The clippers stopped.
At almost the same moment, Ethan stopped talking.
That was what caught my attention.
Marcus moved Ethan’s hair aside with his fingers.
Then he stared.
Not the quick look someone gives a mole or a scratch.
He was studying something.
Finally, he looked at me through the mirror.
His expression had completely changed.
“What?” I asked.
Marcus gave the smallest shake of his head.
Then he finished the haircut.
But the joking was over.
He worked quietly.
Quickly.
And something uncomfortable started growing in my chest.
When he was finished, Ethan jumped down and immediately ran toward the door.
“Mom! Can I get a quarter for the candy machine?”
Before I could answer, he was already outside staring at the machine through the glass.
Marcus brushed loose hair off the chair.
Then, without looking directly at me, he said quietly,
“Check behind his left ear.”
I frowned.
