Page 14 of Watercolor Skulls

I find it no problem. The bright neon sign flashes Big D and Little J’s tattoos. My dad would hate it if he knew I was thinking about marking my skin. Aunt Jenny had a tattoo of a butterfly on the back of her neck. One time when we were out by the pool I caught him staring at it. I’m sure he hated it. God forbid you did anything to set yourself apart from someone else.

I thought it was cute on her and come to think of it, Aunt Jenny would be proud of me for doing this. I brush my hands together, it’s settled. I’m getting my very first tattoo tomorrow.

There’s one more stop on my agenda for today. The thrift shop. My aunt told me thrift shops were shopping centers for the soul. I agree. My fingers dance over the hangers on a rack of old t-shirts. Time to find my style.

I only pick out things I like. I don’t think about what is appropriate, what will match my hair or eyes, I just pick what makes my heart pump faster. I’m giddy by the time I leave the store. The guy at the counter probably thought I was nuts but hey I needed a whole new wardrobe.

There were so many old and wonderful things there. I found some real treasures and a few nice pieces of furniture that just need a little love and a new home. The clerk said he would hold the furniture till Saturday. I feel bad I’m going to have to take Jesse up on her offer to help but now I’m happy she offered.

When I pull into my driveway I smile.

Home sweet home.

It takes several trips back and forth but eventually I lug everything inside. My poor little beetle was packed down tight.

After digging through all of my bags I find the little am/fm radio I bought. I plug it and turn the music up as loud as it will go. Time to get to work.

The day quickly fades into night. It’s funny how fast time can go when you are enjoying yourself. I know I’ve been working but it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like I’m…like I’m living.

Before heading to bed, I do one last thing. I hang the window I painted on a wall in the living room. The bright yellow flowers make my heart skip happily.

I’ve always felt I’ve been trapped on one side of the glass, watching everyone else live on the other side. I was stuck in a life that wasn’t mine. Today I looked beyond the glass and saw what I wanted to see. And not only did I see it, but I also created it. A field of bright and beautiful sunflowers.

Today was good. Today I feel…well, I feel a little more human.

Chapter Seven

Senator Ramsey

???

Jenny is responsible for this. I know she is. Everything was fine until I moved the little bitch in. Not only did she entice me, but she obviously got under Lily’s skin as well. She was my one weakness. I’ll never admit that to anyone but there was just something about her.

Anyhow, Lily has always been an amenable daughter. I’ve never had any problems with her, until the day Benjamin proposed. That night she came to my office with tears in her eyes and told me she didn’t want to marry him.

He is the perfect match for her. Benjamin just completed law school and he comes from a political family. I recognize the hunger in his eyes, he wants to rise to the top. We have a lot in common and I enjoy his company. He likes all the things I do, hunting, golf, fine cigars, expensive liquor, and beautiful women.

Lily knows how it works. I molded her into the perfect wife for him. She is sweet, quiet, and poised. I even encouraged her to go into elementary teaching. Having a teacher in the family is good for my image.

So, I sent her to bed that night without discussion. It was a ridiculous request. Of course, she’s going to marry him. His father and I set this up when she was still in middle school. They’ve been dating since high school.

Now, I know it must hurt her tender young heart to see him in the media carousing with other women, but she will just have to get thicker skin. Her job is to stand by and keep this family in good light. Benjamin has a great future ahead of him. She needs to help nurture that. That is a woman’s place. Like it or not, I don’t care. It’s my world and in my world she does as told. Or she used to that is.

I didn’t ask why she jumped off the bridge. It doesn’t matter. It was a stupid, stupid thing to do. My people had to work overtime to squash the rumors. And now, now she is missing.

If I could have gotten away with it I would have put a bullet in Rudy’s head myself. But I can’t risk any more negative attention. It’s an election year after all. My only regret in all of this was that I didn’t get rid of Jenny sooner. Actually, I shouldn’t have let her come to stay with us at all. Doesn’t matter now, the problem took care of itself. It was fun while it lasted though. She was a feisty little thing.

I run my palm over my cock, thinking about her. Jesus I need to take some pressure off. I click the intercom on my desk.

“Can I help you, sir?” my assistant answers.

“Call John and have him send someone over. Oh, tell him to make it a blond.”

“Yes, sir. Benjamin has returned, would you like me to send him in.”

“Yes.” I lean back in my chair and kick my shiny black dress shoes up on the desk.

Benjamin walks in, smirking at my laid back state. “Drink?” he asks as he helps himself to my best bourbon.

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