I am getting my hair cut at Nelson’s, near 259th Street.

Newly renovated interior. Brick walls, recessed lighting, new comfy barber chairs (6), waiting area gallery of pleather & chrome Barcelona replica seats.

The eyes of the cutters are all intense as they tend to their clients, snipping and buzzing and shaving away. Latin ballads, duets mostly, on the sound system. With the start of every chorus, all the cutters begin to sing along with the song, in perfect pitch, while still intently cutting.

My haircutter, Mariana, smiles beatifically as they sing. She is old enough to be their mother. My high school Spanish strains, yet I can sense from their bantering between songs that they love and respect her and that she digs them as well.

I am at peace.