Wide Open Spaces

Their Cell

Lindsey sleepily wraps his arms around Stevie in bed. Early morning sun has not yet fallen into Stevie's room and it's so quiet. They've been together for one month, dating and having a lot of fun together. Now able to openly express their love, they are happier than ever and there hasn't been a single fight. He traced the outlines of her bare curves when he spots something he didn't think he would ever see again. He touches the tender skin over her ribs, accidentally waking Stevie with the contact.

"What are you doing, Linds? Go back to sleep"

"You still have it" he says.

"What are you talking about, baby?"

"Our tattoo."

"It's permanent, of course I do" she says, her eyes closing again. Lindsey touches the tiny indelible outline of a star on his lover's left side and smiles.

"You made an appointment to remove it" he whispers, knowing she can no longer hear. He decides to talk to her anyway. "I'm so happy you didn't" He places a hand over his own star etched into his skin. "We're still connected."

As he lays back down in bed and closes his eyes, memories of them from years ago flood his mind.

1999;

"Are you sure it's not going to hurt?" She asks, hesitant to take her sweater off and let the burly, heavily tattooed artist work.

"It might hurt a little but it's so small it will only take a minute"

"A whole minute of excruciating pain is too much."

"I did mine, are you chickening out?" He teases.

"I'm scared. My parents are going to kill me!"

"Then don't tell them"

"Lindsey!" She smacks his chest lightly, giggling. "Will you hold my hand?"

"Forever.

"But how about right now?" She asks, shaking her hand in midair.

"Of course" he says, taking her hand in his. "Are you ready?" She bites her lip. "It was your idea, you know."

"I know."

"I wanted to do our initials. I would get SN and you'd get LB"

"That was a big hell no" she says and he laughs.

"I like the stars though. Don't be nervous. I'm right here and I always will be" She nods and half way takes off her cardigan sweater to reveal a thin strapped dress that alone, left very little to the imagination. The gun starts to buzz and she looks at Lindsey the entire time as the burning, scratching sensation enters her senses.

"Almost done, little one" The big man says, wiping down her tattoo. She nods, and he goes over it one more time. "Alrighty. Would you like to see it?" He helps her up and they go over to the tall mirror on the wall.

"It's beautiful" she says, admiring it.

"Just like you" Lindsey says, kissing her.

"Can I see them together?" She asks him and he nods, taking his shirt off. "Oh, I love them! I can't believe we did this"

"No one will ever see them but the two of us. We will always be connected. Body, mind and soul" he says