The narrator reflects on a time spent in Crescent City, California, near the Oregon border, where he attempted to start anew with his wife. This memory triggers thoughts about his decision to leave that place soon after, highlighting the transient nature of their life there.
While in a barber's chair, he recalls the calming sensation of the barber's gentle touch as he worked through the narrator's hair. This moment of tranquility contrasts with his subsequent choice to depart, emphasizing the bittersweet qualities of change and the fleeting comfort found in that experience.