A Simple Request

                           By Michelle W.



  
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  Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's story of "Christy" belongs to the Marshall and 
  LeSourd families. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for the story of "Christy" and 
  its characters as portrayed in the novel, series, or movies. Any additional characters 
  or story lines are the invention of the author. This is written for entertainment only. 

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A Simple Request



"Christy, are you busy?"

      "I'm just finishing up with these history tests, but I could be persuaded to take a 
  break."

      "Are your eyes bothering you? Should I --?"

      "Neil, I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired after sitting here for so long. Now as Mother 
  always says, 'A change is as good as a rest,' so tell me -- what is it I can help you 
  with?"

      "I was wondering if you would . . ."

      "I thought we had discussed this already.  I won't!  I, I can't."

      "Come now, Christy; it's a simple request. If it helps, we won't be breaking any 
  moral laws, and seeing as I have not taken a Nazarene vow, we won't be breaking any 
  Biblical laws either. Besides, have I told you nearly all my patients have commented 
  on it in the past few days?"

      "You're exaggerating."

      "No, I'm not. Why just yesterday Will Beck said it was time you helped 'pert me 
  up'. Bird's-Eye reckoned it was time we had a serious talk. Even Ben Pentland --"

      "Didn't this bother anyone before we were married?"

      "Before we were married, people understood I was generally unable or uninterested 
  in such matters. And people tend not to pay much attention to how I look while I'm 
  digging a bullet out of their leg."

      "Oh."

      "Now love, all I'm asking for is a wee bit of trim, not a burr hole."

      "That's still not funny."

      "Please?"

      "When you ask that nicely . . .but don't say I didn't warn you."

      "What exactly aren't you telling me? Did your mother honestly not teach you how? 
  Or have you had a more pampered existence than I previously thought?"

      "Let me remind you who has the sharp instrument here. And yes, Mother did 
  instruct me in such matters pertaining to personal grooming -- but not on men; well, 
  not more than once anyway. You see, Father is very particular about his hair, allowing 
  only Mother or Mr. Hodges at the barbershop to trim it. Motherss plan was for me to 
  'take over' with George."

      "I'm guessing he was an unwilling participant in your lessons?"

      "Lesson -- I had only one, thank goodness. He was an angel if Mother was within 
  sight, but a little terror as soon as she left the room.  I swear he was worse than ten 
  Creed Allens put together."

      "My poor dear. Though I bet you didn't mind the reprieve."

      "No, I didn't; and Mother always knew what really happened, despite George's 
  protests to the contrary. No, she just decided I would have to wait until I had a 
  husband of my own."

      "Then why the reluctance to cut my hair? I mean if George was the problem and 
  everything, then . . . Christy?"

      "I drew blood."

      "If he was worse than Creed, I don't see how it could have been avoided."

      "Oh, it was awful! I had hated the sight of blood to begin with, but then George 
  needed stitches and he had bled all over his white shirt. In all honestly, I begged my 
  mother to never make me do it again.  I stuck to my dolls and, with some coaxing, 
  would trim my own hair when necessary."

      "Well I daresay you have done an excellent job -- just as I thought. It's perfect."

      "Um, Neil? What are you doing?"

      "Why I'm showing my appreciation for a job well done, Mrs. MacNeill."

      "But Mr. MacNeill, I thought you said your haircut was perfect."

      "So I did. There, how was that?"

      "Absolutely perfect."

  The End