Floating by Natasha Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

“Uh, of course, but that’s not something big, V. I would have done that anytime you wanted, you know that.”
     
    What Kendall doesn’t know yet is where I want the tattoo, and how important it is to me. Every day when I get out of the shower and look in the mirror, I see the scar on my chest staring back at me. The smooth skin that was once there is now raised, and feels like reading Braille when I touch it. I’m not embarrassed by it, and it’s sure as shit not vanity that I’m worried about. Honestly, part of me is proud to wear it knowing what it represents. The other part of me, doesn’t want to spend the rest of my life looking in the mirror, being forced to remember that horrible day, over and over again.
     
    Sitting back I sigh. “I want to cover the scar, Kenny.” Lou and Priss both give me bright smiles and nods of encouragement. Kendall looks thoughtful, pensive even. “It’s important to me, Kenny. I’m not vain, it’s not about looks; I could care less about that shit, and you know that. I just don’t want to have to have a permanent reminder of the day you and I could have died, staring me in the face forever.”
     
    Kendall narrows her eyes a little and then stands abruptly. “Right, well, that I can do. I’ll need to have a look and check the progress of your healing first, though. If the scar is still too fresh, we’ll have to wait until it’s settled down and a doctor clears you before you can have it done.” A broad smile spreads across my face, which Kendall instantly returns. “I can draw you up a few ideas now, and we can work on them until it’s time to put it in ink. Do you have any idea what you’re after?”
                 
    I give her a genuine, full wattage smile. The first one I think I’ve given anyone since the day of Kendall’s wedding, right before the incident. “Actually, I know exactly what I want.” I’d thought about this a lot in the last week or so. I hadn’t mentioned anything to Nate, because at the end of the day it wasn’t any of his business, but I had it all planned out in my head, hoping to get the chance to ask Kendall sometime soon. Clearing my throat, I explain what I want. “I was hoping you could do a large peacock feather starting near my belly button, going up to cover the scar, and ending up near my collarbone. I want lots of deep, vibrant colours, and I want it to have that artistic flair that only you can make happen.”
     
    Bursting into tears Kendall lets out a strangled sob. Priss hugs her tight and Lou sits on the armrest beside me, with my hand in hers. Jesus Christ. One minute she’s smiling, the next she’s crying. This is WAY worse than PMS. Poor Dec, I muse before Lou shakes me from the happy thought that Dec is suffering, thus paying the pain of pregnancy forward. “Awesome idea, V. That’ll look smoking hot. I think your man will love it”
     
    Lou always makes me smile. She’s so outgoing and loud you can’t help but be drawn to her. But what’s this ‘my man’ business? I don’t have a man, so the only person she can be referring to is Nate, and there is no way in holy hell, I’m going to be showing him this. Not if I can help it. This again proves my point; all the women in my life are fucking crazy. I love them, but they seriously need to seek professional assistance.
     
    Composing herself Kendall gives me a sad, somewhat embarrassed smile. “Ignore me. They were happy tears. Lou’s right, that’s is a fucking fantastic idea. It’ll work beautifully with the flow of your body. Better still, using coloured ink means the needle won’t have to go as deep around, or over the scar and the colours will look sweet with you skin tone and beautiful red hair.” Now I burst into tears. We must look like a bunch of hormonal teenagers crying over the loss of their favourite lip gloss. I could very well belong on the certifiable list with them after all. Before I can explore that option any further, the