Out of The Box Awakening (25 page)

“It’s all up to the judge? What about the fact that I have a video of him on my phone in the parking lot with his arm on Emily? Doesn’t that count?”

“I doubt it, but we’ll just have to see. At least Tommy won’t be charged. Tony did, after all, break in. There was evidence that the lock was compromised, so he didn’t have a key to get in. I still can’t believe how bad Tommy messed him up. I’m really glad I didn’t let you come with me, Olivia. There was blood all over the place. I know Tommy broke his nose, and Todd said he thought the kid had lost a few teeth. Hard to believe Tommy did that to him.”

“So, when you got there, was Tony tied up?”

“Yep. The guys brought rope. I told them to make sure he was tied up good and couldn’t get loose until Dominic and the police got there. Brady was the one who tied him up. They had to keep Todd away from him, as well as Tommy. Geez! Those two still wanted to go at him, even though he was down for the count. Poor Todd, after all he went through last week, he was chomping at the bit to take out his aggression on someone!”

“Speaking of Todd, how is he doing? When will he hear about what his Grammy left him?”

“Well, he’s positive she left him the house. I suspect she had a pretty large bank account and that he was the sole beneficiary.”

The phone rings. Coincidentally, it’s Todd. Ash answers and talks to him briefly, mostly just chitchat.

“Yeeessss, she’s here. Umm-hmm…Okay I’ll hand you over to her. Oh, by the way, you sure are talking to my gal a lot lately. Anything I need to know about that? Hehe, just kidding. Here she is.” He gives me the phone.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Olivia, did I get you at a bad time?”

“Wellllll, yeah.something like that.”

“Oh crap! I get the something like that again. Really? So, are you and Mr. H. busy? Damn! Sorry!”

“Gotcha!” I laugh. “Just kidding. What’s up?”

“Just wanted to remind you about Sunday night. Going to Scott’s studio around 8:00 p.m. Wanna meet me there? Or I could pick you up, either way. The place is called Rebelution Full Body Art.”

“Okay, yeah sure! But are you really sure you want me to tag along? Hang on.”

I tell Ash about Sunday, and ask if he minds if I tag along with Todd.

“A tattoo parlor—you? Geez! What made you want to go to a place like that?”

I tell him about Todd’s new tattoo and how he had asked me to go with him, since I’d never been to a tattoo parlor.

“So, Ash, you could come with us too if you want to.”

Ash says he thinks he’ll sit this one out, but doesn’t mind at all if I go.

“I’d really rather you go with Todd, though, and not drive yourself. You getting one too?” Ash laughs.

Todd hears our conversation, and cuts in, saying, ” Tell him you are! Come on—get the butterfly!”

I tell Todd to stop with the butterfly talk.

“Look, Olivia, I can swing by and get you if you want, it’s not a problem. Since the studio is in the city, it’d probably best if I come for you.”

“Okay. Then it’s a date. Are Tommy and Emily coming, too?”

“No—you’re not gonna friggin’ believe what they’re doing Sunday night. Fuckin’ ice skating! Isn’t that high school? Just kidding! But they really are going ice skating.”

“Well, that sounds like fun. So, I’ll see you Sunday when? Around seven?”

“For sure! I’ll be there to pick up my date!”

Ash and I talk about tattoos. I casually ask if he has one that I haven’t noticed, or if he ever had one. He tells me that lots of guys in the service had them, but his mother made him promise not to get one, and he lived up to his promise.

“So, do you like tattoos?” I ask.

“On other people, but not myself. Why?”

I tell him that Todd thinks I should get a butterfly tattoo. “Hmmmm, very interesting. It’s certainly your body and I wouldn’t mind it as long as it was in a private place, if you’re asking my opinion. Why, are you seriously thinking of getting one?”

“Well, the thought did cross my mind. Just a little bitty one…and by a private place, you mean like my backside?”

“Yes, Olivia, like on your deliciously sexy little butt! But can I just ask you one thing without you getting bent out of shape?”

“Of course!”

“Just don’t jump into this without thinking it through. It’s permanent, you know. Don’t let Todd talk you into something you’re not ready to do, just because he thinks it’s a good idea. You know, just make your own decision. Whatever you decide is fine with me, hon. Just no body piercings, okay?”

“You can rest assured I would never even think about a piercing. Promise me you won’t get one either. Deal?”

“Double-deal, Olivia! One Bert in the family is enough!”

“Ewwww! I can’t even imagine!”

Sunday night arrives, and I’m pretty excited to see a tattoo parlor and watch Todd get his tattoo. He ‘s right on time and he’s driving a beautiful vintage white Mustang. I had no idea he had a car. I just hadn’t given any thought to what he would drive, if he did. Ash comes out and tells us goodbye and for us to behave. “So, you get to ride in Todd’s baby! He doesn’t let just anyone ride in it, I hope you know… You guys behave. Todd, take care of my gal, and Olivia, if it gets to be too late and you want me to come get you, just let me know. This isn’t an hour-long process, you know. It’ll take awhile.”

I kiss Ash goodbye and tell him that I’m fine. I have a new book I’m reading, so can always pull it up on my phone and read.

I take a moment to admire the Mustang. “Wow! What a beautiful car! This is so cool!”

“Yeah, it’s my other gal. My dad, grandpa, and I restored it in my Grampy’s garage—piece by piece. You like? It’s a ’65 Shelby GT 350.”

“Incredible. What’s something like this worth?”

“Well, it’s one of only a few hundred produced that year, so I’d venture to guess, if I were to sell her—which I’m not—about two hundred grand.”

“Geez! You don’t drive this every day, do you?”

“Oh, hell, no! I could though. She’s got a 289hp engine and she can kick ass!”

“So, let’s see, you play guitar, drums, keyboard, work on cars…anything else?”

“Well, I skateboard. Does that count?”

“You guys all amaze me. You can all do so much. I have no musical talent, and I guess if I was to say, cooking would be about all I can do really well.”

“Golf? You don’t play golf? Or ride horses? I thought all people who live in Texas play golf and ride horses.”

“Nope to either. I wouldn’t mind learning how to play golf, though, but I don’t think I have the patience and attention skills for that. Do you play?”

“No golf for me…I would never be allowed into a golf course, because I sure as hell would never wear those queery kinda clothes.” He laughed aloud. “Can you picture me in a pair of golfing shorts and a golf shirt—oh, and those faggy golf shoes? Laugh my ass off!”

“Yeah, you’re probably right, definitely not golf course material.” I giggle, sharing his joke.

We finally pull up into the parking lot of Rebelution Full Body Art. It’s in an old brick building with neon lights in the window. We walk in and Scott greets us. He’s a very tall, muscular guy with a shaved head and lots and lots of tattoos. Well, duh! He has on a sleeveless T-shirt, and I can tell he works out a lot.

“Todd, My man. How’s it going? Good to see you. Been way too long, buddy! And who’s the lady friend?”

“This is my girlfriend, Olivia.”

“Hey, Olivia, I’m Scott. Nice to meet you.” He shakes my hand.

“Seriously, she’s not my girlfriend,” Todd says. “She belongs to Tommy’s dad. She’s never been to a tattoo parlor, so I asked her to come with me. I told her you were the best in the business, and the only man who inks me.”

“Well, thanks for the compliment. So how is Tommy? He needs to come in—I’ve got some new things I think he’d like.”

“Tommy’s good. He’s got a woman now. She’s pretty ok, and we all like her. Matter of fact, Olivia did the hookup and brokered that deal. They were supposed to come tonight, but she’s got him going ice skating…fuckin’ice skating, can you believe it?”

We walk around the studio and it is really nice. Contemporary décor with dark chocolate brown walls and high ceilings with ductwork exposed. It is pretty dimly lit and actually pretty neat. Not what I expected at all. I pictured a seedy, sketchy hole in the wall. Heavy metal music is playing, but I’m not surprised. There are big screens all over the place showing videos of tattoo applications, piercings, and concerts. I am mesmerized watching how this art takes place. It’s pretty neat.

A dark-haired gal comes up to Scott and gives him a pat on the butt. She has lots of tattoos and piercings, but is very pretty.

“Olivia, this is Scott’s girlfriend Angelica. Angelica, this is Olivia. Olivia belongs to Tommy’s dad.”

“Oh, hey! Nice to meet you, Olivia. Welcome to Rebelution. So, are we doing you tonight as well?”

“Oh, heavens, no! I’m here only as a spectator.”

Todd butts in ,“But she is thinking about getting one. She wants a little butterfly. I told her I think one on her ass would be badass fine. Don’t you think so, Angelica?”

“Absolutely. I can do it for you if you want. Not now, but if you do decide, give us a call and we can definitely fix you up.”

“Well, if and when I do, you’ve got a deal!”

I think that if I do, I would probably rather Angelica do it. I mean after all, a guy working on my butt? Ewwww!

We go into a little private room away from the main customers. “This is Scott’s private room. It’s the VIP section.” Scott and Todd are talking about the tattoo. Scott gets out a beautiful drawing and sits down next to Todd. “So, here she is. You want any changes, or are we good to go with this?”

“It’s fucking perfect man! Let’s do it!”

The drawing is beautiful and colorful, Vines, flowers and a Celtic cross in greens, oranges and turquoise. It’s a beautiful tribute to Grammy. He’s even incorporated her initials into the design. “It’s going on my chest and over above my heart.”

How sweet.

Scott is ready to begin. He has a bandana around his head and is wearing latex gloves. Todd looks totally relaxed. He’s been through this many times.

And so they start. They talk about the band, and Todd tells Scott that he needs to bring Angelica and come watch them play.

“Olivia comes to watch us with Tommy’s dad. You and Angelica should come next weekend. It’ll be fun. Olivia loves to party!”

Scott tells him that if Andy and Will, his managers, are up for taking a long shift, that they may just come.

“We just never know how busy it’ll be, so Angelica and I both being gone at the same time doesn’t happen too much.”

I ask Scott how long they are open.

“As long as we have customers, we’re pretty much open. The bulk of our business is at night, so this is pretty much our life. We have an apartment in the back, so if we need to stay later than usual, we just crash here.”

After about three hours, Scott says he’s almost done. I’ve been watching and can’t believe this. He is fast and very steady. This guy is so talented.

Todd tells me that it’s all about the artist. “I trust this guy with my life, man. You holding up okay? Ready to leave?”

“Oh, absolutely not! Will you be okay to take me home?”

“Olivia, this isn’t my first rodeo—I’ve done this many times before. I may crash at your house though…we’ll see.”

Angelica comes in to see how we’re doing.

“Can I get you a beer or a glass of wine Olivia?”

“Oh—wine? Yes. That sounds great!”

“White or red? I have both.”

“White, please. Thanks!”

I enjoy my glass of wine and start reading my book. Todd, quick to notice, teases me. “So, whatcha reading Olivia? One of those mommy porn books? What’s that one all the girls are reading now?”

“No, Mister Dirty Mind. It’s not!” I say.

I hear three little bings, and realize I have a text from Ash. I totally forgot about him.

“You guys still there?”

“Yes—about finished I think. Todd may stay with us tonight. Is that okay?”

“About finished. Hmmmm…Todd or you?”

“Todd, silly! See you soon—wait up for me? ILY!”

“Waiting and wanting! ILYB!” I smile and let out a laugh.

Noticing that, Todd remarks…  “So is Mr. H. checking up on us?”

“Yes, that was him.”

“Was he sexting you?”

“Well, of course he was!”

“Did you sext him back?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

He rolls his eyes. “Well, well. Maybe y’all will do it tonight! Do it to it!”

Scott laughs, and Todd tells him how much he likes messing with me. “Yeah, she’s pretty cool for an old lady!”

I roll my eyes and wave him off.

So, at midnight, we are headed home. I had no idea it would take that long, but it makes sense now.

“I hope you don’t mind if I crash with you guys tonight,” Todd says. “I’m kinda sore.”