"I need a haircut." James told Schultz.
"What are you talking about? I just gave you one last week."
"I know that. It's just that, um," James shifted from foot to foot, trying to find the right words. "It's just that I don't think you did it right."
If Schultz was being honest with himself, he didn't know anything about cutting hair, and he especially didn't know anything about how to cut James' hair. He just improvised, then pretended that the end result was what he had planned all along. He had hoped he was at least good enough to fool a nine year old into believing he was doing a decent job, but apparently he wasn't.
"Alright, you can go to the barber to get it cut. I can give you some money. The one on Nettle street should be open today."
"Nettle street?" James asked in surprise. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with that barber shop, it's just that I was thinking that the one in King's Valley would be more suited to me."
"King's Valley!" Now it was Schultz's turn to be shocked. "You are not going to that neighborhood. I did not hear good things about that area, I heard it was dangerous."
"It's really not as bad as people say it is." James insisted. "It's got a bit of a bad reputation, but that's just because people like to exaggerate."
Schultz was quite persistent in saying that King's Valley was too dangerous for a young boy to visit, even if it was just for a haircut. So James suggested that they both go together, so he wouldn't be alone. Schultz allowed it, but only on the condition that they would be in and out of King's Valley as quickly as they could. James agreed to those conditions, and the next day they were off.
Schultz immediately felt extremely self conscious as he and James entered the all Black community that was King's Valley. He kept a firm grip on the boy's hand as they walked, almost as though he viewed his association with James as an entrance pass into the neighborhood. Schultz could feel everyone's eyes on him as they passed. They weren't cruel stares though. Rather the residents seemed to be eyeing Schultz with a mix of surprise and intrigue as to what a white Jewish man was doing in this neighborhood with a young Black boy. James didn't seem aware of any of the awkwardness going on around him, he was instead bouncing along, clearly comfortable in his surroundings but also alright with holding Schultz's hand.
When they got to the barber shop, it was decently crowded, with about half of the seats filled. An older barber who didn't have anyone in his seat at the moment came up to Schultz and James as they came in.
"Welcome, we have a seat for you right here young man." He gestured towards an empty seat, which James hopped onto. Once James was settled in his seat, the barber put the sheet around him and began prepping the hair, all while Schultz watched over his shoulder.
"You know we have a waiting area where you can sit." The barber told Schultz.
"No it's okay, I'll just stay here." Schultz replied.
The barber shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Schultz watched carefully as the barber went to work, hoping to be able to copy it for the next time James needed a haircut. It was a much more complicated process than he had expected, with a lot of different products that he didn't even realize existed until now. By the time the cut was done, Schultz had decided he was just going to bring James here instead of trying to imitate what he just saw.
"There you go, you're all done. Looking very dashing, if I do say so myself." The barber said.
Schultz paid for the cut and the two of them were off. He didn't force James to hold his hand any more, so the boy kept running his hand over his hair.
"Did you hear what he said? He said I looked dashing." Said James.
"Yes I know. I was right there when he said it." Replied Schultz, smiling.
When they got back to the orphanage, it was empty. On the table there was a note that read:
Gone to play baseball, we'll come back at 2 to finish our chores. -Robbie.
"That's a shame that they're coming back soon, or else I would have gone to play with them. It's a good day for baseball." Said James.
"I think we passed a group of boys your age playing baseball while we were at King's Valley." Schultz said.
"Yeah, I noticed that too. But I wasn't sure if I was allowed to join, cause you said we should get in and out of the neighborhood as soon as we could." Said James, a hint of sadness in his voice.
Schultz cringed slightly at the memory of saying that. "I'll make an agreement with you. If you promise to behave yourself, not get into any fights and be home well before dark, then you can go play at King's Valley.
James' face lit up. "Really, I can go!" He hugged Schultz tightly. "Thank you, thank you. I can go to King's Valley, I can finally play here and over there. I can play wherever I want. Thank you so much." James pulled away from the hug and ran outside, eager to join what he had been waiting so long for.