Page 102 of Between the Blue

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“Probably not,” I tell her.

I motion for her to wait in a chair by the door. She does.

I go up to the counter. Keep my voice low.

The artist tells us we can come back.

I don’t tell Jules not to look at the stencil when he puts it on me. But she doesn’t look anyways.

I think she wants it to be a surprise too. Jules likes games. Or anything that brings excitement to life.

The tattoo machine starts up.

“Should just take a minute,” the artist says.

I look at Jules. Hold out my hand. She takes it. “Distract me?” I ask her.

She keeps her eyes on my face. Never looks down at the tattoo. Twiddles with the sun charm on her necklace while she thinks.

The needle hits my skin for the first time. I wince a little. Close my eyes a second. But then I quickly get used to it.

“What do you want before you die?”

I open my eyes again. She’s asked me this same question before. Over a year ago now. Feels like just yesterday. I wonder if she remembers asking me. If she remembers my answer.

Jules swallows. Her eyes search my face.

I remember my answer.

To play in the NHL.

It’s at the front of my brain.

But not what’s on the tip of my tongue.

You.

Just you, Jules.

Forever.

I open my mouth to say it.

“All done.”

The artist wipes at my wrist with a cold paper towel. Stings my newly inked skin.

“You can hop up and go take a look if you’d like.” He nods towards a mirror on the wall across the room.

My stare-off with Jules breaks. We both stand up. Walk over to the mirror.

When we get there I turn straight to her.

We don’t really need the mirror. I just wanted a little privacy.

I hold up my wrist.

“What’s this?” Jules asks. But she knows.

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