Shawna's Last Stand

Event from the actual dream appears in italics

     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 and a bit overweight with very long dark 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 one other thing she had a passion for, her long hair.

     Shawna spent hours on her hair. For many years, she had let it grow and it reached mid thigh. Every night, she would take down her hair and gently brush and apply conditioner. On Saturdays she would wash and deep condition it, and let 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.

     This year, Shawna signed up for a one week voluntary summer teaching workshop, involving teachers from all the districts in the area to sharpen teaching skills. For the first day, she wore a long flowing summer dress and her hair in her braided teaching style. 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, an accomplished artist and high school art teacher. 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." 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 and 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. Shawna said she liked her hair long and it meant a lot to her. She was not ready to try anything so drastic. 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 off and on for the next month. Shawna always wore her hair up, since she didn't think Roy liked long hair. On one occasion, Roy actually got Shawna into a solon, but she backed out at the last moment, just as the stylist was about to cut. It was here that Roy got to see how long her hair really was. As the summer rolled on, Roy started calling her less often, then quit all together. 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. Shawna told him she had one last thing she needed to tell him and asked if he would see her just one more time. Roy agreed on Saturday night, they would go to the Museum of Art, and then dinner. She would pick him up at 5 PM. 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 something very dear to her. Time for one last stand.

     The Saturday came, and Shawna did her normal routine of washing and conditioning. By 3 PM. her thigh length locks were dry, and she wore a new slip dress and jacket. She also left her hair down and free, brushing every so often to keep out the tangles. 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. As they left, Roy started toward his Jeep. "Roy, let's take my car. Here's the keys." said Shawna as she walked to the passenger side. "Roy, why don't you see what this car can do?', she added. 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. He was beginning to see Shawna in a new way. He was very quiet throughout this event. Arriving for dinner, Shawna took another $100 out of her purse while they were still in the car, and handed it to Roy. "Here, dinner's on me."

     During dinner, Shawna noticed the lack of conversation about cutting her hair that usually went on between them. Instead, the conversation was about the future and children. Roy then found out about her hopes and dreams for the future and how good a teacher she really was. He had no idea. She told him she had one last thing she needed to show him at her apartment and invited him there. He agreed to come. Now was the time for Shawna to play her last card. It was going to be a big gamble. Upon entering her apartment, Shawna said she needed to go freshen up. While in her bedroom, she changed into a nightgown and brushed her long hair in front of her shoulders.

     As she looked at herself in the mirror, she began to have second thoughts about what she was about to do. No turning back, now. She went back into the living room where Roy was waiting, carrying a wrapped package and continuing to brush through her hair. She kneeled in front of the recliner where Roy was sitting, gave him the package, and brushed her hair some more.

     Roy opened the package while Shawna continued kneeling in front of him. She was looking down, getting tears in her eyes. 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. Use the tool contained in this box and sculpt as you desire." While Roy was reading more tears came from Shawna's eyes as she 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 she was referring to her hair. "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. I've decided that being with you is more important to me than anything else, even teaching, even the passion I have for keeping my long hair. 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 dropped the brush and held out both hands. "Give the scissors to me!" she cried. She held the scissors to her hair. "Is this short enough?", she moved the scissors higher," How about here?", She said. Roy could only nod yes. Shawna then cut across one side of her hair just below the jawbone, while holding it with the other. She held the long length of cut hair in her hand and laid it on his lap. She held out the scissors for him to take. "Here, your turn.", she said. Roy kneeled on the floor in front of her and cut the other side, the hair falling to the carpet. They looked into each other's eyes as he dropped the scissors and proceeded with passionate lovemaking right there on the floor, rolling in Shawna's fallen hair, clothes flying everywhere.

     After this, Shawna got up to go into the bathroom to see what her hair looked like. She combed out what was left of her hair. As she went to her bedroom, she saw Roy writing something. "I'll be right back.", she told Roy. While in the bedroom, she put her dress back on, only to come out and find Roy had left. There was only this note: "I am the lowest form of life on this planet. Because of me, a beautiful work of art, your beautiful hair, was destroyed. You showed me what it meant to you, yet I still let this happen. And more, I took advantage of you. Please forgive me."

     Shawna looked at her hair all over the floor, knelt down, and cried. Just when it looked so good, now it's over. She cried herself to sleep on the couch. Meanwhile, Roy could not stop thinking about Shawna and what he got her to do as he walked home. He could never face her again, yet he wanted to be with her. The next morning, Shawna called Kathy and told her she did something real stupid to her hair and needed her to fix it. Just as she was leaving to see Kathy, Roy pulled up in his Jeep. He asked if she was still willing to talk to him. He seemed to have something in his hand. "Why did you leave? How did you get home?" said Shawna. "Stop!", interrupted Roy. "I cant think of anything but you. Please, do two things for me. First, grow back your beautiful hair, second, accept this proposal from me.", as he handed her a small package. In it was a two carat engagement ring.

     As the next school year started, all were shocked to see Shawna without her long hair. Knowing how she felt about her long 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.

Shawna's Last Stand  is a fictional short story based on a nightmare. Any resemblance to an actual event is accidental.     

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