Grand Adventure

Chapter 30

 "You got a tattoo?" asked Robin in disbelief. "Why didn't you mention that when we talked on your birthday?"

Dani laughed, "I don't know. Eddie was making me call everyone so I kind of forgot. Seriously, he made me call everybody we know so they could tell me happy birthday. It was kind of ridiculous."

"As he should have. We all wanted to wish our Dani a very happy day," Robin replied. "So, what is the tattoo of?"

"It's the sun behind mountains and looping around the mountain it says 'You are my greatest adventure.' Eddie designed it and he has a matching one."

Robin pretended to gag. "You guys are so sweet it makes me want to vomit. Truly, you two are disgusting. But seriously, that's adorable."

Dani grinned, "Yeah, it's kind of the perfect memento of our trip together." She paused, biting her lip. "I may have also gotten his name tattooed across my ring finger."

"What!? Did you elope in Vegas and not tell me?"

"No!" she yelled, laughing. "No. We're nowhere near ready for all of that yet, but...you know, someday. I know he's the one, when the time is right, so it felt right to show him that with a permanent reminder."

"Dani, did you do that because of what happened with his mom?" asked Robin. "I know that was awful and he was feeling really uncertain, but tell me you didn't permanently scar your body just to make him feel better."

"That's not why," Dani stated, gripping the phone cord, tugging on it, as she turned, leaning back against the booth. "Robin, I love him so much. When I think about the future, he's all I can see. I mean, I have plans. I am actually thinking of applying to community college for the winter semester. But, at the end of the day, none of it matters if he's not there. It wasn't to make him feel better. It just felt right."

"Girl, you are so done for," Robin teased. "That man has you wrapped around his finger. Of course, you've got him wrapped too so I suppose that works out for everyone. College, huh? Did you figure out what you want to major in?"

"Yeah. I am going to do library science," answered Dani. "I love books. I would love to work in the library. So, I am going to need my Master's eventually, but I figure starting at community college will keep me close to home and cost a lot less. I could still work part-time, too. Which I will need because..." Dani paused, closing her eyes and praying that her friend didn't think she'd lost her mind. "Eddie and I are planning on moving in together after we get home and get jobs."

Robin let out a squeal that was so loud and high pitched that Dani had to pull the phone away from her. She laughed, slowly bringing it back to her ear.

"You okay there?"

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" her friend shrieked. "That is awesome! I am so happy for you two!"

"Thanks. I am happy I still have an eardrum. Damn," she snorted. "So, how is everything back home?"

"Good," Robin sighed wistfully. "Steve and that girl are still going strong."

"Okay. That's good, right? Why don't you sound like that's good?" asked Dani.

"I don't know. She...well, she acts all nice but I have a bad feeling about her. Dani, you should see Steve. She says jump and he says how high. It doesn't seem like a relationship. It seems like a monarchy where she's the queen sitting on her throne and he's her little peon, running and fetching whatever she wants. He's barely been hanging out with us and, I am telling you, she doesn't like me."

"That sounds odd," Dani mused. "But maybe you're reading the situation wrong. It's still pretty new. Maybe he's just caught up in his new relationship and being happy."