The Tattooed Man

L.C. Schäfer is challenging herself and others to write a story every day in 2024. You can read about that here:

I rather stupidly decided to join her.

***

Prompt number twenty-five:

Write a story which features a person with tattoos.

***

"Nan! Nan?" Daisy stood over her nan where she lay in the kitchen. She fought back tears.

"Daisy," Aidan said, gently moving his girlfriend of two months to one side while he got on his knees to look at the woman who Daisy loved the most. He was a paramedic after all, although there are better ways to meet your girlfriend's family.

"What's your nan's name, Daze?" he asked softly.

Daisy sniffed and said, "Mabel. But she likes to be called Doris."

Aidan forgave the extra detail - shock had many masks when it appeared - and said, "Which one do you think she would answer to?"

"Doris, I think. Yes, Doris, for sure."

Aidan didn't take his eyes off Doris as he checked for vital signs, and called Doris' name, watching as her eyes flickered, relieved when he could feel a pulse. He reached into his pocket and called an ambulance. Actually, he called his friend, Sally, who was in an ambulance, another paramedic and was told she was on her way. He'd ask questions about the tearing up of red tape later.

That done, he reached for Daisy and held her while she cried.

***

When Doris opened her eyes, she had no idea where she was. She remembered being in her kitchen. Everything after that was a blur of strange voices and lights, and fear.

She took a moment and registered the rhythmic beeps puncturing the silence of her room. Hospital. She wondered what time it was. If she put the TV on, she'd know from the programme.

She turned her head and saw the most heavily tattooed man she had ever seen in her life, sitting in the chair next to her. He was nodding: snoozing, his face obscured by patterns. She felt her heart beat faster and the monitors broadcast this to the world.

He started to stir and stretch, and then, Daisy came in, smiling.

"Nan!" Daisy exclaimed. "Aidan, Nan's awake!"

How did Daisy know this man? His name. Aidan. Familiar. How?

"Aidan saved your life, Nan!"

"Him?" she said, querulously.

"Yep," Daisy said proudly.

And despite her reservations, Doris found herself smiling and wishing she had her teeth in.

***

366 words

What do tattoos mean to you? Do you have tattoos? I don't and neither do I want them but I have nothing against people who have them and don't make assumptions based on their appearance. However, it is easy to make snap judgements on what we see.

This story was inspired, in part, by real life as I had a heavily tattooed workman at my house this week. His boss had told me he had tattoos at his own request so I was not too shocked when I saw them. But still, he was conscious enough of how he looked to forewarn me.

I think tattoos have a different context now, like fashion for skin whereas in the past, they have been more about making a statement of aggression or belief. They still are that for some, to a certain extent but I know teachers with tattoos and they've not had them for that reason at all. Or at least, I don't think they have!

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please do put a comment as I love to hear from my readers!

25/366