Page 18 of Gunner

“Hi, Indie. I don’t think I will be rescheduling.”

I heard her heavy sigh through the speaker on my phone, and I immediately felt bad. She was losing out on her income because I was too chicken to follow through. All because he would know.

“Is it because of Gunner? Did he do something?”

“No, no, that’s not it. It’s just...” How did I explain this without giving away too much? “I thought I could do it, but then when I got there and I saw people, I just lost my nerve. It wasn’t him specifically, it was just people in general knowing what I was doing.”

“I get that. What if I came to you?”

“What?”

What does she mean, come to me?

“I could bring my supplies and do the piercing in the comfort of your own home.”

“Is that safe? I mean, don’t you have to do it in the shop?”

“Nope. People travel to do piercings all the time. The important thing is that my equipment is sterile. Which it always is. What do you say?”

If she came here, I could still do it. The piercing was for me. My little act of rebellion no one would ever know about.

“Would there still be a record?”

“Not if you pay cash. It would be our little secret.” Indie paused for a moment and before I could agree or decline, she added, “Listen, Haiz, I know you’re doing this for yourself. We talked about it. Don’t let fear stop you from doing something that makes you feel like there is more to you than people see. Having a secret like this gives you a sense of power like you wouldn’t understand until you experience it.”

“You’re right. Let’s do it.”

“Great, how about Thursday evening? Maybe we can get some pizza and hang out? I’ve only been here a few weeks and haven’t really met anyone in town yet.”

“I would love that. I’ll order the pizza. I already have tequila. Can I get drunk before you do it?” I laughed.

“Nope, sorry, you have to be sober, but I have some numbing spray, so don’t worry. You won’t feel any pain until it wears off and by then it will be done.”

I chuckled along with her. “Ok, see you Thursday.”

I hung up the phone and squealed.

I couldn’t wait to call Missy and tell her what I had done. After I did it, of course, because I didn’t want her to try to talk me out of it.

Thursday evening came and I was a ball of nerves. I still couldn’t believe I was about to let a woman stick a needle anywhere close tomyprecious ball of nerves.

I jumped at the knock, despite expecting it at any moment. I rushed over and after opening the door, I yanked Indie inside, sticking my head out the door and looking both left and right a few times before finally being satisfied no one had seen her come in.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Did anyone see you coming here?”

Indie rolled her eyes at me.

“No one followed me, Thelma. Besides, if anyone had seen me come here, I am just visiting with a friend.”

“I don’t have friends. Well, except one, but she lives in Oklahoma.”

“Well, now you have two. Piercing someone’s va-jay-jay in secret is a bonding experience.”

She wasn’t wrong.

“Wait, why am I Thelma? Why can’t I be Louise?”

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