The Willful Tattoo

"I think I want to get some more ink and go a little larger this time," said Owen. "Would you care to go with me?" "I know you probably won't and it's okay really," he said.

"What's the occasion or wait, did I do something to piss you off that I am completely unaware of? " asked Mandy with some sarcasm and a giggle.

The video chat was of great quality and Owen decided to blow her a virtual kiss. "Mandy, you know I would tell you if you did-so no, not this one time sweetie," he responded with a grin. "Look, I'm almost near the shop, I'll call you later okay, love you."

The call ended and Owen entered the well established tattoo parlor. It was familiar to him still, as his very first tattoo was a present to himself for graduating in the top five percent of his class just a few years ago. College had been a tremendous struggle but it was paying off finally.

However, this would be his fourth tattoo and probably his last one for a while. Owen wanted to get it now, so there wouldn't be a conflict later with Mandy once they married and went on their honeymoon. If the money was already spent now, then it was settled and it would look pretty cool during workouts and positively during sex.

"Welcome to Ink Genius, would you like a tat today?" asked one of the heavily tattooed and working artist. He didn't look up, but heard the door announcement when Owen entered.

"Yes, I have some time today so why not," responded Owen. As he reached a safe stopping point on a current client, the tattoo artist finally looked up and greeted him with a smile.

"You know what you want brother 'cause if not, there are tons of graphics and designs on both walls and there are two volumes of Ink Genius books sitting on that shelf behind you too," he said while pointing in Owen's direction.

"Choosing ink should never be a rushed decision my man, that's our motto here-we want all our clients to be confident and satisfied with their finished artwork. Also, since you're a walk-in, we'll give you twenty percent off as a thank you for choosing us today."

The wall clock and his cell phone displayed 11:00am. Owen estimated it would probably be at least 3 hours before his chosen design was finished.

"Sounds good to me and where is the consent form I need to sign?" Owen asked. The other tattoo artist who had been in another part of the shop, directed Owen to follow him to complete some necessary documents.

"Okay, I am ready for you as soon as I wipe down the workstation, and I'm "Big Time J" by the way said the courteous tattoo artist.

The time flew by as they chatted and Big Time J worked quickly but gently.

Once the tattoo was completed they both nodded in delight and agreement about how attractive and accurate Owen's new "tat" looked. He always wanted a skull with a snake surrounding it. It was always his idea that both symbols were profound.

The skull, with certainty represented the end of something but the snake was all about shedding, leaving the old skin and evolving itself for a rebirth.

The inside of his forearm was no longer naked and he thanked Big Time J with a nice tip before leaving. He also allowed Ink Genius to photograph the design so it could be come apart of their newly created virtual portfolio. To protect privacy, a client's tattoo would only be visible to the public never their faces. "Now if you ever need a touch up, call me and send me some more clients too," he mentioned to Owen.

As Owen exited Ink Genius, Big Time J gave him a business card and pointed out friendly reminders about caring for it in the weeks to come. It was still early and Owen was starved, but called Mandy to let her know it was finally done.

Before eating his large hamburger, he text her a picture and a message about arriving home shortly. He couldn't ever remember feeling such a craving for any food like he was experiencing now. The meal at this diner came with fries or onion rings and he wanted both today. Owen also noticed the extreme thirst he felt too. He needed water, a large iced sweet tea with lemon, and a cup of ice just to munch on.

While thoroughly enjoying the food, he reminded himself that he only ate a breakfast sandwich earlier and the appetite he had now was totally justified. The server politely asked if he wanted something else to go and a dessert. He quickly replied "yes" and she obliged.

As Owen walked towards his vehicle, he noticed some damage to the rear bumper. While inspecting it further, the owner of the car parked right behind him with visible front bumper damage was sitting on the trunk of his car smoking a cigarette.

The anger Owen felt was real, but restrained as he knew it was accidental. The gray 745 series was one of the first high end vehicles he bought and prided himself on its pristine condition until now. The other driver who collided into it was now slowly, but somewhat nonchalantly walking towards Owen.

"I know I hit your car, doesn't look that bad though. " "I've seen much worse and I know somebody who can fix it too!" said the driver. He looked to be in his late twenties, was tall but stocky and spoke aggressively. "To be honest with you, we need to work this out without a hassle" he continued while attempting to finish his cigarette.

The scent of the smoke triggered nausea for Owen immediately, something he never experienced and it was overwhelming. His nostrils even felt oddly sensitive. The area of the freshly inked tattoo also began to pulsate and even the temperature of it felt increasingly warm and then piercing hot.

Before Owen could ask the young driver for an insurance card, the young man jumped in his own damaged car, struck Owen's vehicle yet again while fleeing the parking lot still with a dangling cigarette in his mouth.

The truth was the young driver had a suspended license, was driving a stolen vehicle and planned to rob the diner later that night. He had been fumbling with his phone when he ran into the BMW.

As Owen called 911 and his insurance carrier, the tattoo continued to feel hot but no longer felt as if it was throbbing. A police officer responded quickly and gave him a card with a case number for future reference. As the officer was finalizing their conversation, she received a call regarding a crash involving a possible fatality just two blocks away.

When he arrived home to Mandy, Owen explained to her what happened and she encouraged him to settle down, take a shower and relax the rest of the evening. "By the way, I think your tattoo is over the top, but it suits you." "I'm glad you finally got it," she said while sipping coffee. "Ouch" she yelled, "this is pretty hot and I burnt my damn tongue."

"You want a piece of ice?" I am going to the kitchen for dessert," said Owen. The flat screen close by was tuned in to a reporter on the scene of the crash. It was that call the officer received during the hit and run earlier.

"The tragic accident took the life of a twenty-nine year old tonight." "However, the details suggest he crashed his vehicle after accidentally swallowing and choking on a cigarette butt." "The name of the victim is being withheld until the family can be located and notified."

As Owen looked on at his tattoo, he noticed the face of the snake was looking up at him. It took him by such surprise that he bumped into the hanging cookware above the island countertop. The jingling startled Mandy and she yelled his name to check on him. "I'm alright, I just misjudged how close I was-sorry," Owen replied.

He knew for a fact Big Time J drew the side of the snake's profile with only one of its eyes showing. The snake tattoo was now facing him while resting on top of the skull head.

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief and his heart racing, he knew he couldn't mention this to Mandy tonight and he wouldn't. Owen also even noticed the dimension of the tattoo was enlarged too. "I'm losing it."

Owen was making his way back to the bedroom when he heard Mandy on the phone. "So yes, I will call you tomorrow, bye now," uttered Mandy while talking on the phone. She was already in bed but sitting upright. Before Owen, could ask who it was, Mandy advised it had been her sister and she wanted some relationship advice. "I keep telling her if she's not happy it's better to leave than stay." She casually spoke about her advice while putting a book away. " I am tired of preaching the same thing to her," she said.

"What did you end up doing today, it looks really spotless and I smelled the scented candles too. I'm impressed," Owen said while looking for his favorite sleep shorts. "I thought I put them in the top drawer."

"I washed them so they're probably still in the laundry room." " I didn't finish folding clothes, I kind of got distracted watching television," Mandy quickly responded. "It's okay, I'll check the dryer." said Owen.

While searching for his shorts in the dryer, his eyes fell on something next to the washer. He turned on the brighter overhead light and used a flashlight.

It was resting between a small opening separating the appliances. It looked like a condom but it wasn't unopened. Not only was the condom package there, but a tangled, broken gold necklace also appeared to have landed in the same area.

Owen's heart sunk since he and Mandy never used any protection after becoming engaged a little over six months ago. Why was this in their laundry room and how did it get there? Who besides Mandy had been in their house without him being around and when?

The tattoo reacted to his negative response and disappointment. The heated ink began to glow all over again, a quick but throbbing pain shot through it. Owen wanted to scream as the pain was more severe than earlier, but he used a pair of clean socks to gag himself. Owen needed to examine the tattoo.

This time the snake's mouth was open and its fangs were exposed. It was still facing him too. The length of snake had also increased. Owen's head was pounding but he knew he needed to confront Mandy. The fiancée he thought loved him, maybe truly didn't and she seemed content with living under false pretenses. She was completely content with lying to him. He was numb with anger but composed himself. The tears he wept were quickly wiped away and he slipped on his shorts.

"I was wondering if you'd find them, " she said, as Owen strolled back into their bedroom. He lightly kissed her cheek and convinced himself she would tell him eventually. There was no need to upset the rest of their night. He was actually pretty emotionally drained and all he needed right now was sex and sleep. Owen was sure that if she turned him down, that would be enough for him to know her truth. "I love you Owen."

Mandy kissed his lips and muscular tattooed chest before she disrobed.

The confusion he felt in his heart and mind wouldn't go away. He still didn't know her truth, but knew they would have to confront it together just not now. The intensity of their love making was incredible and somehow lessened the severity of his recent discovery.

He crept to the bathroom to look at this forearm and tattoo. The calm demeanor he currently possessed appeared to extinguish the pain but the fangs were still exposed. The snake had now repositioned itself. It was completely coiled around the skull only allowing a tiny part of it to show. Owen made up in his mind they would talk first thing in the morning.

He would ask her to tell him the truth and if their relationship was beyond repair. He had been no angel either but a decision needed to be reached.

The screaming alarm sounded like a fog horn to Owen as he scrambled to hit snooze. Clumsily his hands dropped the phone while it continued blaring a musical tune. Owen sighed and yawned heavily while reaching for any bed cover to block out natural light peeking through the blinds.

It was Saturday and he completely forgot to set the device on silent mode last night. His fiancée appeared to be still sleeping soundly and did not budge at all. She was normally up before him every weekend.

He spooned Mandy and stroked her hair too. Her pleasant aroma aroused all of him and he couldn't resist squeezing her tightly. "Are you gonna pretend you're still sleeping," he said while gently kissing her cheek.

She still didn't face him or move because she couldn't.

-THE END