Dad used to take me to Sam
his barber. It was a shop
called Sam's. Sam was
always in there by himself
reading the newspaper
waiting for Dad. This was
before you were born.
We liked to talk about how
much things used to cost.
The candy in the machine
took one quarter and it
came out too fast. A haircut
is the first sacrifice—
a handing over of proof of
next to nothing. Take it
and I'll be brave with ease.
My favorite part was Dad's
turn in the chair. I watched
him become new again,
closer to me.