NO DOUBT [bwwm]

• 18.5 • The Girl with the Tattoos

"And... we're done!" The tattoo man who took care of Orlando exclaimed after having covered in plastic his upper chest.

I jumped off my seat excited to see the mystery tattoo, "Let me see!"

Orlando got up and showed me his broad chest where on the left side laid in ink the letter R serpentined by a gigantic snake which formed the letter S. "So... do you like it?"

I tilted my head hesitant as to how I should answer, "I- Why the snake?"

He rolled his eyes, "That's all you got to say?"

I shrugged, "I'm curious."

He picked up his shirt and muttered, "My father would understand."

Seeing as he got a bit upset, I grabbed his wrist holding his shirt, "And it's all that matters. I think it's beautiful. He would love it."

He looked up at me, his green eyes shining, "Really?"

I kept myself from giggling and gave him a smile, "Yes, really. Now let's go-"

"Wait, you haven't shown me yours," he pointed to my tatted arm.

I went for a simpler design; SOAVE written in bold roman letters.

"After the restaurant?" Orlando asked.

"Yup, that's where..." We first met. Where your green eyes met my brown eyes on one Friday evening, where my heart leaped at your sight and my mouth ran dry yearning for yours. Where the world slowly began to dissolve so it could leave place to me and you.
"Where it all started."

"I'm glad we went out tonight," Orlando suddenly said as he buckled up.

"Yeah, be glad, 'cause I could've just as easily said no," I joked, knowing damn well I could've never said no to him. "I'm glad I came, though. Plus, I just saved you a bottle of whiskey. Orlando... it's ok to be vulnerable sometimes, especially now. So don't be afraid to be so."

He slowly nodded and turned his face to the side so I wouldn't see him. I sighed, he was doing it again.

I suddenly heard him inhale sharply before he turned back to me, "Tell me about your mom."

He looked like he needed to put his mind elsewhere, and I would happily talk about Mama Rose for hours, so I did as he (in his own way) asked, "She died of an undiagnosed breast cancer when I was eight, but before that, she gave me the best life I could ask for. She was a true role model for my younger self, and even my present self. So much light radiated from that woman. I loved her so much, and I think she loved me even more, if that was possible." I pulled out my locket from under my top, "It's the only thing of hers I have left. And I hold onto it for dear life, because she's the reason I'm here, right now."

"She sounds lovely," Orlando gave me a smile small which I returned.

"She was, you would've loved her. Everybody did," I almost murmured nostalgically. "Whew, that's a lot of emotions for one night, don't you think?"