The first locks fell to the floor. She felt the cool air touch the bare skin of her scalp. At that moment, her heart clenched. Tears flowed on their own. She covered her face with her hands, sobbing:

— “God… what a pity… my hair… I grew it for so many years…”

The barber gently placed a hand on her shoulder but couldn’t find the words. She trembled like a child who had lost the most precious thing. It seemed as though, along with her hair, part of her femininity and strength was falling away.

And then something happened that she never expected.  Continued in the first comment 

Her friend, the “tough” barber, switched off the clippers, looked at her, and suddenly said:

— “You’re not alone in this.”