Why they played it for me

My son and I lived in a cabin at a trailer park for six years. Our first year there was very happy for us both, as we had fled interstate to escape from a horrific relationship of mine and safety for us both. Relaxing and enjoying life again, we mixed with the other inhabitants who were long-term and partied nearly every night. In fact, the social life at a trailer park is very good, with everybody living so close together and half the population being on vacation. Our group hung out along the back fence, where three or four caravans and trailers in a row mixed together to socialize in the evenings.

One day, I had the urge to do something dramatic and different to my hair; I wanted to shave it all off. I had worn dreads for a few weeks and had previously worn African style mini braids for some weeks. Now, I wanted to raze the lot off. Letting the gang know I was going to be bald soon, whether they believed me or not until it happened, I went into my cabin and began to snip with the scissors. Not long after I scarped away with a disposable razor. It took more than one razor to get it all off, but eventually, I was bald. I tidied up the hairy mess and then went back to the group.

I had various reactions, from gasps of shock that I had actually shaved my head for real, rather than just joking, through to smiles of interest and affection. One reaction that I did not understand for some time was from a gentleman who started playing a song on repeat from his music collection and grinning at me, winking. It was some time before I understood that the song was by an artist that had a similar head to mine - bald. Now, whenever I hear this song, I remember my happy year in the trailer park and how I dared to shave my head. I ended up staying bald for three years, but they gave up laughing and playing the song after a few days.