said a third.
"She'll have to. She'll look like a traitor if she backs down in front of everybody in the school!", said Janet.

A teacher, Joan Kell, who taught in the room next to Mary Ann came in late, hearing the end of the exchange. "Just what are you talking about? Look like a traitor? Who?", she asked.
"Miss Larton.", said Janet.
"Mary Ann Larton, a traitor? How?", asked Joan.
"She turned down Janet's request to cut her hair at the school picnic for Lovely Locks.", said Betty.
"So?", asked Joan.
"So, with her lead, I think several students would volunteer as well, even talking their parents into cutting. Maybe my OTHER daughter will cut hers, too! This has the makings of a huge success! I even invited the television station!", said Janet.

"But you just told me Mary Ann turned you down. Will you still have the volunteers?", asked Joan.
"Trust me, we will. Mary Ann Larton will cut her hair and we'll have the most successful hair drive Lovely Locks has ever seen!", exclaimed Janet.
"Question. If she don't want to cut her hair, how do you plan on changing her mind tomorrow afternoon?", asked Joan.
"Simple, We'll call her up unexpectedly, stand her in front of the crowd and the TV cameras and ask her to cut her hair for Lovely Locks. I doubt she refuses in front of all that publicity, especially in front of Dr. Hollow and the district superintendent, who I happened to invite as well.", smiled Janet with the most evil of grins.
"That's low, Janet. Who are you doing this for, Lovely Locks and the children, or yourself?", demanded Joan.
"But of course, Lovely Locks!", said Janet.
"Then you should be able to do this without forcing Mary Ann Larton into a situation where she can't win.", shouted Joan.

"Please! It's not as bad as it sounds. All she has to do is agree to cut her hair! Come on! It grows back! I cut two feet myself.", exclaimed Janet.
"If I remember, you were planning to cut soon anyway. I remember you saying Lisa's hair was such a bother and wanted her to cut hers, too!", said Joan.
"This way, we were able to do a good deed at the same time.", said Janet.

"I'm out. Take me off this committee list. I don't want any part of forcing Mary Ann Larton to do something she wishes not to do. She's a fine teacher and I respect her more than this!", shouted Joan as she turned to leave.

"Mrs. Kell! Please don't tell her about the plan. If we get enough activity, we may not need her to cut her hair.", said Betty.
"Don't worry, she'll be there even if she knows what you planned. She's attended and helped out at our school picnics for twenty five years. She won't stay away to save her long hair. Don't worry, Janet, she or I won't spoil your brush with fame!", said Joan as she left.


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Saturday brought with it a clear, sunny day, perfect for a school picnic. The Lovely Locks people were there bright and early to set up along with the other attractions. Mary Ann Larton was in her usual spot, the hoop throw, where hoops were tossed over various prizes from behind a rope. In a blue sleeveless t-shirt and shorts with flowered barrettes, she had a good view of the Lovely Locks display which was right next to her booth, set up this way purposely by Janet. The two crossed paths.

"Good morning, Miss Larton, cute hair ornaments.", said Janet with a grin.
"Good morning to you, too! What a gorgeous day for the school picnic!", returned Mary Ann with a smile.
"I see you're back at it with the hoops.", said Janet.
"Yes, and I see you were able to talk the school board into setting up a booth for Lovely Locks.
"I was.", said Janet. "I hope this is successful, I invited the TV news.", she continued.
"Good luck, Janet. By the way, they take tax deductible cash donations as well as hair.", said Mary Ann.
"How do you know?", asked Janet.
"I called the charity headquarters and asked.", smiled Mary Ann.
"Why did you call them?", asked Janet.
"Because I wanted to help without cutting my hair short.", said Mary Ann.

Janet walked away without another word. Children and parents filtered onto the grounds for a day of fun.

Miss Larton's hoop booth was a hit. She donated stuffed animals this year as usual, but this year she donated her rather large childhood teddy bear as well. Sat in the middle of the booth, it was a coveted prize for her students. They begged for and received tickets from their parents to continually try to win it. Dr. Hollow, the principal, along with the school superintendent, approached Mary Ann.

"Miss Larton, you are brilliant as usual!", said Dr. Hollow.
"Just another year.", smiled Mary Ann.
"What a nice gesture to donate such a cherished item. Game tickets are selling faster than World Series box seats! Your line has been long all day.", said the superintendent.
"Until someone wins it.", added Mary Ann.
"Keep up the good work.", said Dr. Hollow.

Meanwhile, Janet's luck wasn't as good. Through noon, there wasn't a single hair donation. Dr. Hollow made an announcement by the barbeque pits where many were eating lunch.

"Everybody! May I have your attention!", shouted Dr. Hollow. "Miss Larton's big teddy bear is still up for grabs at the hoop throw. Try your luck at winning this treasured piece of your favorite teacher's past! Right next to Miss Larton's hoop throw, please check out the Lovely Locks charity booth sponsored by Janet Summand. This group takes cut hair and donates it to children who by no fault of their own lose their hair. If you're tired of your look and have at least twelve inches of hair that can be cut, a trained beauty consultant will give you a new look for free.", said Dr. Hollow.

By 2:00 that afternoon, only one lady donated a foot of hair. Janet looked at the busy hoop throw where everyone took a shot at Mary Ann Larton's old bear. The TV crew, bored with the lack of activity by Lovely Locks, shot footage of the activity surrounding the hoop throw. Janet was jealous, her chance at TV time slipping away. After filming footage of the hoop throw, they approached Janet with a dilemma. "Mrs. Summand, since there's no activity, we're going to pack it in.", said the reporter.
"Wait! This is the busiest time of the picnic!", demanded Janet.
"Wait? We've been waiting since early this morning.", returned the camera man.
"I'll give you some footage. How about someone who is willing to donate over a yard of hair?", asked Janet.
"As long as it's within the next 15 minutes.", said the reporter.

"Yard of hair?", asked the Lovely Locks rep. "Bring her up, that would be great publicity!", she anticipated.
"Be right back.", smiled Janet. She walked briskly to the head of the hoop throw line.

"Miss Larton?", shouted Janet.
"Yes?", returned Mary Ann.
"Do you have someone who might relieve you here for a bit?", asked Janet.
"I guess so. How may I help you?", asked Mary Ann.
"The rep from Lovely Locks wants to ask you about a cash donation.", lied Janet.
"Tell her I sent a check to the headquarters in Florida two days ago.", returned Mary Ann while retrieving an errant hoop.
"Really, she wants to talk to you. Just a few minutes.", pleaded Janet.
"All right. Be right there. Mrs. Applecrate, I'm going to take a short break.", said Mary Ann.
"Go on. If you hear screams and cheers, someone won your bear.", she returned.

Meanwhile, volunteers for Janet rounded up a crowd and garnered attention to the Lovely Locks booth, including the district administrators and the TV camera.
"Hi, this is Mary Ann Larton, my daughter's fourth grade teacher I told you about at the mall last week.", said Janet.
"Hi, I'm Beth Holt, regional director of charity events. Glad to meet you. You have such lovely hair, I may add.", said Beth.
"She does.", added Janet.
"I understand you have a ques...", stammered Mary Ann who was interrupted by being led in front of the gathering crowd.

"May I have your attention!", shouted Beth into a wireless microphone. Everyone near became silent. Lisa Summand joined them.
"Janet Summand and her daughter, Lisa each donated their unwanted long hair to our organization last week at the mall. Together they donated over forty inches of very healthy hair.", said Beth.
"What's going on here? I thought you only had a question.", said Mary Ann. Another parent volunteer walked up behind with a sewing tape to measure Mary Ann's hair from above her shoulders to her neatly trimmed ends. "Forty-four inches!", she shouted.

"Wow! Almost four feet!", shouted Beth. "Turn around, Miss Larton, so everyone can see your beautiful hair!", said Beth.
"Uh, wait a minute here.", said Mary Ann as she turned around.
"Come on, Miss Larton. It's only hair.", said Janet.
"Uh.", stammered Mary Ann as she was turned facing the crowd again. Janet took the microphone.
"This is Mary Ann Larton, a teacher we all know and love. Just this week, I understand she made a generous donation to Lovely Locks in the form of her hard earned money. Now we ask her if she is willing to make another donation in front of all her present and former students, parents, Dr. Hollow and the district superintendent, Dr. Mills and all the TV audience watching. We ask you, Miss Larton, are you willing to surrender your long hair to Lovely Locks?", shouted Janet.

Cheers were heard from the crowd. Mary Ann's eyes fell to Dr. Hollow and Dr. Mills. Both were clapping. Her eyes wandered around seeing present and past students. The hair dresser came forward and took the microphone. He took her hair and gently brought the full length in front of her shoulders.

"Miss Larton, we can give you a fresh look, a chin length angular cut with fringe trimmed circular to your cheekbones halfway up your forehead.", he said, motioning with his hands a place where he would cut her hair. "In back, we cut very short, leaving an upper layer free to lie on top for a soft look.", he continued. He backed away, giving the microphone to Beth.
"Great look! Miss Larton, it's up to you.", said Beth.

Tears came to her eyes. She knew she was tricked. She looked down. Cheers came from the crowd as the TV camera drew close. "Go for it!" "Cut it!" "Cut, cut, cut!" was chanted among the screams and cheers. Mary Ann could hardly say a word. Beth handed her the microphone.
"Miss Larton, give us the word and we'll create a new image for you!", said Beth. Mary Ann stared at the microphone. The crowd silenced.

Mary Ann took her fingers to her hair, crying. Suddenly a scream was heard from the hoop booth.
"Someone won the bear!!", screamed Mrs. Applecrate. Many applauded, but attention soon turned again to Mary Ann and her haircut. Janet was all smiles, enjoying her time in the limelight. Mary Ann took the microphone and put it near her lips. Lips trembling, she spoke.

"Before we start, I'd like to say a few words, especially since someone won my old teddy bear. Those of you who never had long hair probably have no idea what's going through my mind this particular moment. Let me compare it to big Teddy, just won over at the hoop booth.", she said as the whole picnic crowd was silent. Even those that weren't near the Lovely Locks booth stopped what they were doing to listen. She paused a while.

"I'm OK, now. Big Teddy was my favorite toy when I was around ten into my early teen years. I thought a long time before giving this piece of my past away, but I thought some little girl might like it. I was ready, I was mentally prepared and willing to give him up. Big Teddy graced a chair in my bedroom for years and when I go back to my house tonight, he'll be gone. To anyone other than the teen girl I see over there holding the bear, this will be forgotten by tomorrow. At least I got to see the smile of the winner. I made someone happy. I'm happy, too.", she said. She took a breath and wiped her eyes.

"Now, you ask me for another cherished possession, my long hair. This time, I was given no time to think about it. Unlike my big bear, I won't get to see the recipient of my donation, or even if there is a recipient at all. My hair may be sold and worn as a human hair extension by someone of wealth and privilege, not a child who lost hair. My hair needn't be sold to help this work, I could simply give cash instead. But that's not enough for you all. Tomorrow morning, everyone here will go about their life like nothing happened, Janet, Beth, all of you. This TV camera will show a trembling old bat having her cherished hair shorn. The TV audience will only care long enough for the time they watch.", she cried. Trembling, she continued.

"Unlike Mrs. Summand, I'm not ready to cut my hair. Unlike my big bear, I'm not mentally prepared. Tomorrow, I'll look in the mirror and my hair will be gone. No one will care. No one will share my grief. A year from now, no one will remember what I went through, but I will see it every time I look at my reflection. My hair will be gone. If I miss my big bear, I can buy another. I can't do this with my hair. Many years of care and patience produce what you see flowing down my back. I'll have to live without something I love for many years to come. To everyone, it's only hair. To me, it's a lifetime of care and patience. It's a part of me.", she cried. She took her two barrettes and placed them in the front pocket of her shorts. She moved to the chair where the hair stylist waited.

"OK, let's go.", she stammered. The hair dresser put her hair into a ponytail and started to braid. Mary Ann trembled. The camera drew closer.

Silence.

More silence. The hair dresser stopped and looked to the camera.

"I can't cut this woman's hair.", said the hair dresser. He stopped braiding.
"Why not?", asked Janet.
"You HAVE to!", demanded Beth.
"This woman's hair means so much to her. Let her have peace.", he said. The camera backed away.
"Cut her hair or we'll take our publicity elsewhere.", demanded Beth.
"I'm not taking this woman's beauty from her against her will.", he said as he left the display.
"OK, we're out of here.", said the reporter as he left. Janet and Beth stood stunned. Mary Ann ran towards the school. Inside, she unlocked her class room and put her head on her desk. She hid her eyes and cried. Janet fumed.

Moments later a knock on her door revealed two girls. One, a high school girl, a former student and Lisa's older sister, Linda. The other was Lisa.
"Are you all right, Miss Larton?", asked Lisa.
"I'm OK, Lisa", said Mary Ann.
"Do you remember me?", asked Linda.
"Linda, sure I do." said Mary Ann as she gave Linda a hug. "And your hair's still so long.", she added.
"I didn't go along with Mom's charade. I'm my own person. Like you.", said Linda.
"Lisa, do you think I'm selfish?", asked Mary Ann.
"No, Miss Larton.", she returned.
"I don't either, Miss Larton. I'm so glad he didn't cut your hair.", said Linda.
Mary Ann stood up so they could all embrace. Lisa and Linda left Mary Ann alone.

A while later another knock was heard. Mary Ann looked to find the hair dresser holding her old bear. "I come in peace, not war.", he said.
"Come in.", said Mary Ann.
"My name's Jim. I come to give you a peace offering, your old bear.", said Jim.
"Mary Ann Larton. How did you get big Ted?", asked Mary Ann.
"I bought him from that teenager's boyfriend. I want you to have him back in your bedroom chair tonight.", said Jim.

"Thank you for not cutting my hair.", said Mary Ann.
"You are so beautiful. I'm not in this business to destroy beauty, but to create it. I had no idea of this plan. Until that speech, I thought you were a willing participant.", said Jim. Mary Ann looked away.
"Come with me for some coffee.", said Jim.

They left together.
 

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