owner.” Despite the heat of the lights and knowing I was on camera, we were in comfortable territory. I knew tattoos like (ha) the back of my hand. “Everything I learned, I learned from him. Reagan takes c-care of us like we’re family. He’s not just a great tattooist and b-boss, he’s a loyal friend. It makes working here something I can b-be proud of.”
“Well now, I’m excited to speak with Reagan and your coworkers. Any advice on what tattoos not to get?”
I shrugged, smiling now. “The same stuff you always hear. No names of b-boyfriends or girlfriends, no hateful t-tattoos, and things that are funny now that may suck in five years.”
“Thanks so much for speaking with me, Javi, and showing off that stunning back piece. I can’t wait to see more of your work in the future.” Jason shook my hand, holding it until someone yelled “Cut!”
“Javi, great job,” he said.
Jason had a way of speaking that made him sound patronizing yet kind at all times. I supposed that was just part of his job, but I was glad to be finished with the interview. If this did turn into a show, I’d have to ask Reagan to negotiate how much speaking time I had on film, and whether I could sign and have it captioned on screen. While I felt startlingly confident after the interview, I felt wrung out after. It had taken so much of me to stay calm knowing my stuttering was being captured on film.
On the one hand, maybe other people with problems like mine would find comfort in seeing me on camera. On the other hand, I was beginning to acknowledge that while it might be time to change my inner narrative about the stutter, it was also just the beginning of that change. It was going to take a lot of time and effort and support from Gordo and my crew to become fully comfortable with it.
“Thanks,” I said, shaking Jason’s hand. All of those thoughts were speculative, and I chose to be happy in the moment. I’d just summitted a previously impossible mountain. “I look forward to s-seeing the end product.”
“Oh, Javi, I think you’ll be seeing more than an end product. You’ll be seeing a huge increase in visibility and a lot more of me in the future. This is just the start of things, I assure you.” Jason said it softly, like it was a secret between us, but it only confirmed what I’d suspected: Reagan was considering turning this into a show.
The thought didn’t terrify me like it once had, but that might have been because I caught Gordo’s glowing face, so full of pride he was beaming, off to the side.
“Cool,” I managed, sliding out of the interview chair.
Before I’d taken two steps off the ‘stage,’ Reagan, Dane, Trinity, Mateo, and Bryce were surrounding me in a huge group hug.
“We’re so fucking proud of you,” Dane said. “That was perfect!”
Reagan gave me an additional gruff hug. “You did it, Javi.” His voice was rough, like he was choked up, and I beamed at him. “I think this is going to be amazing for you.”
“It s-sounds like it might b-be amazing for all of us,” I said slyly. “Long-t-term.”
Reagan laughed. “You got me. Guys, what do you think about turning this into a series? Wanna be TV stars? If you think you’re going to earn bank from all the clients this will net us, wait until you see how much they’re offering each of us per episode if it gets picked up.”
My heart skipped a beat—not only for me, but for my crew. None of us were hurting for money, but I knew that some of them had a heavier burden than I did. Supporting family wasn’t something I’d had to worry about before. My gaze slid again to Gordo, who was patiently waiting for me. I knew he was dying to be by my side, yet he was there, giving me and the crew space to celebrate our achievement. God, he was perfect.
I wrapped a quick arm around Dane. He, especially, would feel relief at this news. His mother… well, she was an investment, emotionally and financially. One that Dane tried his hardest to support. Extra money from filming would go a long way for him. But when I looked at him, his gaze was locked on Jason.
Before I could question him, though, a jubilant Reagan and Trinity tugged us in different directions, their excitement a clamor