"I just want it all cut off," I said into the phone to Carol, my stylist and friend.

I heard the huff on the other side. "You're crazy, girl! You've been growing that hair since we were in grade school together." She paused. Somehow I knew what was coming. "It's Jim, isn't it?"

It seemed to be everyone's answer to any decision I was making these days--"It's Jim." That was probably it, I had to admit, but who wouldn't want to make some changes after a husband of ten years just ups and leaves you for another woman, a younger woman. I sighed. "I just need a change. I'm tired of taking care of this hair."

"Well, all right." Carol sounded resigned. "But don't expect me to cut it. That hair of yours is like a childhood friend. Why, it's one of the reasons I got into this business in the first place."

"Well, who else can do it?" I asked, picturing the other women at the shop.

"We've got somebody new starting on Saturday."

"Come on, Carol. I don't want somebody I don't even know cutting my hair short for the first time."

"Okay, I'll do it. Saturday at two o'clock, but I'm still going to try to talk you out of it."

"Thanks, Carol. You're a pal."

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Just don't blame me if you hate it."

I walked into the shop on Saturday with an odd sense of excitement and a little anxiety. To others a hair cut was a regular occurrence. To me, with my hair dangling down past my waist, it was a major lifestyle change. I glanced around and saw Carol waving both arms at me. "Janey, get yourself over here now," she said through a huge grin.

I looked around wondering what was causing Carol's excitement. "What's going on? You haven't been like this since Paul Baranchi wanted to take you to the prom."

She hushed me and said in a whisper, "I can't believe you said that."

"Said what?"

"Said that about P...." Her eyes got even bigger. "Never mind. I decided I'm not going to do your hair after all."

"Oh, Carol, why not? What's the big deal? It's just hair, for goodness sake!"

Carol shook her head. "You don't understand. I definitely want you to get your hair cut, but I want the new guy to do it."

"But I thought I told you...Did you say 'guy'?"

"Yep."

Carol was grinning again. "What's going on? I know that look."

She shook her head and said "I can't believe you said that about Paul Baranchi."

"What's the deal about Paul? We talk about him all the time."

Carol's eyes bugged out again and she tried to interrupt me, but I was determined she wouldn't. "You know Paul was the most popular guy in class. Everybody just knew he was going to wind up in Hollywood."

Carol tapped my arm. "Uh, Janey," she said.

Again I ignored her. "I mean he wasn't much to look at, but he had a certain presence, you know?"

I heard someone behind me clearing his voice. "Hello, Jayne. It's like a high school reunion around here today."