Bucket List of a LIfetime

Chapter 1

Everyone has a bucket list whether they know it or not places they want to go and people they want to meet. Being diagnosed with cancer almost two years ago really messed me up. I didn't have any family to support me except my frail grandfather. My best friend, Georgie was there with me every step of the way refusing to let me give up no matter how sick I felt. I broke down when I started losing my hair in big chunks. She carried me to get it shaved off and then we went shopping for every hat and bandana imaginable.

When I couldn't keep anything down she kept me supplied with crackers and ginger ale. She took care of me when I was too weak to take care of myself. My grandfather passed four months ago before my six month checkup. He left me several life insurance policies and his house totaling around six million dollars. I will never have to work again if I don't want to.

I am meeting Georgie and her brother Simon for lunch at a local burger. I am still cancer free and we are going to celebrate and I am finally going to start checking off my bucket list. Simon is a tattoo artist and if I am comfortable with him then he is going to give me my first tattoo. Georgie says she won't let anyone else touch me.

Georgie is going to help me plan my road trip. I am going to document everything and turn it into a book or maybe a documentary. All profits if I can sell it go toward cancer research and helping families cover the cost of medical bills.

I have no excuses to put off my road trip anymore and honestly I don't want to. I am ready to start living a new life.

Over here Savannah I hear Georgie call catching sight of her waving her arms around to get my attention.

I head toward my crazy best friend. I can't see anything but the back of the man she is with. Black hair and broad shoulders and muscled arms encased in a tight black t-shirt. A hint of tattoos is peeking out from under his shirt.

As soon as I get to the table I am attacked with a tight hug from Georgie catching me off guard even though I should have expected it. Georgie is a hugger even strangers are not safe. You can let me go now Georgie I am starving. I didn't have time to eat breakfast this morning.

Who was your victim this morning?

Marco and Levi the new rookie, it is time for their annual fundraising calendar.

I don't know how you can work with that ass wipe.

Marco is not that bad only to you and Levi is so shy and sweet it is adorable. I sit down across from Simon getting my first look of him and almost getting choked on my drool. He looks nothing like Georgie. Brown eyes that look like to pools of melted chocolate thick black lashes a small scar on the corner of his full bottom lip that I want to nibble on. It was lust at first sight.

If you are through checking my brother out Savannah we can order something to eat. He only has an hour for lunch.

I shrug and say I have eyes and I am a woman. I can appreciate beauty when I see it. My camera would love him wearing low riding jeans with no shirt straddling Rory

Who's Rory I don't get up close and personal with women I don't know.

Rory is my most prized possession. She is a motorcycle me and my brother built her before he was shipped off to war and didn't make it back. He is the one who named her Rory.

Sorry about your brother. It's nice to finally meet you Savannah Georgie talks about you all the time. I feel like I already know you.

What can I get you?

I wait for Georgie and Simon to order before ordering. I want a bacon cheeseburger fully dressed and fries make sure they are crispy please.

What would you like to drink?

A Dr. Pepper easy on the ice

How long have you been doing tattoos?

Ten years I started in my buddy's parlor right out of the army. He started training me and I loved it. I run the shop for him since he is still serving. How long have you been into photographer?

I was ten when I got my first camera. I love viewing the world through a camera lens. I opened my own studio five years ago. I make decent money, but I would do it for free.

Georgie tells me you want to get your first tattoo. Do you have any idea what you want?

Yeah I say digging out the sketch and handing it to Simon.

This is going to take several sessions.

I know I am okay with that if you are.

I have an opening Thursday at five.

I will be there. Thank you for doing this for me.

Why did you choose this design?

I am a cancer survivor. I came up with the design when I was really sick from the chemo.

Georgie didn't tell me that you had cancer.

It is not something that me and Georgie like thinking about much less talking about it. The waitress brings us our food and we eat in silence.

It was very nice to meet you Savannah, but I have to get back to work.

Do you mind if I ride back with you. I would like to see some of your work, and I want to get a piercing.

I don't mind. I walked over hope you don't mind walking. The shop is only a ten minute walk from here.

Sounds good to me I say giving Georgie her bye hug and following Simon out. We walk in silence Simon opening the door of the tattoo parlor for me to enter.

Hey Lavender you have a customer. Get you piercing and then come find me. I want to start drawing up your sketch.

Thanks I say as a woman with jet black spiked hair and lots of tattoos comes in from the back.

I'm Lavender how can I help you?

I want to get my nose pierced.

These are our nose rings. Pick one I will be waiting with the paper work.

Thanks I say I quickly pick the black stone stud, and walk over to the counter where Lavender is waiting for me.

Okay fill this out and I will get everything ready. Which one did you pick out?

The black stone stud.

I quickly fill out the information needed.

You can come back now I am ready. Five minutes later I am sporting a black stud nose ring. I was really happy with the results. Thanks I love it. Can you tell me where Simon does his sketches?

Straight back you can't miss him.

I walk through the curtain and immediately spot Simon. I almost swallow my tongue when I see that he has taken off his black t-shirt. So where can I see some of your designs.

I have a book with all of my work in it Simon says nodding to the binder on the desk beside him. I walk over to the desk sitting on the corner and picking the binder up.