Page 3 of Paradox
“So take it then. I’ll sign my half over to you as soon as I get back.”
Tek sighs so deeply it knocks the air out of my lungs, too. “Where the hell are you going?”
“I guess we aren’t that close after all.”
“You’ll be snowed in by the end of the week.”
“That’s the point.”
“I can’t run this place on my own, Eden. Especially now that Reeze is gone.”
“You said it yourself. It won't be long until there’s that much snow, nobody's gonna want a fucking tattoo.”
“That’s not the point.”
I know it's not the point. In the course of one morning Teken Ink has gone from three full time artists and an admin, to being a sole trader with a potential lawsuit on its hands. I should care because Wootek and I built the place from nothing, and only six years later we're one of the busiest shops in northern Washington, but right now, none of that matters. Our little family was torn apart by two backstabbers and, right now, I couldn't give a flying fuck about anyone or anything. “I’m not coming back.”
“You’re such a selfish prick.”
“His dick was in her mouth.”
“And I never wanna see either of their faces again. But you have responsibilities.”
“You’re not helping yourself.”
“Just get the fuck back here, Eden.”
“I’ve gotta go. I need to fill up Betty.”
“You know that old pile of junk won’t start back up when the snow thaws.”
“A blessing in disguise.”
“Please don’t do this, Eden.”
It brings me no joy to leave Tek like this, but I just can’t be in this godforsaken town any longer. In the shop, on my bike, at the bar, her shit will follow me everywhere I go. “I just can’t stay here, Tek. I… Things will only get worse.”
The silence that stretches through the radio waves connecting us, is deafening. It rings in my ears like the aftershock hum of standing too close to the speakers at a concert, but I won’t fill it. I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything.
“Can you please think about it a little longer before just abandoning me?”
“Nothing's gonna change my mind.”
Accepting defeat, Tek agrees with me. “I know, just… Be safe, please. I don’t need to find my best friend frozen to death in three months.”
“It hurts that you have so little faith in me,” I smirk into the phone.
“I’m serious. You’ve never spent that long out there. And never at this time of year.”
“Can you promise me you’ll call Carey?”
“I’m not calling your brother.”
“He’s back from Indonesia with nothing to do but complain about how much he hates it here. So throw him a few bucks and put him to work.”
“Thanks, but I’m certain I can handle it better on my own.”
“Now who's the one that won’t grow up?”
