Youth: a story that deals with the childhood or young adulthood of one of the characters...

Youth

As Edith reached for the doorknob to the office, the door opened to revel Anthony in his jacket, about to leave.

"Where are you off to?" she asked,not quite able to hide her disappointment.

Anthony grinned and ran a hand through his hair. "Off for a trim."

"Why?" Edith asked bewildered. "It looks fine."

"Thanks for that. But I can't let the front get too long." At her questioning look, he shrugged. "My father wouldn't like it." Her questioning look became an incredulous one.

"I, um, was terrified of getting haircuts when I was a boy. So my mother let it grow out quite a bit between trims and my father hated it. He always said I looked like some 'poncy pop star' when the front would flop down in my eyes."

Edith laughed at the image.

"Anyway, one day he lost all patience, marched me off to his washroom, and buzzed my head down to stubble with his clippers. I cried for hours."

"Oh no!" Edith exclaimed. "That's horrible!" Without thinking, she reached out and gently pushed his forelock back.

"W-well, yes…" Anthony stuttered. "I looked like a convict for weeks. And my mother was furious with him."

"As she should have been," she said firmly, dropping her hand and flushing as she realized what she'd been doing.

"I never let it grow out long enough to irritate my father again. And I got over my fear of barbers. The thought of my father with the clippers was far more scary. Habit now, I'm afraid."

"Well, if my opinion matters, I quite like it when that little bit in the front falls into your eyes."

Anthony immediately went to his desk and picked up his phone.

"What are you doing?" Edith asked.

"Canceling my appointment," Anthony said with a grin, flipping his hair back.

A/N- We're winding down and I would be remiss if I didn't thank you all for reading and reviewing. I'm rubbish at answering everyone individually, because I forget who've I've answered and who I haven't. So if I don't respond, please know that I appreciate all your comments very much!