“What are you doing in there?”

I didn’t stop the blade.

I ran the clippers down the back of my neck, clearing away the last stubble until the skin felt completely even under the fingers of my left hand.

It took eight minutes to remove every last trace of hair from my head.

I switched off the motor, wiped the metal head of the clippers with a damp washcloth, and laid the tool down neatly next to the bar of soap on the counter.

I splashed my face with cold water, patted my skin dry with a clean hand towel, and unlocked the bathroom door.