Celeste Chapter 17 #2
As I sat down to peruse them, the guys harassed each other, flinging insults back and forth.
Hulk asked why he only did four for him and ten for me.
I kept giggling at their antics. I wasn’t in a rush.
Before leaving the house, I texted Capri so she’d know where we were and not come home to an empty house without warning.
I really liked all the ones for Hulk, but one stood out to me as the best. As for my ten, God, why did Agony have to make it so hard? I loved all of them, which made it hard to decide which to get. This was my first. I wanted it to stand out. Finally, I narrowed it down to two.
“Okay, I have the one I think Hulk should get, but I think they’re all great. And for myself, I narrowed it down to two,” I informed them.
“Show me the one you want me to get,” Hulk insisted.
“It’s not that you have to get it. It’s your body, go with your choice. I want to see which you choose, then I’ll show you,” I said, handing over the sketch pad to him.
While Hulk reviewed the designs, Agony and I discussed my call with Judge Fontana. I told him about my resignation.
“If you’re getting out of the legal system, do you have any idea what you want to do?” Agony asked.
“Not really. I’m just seeing what’s available. And if I can, I’d like to stick close to home. I don’t want to be far from Capri, especially for a while. I know she’s an adult, but still.” I lamely finished.
“You know the club has several businesses. And we’re always looking for people.
Why don’t we sit down later and go over what’s available?
You’re Hulk’s old lady. While it’s not a requirement that you work with or for the club, the others do.
Or you could think about opening your own business.
Whatever you want to do, we’ll support you in it.
And before you say you don’t want charity, it’s not.
We like taking care of our family. That’s what you and Capri are,” Agony stated.
His offer left me speechless for several moments. Hulk stood there, not saying a word. When I glanced over at him, he smiled and nodded. He was leaving it up to me. There was no push to accept Agony’s offer.
“Agony, that’s very generous of the club and you. If you truly need help, I’m more than willing to listen to what you have to say. As for opening a business, I’m not sure what I’d do with one.”
“It’s on the table now or in the future if you think of something. I have an idea where you could do a lot of good, but we’ll talk about it later. Right now, let’s do some ink.” He winked.
The tension of wondering whether I had to accept at that moment eased.
“This is my favorite for myself, and this is the one I love the most for Celeste,” Hulk said, holding out the pad and showing his first, then mine. I let out a tiny squeal. He chose the one I wanted for him and one of the two I had been vacillating over.
Hulk chuckled. “I’ll take that as yes on both. Do you want to go first, or should I?”
I thought about it for a few moments, then answered. “I’d like to see what it’s like with you first, please. I’ve only seen someone get a tattoo on TV.”
“Whatever you want. Okay, let’s get to work, Pres,” he told Agony.
I sat there, enthralled, watching Agony create art on my man.
The final product was far better than his sketch.
In Old English ornate lettering, Hulk had my name tattooed across his shoulders.
The lettering was large. No one could overlook that.
It reminded me of the carving of a name on a guy’s back when he claimed his lady or guy.
It was from a vampire series by one of my favorite authors.
“Let me finish getting him cleaned up and covered, then it’s your turn,” Agony said.
My nervousness grew as I watched him wipe down the tattoo with something, then apply ointment and wrap it in cling wrap.
He went through the care instructions, but I knew it was for my benefit, not Hulk’s.
With as many as he had, he knew them inside and out.
When they were finished, Hulk took my hand and led me to the chair. Agony was wiping it down.
“Don’t be nervous. I’ll be here, and you can hold my hand and squeeze if you want. Where do you want him to put it?”
I had thought about it, and I wanted it to be visible. I even went as far as to research the less painful locations. Ribs, hands, ankles, and feet were a no for me. “What do you think of it on my left bicep?” I asked.
“I think it would be a great spot. Here. Let’s determine what size you want it,” Agony said.
I watched as he showed me a scan of the drawing, then enlarged it to three different sizes. I chose the middle one. It was larger than I thought I’d get, but it seemed to fit the best. In no time, I was prepped and in the chair. There was a knock on the door before Agony started.
“Come in,” Agony called out.
It opened. There stood Capri.
“Sorry, am I interrupting? Aunt Celeste texted she’d be here. Oh, wow, are you getting yours? Can I watch?” she asked eagerly.
“Sure can, if it’s okay with Celeste. Are you considering one?” Agony asked as he drew a stool over for her. His room had enough space for a few observers without getting in his way.
“I think they’re cool. I think I might, but I’m afraid it hurts like crazy,” she confessed.
“It’s not what I would call terribly painful, not even when I got my first one. Let Celeste tell you how it feels,” Hulk suggested.
And that was how I got my first tattoo. I told myself I had to be strong for them.
The first few strokes were a bit shocking for me.
And yes, it was painful, but nothing agonizing.
After Agony kept going, it settled into a background discomfort for me.
Talking to all three of them helped to distract me more.
I explained to Capri what it felt like to me.
I was so into the conversations that when Agony stopped and said we were done, I was stunned.
“Really?” I asked.
“Yeah, really. I know you can mostly see it, but let me clean off the excess ink, and then you go stand over by the mirror. Tell me what you think,” Agony said.
In no time, I was gazing into the mirror. It was startling to see it on my arm, but I loved it. It had “Hulk” done in a more feminine font, with a flowy feel. And surrounding it were Celtic symbols and flair. It was colored.
“Agony, it turned out even better than I imagined. I love it. But there’s one problem,” I told my artist.
“What’s that?” he asked, frowning.
“Now, I want more. I’ll be back before you know it, asking for my next one. And Capri, if you’re sure you want one, do it.”
Agony’s laugh, along with Hulk’s chuckle, made me smile.
Once I was done admiring it, it was cleaned further, then the ointment and cling wrap went on.
I had to hug the Pagan’s president as I thanked him.
He hugged me back and told me to think about the other thing we'd discussed.
I assured him I would. I left the clubhouse in a happy headspace.