Cole & Jamie

October 2006

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather be doing anything else tonight?"

I folded my arms across my stomach trying to shield myself from the harsh fall air. The breeze from the open garage door bit at my arms through the thin sleeves of my sweater. If he'd picked a place with central heat and air this wouldn't be an issue.

"Jamie, do you remember what you said to me a few weeks ago?" Cole asked, stripping off his shirt.

I shook my head. Ninety percent of my time is spent talking to him. How am I supposed to remember everything I've ever said? 

"You said we can do whatever I want.'"

I narrowed my eyes, replying, "I vaguely remember saying that." 

When I said that I was hoping he would say he wanted to go to Six Flags or better yet, Cheesecake Factory. I was not expecting him to want to get a tattoo in Tracy's dusty garage.

Cole stripped off his long sleeve t-shirt and dropped it into my hands sending a cloud of Abercrombie and Fitch cologne with it. "This is what I want to do, Jamie. "

"I was just checking," I grumbled. When Cole first told me that Jason had agreed to give him a tattoo for fifty dollars I thought he was joking. For one, Jason doesn't have a license, and two, Jason does not have a license. "Tattoos are permanent, you know."

Cole laid back on an old weight bench extending his arm so Jason could begin stenciling the black and white roses up his bicep. This was the first time I'd seen Jason in a while, and he looked...different, better even. It's been months and the rumors about his short time in jail were finally starting to wind down. This would be my first time ever spending more than two seconds with him, and I had to admit I was nervous after everything I heard.

Tearing my eyes away from him and his impressive collection of tattoos, I asked, "Where's Tracy?"

Not that I was dying to see her but she is Cole's girlfriend and I fully expected her to be here for his birthday.

"Upstairs pouting probably," answered Jason. He pulled on a pair of latex gloves before wiping Cole's arm down with alcohol. "She's been in a mood all afternoon."

"We got in an argument," Cole elaborated, "She wanted me to get her name tattooed on me, and then she got mad when I refused."

Jason laughed. "I wouldn't have done that shit anyway. You never get a chick's name tattooed on you, not even if you marry her. And with a girl like Tracy," He whistled under his breath. "That's just a train wreck waiting to happen."

"So she's not going to be here for your birthday?"

Cole shrugged as best he could with Jason holding his arm in place. "Probably not."

We were all supposed to be going to the movies once Cole's tattoo was done, but I guess we'll be one short. Trish will be ecstatic.

I jumped as the loud buzz of the tattoo gun started up. Cole immediately grabbed my hand as Jason started the first downward stroke. He didn't make a sound but his grip on my hand noticeably tightened. He reacted a lot better than I would have, the thought of a needle covered in ink dragging across my skin was enough to make me lightheaded.

"How are you doing kid," Jason asked, over the buzzing of the machine.

"Good—it's not bad." Cole said he was fine, but his cheeks were gradually turning red and a layer of nervous sweat had begun to form between our hands.

"Let me know if it becomes too much."

I watched mesmerized as Jason continued to work with precision across Cole's bicep. The sound of the needle became white noise after a few minutes. I was so focused on his line work that I almost didn't hear when he started talking to me.