Page 91 of Yours Truly

The room echoes “To Ivy” and then we’re sipping mimosas, and Juniper is wheeling out a cart covered in plates and napkins, with fruit, muffins, scones, cookies, cupcakes and jams everywhere.

I turn to face Trace. “You did all this for me?” A knot of emotion lodges itself beneath my words, and I’m afraid to say more, because I don’t want to cry. I just… I can’t believe it. Trace did this for me, and everyone is here, for me.

He lowers his mouth to mine, kissing me as his hand takes my chin. “Ivy, you deserve all this and more.”

I blink up at the banner he made. “You made that for me,” I breathe, taking in how accurate the knife is to the one in my boot.

He smiles. “I had to sneak out of bed a few nights and study your knife so I could get the sketch just right,” he admits with a wink.

I point to the gold and black balloons around the shops, and the crepe paper draped from station to station. “You did all this?”

He nods, his chest puffed with pride. “I did. If you felt a little distance over the last week it’s because I was doing this.” He looks around at the decorated space full of people before his gaze lowers to mine, wide and shining, full of sincerity. “And it still doesn’t feel like enough. I wish I knew a better way to celebrate you and all the amazing things you are.”

“Trace,” I start, unable to speak.

“Thank you for being my girlfriend, and congratulations.” He pulls me into the fairly empty hall and hands me a box with a red bow. I flip it open, but tears blur my eyes so fast I have to blink to see. Inside is a tattoo machine, the handle wrapped in pink, ready for me to use. “It’s the same one I use,” he says quietly.

“I know,” I breathe, turning the machine over in my hands. It’s the best. One I couldn’t afford or wouldn't be able to afford for years. “Thank you, Trace.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and sink into his chest, closing my eyes at the feel of his palms skating up my back.

“You’re welcome, Firecracker.”

We break apart and he smiles. “The party's all day. Everyone will be here all day. And guess what? You have a full schedule. Every hour you have a dealer's choice session booked.”

New tattoo artists are rarely left to their own devices, instead assigned to do the client’s choice. But today, they’re letting me do my own thing, and that’s a huge deal. I know Trace is to thank.

I rock to my toes and kiss his cheek. “Thank you,” I tell him, feeling overwhelmed by all that he’s done. And he was planning this while I was thinking he’d relapsed, or worse. “I’m sorry,” I choke out, the guilt gnawing at my toes.

“For what?”

“I don’t know,” I say, glancing up at the door as a petite woman filters in. “Being distant last week, I guess.”

“You had a lot on your mind. Graduating your apprenticeship is a big deal. Being able to ink freely is huge. Don’t worry, Firecracker, I understand.”

He places a kiss on my forehead and steps back, motioning to reception. “Today ain’t about us, it’s about you, so I’m gonna let you mingle and work. Your first session is here. I had Juniper bring your sketchbook.” His grin makes my stomach tighten and my heart bloom behind my ribs. I love this man, of that I have no doubt. “Lunch is coming from Goode’s, but me and you? We reconvene tonight. When the party’s over.” He presses his soft lips to mine. “Then we celebrate.” He dances his eyebrows.

I rock on my feet, holding my new tattoo machine in my hands. I’m giddy with all this excitement and what he’s done for me, so with a grin from ear to ear, I say, “Thank you.”

I am exhausted but in the best ways. Okay, maybe not the best because the best way to be tired is from sex, but tattooing? Close second.

Today I’ve inked a skull swamped by wild vines, a shooting star, a treasure chest, a pirate’s map, a mermaid, a pistol and a Care Bear. It’s been the most professionally fulfilling and emotionally uplifting day of my life. A day I'll never forget.

Nearing five o’clock, I slip into the bathroom to touch up my lipstick, smothering on another layer of black. After finger-combing my dark waves, I adjust my tits in my black bodysuit, turn to make sure my ass is still looking fire in my cutoff shorts, and pluck at the tears in my tights, making sure they align to show off my tattoos.

Looking good, feeling good, I head back out to the studio to find a fresh wave of people there to celebrate. Lots of friends from the farmers market, the woman who owns the art supply store, my eighth grade art teacher, and so many other familiar faces.

Today is the best day ever. And I cannot wait to show my gratitude later.

After another few hours of visiting, taking photos, giving out tiny tattoos, my very pregnant sister decides she needs to get off her feet, so with my nephew’s hand in mine, I walk her out. Hudson straps Honey in the car seat as I kiss Bear goodbye, hugging Dolly last.

“I’m so excited for you, Ivy,” she says tearfully, her hormones getting the best of her. “You did what you set out to do, and you’re in love!” She shakes her head, swiping beneath her eyes at the unending stream of tears. “Everything turned out so perfect. Like a fairy tale,” she hiccups.

I stroke my hand down her hair, smiling. “Tattoos and fairy tales,” I reply, “it all worked out.”

“Tell Trace we said goodbye. I couldn’t find him in there,” my sister says before pulling me into a final hug.

Hudson collects her, helping her into the cab of the truck. The four of them wave through the windows, and drive off into dusk. I watch until their taillights are gone, and stay beneath the streetlamp an extra minute, soaking up everything that was today.

---