“I don’t know, Bain, I haven’t even had the time to really think about it.”
“It’s okay. If you’re not feeling it, you don’t have to. I’m going to get Kinsey’s portrait tattooed on my chest, so you’ll have lots of time to think about yours.”
He gives me a reassuring squeeze on the knee and we hop out of his car. The shop is in a strip mall. It all looks brand new and is very modern with all kinds of cool art all over. There are patrons inside and out, and the moment we walk in, Bain is recognized. “What up, man?” the guy behind the counter greets Bain, coming around to give him a hand shake.
“Not much, how’s the new shop?” Bain asks.
“It’s great, we’re really busy.”
Then another guy comes from the back. “I was just setting up for you guys. It’s great to see you, bro.”
“You too,” Bain responds, shaking his hand. “Tommy, this is my…this is Arion.”
He corrects himself and doesn’t call me his girlfriend. I’m a tiny bit hurt by this. Then again, I have been the one who’s been shut down and reserved when it comes to feelings. Plus I was very clear in the beginning, no feelings whatsoever. I told him we could try and see where things led, but that was it. There wasn’t any more that I gave him to work with so I can understand what he’s trying to do.
“It’s great to meet you, Arion. Bain said this is your first tattoo?”
“Yeah, it is, so please forgive me if I’m a little nervous.”
“It’s all good. You can watch how Bain takes it. Come on back.”
We head back to where Tommy has everything set up and he holds up a sketch. I can tell right way that the picture is of Kinsey.
“I love it,” Bain exclaims.
“Good, now you know the drill.”
Bain smirks at him, lifting his white t-shirt above his head. Once he has it off, he passes it to me and I set it in my lap, taking my seat next to Bain. I watch as Tommy shaves what little hair is on his chest, then the two guys talk about where to place the stencil.
Watching all this take place makes me think…do I really want to get a tattoo? And if I do, should it be something for Nate? I’m not sure how Bain would feel about that. Then again, he did bring me here after we talked about getting something together for each of us losing those closest to us.
Once the stencil is set, Bain checks it in the mirror, then lays back and looks at me as Tommy starts the first line of what I’m sure will be many.
“You okay?” he asks me.
“Yeah.”
“What are you going to get?”
I shrug my shoulders unsure. The buzz of the tattoo gun is quieter than I expected. I watch Tommy do his work, keeping a steady line and think about what in the world I want to get.
“You’re going to get something for Nate, right?” Bain asks.
I think about his question wondering how in the world he can be so cool with me getting a tattoo representing another guy. Granted, I know it’s because I lost Nate, a lot like he lost his sister, and we’ve connected over that. It’s a bond that has made us strong and that’s brought us together.
“I really don’t know, Bain. I’m torn.”
“What are your thoughts?” he asks as if Tommy isn’t carving a needle into his chest. He’s so calm and relaxed. It’s almost like he likes the pain. I shake my head unable to give him a solid answer. “When you said you wanted to get a tattoo, what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking ‘Nate’ in cursive, but not now.”
“Why?” he asks dead serious.
I look him straight in the eyes. “Because of you.”
“That’s why I brought you here. Get what your heart feels. If it’s his name then get it.”
I hear what he is saying, but I don’t believe him. I don’t believe that he would want to kiss every inch of my body including the part that said ‘Nate.’ Jesus, I finally have the opportunity to get a tattoo, but I can’t decide.
“There are some books on the counter. If you wanna look through them, you can,” Tommy offers.
“I want something different.”
“I get that,” Bain says. “What about a quote?”
The moment he says the word, I know what to get. “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
“Albert Einstein?” Bain confirms.
I nod my head and he winks at me. “I love it, babe. Can I add it below mine too?”
“Sure.”
I sit back feeling content, knowing what and where my tattoo will go. I’ve always envisioned one on my ribs, so that’s an easy choice.
“Are you nervous?” Bain asks me.
“Not at all. More excited than anything.”
“Let me wash it for you, baby.”
I shake my head, still not sure how I made it through the hour tattoo. It was the worst pain I’ve ever endured. I can’t even imagine touching my skin right now as it is finally not screaming at me. “Don’t act like this. You have to wash it, so it’s either you or me.”