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The Hand That Means Wait

Chapter 1The buzzing chair

On Thursday after school, Pinny sits in the tall chair at Mr. Levi's barbershop.

His feet do not reach the floor. A blue cape is clipped around his neck. The mirror shows a boy with hair that has grown over his ears.

On the shelf lies a pair of clippers. They look small, but Pinny has heard them from outside the door.

Bzzzz.

His stomach flips like a pancake.

Chapter 2The plan

Tatty sits on the waiting bench with a newspaper.

"Pinny," he says, "do you remember our plan?"

Pinny nods. "I raise my hand."

"And what does that mean?"

"Wait."

Mr. Levi smiles in the mirror. His beard is neat, and his sleeves are rolled to his elbows. "When your hand goes up, I stop and wait. I do not argue. We talk first."

"Even if you are in the middle?"

"Even then."

Chapter 3First buzz

Mr. Levi switches on the clippers.

Bzzzz!

The sound is louder than Pinny expected. It hums against his ear. His shoulders climb toward his neck.

He does not raise his hand yet. He wants to be brave. He wants to see how it goes.

The clippers move up the back of his head, and the buzz becomes a tickle, then an itch, then a tiny shiver down his spine.

His fingers grip the arms of the chair.

Chapter 4The hand

Then Mr. Levi lifts the clippers toward the other ear.

Bzzzzz!

Pinny's eyes squeeze shut. His heart beats fast, like a drum.

He raises his hand.

The clippers stop at once. The room is quiet except for the clock.

"Thank you for showing me," says Mr. Levi. "What do you need?"

Pinny opens one eye. "It is too loud on this side."

"Too loud," Mr. Levi repeats. "Would a break help? Or would you like to hold the clippers and feel the buzz on your hand first?"

Chapter 5The buzz on his hand

Pinny thinks.

"I want to touch it."

Mr. Levi switches the clippers on and holds them away from Pinny's head. Pinny puts his palm near them, then on the handle.

Bzzz.

It tingles. It is not scary now. It is only a machine making a noise.

"It's like a bumblebee in a box," says Pinny.

"A very busy bumblebee," says Mr. Levi.

Chapter 6Almost

"Ready to try again?"

Pinny breathes in and out. "Can you go slower on this side?"

"I can go slower."

"And can you tell me before you start?"

"Of course. I will say, buzz coming."

"Okay."

"Buzz coming," says Mr. Levi, and Pinny nods.

The sound rolls near his ear, and he keeps his hand in his lap. He can feel it hum, but his shoulders come down a little.

When it is done, he looks in the mirror. His ears are visible. His hair is short and neat, and one small curl sticks up at the back.

"Looks like a snail," says Pinny.

"A very handsome snail," says Mr. Levi.

Chapter 7Outside

Tatty takes Pinny's hand as they walk home.

"You showed Mr. Levi when you needed to wait," Tatty says.

"My hand went up by itself."

"That is good. You used the plan."

Pinny touches the back of his head. It feels bristly and strange.

"Next time," he says, "I might raise it sooner."

"That is a good idea, too."

Pinny runs his fingers over the little curl all the way home.