It’s early afternoon when we make it to the tattoo shop. When I pull open the door, the interior is cozy and inviting, with lots of leafy green plants and windows. I knew based on photos I’d seen that I would love the vibes in here.
“Oh my gosh, this is so cute!” Dolly says. “I wonder if they’ll have time to do any more.”
The girl behind the desk smiles as we walk in. She’s tiny, and her exposed skin is covered in fine line tattoos. She has long purple hair and pink lipstick on. Her denim overalls have bedazzled patches of cherries all over them.
“How can I help you?” she asks.
“I have an appointment with Cherry,” I tell her. “My name is Dallas.”
“I’m Cherry. So glad you could make it.” She smiles and pushes a clipboard to me. “Just fill out the waiver. Do you know what you want?”
“I want this on the top of my left butt cheek.”
I show her the picture. It’s a simple heart with the initialsDJRinside it.
“Are these a man’s initials?”
I nod.
She smiles. “In that case, is DJR paying for this? Because I have a strict policy that if you’re getting a man’s initials or name, he has to pay for it. No exceptions.”
Monroe snorts. “Hell yeah, girl. That’s what I like to hear.”
Cherry smiles at her before tilting her head and frowning. Monroe is in disguise, trying to play Clark Kent with glasses and a dark-colored wig on. If she went out with her normal hair and no glasses, we’d be swarmed with fans everywhere we went. It usually works, but Cherry is definitely thinking that she looks familiar.
“Have you been in here before?” she asks.
Monroe shakes her head. “Nope, first time for all of us.”
“Yes, he called earlier and paid for it when he scheduled.”
Cherry nods, still studying Monroe.
Rosie steps toward Cherry, attempting to get the attention off of Monroe. “We love all the plants. Dallas and I are both big into gardening.”
Cherry nods, gesturing around the soft camel-colored walls with tasteful decor that looks a lot like original works of art. “A benefit of owning your own tattooshop: I can display my art and make it into a mini gallery. Do you wanna come back? There’s room for all of you.”
We follow her back, admiring the unique pieces on the walls. We pass by three other girls, who are all in various states of mid-tattooing. The buzzing of the tattoo guns fills the room, along with the Texas country playing over the speakers. It’s a song I recognize by Kat Hasty, “Pretty Things.”
“I love this song,” I say.
It reminds me of being married to someone who viewed me as an ornamental object in his life instead of a human being with real feelings. I look around at the girls I’m with, and a tiny smile tugs at my lips. It’s such a simple thing, but I’m not even worrying about the twins while we’re out. I’m not stressing that I’ll get a string of angry texts about where I am or when I’m coming home.
I’m starting to enjoy small things. I’m slowly loving life again.
I’m learning that not everything is going to be ruined by an angry man.
Cherry’s station has a red leather tattoo chair and more plants and art. I take a seat while she preps the tattoo.
“What are you guys wearing to dinner?” Dolly muses.
“I was thinking about a floral, flowy dress,” Rosie says.
“Yeah, same! Something soft and romantic,” Monroe adds.
Eden nods. “I have a pretty dress to wear. It’s a pale blue, and Sterling loves it on me.”
The room grows silent for a moment before I realize they’re waiting on me to answer.
