Chapter 5, The First Cut is the Deepest Summary and Analysis

Judge Sam Nazar is sleeping in Lila's barber's chair. He came in every week for a trim and a shave. Every week while Lila did these tasks, he fell asleep. The other stylists think that it's funny that he falls asleep. Sam is a formidable man when he is awake. Lawyers and criminals fear him and there are many rumors and legends about him. One says that he killed a runaway lion at the zoo.

Sam is in love with Lila, but no one knows. Lila thinks that Sam may be her ticket to better things, although he does talk about God a lot. He doesn't buy her gifts or talk about the future either. Lila runs her fingers through Sam's hair, which he wears a little longer than...