Big Tree Village

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

 “Is it going to hurt?” I gripped Chance’s hand tight as Rocki shook his head. “Yeah but you’ll do great.” My heart was pumping as we followed Rocki to a small room in the back of the Get Inked. I sat on a leather chair and held my foot out and Rocki put it under a stool. Chance looked at me, worried.

“Are you sure about this?” Chance wondered. I nodded. I handed Rocki my dad’s official signature of approval and he pulled up the picture I’d brought. It was the image of the Big Tree. “You know what,” Chance sighed, “I think I want it too.” My eyes widened as he said this. “I think we should get matching ones.” His face flushed as Rocki and I stared. He was such a goodie-goodie since his accident at the bar. Now he was getting a tattoo? Even scarier, with me? But I didn’t say this out loud. Instead I leaned over and kissed him.

Rocki took the image and put it through this machine. Then he stuck this paper on my ankle and imprinted a faded version of the tree. “This is like an outline, next I’ll color it in.” I nodded as he wrapped napkins around his fingers and turned towards the ink. Just minutes before this, I had called Demona and she was recovering so they met us here, both of them flailing with excitement.

“What about Amanda?” Demona yelled from the front room. Rocki rolled his eyes.

“No, I don’t like that one.” Rocki answered licking his lips. So they were keeping this baby, and now they were deciding on names. Damn. Rocki decided he would do Chance’s tattoo after me. “Ok,” he sighed, “are you ready?” I nodded as he started dotting my leg. Pain coursed through my ankle as he dotted and smeared it with the napkins. I decided to talk through it.

“Chance,” I gasped. He looked over. “Each branch of my tree represents a person that changed my life here in Big Tree Village.” His eyes widened and he smiled. “First branch,” I muttered taking a quick glance at the ink that lined my ankle. “Chance. Well. He is the love of my life. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” Chance’s face flushed when I said this. “I told him I loved him and he rejected me, and then I saw him in a café with his girlfriend which I kind of knew. I was so pissed and I hated him. But I couldn’t hate him when he admitted to dumping her for me. Besides, I fell hard for him and getting up was and is impossible.” I sighed deeply, the pain started decreasing. “Second branch,” I nodded, “Ms. Murray. She is way too happy. But I’m so pleased her and Larry decided to get together. Her son is adorable! Plus she helped me when I was struggling with life.” I laughed to myself. “Third branch. My father; Peter. He ripped himself from my life when I was just turning 12 and I was reunited with him this summer. He really feels like a father now. And a good one at that.” I gritted my teeth as pain sparked in my leg. “Fourth branch. Demona. The so-called demon. She helped me through a lot. Loves me, cares and is hilarious. What else can I say? She is my best friend.” I heard Demona sniffle. “Fifth branch. Bert. I never knew him that well, but I spoke at his funeral and I was the life of that party. That sounds like a pun,” I slapped my temple, “anyways. I really had a connection with him and the whole friend thing and I should have been his. But it was his time.” I looked over at Chance who was grinning really big.

“We’re half way there.” Rocki interrupts as he smears my ankle again.

“How about Chandler? It’s like Chance a little!” Demona screamed over us. Rocki shrugged.

“It’s alright…” He says still not so sure.

“Sixth branch. Rocki!” I exclaimed. He looked up and smiled. “Well you’re doing this tattoo and you make my best friend happy. You love her and I have helped you prove that to her. You two are just right for each other.” I say wiping sweat off my forehead. Demona awwwwww’ed from the other room and Rocki smirks at me. “Seventh branch. Sarah.” Chance’s hand tensed in mine, I didn’t notice we were holding hands until now. “She and I became quick friends at a party and she lent me some pants. She is pretty and funny but most of all she kind of ruined and helped my relationship with my boyfriend. And I can’t thank her enough for that. But I am very sorry that I am the lucky girl that gets his love and she isn’t. Sorry Sarah.” I murmur under my breath. Chance kisses my cheek.

“I love you,” he whispers. His breath slid across my face.

“Eighth and ninth branch. Artie and Hayley. They taught me what love is, and how to love. They both got me hooked on slurpees. Artie shared his omelet and chili cheese dogs, bought me flowers and had a crush on me. I had one on him too, but when I saw those flowers I knew that it was fate. Fate for me to be with the florist.” I rolled my eyes, knowing who ten was. “Bryan. Yeah he is immature and an idiot but he was the first guy that ever had a physical attraction towards me. He also almost raped me, but I finally overcame being shy and weak and became strong. I rejected him and it felt good to do so.” Chance and Rocki both laughed. “Eleventh branch. Larry! The best boss ever. He was so patient at finding love and now he has found it. He gave me advice, hired me, and most of all shared with me the best sherbert ever!” I screamed and Demona shouted.

“AMEN!” We all laughed and I almost forgot about the fact that I was supposed to be in pain.

“Twelfth branch. Oinkers! I saved him and he was there when no one else was. He listened and became more than a pet. I love him so much and miss him right now.” I tried my best not to say the last one but Rocki counted.

“There should be one more.” He said looking at the picture and then back at me. I sighed.

“Okay, okay. The last branch hasn’t entered this world yet. But I know somehow this little angel will affect me.” I blushed as Demona came rushing in; tears streaming her face.

“My baby? Really? Oh Zo!” She fell on me and laughed/cried. I hoped she didn’t mess Rocki up. She got up and kissed my nose. “Oh I love you.” She whispered.

“You’re going to be a great mom.” I answered. She began sobbing again but this time on Rocki’s shoulder. Once she recovered she wiped her face on her shirt and sighed.

“Zoey.” She smiled. I raised my eyebrows. “If it’s a girl I want it to be named Zoey.”