Page 33 of Jagged

My phone buzzed in my pocket, and a text from Clementine filled the screen. I clicked it to see yet another photo of my old, faded street art, this time at the corner of the farmer's market.

This is you. I know it.

LOL it is. Very old.

How much?

Hmm. Twenty years, maybe.

Can't believe it still stands. Onward.

Onward to what?

I reckon a scavenger hunt is on my agenda for this weekend.

What?

I fancy your art. I'm going to find it.

Okay… I looked up from my phone, puzzled by the exchange.

"What's with the face?" Tati asked, gesturing to me with a paintbrush coated in blue.

"One of my colleagues is looking for my tags," I said, rather plainly.

"Okay." Tati stood there, blinking expectantly. "And?"

"It's strange."

"Why is it strange?"

"What does she care about my pieces for?" I frowned at my phone suddenly. "My old ones on the streets."

"Some people just like things. Why are you getting all butt-hurt over it?" Tati shoved my shoulder affectionately on the way past.

"I dunno." I looked back at my phone then flicked through the text with Clem. Most of the messages between us belonged to our work conversations, but the last handful accompanied pictures of my old messes.

"Well, figure it out, girl." Tati pointed to the shower. "Gonna clean up."

"'Kay."

This is incredible. Clem's statement followed an image of the art I created on the opposing street of the King County Archives in the Central District. I never got to take part in the graffiti battle, so I made my own. Illegally.

The worn and faded image of my Fight the Future mural brought a smile to my face. Fond memories of rolling trash bins and stacking crates to get up there made me chuckle. The cartoon faces of Mulder and Scully from The X-Files loomed over an audience of caricatures touting political signs of the time. More "My Body My Choice" joined "Love is Love" and "Resist."

I didn't reply, but Clem continued, How old were you when you made this?

Probably fifteen.

Strong views for someone so young.

I had a lot to fight for then.

You don't now?

Her question brought me pause, but I replied, Time's have changed.

They always do.

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