30. Chapter 30
Talmage
F inally, the school year is over. I never pictured having to mend a broken heart my sophomore year while adjusting to high school life, but I hope it means I get to have an easier junior year.
After the musical wrapped, Mack and I saw each other in passing in the hall but rarely spoke unless we had to coordinate during a dance number in rehearsal. We ended up in the same group for the Sadie Hawkins dance, but luckily, it wasn’t too awkward.
She still looks sad, but I know she was dating one of the military academy guys, so maybe they broke up, and it’s not my fault anymore.
We’ll be in the musical and chamber choir together next year, so hopefully we can be cordial and friendly to one another.
I’m heading back to Scout camp, hoping to finish my Eagle Scout this summer.
Things are looking up.
I’m relieved to be back at work this week, even if I am resigned to desk duty for the next little while.
Siren’s relieved, too, even though she got to come in with Enoch a few times while I was off.
Having a backyard to run around in at home helps.
The twins were really helpful, too, playing with her and taking her on walks.
They even offered to feed her if I couldn’t make it up the stairs.
When we got here, she started running around begging everyone for scratches like she’s been gone for an eternity instead of two weeks.
Now, she’s thoroughly inspecting all of the equipment—what she’s looking for, I have no idea—while Enoch, Travis, and I talk about what I missed while I was gone.
According to Enoch’s text, the fire I got injured in was caused by two candles that had fallen over and lit the viscose rug on fire.
Since the house was almost a century old, the wood used to build it was more flammable.
That, paired with modern-day furniture being built with highly flammable materials, caused the flames to spread too quickly.
The house is considered a total loss, condemned by the insurance company.
The couple is fine. Other than a little smoke inhalation, they should make a full recovery. Their dog, too, which is good.
My heart aches for them, losing all of their personal belongings and their home is tragic. I think it’s one of the hardest parts of this job—seeing the damage one tiny flame can cause.
Since I’ve been out, they’ve only been called to a few accidents and one minor fire in a field caused by a still-lit cigarette being discarded. The dry grass catches so fast, but luckily, they stopped it before it did any real damage.
“How are things with the wife?” Enoch pumps his eyebrows at me, and I shoot him an unamused glare.
“They’re good. She was really helpful with my recovery.”
“That’s good, but did you get to play sexy nurse with her?”
I scowl at him.
Enoch chuckles. “I’ll take that as a no then.”
“I’m not discussing my sex life with you. I’ve already made that clear.”
Enoch clicks his tongue. “Can’t discuss something you don’t have anyway. Travis, how’s Samm? You two good?”
Travis’ eyes go wide as he nods. “Yep. All good. We’re good.”
“Enoch, if you’re so eager to talk about someone’s sex life, why don’t you tell us about yours and leave Travis alone?”
Travis—still a rookie and not used to Enoch’s antics—gives me a grateful nod. He’s a good kid, and I don’t want Enoch to scare him off with his big mouth.
Enoch crosses his arms and puffs out his chest. “I’ll have you know I’m on a self-imposed dating break until I can get my dream girl to go out with me.”
Oh no.
“You’re not talking about—”
“Lizzie? Hell yeah, I am, brother. I knew the minute I saw her I wanted her. Love at first sight. She’s playing hard to get, but I’ll win her over. I’ve got a tattoo appointment scheduled for May—a big piece—so we’ll be spending lots of time together.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Isn’t there some type of ethical code or something that says she can’t date clients? Like nurses or doctors?”
Enoch shrugs and waves me off. “I don’t know about a code, but I’m just getting the one from her, so it won’t be a problem. I’ll charm her while I’m in the chair and impress her with my pain tolerance. Then, when it’s finished, I’ll ask her out, and wham! She’ll be my wife.”
“ Wife? That’s a bit of a stretch, isn’t it?”
“Nah. Besides, we’ll be brothers-in-law if I marry her. Don’t you want me in your family?”
“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Travis interjects quietly.
Enoch glares at him, and I chuckle. “He’s not wrong. Lizzie and Mack aren’t actually related.”
“Semantics. Either way, we’d be seeing a lot more of each other.”
“Just what I want,” I deadpan, and Enoch rolls his eyes.
Chief Johnson comes stomping into the break area before Enoch can respond, and both men shoot to their feet. I gently stand, giving Chief a nod.
“Gentlemen, Relief Society is usually reserved for Sundays. What gossip could be so good it’s keeping you from cleaning the bathrooms?”
Did I mention he’s kind of a misogynistic asshole ?
“Nothing of importance, sir, but we’ve already done all the tasks on the list today,” I pipe in. As Captain, I take it upon myself to advocate for my crew, and even though Chief is technically in charge, I won’t let him bully my men.
Chief’s signature frown remains in place as he opens the fridge, probably checking for moldy food. He won’t find any, though, because we keep our kitchen tidy and organized.
“Monson, when are you off of desk duty?” he barks.
“I should be back in two weeks, sir. I just need to be signed off on by a physical therapist.”
He gives me a curt nod. “Good. You’ve been missed. Now, no more chitter-chattering. Find something to do. Monson—no more tripping over rugs, got it?”
“Yes, sir.”
With a final nod, he stomps out of the break room and down the stairs to his office.
“Well, I guess I’ll go… double-check the fuel levels,” Travis says, scurrying off without waiting for our reply.
Enoch shakes his head before checking the time and heading towards the kitchen. He’s on lunch duty today, but I won’t be sticking around since I have an appointment.
“Hey, Tal?” Enoch calls from the fridge.
“Yeah?”
“I know I tease you about your sex life, but I’m not trying to be a dick. Truth is, I’m rooting for you and Mack. I guess I’m just… I guess I’m jealous.”
I make my way over to one of the barstools and sit down. “Jealous? Of what? ”
“The way you two look at each other. The love between you two is so obvious, it’s nearly palpable. I know I talk a big game, but I’m kind of terrified I’ll never find a love like yours, terrified I’m doomed to die alone.”
Enoch and I may be best friends, but I don’t usually see this side of him. The vulnerable side he hides behind jokes and lewd comments.
“It’ll happen, man. When you least expect it.”
“I hope so.”
My phone beeps with my alarm, I have about forty-five minutes until my appointment, and I need to get going. “I’ve got to run, but if you need to talk about something, text me. You know I’ve got your back, bro.”
“If you could put in a good word with Lizzie if you see her…” he trails off, giving me a smirk.
I roll my eyes. “You and I both know nothing I say is going to convince her if her mind’s already made up.”
Enoch sighs. “Yeah, I know. Worth a shot, though.”
After dropping Siren off at home—still weird I get to call Mack’s house home —and changing into basketball shorts, I make my way to Provo and park in front of the little strip mall where the sign boasts “Medusa Tattoos.”
Lizzie graciously agreed to help me with the first step in showing Mack how I feel, and I’m grateful she could fit me in on such short notice .
I walk through the door and am immediately mesmerized by the dark green wallpaper engraved with little gold snakes.
Everything is in shades of green, black, and gold.
Normally, I think I’d be a little put off by the vibes, but everything feels cozy and welcoming.
The wall of Pride flags should clash with the dark décor, but it only adds to the comforting vibes.
I wonder if Emma knows about this place. This seems like something she’d appreciate.
There’s a person at the front desk with a shaved head dyed to look like cheetah spots, and they give me a curious onceover after welcoming me into the shop.
I can imagine what they’re thinking. Clean cut, golden Mormon boy in a tattoo shop? I must be lost.
Luckily, I don’t have to explain anything because Lizzie comes to the front. “Hey, Talmage. Ready to get inked?”
“Sure am,” I say confidently. I can handle a little bit of pain.
Lizzie and the other person share a look I don’t understand before Lizzie chuckles and grabs a paper and a clipboard for me. “Men are always so confident when they walk in, but let me tell you a secret, Tal. I could power this whole building if it ran off of men’s pain.”
“That’s… scary.” I take the clipboard from her and fill out the information, unease worming its way up my spine. Is this a bad idea? Am I making a mistake?
“You’ll be fine. It’s just more painful than people think sometimes.”
“Well, you and Mack have a bunch, so how bad can it be? ”
Lizzie purses her lips like she wants to say something, but she just shakes her head. “We have different pain tolerances. Come on back, let me show you the design I came up with.”
I follow her to a curtained off area. There’s artwork on the walls depicting different goddesses, but they’re all plus size.
There are crystals and decks of tarot cards on little shelves.
A premade design board catches my attention, and I’m intrigued by the details.
Depictions of goddesses, intricate tarot card designs, florals, and nature scenes.
There are some pin-up style girls in different costumes and a few animal designs.
Lizzie’s extremely talented. I made a good choice asking her for help.
Lizzie taps a few times on her iPad and turns it around to show me what she’s designed.
My breath hitches, and tears well in my eyes. “It’s perfect.”
Her face softens. “And you’re sure you want this on you forever? What happens if—”
“I’m sure,” I cut her off. “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”
She rolls her lips into her mouth and nods. “Let me get this printed then. Have a seat.”
After a few minutes, she comes back, shaves the area we’re tattooing, and places the stencil on my skin.
After she gets me situated in her chair the way she needs me, she starts the tattoo machine and holds the gun over my thigh.
“Hold on tight, Talmage.”