Sam nodded quickly and took a deep breath. “I’m doing it.”
“Well, tell him what you want then,” I said, barely able to fight back my smile. There was no way she was really gonna go through with it, but in an attempt to not overcrowd her, I kept my mouth shut.
The guy looked up at her and waited. “Just his initials ‘AJ’ on the inside of my wrist, about this big,” she said as she displayed about an inch of space between her forefinger and thumb. The man smiled at her, probably thinking the same thing that I was; she’d chicken out.
“Ok, I need to see some ID and get a few signatures and then we can get started.”
I went first of course and Sam cringed the entire time. It felt like someone was dragging a hot razor through my skin, but I didn’t flinch. Sam held her hands to her mouth as she watched her name being permanently etched into my skin just like it was already on my heart. When I looked in the mirror at the finished product, I didn’t have any regrets.
Sam peered over my shoulder, staring. Her eyes were watering a little and that was something that I hadn’t expected. “I can’t believe you just did that,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. I wondered if she realized that this was one thing on a long list of many that I’d do just for her.
The guy called her over to the chair after changing out his instruments and cleaning up. Sam didn’t even bat an eye. Apparently she had a sudden boost of bravery after watching me endure the pain.
“You don’t have to do this just because I did.” I offered her this one last opportunity to change her mind, but she ignored me “I’m ready,” she replied to the tattoo artist and closed her eyes. As soon as the needle touched her skin, she asked me to hold her other hand. Her foot twitched the whole time and her face turned bright red. This was by far the most spontaneous thing we’d ever done, and it definitely wouldn’t come without a price. Our parents were would kill us when they saw what we’d done.
The artist finished with Sam and it was nearly 1:00 when we left the parlor. I may have just been the rush of adrenaline, but she was actually giddy when it was all over with. I needed to get on the road, so I walked her back to her room and grabbed my bag off the floor. When I leaned in to kiss her goodbye, I held her waist tightly and wouldn’t let go.
“I hate that you have to leave,” she sighed.
“Me too.” Saying goodbye wasn’t getting any easier. In fact, it seemed to be getting harder each time we had to say it.
“Be safe and call me as soon as you get in.” Her dimples reappeared when she forced a smile, the tears welling in her eyes in direct contradiction of the gesture. I stared down on her and seriously thought about not leaving at all.
Stealing another kiss, I sobered up “Alright. You need anything before I go? Cash? Anything?”
“I’m good,” she replied.
I nodded with a heavy heart and embraced her again before walking away.
When I reached the stairs, I saw Terrell coming up carrying a bag full of laundry. “What’s up, man? You about to hit the road?” He asked cordially.
“Yeah, Sam and I ran out this morning and just got back a little while ago.”
He nodded and then a thought occurred to him. “Aye listen, my bad about last night. I had no idea she hadn’t told you about –“
I stopped his apology and laughed a little. “It’s cool. Thanks actually – you know…..for looking out for her while I can’t be here,” I said humbly.