Page 37 of We're One

“I’m so happy for you. That’s wonderful,” I tell her. Stacy was our class president and always wore a smile in school. We all thought for sure she’d marry her high school sweetheart but they went off to college and went their separate ways. Stacy was sad about it for a while so it’s wonderful seeing her so happy and positively glowing now. Heartbreak can make us stronger and prepare us to meet the one we’re supposed to be with for eternity.

Before long my favorite science lab partner, Toby, comes up to me. He’s changed a lot in nine years, now sporting a beard and some giant biceps. He squeezes me tight. “It’s good to see you,” he says.

“It’s good to see you. It’s been forever,” I tell him.

“I traveled the world for about six years, but nothing compares to home. My mom had a stroke three years ago and I moved back to take care of her.”

“I’m so sorry. Is she okay?”

He beams at me. “She’s doing great. I opened my own tattoo parlor, a dream come true, and she runs the front desk.”

I laugh at this. “I can’t imagine your sweet little church-going mom in a tattoo parlor.”

He laughs with me. “I know! It’s funny to watch some of my clients come in; she scolds these big biker men when they use bad language,” he says between chuckles as he air quotes the last two words. “My mom considers the word damn bad language, and you might get a slap in the ear if you use the Lord’s name in vain.”

“She doesn’t chase them right back out?”

“Nope, they absolutely love her and give her the utmost respect. She’s Mama Tat to most everyone. She wasn’t sure what she thought about that at first, but now she loves it.” He leans in close. “And just between you and me, I even managed to talk her into her own little tattoo.”

My eyes widen in shock. “No way!”

“Yep.” His eyes are bursting with laughter.

“What of?” I ask.

“She got a nice little cross with roses around it on her shoulder. She told me Jesus wouldn’t be upset with her for representing him.” We both laugh. His mom really is Betty Crocker come to life, a petite little thing with bright white hair.

“I’m going to have to stop by tomorrow. I have to see this.”

“Come on in and I’ll tat you for free.”

I shake my head. “I’m terrified of needles, and I’ve never found anything I love enough to have permanently etched on my body.”

“Well, when you change your mind, and you will, you know where to find me. I think we should put a nice big siren on your thigh because you are good at luring men to their doom.”

I punch his arm. “I am not. I’m probably more vanilla than about any of our classmates,” I say as my cheeks flush.

“Oh, you forget I was with you our junior year in high school when a fight broke out over you at the football game.”

“That wasn’t my fault.” Both Johnny and Rob wanted to take me to prom, and I told them I’d think about it. Then they decided to one up each other to get me to choose them. I was so embarrassed by their antics I told them I was going to go on a friend date to prom instead. Then they both pulled stunts at the football game to try to win me back, leading to some shoving that ran into the opposing team, then the brawl was on. The game was cancelled because they couldn’t get the fighting to stop. I was known as the siren from that moment on, which was absurd.

“Don’t you know all wars start because of a woman?” He winks.

“I remember that fight well,” Bethany says as she joins our conversation. “I was so jealous. I wanted an entire football team to get in a brawl over me.” She waves her hand in front of her face as she grins at me.

“I didn’t want that,” I insist, but it’s too late. Everyone joins in on the fun now that the memory I’d rather be forgotten is discussed in full detail. I try to change the subject.

“How are you doing, Bethany? Anything new?” I desperately look at her for help. She laughs again.

“I’ll save you this once,” she assures me. “My beauty salon is thriving. I expanded last year and now have three nail techs and two more stylists. I’m moving to the resort when it opens with double the space I have now. I can’t wait! We’re going to add more services: massage, facials, and mud baths.”

“Wow, Bethany, that’s amazing.”

“I’m so beyond excited. I wanted to do what I love while remaining in my hometown, and this business is doing so much more than I ever thought possible. It’s incredible.”

“That gives me hope that I can bring my business here one day,” I tell her.

“You so can. You’d have nonstop work,” she assures me.

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