Chapter 6 #2
One is from my sister, who couldn’t make it tonight because she’s on the other side of the country working. And the other is from Penny. I take a deep breath and open the one from Penny first.
Penny: I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye, but thank you for inviting us to your opening. The shop is amazing.
Me: Thanks for stopping by… is Autumn okay?
Why did I ask that? I don’t care.
I’m surprised when I instantly get a message back.
Penny: She finally fell asleep. I think too much cake from earlier paired with all the excitement had her stomach in a fit.
Penny: Good choice on the dark green wainscoting. Whoever had that idea is a genius.
I laugh out loud and lie back on my bed.
Me: The paint guy at the hardware store called it Backwoods. It’s okay, I guess…
Penny: Funny…because that’s all anyone could talk about earlier. Green this, and green that. It was the highlight of the evening.
Me: Right…and not the GRAND OPENING of the shop or anything.
Penny: Lol. For real though… the shop is great. It’s a good addition to the town.
Me: That means a lot. Thank you.
Penny: Anyway. I should get some sleep. Goodnight, Declan. See you around.
Me: Goodnight, Penny.
I put my phone on my nightstand and finish getting ready for bed.
Even though it’s late and today was long, I have the urge to head to the other bedroom to draw.
I’ve been working on a few pieces the last couple of weeks, and they’re coming along great.
I want them to be perfect, so it’s been a slow process.
I stop by the kitchen first to pour myself two fingers of whiskey and then head to my makeshift studio, turning on my Chris Stapleton playlist. As I continue the drawings, I think about Penny and how our conversation over text was almost normal. Like before, when we didn’t know each other.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss our usual back-and-forth banter. It was the highlight of my day for months.
Maybe we can still be friends over text. It’s not like we see each other around. I may be actively trying to avoid her and her daughter, but that’s beside the point. We’re still virtually strangers. It could work.
I take a swig of the smoky brown liquid and let the heat slide down my throat before I reach for my phone.
Me: Do you think we could be text buddies again?
I don’t expect her to respond tonight, but a minute later she does.
Penny: Are you un-breaking up with me?
Me: If I remember correctly, you broke up with me.
Penny: Semantics. We can still be text buddies… if that’s what you want. But does that mean you’re still not going to interact with me like a normal person when we see each other in the real world?
Me: I want. But my caveman ways aren’t changing. Sorry, Pen.
Penny: At least you’re honest. But you’ve got a deal. (Handshake)
Me: (Handshake)
Is this a bad idea?
Oh, I know it is.
But I have no self-control.
~ ~ ~
“Thanks for fitting me in before Christmas,” Lucas tells me as he slides onto the adjustable chair at my station.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, but this year I don’t have anything going on because of the move.
I’ve spent Christmas alone before; it’s nothing unusual, and I don’t mind taking the day to myself, maybe going down to the beach and getting some drawing time in, too.
I usually find a small Christmas tree to put up in my apartment, but because I’ve been so busy, I haven’t had the time.
“No problem,” I tell him as I place the stencil I did earlier on his skin. It’s a semi-closed rose that I’m going to do in light pink, per his request. It’s the size of an actual rose and is going vertically up his ribs.
Once he approves of the placement in the floor-length mirror, I have him lie on his side, facing away from me.
“Where are you from?” he asks as I get started on the tattoo.
“Santa Barbara, originally. I moved around a bit and spent the last five years in Newport Beach.”
“How do you like Daybreak so far?”
“It’s cool. Not as pretentious.”
“I’m from L.A. and am fairly new here, too. It’s definitely a lot more relaxed.”
We go in and out of easy conversation while I tattoo him, but he throws me a curveball when he asks, “How did you meet Penny?”
I pull back from his skin and wipe away the extra ink. Do I lie to him? No. I can’t because he already knows something is up between her and me.
“On a dating app.”
He barks out a laugh. “I have a feeling I know what app. Jordan, my girlfriend, tried using it too. It didn’t work out so well for her.”
He doesn’t elaborate, but for some reason, I have the urge to tell him, “Yeah, Penny and I decided to be just friends because I was moving, and she lived an hour away.”
“Hmm…” he hums but doesn’t say anything else.
I take the next little bit to finish up his tattoo, and he beams when he sees it in the mirror. “It’s perfect. It looks so real. Jordan is gonna freak,” he says as he checks it out.
I dress the fresh wound and lead him up to the register. “You want to get a beer sometime?” I ask after he pays. “I don’t have any friends here yet and wouldn’t mind a little guy time.”
“Yeah. That sounds good. Maybe after the holidays?” he suggests.
“Perfect. I’ll text you.”
We fist bump, and he heads out the door.
I have one more appointment today, and then I’ll be off for the next two days.
I take a moment to look around the shop and can’t help but be proud of myself.
I should have opened my own shop years ago, but was content to booth rent.
Now that I have my own space, I feel like I’ve truly made it.
It’s also a huge “fuck you” to my parents, who once told me my dreams of drawing were stupid and I would never make a career out of art. So that, in and of itself, makes me proud.