chop.” The girl has zero patience.
Pulling out of his arms, I tell him I’ll call him later. He simply replies, “you better.”
Liza and I then head off for the Mall, but I had yet to mention the other little thing I decided to do today. Not sure how she’ll take it either.
“ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?” Liza is beyond shocked.
I’m calmly hold up my finger. “Umm, no. I’m doing this with or without you. Are you going to come with me?” I say to give her the opportunity to leave.
“Shit, you are serious.”
“Dead.” My facial expression never changes.
Realizing she will not change my mind, she tosses her hands up in the air. “Well, let’s go find a good guy then. Do you know what you want?”
Smiling. “Absolutely.”
I’m on a mission trying to locate a man named Jack Daniels. I kid you not, I got his name from a girl at the Gap. Generally speaking, it’s pretty odd to get a referral for what I need from a lady who sells clothes for a living. But from the looks of her arms, I would say she is the perfect person to help me out.
Finally, after tracking him down, I’m now sitting in the chair of Jack Daniels, a tattoo guru according to Violet, my sales lady from the Gap. Her arms are a walking advertisement for his work. Quite impressed, I excitedly took his name and number. Lucky for me, he had time, so here I sit.
Getting his equipment ready, he then asks, “Okay, so you’re sure this is what you want?”
I’m a bundle of nerves bouncing in the chair, nervous as hell. Grasping the sides of the chair, I hang on with an iron clad grip. Even though I’m anxious, I also know this is what I need to do. “Yeah, it’s personal, and it stands for something lost but never forgotten.”
He lets out a laugh. “Babe, if you knew how many something lost but not forgotten tattoos I’ve done in my lifetime, let’s just say you’d be amazed. I get it, you know. It’s cool, you doing this. It’s your way to remember without ever letting go.” He keeps his eyes locked on mine. I could not have said it better myself.
Looking over at Liza, he dismisses her with an eye roll. She is making it known she hates this idea, and she doesn’t understand why I feel the need to mark my body.
Clearing my throat, I get Jack’s attention. “Don’t mind her, she doesn’t get me.”
Shaking his head, he sighs. “Yeah, I get that too.”
Clearly agitated, Liza doesn’t stop. “Pip, this guy does not deserve to be inked on your body. He’s never coming back.” Wow, her words are more like venom. I wonder if she’ll ever truly understand me.
I can’t help fighting back the tears that are screaming at her. “Yeah, Liza, I understand that. The tattoo is not for him, it’s for me. Just leave if you don’t want to be here with me.” I’m irritated and hurt. She’s my friend, why can’t she support me? I’m getting more support and understanding from Jack and I just met him.
Just then her phone rings. Thank God!
“Ace, hey baby. Where are you?” She’s even snippy with him. If I’m lucky, maybe she will leave to go meet him.
With a snap of her fingers, she’s bitter. “Oh NO, my roommate is now getting a tattoo to remind her of this loser from high school.” No, she did not just say that.
“LIZA.” I’m beyond mad, so I shout at her.
Her voice is inching higher and louder. “Yeah, that’s her. I’m not… Oh my God… I am here for her. Well, it’s been years now, she thinks she needs to do this to get over him. No. No. Oh, okay.” She says, shoving her phone in her purse with a huff.
I’m stunned, staring at her so upset right now listening to her one-sided conversation. Jack is nearly ready, and ignoring her the best he can.
Pinching her nose with her fingers, she lets out one final huff. “He thinks I should be more supportive of you. He wants me to tell you how brave you are and good luck.” Her incessant eye rolling does not make me feel any better. I’m sure the way her boyfriend stuck up for me is the reason she seems put off.
“Wow. Tell him thanks.” I think.
“Okay ladies,” Jack turns to Liza, “Miss if you want to talk to your boyfriend, please take it outside.”
I’m