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“No, no way Clint?” I can’t believe it. Sweet wannabe Clint. The guy who thinks he is a world class artist but can’t draw his way out of a paper bag. I am stunned into silence.
Blood doesn’t let the silence last long. He snaps me out of it by asking, “Who is Clint?”
“I met him at the expo in New Orleans, two years ago. He said he was a tattoo artist but I didn’t see any of his work, until recently. He has stayed in contact with me. When I put out the call for employees, I couldn’t say I wanted all women it would have been discrimination. I had to accept apps from anyone that wanted to apply. I even called a few men in for interviews. He was one of them.”
“I need another beer for this.” Blood interrupts me, getting up to get it himself. I think he wants to give me a minute, my brother knows me. While he’s gone my phone rings.
Looking at the screen, I see the call is from Hay’s Den. I almost hit the ignore button but then I remember I was supposed to have a class today, so I answer it. “I am sorry Austin but I can’t kick your ass today. Something has come up. I’ll call you later.”
When I hang up Blood, sits down. “Alright sis, I gave you a few minutes for everything to sink in. Now tell me the rest.”
“Remember when I was doing interviews last month? I had a bunch of grapefruits; you all thought I lost my mind. I asked the interviewees to draw any picture they wanted and tat the fruit so I could evaluate their skills.
I never did figure out what Clint’s design was supposed to be. He claimed it was some kind of tribal peace symbol but it looked more like a poop emoji. Trust me, Blood it was so bad I almost laughed in his face. I felt bad for him, so I asked him to do another one.
Maybe he was having a bad day. This time I asked him to draw a turtle, sitting on a log. I thought maybe he is better with more direction. Nope, I had to keep a straight face when he showed me a blob on a stick.”
I reach for my cell phone, opening the gallery and I bring up the pictures of his contributions.
“Blood, I swear I laughed for two days. I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming from my eyes.”
“I bet you let him down gently, too.”
“You have no idea how hard it was for me to tell him I would keep him on file as a backup artist. The minute he walked out the door, I was rolling on the floor.”
“You know I have to tell the club about this.” Suddenly serious, Blood tells me.
“Please don’t, Baratta has more information now. He can catch this guy.”
“I will give you a week, but I can’t keep this from Timber for long. What if it puts the people of our town in danger? Do you have a picture of this guy? I can at least make sure he isn’t renting a club owned cabin.”
“Thank you; you are my favorite big brother.” I say as I throw my arms around him for a hug.
“I am your only big brother.” He responds to our old joke. “I guess you are keeping the prick?”
“As long as he’ll let me.” is my answer.
Before he walks out the door he tells me that he will take Baratta’s bike to the shop and have the guys fix it up for him. He can’t have his brother-in-law riding a piece of shit.
I grab something to eat and play with Bleu for a little bit, then check on Baratta one more time before heading down to Poison Pen. Since today is the first day I’ll be open to the public this week, I expect it to be busy, I am not wrong.
Baratta came down a couple of times to check on me. The stairs were hard on him; I had to help him back up them each time. I finally had to put my foot down.
“If you come down those steps one more time tonight, I am going to leave you on the couch in the shop.”
“But I need to keep you safe.”
“Right now you are more of a hindrance than a help. Please just stay up here and let me do my work.” I tell him as I tuck him back into bed. He reaches up, pushing my hair out of my face. “You never have to work another day in your life, if you don’t want to.”
“But I want to,” I whisper, exiting the room. I know it is his injured brain talking. Surely, He knows me better than that by now. I stop to make sure Bleu has fresh food and water before returning to the client sitting in my chair.
The next two days fly by quickly and quietly. Between working, taking care of Baratta and my fitness class. I’m exhausted, falling into bed at the end of each day. The pictures still come but I ignore them. Blood called to check if I was going to attend the family BBQ, but even that was too much.
Baratta was getting better each day but I noticed he still had some dizzy spells. When he thought I wasn’t looking his face would scrunch up in pain. I didn’t dare ask how he was feeling; I remember how big of a baby my brother is anytime he gets hurt.
By Sunday afternoon, I’m at my wits end. So I call Miranda to arrange some time out. I don’t know if Baratta will hang with the guys or just stay in but I have to get away from him. He walks in just as I’m getting off the phone with her.
“You know the entire time you were gone, I couldn’t wait for you to get back. I love you but I need a break. Just a few hours with the girls.”
“You love me?”
“Yes I love you, but you are a big baby when you are hurt.”
He repeats his question, “You love me?”
“Well isn’t it obvious? I was mad when I thought you left me in New Orleans, I cried when you came here, I missed you when you were gone and I took care of you when you were hurt. I LOVE YOU. Do I need to clarify it more? You want me to tattoo it on my ass?”
“Well” he says thoughtfully, “If you tattoo it on your ass, I can see it every time you bend over for me.”
“If I tattoo it on my ass, then I get to put ‘Property of Fiona’ on your cock.” I walk away laughing but I could swear I hear him say, “Bring it baby.”
I turn back to get the last word. “I can’t tat my own ass. I would have to get someone else to do it.”
I should’ve known he would have a follow up. “That’s ok I trust that Lily isn’t into you.”
Shaking my head I leave the room. We could go back and forth like this for hours, while it would be entertaining; I just made plans with my sister-in-law. She is going to gather up the girls and meet me at Bella’s Brew.
I was going to suggest we go to a local dive bar, but that wouldn’t be fair to Miranda or Mina since they can’t drink.
On my way out the door, I remember something that was bothering me and turn back. “Hey Baratta, while you were gone for work. I noticed some of the club guys hanging around. I know you didn’t rat me out to my brother. Any idea what’s up with that?”
“I called Timber on my way out of town to let him know I’d be gone for a few days. Maybe he sent them around.”
“You going to join the club?”
“No, I thought about it, but Timber said I would have to go in as a prospect. There is no way I’m going to be a grunt at this point in my life.”
“Ok, I heard they were considering taking on some new prospects. See ya.” I walk to the door once again.
“Get back here woman.”
“Excuse me?”
“Damn, I think your head just did a 360. Like in that exorcist movie. Come here and kiss me.”