Hair
by Catherine C. Con
“She is the only infant with a whole head of dark hair, there is no mistaking her with the other bald ones.” The overworked young nurse sneered at my father. It was the first maternity hospital in Taichung, Taiwan. And it was his first born.
But he went into the nursery and checked my wristband.
“Just to be sure, you never know.” He murmured.
He was ushered out of the nursery.
Looking in from the pixie glass, he was amazed. “I made her. A life. I made. My dark hair, sallow skin. My life.”
He bathed me, wiped my face with soft warm cheesecloth. Trimmed off a lock of my hair, taped it on the front page in the baby journal. Fine, silky, black hair. The beginning of a journey. My mother put a yellow bow on a strand of hair on top of my head and took a picture of me. A red, angry, wrinkled face, eyes shut tight, determined not to be bothered. Knowing nothing except survival. Cried when hungry, tired, wet, hot, cold, uncomfortable. Demanding little tyrant that ruled the house. All the adults minded her whims.
First hair cut strapped down on a toddler’s high chair. Wriggled. Screamed. Nonstop. Uneven hair, late winter lawn trying to return to spring, patches of sprouting yellow green, and patches of bare dirt holes. They decided to go for long hair. Two long braids on my shoulders. Then one long braid on my back. The best wigs were made from Asian hair. Donation for cancer children’s wigs.
I cut my long braid and donated. Then I let it grow, wait, cut, and donate.
College life. Short hair, efficient. Pixie cut, fashionable. He liked bob cut, got married in a short bob cut. A dark-haired bride, next to a blond curly groom.
She came, my shrieking oppressor. Her father’s blond curls and blue eyes. Easier with short hair. Professional children’s hair salon in America. Coaxing, candy, small toys after. Neat short hair without tears or accidents. No pain. Children’s haven.
Catherine C. Con, English Literature (BA) Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan. System Science (MS) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge.; a Computer Science instructor, University of South Carolina, Upstate. Published in Emrys Journal, Tint Journal, The Bare Life Review, The Petigru Review, HerStry, Shards (Shards.glassmountainmag.com), Dunes Review, Emrys Journal Online (Medium.com), National Women's History Museum, Catfish Stew, Change Seven, Longridge Review, Limit Experience Journal.