Page 127 of Of Flesh & Bone

I open my eyes and look into the handheld mirror.There's so much to see that it takes me a moment to work it all out.There's a large tree in the center.The roots are the part that I saw that extends to the center of my spine.It's beautiful.I don't know what kind of tree it is, but it's so elaborate.I can see the lines of the bark and the outline of each leaf.On the front of the tree there's a carving of an infinity symbol.Inside one side of the symbol is a Capital A.In the other side of the symbol is a capital E.Adam and Eve forever.

Spread out above the tree in a position of protection around it is a gorgeous Phoenix.The bird is easily recognizable with shimmering gold and deep red coloring.I've seen a lot of pictures of this bird, but none have been as beautiful as this.In the talons of the Phoenix is a Lily.Then, draped across the outstretched wings of the Phoenix is a huge black snake.Its skin shimmers like it's new.It's dangerous and beautiful at the same time.I'm mesmerized by the sight of all these pieces together.

The full picture is absolutely breathtaking, and I have no idea how he came up with it.Adam said that he gave her the design weeks ago and he brought in the original sketch today.It must have cost a fortune to have a piece like this commissioned.I know it must be an original because the tree is carved with our initials, and the infinity symbol is definitely something that Adam came up with himself.

"Do you like it?"He's standing directly in front of me, looking over my shoulder into the large mirror.

"I've never seen anything like it.It's...unique and...beautiful and...maybe a little dangerous."

Adam's smile reaches epic proportions."Just like you."

I immediately grasp his meaning.The tattoo is all of those things because it represents me, who he thinks is also all of those things.My mind is stuck on the dangerous part.He thinks I'm dangerous.Isn't that what I thought about him when I first saw him?Isn't it the reason that I thought I should stay away from him in the first place?Yes.It is and yes, he is.He didn't become safe.He has always been dangerous, and he will always be dangerous.I don't love him in spite of this.It's a quality that I love about him.

Why does he think I'm dangerous though?Well, it could be that I tried to stab a man, or that I fended off a male attacker with my bare hands, or that I Jet Li'd my psychologist, OR it could be that I continued beating an unconscious woman and admitted that I didn't plan for her to live through the night.When I think about those things in succession like that, I can definitely see why he would think I'm dangerous.He isn't afraid of me though.Like I love him for this quality, he loves me for it too.

Adam speaks, breaking me from my many ruminations."The tree is the tree of life from the Garden of Eden.It's eternal, like my love for you.The Phoenix represents immortality and resurrection.Your pain, that scar, they are in the past and we are a new beginning.The flower is a Lily of the Valley.This flower can grow in the harshest of conditions, even in complete darkness, and it crowds out weeds.It's beautiful, dominant, and resilient just like you.The Viper represents many things.Danger, desire, and destruction.The viper is like you, Eve.Dangerous, desirable, and destructive to its' enemies.The carving is pretty clear, I think."

He's closer to me now and he's speaking into my ear where only I can hear him.Tears are already streaming down my face, but I remain silent so I don't miss a word of this incredible explanation.He continues, "Adam and Eve for all eternity."

I can't think past his words and this man that I more than love.I understand what he meant when he said that now.Love isn't enough to explain this.

"Your turn."Turning to him, I zero in on his forearm.

He has it covered with some sort of small towel.A dish towel maybe."Are we supposed to keep them covered?"

"No.I wanted you to see yours first."He pulls the cloth off of his arms and there's a clear, clingy covering underneath it.There are two black snakes entwining up his arm.They're like the viper on my back.There's also a feather from the Phoenix that partially obscures a face.My face.My eyes are the only color in the tattoo.They're pale green.His favorite color.Like the bird he saw, the Glistening Green Tanager.He said that Tanager was his favorite color during the first shower we took together.My eyes.My eyes are his favorite color.The depth of feeling that this man has had from the very beginning is almost overwhelming.

"It's beautiful.They're both absolutely incredible.I love them."

Adam lets out a heavy breath while he gazes back at my tattoo in the mirror."You can't see the scar.No one will ever see it again."

"The design is remarkable.Did you tell the artist exactly what you wanted?Or just what elements you wanted in it?"

Adam wraps one arm around my waist and speaks into my ear."I am the artist."

He's the artist.He drew these?I'm blown away.When?These designs had to have taken hours to put on paper.I had no idea he could even draw, and he can DRAW."When did you have the time to do these?"

"Mostly in class.Sometimes on breaks or downtime during practice.I started yours when I first saw your back."His voice is low so that only I can hear him.I nod and use every emotional muscle in my arsenal to hold back a full-on ugly cry.

"Let's go home."I barely eke out the words in a strained whisper.

"Okay, love.Let's go home."He kisses my forehead and pulls my t-shirt over my head.Adam collects my bra and thanks Grace for her work.I never actually saw Charley since he was finished with Adam's tattoo before I ever woke up.

Once I'm seated in Adam's car, I breathe a sigh of relief.That was such an intensely emotional experience.I'm drained even though I took an eight-hour nap.

I still can't believe I slept through a whole tattoo.I thought they were supposed to hurt.I do remember pain though.My back hurt.I remember that and...something else.It's right there at the edge of my memory and I just can't quite grab onto it.

......................................

"Can we go to the apartment first?I want to show Vaughn and Eli the new ink.They're going to freak out."I'm definitely not the tattoo type.Eli and Vaughn both have several although Eli has her beat by at least a dozen.

Adam nods and flips on the blinker.

Eve: On my way home.Are you guys there?

Big Bear: We're home, but Vaughn cooked so we're ordering takeout.What do you want from Willy's?

Vaughn: Dick.

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