A Tribute To A Small Town Barber

A Tribute To A Small Town Barber ( Excerpt From Bringing Down Goliath ) Copyright 2012 Susan Ann Langford

Mercy headed for the town barber shop and her meeting with Vance Flanagan. As she walked towards the shop in this serene, little town of Wellington, she was nervous and hoped Vance would like her. She wondered whether he would remember Mike from his childhood long ago. She approached the shop and was three steps away from the door when suddenly, it felt like butterflies had begun fluttering inside her stomach. Then she reached up, opened the door and stepped inside. Her eyes caught sight of an older, hunched man sitting in a chair smoking a pipe. The delicious aroma of apple flavored tobacco from his pipe filled the air and Mercy noticed another man with a cane sitting next to him. The two men were talking intently about World War II as if it were still being fought. She had a strange sense of wonder while looking around the room and noticed two barber chairs with a towel folded over the one farthest from the door. Behind the chairs there was an old faded mirror and a shelf which extended under the mirror across the back wall. On the shelf sat numerous paraphernalia such as hair combs placed in sterilized containers, straight razors, shaving cream and outdated hair care products. Electric clippers decorated the shelf and a worn out razor strap tied to a barber chair was nestled next to a sink on the other side. Located next to the front display window was an old five cent soda pop machine. Next to the far wall was a doorway leading into a back room. To the left side of the doorway stood a small table and a coffee pot filled with piping hot coffee. The delectable blend of enticing coffee smells combined with the aromatic apple tobacco filled the shop like a charming Parisian Cafe’. Mercy’s senses were transported momentarily. Some what bewildered, Mercy managed to blurt out, “I’m lookin for Vance.” The two men looked at her. “You are?” The pipe-smoking gentleman asked with a twinkle in his eye. “I’m Vance, and who might you be young lady?” He put down his pipe. “Oh, hi Vance, I’m Mercy Grant, Mike’s wife. Do you remember Mike?” She asked anxiously. Vance smiled wistfully, “Yep! I remember that little tyke alright. So you married him and now want to be Wellington’s next barber, huh? I was wondering how long before ya came in to see me.” Vance was a chipper, distinguished-looking gentleman of about sixty-nine years old. His hair was graying and high cut above his ears with hints of black throughout. He wore dark-rimmed glasses to aid his poor sight and spoke in a low pitched voice. Mercy couldn’t hide her surprise, “How did you know Vance? Who told ya about it?” “Oh,” Vance chuckled. “Word gets around these parts pretty quick!” “Well,” she responded, “I’m glad my visit isn’t a surprise.” “Sit down Mercy,” the old barber instructed. “You want some coffee? I made a fresh pot.” She sat in the barber chair next to the front window, “Yeah, cream and sugar please.” At this point the man with the walking cane got up to leave. “See ya tomorrow Vance.” “You bet, see ya Jake, be careful now.” The barber responded. Mercy noticed how Vance took small slow steps when he walked. He handed her a mug of piping hot coffee. “Thank you, okay if I call you Vance?” She asked. “Sure, I don’t mind.” Then he walked back to his chair and sat down, carefully relighting his pipe. He turned his face back towards Mercy and he asked, “So, how’s little Mike?” She couldn’t help but smile, “Oh, he’s all grown up Vance and in need of a hair cut. He’ll be here soon.” Just then, the old barber’s expression turned serious. “You have a student license, don’t ya?” He said. “Yes I do.” Mercy assured him. “Then why don’t ya cut his hair in here? You can use the chair you’re sitting in.” Suddenly, Mercy was overwhelmed with excitement. At first, she couldn’t believe her ears. This was the answer to her prayers. “Oh thanks Vance, I’ll do that…” the words couldn’t come fast enough, “I’ll use this chair. It’s a fine one and real cozy too! Thanks Vance…thanks a million!” The young mother gasped with excitement as the old barber looked at her with tender approval, like a proud grandfather gazing at his favorite grandchild. “That’s quite alright. Don’t mention it,” he calmly stated as he picked up his pipe and placed it between his lips. After that day, the young mother routinely spent her Mondays in Vance’s shop, taking on the customers that he assigned to her. The two of them developed a quiet understanding towards each other. Often times, when business was slow, they would sit sipping coffee and he would talk about the old days. Vance loved to reminisce and Mercy acquired a treasure trove of information about Wellington’s history. They became good friends and Vance looked forward to working with Mercy on Mondays. Once, she arrived a few minutes late and found the old barber was in a panic, but Vance was a good-hearted man. Soon, the two of them were talking about remodeling the shop and Vance relied on his apprentice for new ideas.