Page 191 of The First Time
"I was young once. Made mistakes."
"A tattoo is a mistake now?"
"When I was your age, only bikers and criminals got tattoos."
"And rock stars?"
He chuckles. It's the same deep chuckle I have. "You never see your kid as a rock star. As anything but the little boy who went as a police officer for Halloween."
Last thing I should be is a cop, but I do remember that year. I remember how excited we all were about the costume. Mom and dad took me out trick or treating. And they dressed up in matching princess and Prince Charming costumes.
They loved each other once.
And now he barely gets home in time to catch her ODing.
I'm not holding my breath about Dad helping Mom.
But him rushing here, insisting on staying by her side all night... it means something.
"I'd show you," he says. "But it's on my ass."
I shoot him some side eye. "What is?"
"A skull and crossbones."
"No fucking way."
"Ask your mother." He chuckles. "She was horrified by it. Which was the right call. It's not good work."
"No fucking way," I repeat myself.
He nods.
"When?"
"One night in college, with my buddies. We were drunk and young and stupid." He points to the lines of my sleeve. "This is nice. Intricate. Intentional." His lips curl into a smile. "And I'm sure women like it."
That much is true.
"Not that you ever needed help in that department. Even back in kindergarten, you were a heartbreaker."
"I was not."
He nods. "This girl, Sally, she was in love with you. She told you and you ignored her. She was crushed. Her mom called to try to get you to apologize or explain, but you were too young to understand."
That sounds familiar. Vaguely.
He chuckles. "That was a long time ago."
"Been a long time since you've been around."
His posture stiffens. "It has."
"Is this going to change things?" I'm not holding my breath.
"Maybe. Rehab didn't do much for your mother the first time, but this might be different."
What? "Mom never went to rehab."
