Getting It by Alex Sanchez Page B

replenish your skin. Now, ready to work on your hair?”
    They returned to the bedroom. While Carlos and Sal spread an old bedsheet on the carpet, Javier pulled from his backpack scissors, a comb, and electric clippers. Sal sat Carlos down in the chair again and Javier redraped the towel around Carlos’s neck, gazing in the mirror at him. “So, now, what’s your vision for your hair?”
    â€œHuh?” Carlos stared back at him.
    â€œHe means,” Sal clarified, “is there anything you’ve always wanted to do with your hair?”
    Carlos thought for a moment, then sat up excitedly “Can you shave my initials into the back of my head?” He’d always thought that looked tough on guys.
    Sal and Javier peered in the mirror at him, eyes aghast. Simultaneously, they replied, “No!”
    Javier turned to Sal. “Here’s what I’m thinking …” He ran his fingers through Carlos’s hair. “Short on the sides and choppy on top so he can spike or tousle.”
    â€œExactly,” Sal agreed. “And a little longer in front?”
    â€œYeah, that’s it! Let’s start with the sides. Do you think a two or a three?”
    Sal handed him the clippers. “Start with a three. We can always go down to a two.”
    Javier clipped the sides, then sprayed the top of Carlos’s hair with water and snipped quickly with scissors, twirling the shears between his fingers. He made it appear so easy.
    â€œIs it hard to cut hair?” Carlos asked.
    â€œYeah, at first … I began when I was eight—by trying to give our Pekingese a new hairstyle. When I showed my sister, she said Mom was going to kill me.”
    Carlos glanced down at his own cut hair, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
    â€œI hid in the laundry room,” Javier continued, “crying hysterically while I tried to glue back Ming-Ming’s hair. But when Mom found me, she only laughed.”
    He turned to Sal. “Gel or pomade?”
    â€œI’d go with wax.” Sal handed Javier a jar. “He’s got wicked thick hair.”
    â€œExcellent!” Javier dipped his finger into the jar and told Carlos, “Now, when you work this into your hair, always start with the back, so you don’t forget.”
    Carlos peered in the mirror, relieved and amazed. His new haircut made him look almost like some TV teen idol.
    But Javier wasn’t satisfied. “It still needs something.” He tapped his fingertips on his chin, pondering Carlos’s hair. “Hmm. Tell me about this girl you’re so hot for.”
    Carlos sighed. Was there anything Sal
hadn’t
told Javier?
    â€œWant to see her picture?” Carlos offered. “Just click on the computer.”
    Sal clicked the mouse and Roxy’s Hot-or-Snot J-peg appeared as the screensaver.
    â€œShe’s got great hair.” Javier turned to Sal. “You know, why don’t we—?”
    â€œOh, my God!” Sal interrupted. “Highlights! Totally!” He turned to Carlos. “Have you got tin foil?”
    â€œUm …” Carlos squirmed in his chair, unsure about highlights. He already looked better than before. Maybe he should quit while ahead. Besides, his friends always put down guys who streaked their hair, saying, “That’s so gay.”
    â€œYou’ll definitely get Roxy’s attention,” Sal said coaxingly.
    A half hour later Carlos was getting his hair streaked when the phone rang.
    â€œCarlitos!” his ma yelled from the living room. “It’s your pa!”
    Carlos quickly glanced at the clock. He’d forgotten about his pa—again. He was having fun with Sal and Javier—a lot more fun than he’d have with Lupita and Henry. But could he tell his pa that? He didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
    A little nervously, he answered the phone. “Um, ’S’up?”
    â€œMi’jo,”
his pa said.