Chapter 3

[Goodbye Life, Part Two—September 10, 2023—Everyone’s Bald]

“You’re Nora, the one who got into New York University this year, right?”

I had just sat down at the salon, looking displeased:

“Why are you here again?”

Fiona’s voice was still gentle, like a caring elder sister:

“You’re trending, everyone online calls you an ungrateful person, saying your dad sold everything to get you into college and you abandoned him when he was down.

“But they don’t know you have cancer. Let us film a documentary for you, clear your name.”

I looked at myself in the mirror, my smile ugly:

“I want them to think I’m an ungrateful person, especially… Dad.”

With that, I didn’t pay her any more mind, only touched the ends of my hair, lowered my eyes with a bitter smile, my voice barely audible:

“I’m sorry, Dad, I couldn’t protect your beloved hair.”

When I looked up again, my eyes were red.

“Tony, please shave my head.”

Tony looked incredulous:

“Are you sure? Your hair is so long and beautiful, and it looks well cared for.”

I did take care of it often, just a few days ago Dad helped me with it, he loved washing my hair.

I nodded firmly, my tone as if discussing something ordinary:

“With cancer, even if I don’t cut it now, it’ll fall out after chemotherapy.”

With that, Tony didn’t say more, only started shaving my head with trembling hands.

Two minutes later, I was successfully bald.

I stood up to thank him, ready to pay, but Tony stopped me:

“It’s free, you don’t need to pay.”

But I still moved his hand away and scanned to pay.

“I don’t need anyone’s pity.”

Just then, Tony picked up the razor and started shaving his own head.

“I’ll join you, I think a bald head looks pretty cool too.”

I was stunned.

Before I could recover, Fiona also spoke:

“Give me one too, I want to try a bald style.”

Before I could stop her, her beautiful hair was on the floor.

Two lines of tears slid down my cheeks, “You really didn’t have to… I’m really… fine…”

But neither of them spoke, only smiled at me, silly grins.

Leaving the salon, I turned to face the camera:

“I agree to your filming, I don’t want to owe anyone.”