Finding The 10

11 - Congratulations

Frankie's POV

The needle hums and instant pain tears into my flesh but I don't flinch. If I want my tattoo to look perfect then I have no choice but to sit still and take it.

I search the room for a distraction and focus in on the artwork on the wall. A sketch drawn by Harley of an old oak tree and a child sitting on a swing underneath its branches. Such a peaceful scene. One of Harley's of course.

Harley is my tattooist and my only girl friend. I'm not really a people person and I find it hard to get along with most girls so when I found Harley, I was estatic.

"I knew this would be your tattoo as soon as I finished drawing it. Something about it just screams you." Harley says over the buzzing sound and I nod slightly to show I'm listening.

A week ago, Harley and I were discussing what to do with the blank canvas that was my back. She literally lit up and ran to her drawings like a child ready to show off their prettiest picture. Then she showed me the most perfect thing I had ever seen. A Phoenix taking flight amist flames and turmoil. Soaring up above the restraints and ties that bound it to start a new.

Seems fitting I guess.

"So, have you heard about Eli's list?" I say with a hidden agenda.

"Yeah kinda. Marco mentioned something the other day. So he's trying to find a girl to settle down with, huh?"

"Yeah. That's the idea. What do you think of it? Finding a person that fits a checklist sounds daunting."

"Well, I think it's a good start. If it gets him off of his ass and into the game again, it's good. I mean, he might crash and burn or he could find his forever love."

I scrunch my brows and just have to ask. "Forever love?"

"Yeah. As in when you find someone that you know you will always love forever. Doesn't matter what happens, it is always them. A forever love."

"And everyone has one out there?" I ask skeptical.

"Yep."

"Have you found yours?"

"Sure did. I married him and had a child with him. Then some junkie trying to get his next fix took him away from me."

I instantly regret asking knowing full well that she means her late husband and Mikey's father, Teo.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up Teo." I say regretfully.

"It's ok. He has been gone for 4 years now. It gets a little easier to live without him everyday. Besides,I still have Mikey."

"Speaking of, where is the little fella?"

"He should be here any minute. School finished about 10 minutes ago."

A silence falls over us as I try to gain courage to ask my next question.

"Do you think I should write a list?"

Harley literally stops what she is doing and stays silent. I turn slightly so I can see her face and find her with a small smile.

"Why are you asking me that?"

Her smile grows and instantly, she feels like the big sister I never had.

"Eli mentioned it a few days ago and I have been thinking about it. What do you think?"

"Yes. I think you should definitely give it a go. What's the worst that could happen?"

"I could find another Dex." I whisper and drag my eyes from Harley's.