Beyond Appearances

Secrets Don't Make Friends

Johnny comes in the barn ten minutes later. "V, you can come out now." I stand up from the hay bale I was sitting on. I glare at him.

"What the hell was that? Who was that? Actually, do I even want to know?" I start pacing back and forth. Of course, I start making friends with the trouble maker. I don't let him speak, I just keep going on. "Please tell me it's not drugs Johnny! I don't put up with that shit, and neither does Sarah or Trent."

When I finally breathe he speaks up. "It's my past coming back to haunt me. I'm taking care of it." He goes to speak again but I start babbling again. "Johnny! That doesn't answer my question." He looks at me unamused. "Are you done now?" I go to speak but he covers my mouth with his hand. "Damn woman! Let me speak!" I nod. "V, I'm not doing or into drugs. You think I don't know that Sarah and Trent don't go for that shit. I've been here since I was 20, I know. I wouldn't jeopardize this. They know my whole life! But I'm sorry that I ordered you around like that." I nod solemnly against his hand.

I back away from his hand, and start to walk away. I make my way back to the house to shower. That swamp water can lead to swamp ass. Not a pretty picture. When I get out I put on shorts and a tank. Louisiana sun is unforgiving. When I go downstairs to make lunch, I see a note on the table.

RJ,
Trent, the kids, and I got a call about his mother needing our help. We'll be there a couple of nights. Make whatever or order food. Money is on the fridge. Johnny usually eats with us all week, so order for him too. If you need anything just call!

-Sarah.

Great a whole week of just Johnny and I. I toss the note in the trash and make my way into the living room. I turn on the massive flat screen, and start watching NCIS. Into my third episode, I hear the door open. I don't bother getting up seeing as is the foot steps are headed in my direction.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Of course it's Johnny. I pat the seat next to me. He sits down and puts his arm on the back of the couch behind my head. I didn't mean right next to me considering it's a sectional, but I'll take it.

"Listen Johnny, you don't have to apologize for everything. I'm a big girl. It's fine." I smile and give him a playful nudge. I take a drag off my beer, only to have it ripped from my hands. He takes a drag, and smiles at me.

"Seeing as is how you're not mad at me, wanna come with me to have my tat finished? I could use someone to hold my hand." I think about it for a millisecond, and over dramatize the whole thinking process. "Yes! Is that even a question?" I'm up and out the door running to his truck before he can even get off the couch.

We pull out gravel flying as we drive to town. We live so far from town that it takes 45 minutes to get there. We pull up to an apartment building. Weird, considering he's getting a tattoo. We walk up to the second floor, and knock on the door of 14A.

A young man answers the door. Johnny greets him as if they're old friends, and introduces me. "This is V. She came as moral support." He does air quotes around moral support. The man is introduced to me as Hector.

Hector welcomes us in, and I'm thoroughly surprised when I walk in and find a tattoo bench, and all the equipment, in his living room. Johnny sits down, obviously having done it before. Hector motions for me to sit on the couch. The house is clean, and as I analyze his tools, they're clean too.

Johnny slips off his shirt and lays with his head on his arm. I watch as Hector gets the black ink and tattoo gun ready. He's free handing, that's not common. I watch as he starts shading the magnolia flower under the name, Valentina. He has a girlfriend? No, he would've mentioned her. Maybe a sister, or passed loved one. I let the thoughts slip away. Why am I so worried about it? I'm so caught up on the names that I barely notice the scars along his back. I'm sure he'll tell me when he's ready.

Hector finishes up an hour later. Wiping away the blood and putting on the ointment and dressings. Hector is a phenomenal artist. Each stroke is confident, and deliberate. The flower is beautiful. Johnny stands up and puts his white T-shirt back on. "Ya ready?" I nod and stand. "Thanks cuz, I'll be back soon." Hector nods and shuts the door behind us.

When we get back to the truck, Johnny opens my door for me before he gets in. "Johnny, his work is phenomenal!" I can't help but gush like a fan girl. He just laughs. "Yeah, I'm lucky. He owed me a favor for helping my aunt move him out, so this one was on him." We stop at the local beer distributor and pick up a six pack. Nothing to crazy, just something for us to chill and enjoy together.

When we get back we sit on the porch and look at the stars. Making small talk. "I noticed that tat on your thigh, and I noticed the one on your side. They're good. What's the story behind em?" I smile. I love when people ask me that. "The one on my thigh is because I used to box in my free time, just a hobby, but the tattoo went with my life. I roll with the punches as they come. That tat on my side says, "In Omnia Paratus" because it means ready for all things.

I turn the question on him. "What's the story behind all yours?" I'm hoping he'll say something about "Valentina." He goes silent for a second before looking me dead in the eyes.

"I'm not proud of most them, they mostly all came from my past." He stands up. "I'm sorry, I just can't talk about them yet." I stand too. Hurt must be written all over my face because he grabs under my chin and lifts my face to his. "The only reason I don't tell you is because I don't want you to think less of me. I'll tell you one day, if you still want to know. But right now, I just want you to know me for the new me."

I nod. Fair enough. But the fact that we are this close I'm a short amount of time is weird. As close as Hunter and I are, we didn't click this fast. He pulls me in for a side hug, due to his back tattoo healing.

That one hug from a strong build is enough to make me homesick. I run upstairs and hop in bed before I call Hunter. Considering it's 1:00 in the morning. He's probably not going to answer. I just need to hear his voice, and if that means his voicemail message, so be it.

He answers on the third ring.

"Ron, it's 1:00 in the morning. Are you okay?" I cringe knowing he has work early, and needs all the sleep he can get. Yet he doesn't sound tired for someone I just woke up.

"I'm sorry. I know. Just call me tomorrow." I hear him yawn, making me feel even worse.

"Ron! Dude, what's wrong?" I shed a tear. Hearing his voice is comforting, but to call me dude. I'm used to Ron, but dude is new.

"I just needed to hear your voice. Now get some sleep." I hang up.