His pretty boss was genuinely concerned. "Well, you know you can see any of the nurses or doctors here if you feel the need. Ok?"

Chris stopped and looked at her. "OK, thanks."

Just

Mary watched him closely for several more minutes, admiring his youthful features and trim body. But something about him bothered her. before he left for his deliveries she decided what it was and said, "Chris, would you mind if I made a personal comment?"

"No, not at all," he answered. "What?" Mary rarely interrupted his duties so he decided that whatever she said could be very important to their relationship, personal and professional.

"Well..," she paused a second, then pointed to his head. "It's your hair! You comb it so mannishly, the way you comb it straight back over your ears and down your neck, and it appears to be very much in need of a trim. You seem to prefer it a bit long so maybe you should consider having it styled, too. Your so meticulous about your appearance I'm surprised you haven't done anything about it."

Chris unconsciously ran his fingers over his head. "Well," he admitted. "I have been meaning to get it cut. It grows fairly fast and I'm not used to it being this long either. Heck! If I didn't push it back it would hang down passed my ears. Thanks for your concern, Mary. I'll take care of it the first chance I get." He turned and headed for his rounds.

"Oh, Chris," she called after him.

"Yes? Was there something else? I do need to get going ya know."

Mary laughed. "I just wanted to say that if you like I could make that hair appointment for you. Maybe they could fit you in this afternoon. It means enough to me that I'll cover for you.

Ok?"

Somewhat surprised by her willingness to give him the time off, Chris responded offhandedly, "Well, sure, go ahead."

She picked up the telephone and dialed an extension. "Hi Mattie. Mary here. Do you have a time open today? ... Good, that will do nicely. Oh, no, it's for Chris. Right, he probably needs the works, and thanks." She hung up.

"Mattie has you set for two-thirty today at the parlor. That will give you plenty of time to finish your after-lunch rounds. OK?"

"The parlor?" Chris gasped. "I thought I was gonna get a haircut?"

"Of course you are, silly, but the clinic's beauty parlor is the only place on the island where you can get it done."

"Oh brother!" he sighed and left on his rounds.

Promptly at two-thirty Chris entered the salon and his senses were immediately assailed by the distinctive chemical odor of perms and nail polish. He felt about as conspicuous as a clown at a formal dance, but no one gave him a second glance. Through the clear plastic partition Chris could see the parlor proper. The place was full of mirrors. There were about ten individual cubicles or 'stations' spaced down one side of the long room, most of which were empty, with almost as many hair-driers along the opposite wall. Nervously he approached the receptionist at the counter near the entrance. When she looked up Chris's heart sank. It was Caroline.

Mattie

"Oh, hi Chrissy, it's nice to see you. will be with you in a minute." She pressed one of

a row of small buttons and waved quickly to the woman at the other end of the room whom she had obviously just buzzed.

The woman headed toward them.

She wore a blue