Inktales

Dream big

It was a rainy day, a slow day. I was still an apprentice back then, mainly cleaning and getting things ready for the 'Giant'. The 'Giant' was a very tall man covered in ink, I mean literaly covered, no spare inch of clear skin. If not for the inside of his hands, I wouldn't know the man's color. But as mean as he looked, so was his heart big. He was my boss, my mentor.

 The doorbell chimed and a scrawny man came through the door. He wiped away some drops from his coat and cleaned his glasses from the wetness outside. In his oversized suit, he looked like a child. Lost and not familiar with his surroundings, he approached me and with his gentle voice asked me if he can get a tattoo. I looked at him from head to toe and wasn't sure that he really meant it. He didn't look like the type. So, I asked him If he was sure, but 'Giant' stopped him from answering and took me aside.

"I have taught you many things, how to get ready for inking, how to clean and protect your tools, how to sketch, but I forgot to teach you the most important thing. When a person comes through this door and asks for a tattoo, you don't second guess them. You simply ask them 'What kind'?

If they are minors, you ask for their parents' permission but that's it. We don't judge." He looked at me, disappointment coloring his eyes. "Now, invite him to sit and listen to his story."

I did as I was told and invited the sloppy fellow to sit. 'Giant' brought him some hot coffee and sat with us, folding his hands in front of him. I copied his posture and tuned in for the man to speak.

" I am an orphan," he said, shocking me to my core. He was so young, not much older than me. "When I was younger, I was just another 'lazy bones' skinny guy from the hood. No one thought any good thing would come out of me. No one, but my father. He used to come to my room every night before going to bed, took off my watch and held my wrist. He'd say, 'Don't be discouraged, son. Here, feel your pulse racing. You are alive, you have a reason to exist. We all have a talent inside us that can help the world. It's up to us to discover that and use it. Mom and I believe in you. Life in this town is not enough, you deserve better. Dream big'. And then he kissed my head and went to bed.

He and my mom died three years ago. I swore on their graves I'm going to make them proud, so I started working on my grades and now it's time for me to go for college interviews and I need my dad's support. That's why I want you to tattoo my wrist with my dad's words. Right here under my watch, so I can see them every night before I go to sleep." He pointed at the inner side of his left wrist.

I was about to tell him how sensitive this area is when 'Giant' jumped the gun and asked him if he's wearing his father's suit? The man shamefully admitted it. "don't be ashamed, man. You do the best you can and what do you know? The stars are smiling your way. If you are willing to let my apprentice ink you for his first solo tattooing, it will cost you nothing. What do you say?"

We both looked at 'Giant' gaping, but not for the same reasons. "Really?" we both asked in disbelief at the same time.

"Yes, really."

We wasted no time and got right to it. I showed him the calligraphy we used, and he considered two types of letters, so I had the idea to mix them. Masculine, bulky letters to represent his dad and Fairy script type to represent his mom. "This way both of them will be with you." I told him while presenting the final draft.

He absolutely loved it and we got on with it. Under the watchful eye of Giant, I got everything ready and with confidence dipped my needle in the black ink tube and made my first solo inking.

"You gave something to that man." Giant said while the door closed behind the fellow.

"What? A free tattoo?"

"A warm memory of kindness."