“Are you sure you want that tattooed there?” - Calum
I could feel my eyelids drooping as the music in the background changed to a slower song. No one has come into my shop for a couple hours, and I’m tempted to lock up. The guys had me out partying late the night before, and I didn’t get any sleep.
Glancing at the clock, it read 3:54 in the morning. What I wouldn’t do to be asleep right now.
I started to clean up my tools when I heard the jingle above the door chime. Cursing to myself, I glanced over my shoulder. A lady with a goofy grin on her face stumbled into the waiting area. With my eyebrows scrunched together, I walked over to the front desk.
“Hi ma’am... can I help you?” She peeled her eyes off the artwork around the shop and locked eyes on me. She nodded her head lazily. “I want a tattoo.” She placed her hands on the counter to balance herself, and I nodded my head slowly.
It’s not that I haven’t dealt with drunk people before. Because I have. Usually, I can’t get them to change their minds about the choice they are making. But staring at the woman in front of me, I knew I couldn’t be the one to tat her body.
From first glance, she has no other piercings or tattoos. And not to stereotype, but she doesn’t seem like the kind of person to want any.
“What kind of tattoo do you want?” I lead her to the couch beside the tattoo station. Usually family members or friends wait here while the tat is being done.
“I want a butterfly... or a mermaid.” She continued to look at all the artwork plastered around the shop. She would mumble a couple words here or there, while mentioning ones she found particularly good. I had about seventeen answers over the next couple minutes.
“Alright, where would you like this tattoo?” I bit my lip. She was really drunk. She barely knew her name when I asked her.
She pointed to a spot on her arm, and then scrunched in her eyebrows. “Actually, I want one on my chest...” Over the next couple minutes, she was convinced she wanted a butterfly directly underneath her breasts.
I let out a breath. “Are you sure you want that tattooed there?” It was kind of like I was dealing with a little kid. She had totally regressed with each drink she had.
She nodded her head excitedly. “I like butterflies.” A small smile appeared on my face. There was no way she was getting a tattoo tonight. I went to the back closet of the shop, and pulled down a blanket from the shelf. She can use one of the pillows on the couch.
Luckily, I’ve spent one too many nights sleeping in the shop. So I had food, and blankets.
I walked back over to her, and draped the blanket on top of her. Her focus went from a sketch on the wall to the softness of the blanket.
I swear I won’t ever forget the smile on her face in that moment.
She curled up into a small ball with the blanket wrapped around her. She looked so cute. She denied any tea, but I managed to get her to drink some water. She’ll thank me for that in the morning.
I placed some water and medicine on the table beside her, and chuckled as I heard her soft snores.
I was drinking some tea and scrolling on my phone when I heard soft footsteps walk into the room. Looking up, I made eye contact with the lady from last night.
She was squinting slightly from the light, but otherwise she looked presentable. Her hair was a tad messy.
She bit her lip looking around the shop. “Did I- did I get a tattoo? I tried looking but I couldn’t tell...” She looked at me expectantly, but also had a shy vibe to her.
“No, I did not give you a tattoo.” She nodded her head and let out a sigh of relief. “Then may I ask why I am here?”
I set my phone aside, and stood up. “You came in around four in the morning asking for a butterfly on your breasts”. I smiled slightly trying to get her to feel at ease. “You were intoxicated... a lot. And I figured if you still wanted the tattoo in the morning, I’d give it to you.”
She nodded her head at the story. “No, I don’t want it.” She laughed, bringing a smile to my face. “Follow up question.” I nodded my head. “Why am I still here? I guess... why did you let me sleep on your couch.”
“You could barely tell me your name. I didn’t want to search for your phone, so I pulled out some blankets, and you fell asleep. I gave you water, and offered food. I promise nothing happened. I was just worried to send you on your way because you came in alone.”
Her cheeks were a tad red, but she nodded her head. “And what’s your name?” She smiled shyly at me. “My name is Calum.” “Well Calum, I really must thank you then.” I smiled at her then. She writes something down on a piece of paper.
“I swear I’m not like that normally. I would really like to talk again, but I know you’ll have customers soon. Call me?” I could feel my cheeks heat up slightly, and I nodded my head.
She handed me the piece of paper, and kissed my cheek. “Seriously though, that has to be one of the sweetest things. Thank you for keeping me safe.”
