(14)

Jenice immediately left to go to the tattoo shop she had been to some days before. She examined the door and saw they were open. She then entered. One of the men she had seen before was helping a client choosing a tattoo.
“Hi, darling.”, the woman said approaching Jenice.
“Hello, miss.”, she smiled.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it!”
“Yes, it was a while.”
“I am sorry I hadn’t told you that we were on a vacation.”, she apologized in her voice that sounded low due to smoking.
“It doesn’t matter. I came by every day though to see when you’d be back.”
“Aw, you’re adorable, dear.”
“No, it was just a formality.”, she grinned.
“I see you dyed your hair.”
“Yes.”
“You had to bleach first didn’t you?”
“yeah, my brown hair was to dark so they bleached it to a platinum blond colour before adding the turquoise.”
“It looks stunning.”
“Thank you.”
The other guy she had seen before agreed.
“Let’s finish the second step of your tattoo, shall we?”
Jenice nodded. Knowing the drill she got herself prepared for the session. They used disinfectant again and started the normal procedure. Jenice didn’t spoke while laying down even though the woman was rambling on about what not. She sometimes muttered a yes or no though, but further she didn’t really talk. Even though the woman didn’t had a nice voice to listen too, she kind of liked to just hear her speak. She felt this familiar feeling that put her at ease. The noises and lack of some other noises were nice and the radio played songs she liked, old and new.

“Done for today.”, the woman announced. Jenice sat up and dressed herself. The woman extended her hand. Jenice grinned and paid.
“Can I stay and help out?”
“Sure, dear, don’t expect me to pay you.”, the woman laughed.
“Wasn’t expecting anything.” Jenice started to help out with helping clients in the shop, telling them where to sit and she took out the images they could choose from. She stood in for the payment too. Eventually the woman placed her hands on Jenice’s shoulders.
“You may help out more if you want.”, she snickered.
“I would if I find the time.”
“You would, huh?”
“Yes, I very much like it here.”
“You can drop by anytime you want.”, she waved her hand while walking away from Jenice and talking.
“Then don’t mind me taking you up on that.”, she followed the woman after a while.
“I am going to tattoo now.”
“Okay.”, Jenice said while grabbing a chair to watch. The woman didn’t say anything anymore, just because the client might become nervous of someone watching. Jenice said there quietly for the same reason. She didn’t want to alarm a client. Jenice stared at the art being created. She was trying to learn with her eyes. When the session was finished and the man sat up, he saw Jenice.
“Who’s she?”, he asked the woman.
“She’s my new apprentice.”, the woman said while Jenice was looking up at her.
“Is she now?”
“Come on, dear. Introduce yourself. It’s impolite to just sit there making eyes at people.”
“Oh, yes, of course. Good day, sir, I am Jenice.”, she introduced herself.
“Nice to meet you, girl.”, the man said, standing up. Jenice followed the man and told him the price he ought to pay. She then received the money and put this away in the register. When the client left and there were no others in the shop, Jenice turned to the woman. “But, ma’am, you never hired me? And I never asked for a job?”
“Well I think you just got yourself a job, dear.”, the woman extended her hand, “The name’s Megan. No need to know my last name, we’re family here, isn’t it so boys?”
“Yes, ma’am.”, they answered while she shook Jenice’s hand.
“I am Jack.”, the bigger on of them said.
“You can call me Scott.”, the other one followed up.
“Jenice.”, she smiled.
When everyone was introduced they sat down, drinking a cup of coffee. The woman told Jenice what the roll of an apprentice was. And that she’ll be learning how to place tattoos herself. But just not yet. First she’ll have to continue what she was doing now, to develop social skills and knowing what it is to run a business. Then she’d help in cleaning up the tools and the garbage they made after sessions. Later on she would be able to try on the skins of pigs and when they saw that she’d be able to manage a client, she’d get the chance. Jenice agreed to this.
“Well then you’ll start tomorrow, dear.”, Megan said.
“That would be nice indeed.”, Jenice smiled.
“For now you’re off the hook.”
“Yes, ma’am.”, Jenice said while standing up, “See you tomorrow, all.”

Jenice tried to get to Al’s house as fast as she could. Of course she met him on her way instead of at his house. She grabbed his hand as soon as she saw him and walked with him to his house.
“Are you keeping me in house, Jenice?”, he teased.
“No not at all. I think I just didn’t have so much good news in a short time before.”, she smiled.
“Well than tell me about this so called good news?”
“I found work.”
“Already? You aren’t even eighteen years old.”
“Who cares? No one cares around here. They didn’t even ask me if my mom had consented to my tattoo, that’s the neighbourhood we live in Al. I thought you knew.”
“I do know. It’s just, I still got surprised. Where do you work?”
“At the tattoo shop, on the way from my house to yours.”, she smiled.
“I assume you’re happy about this.”
“I am, I am very happy.”
He opened the door to his house and let her in before going through the door himself.
“Also the second session of my back is finished.”, she said while taking of her shirt and loosening her bra.
“I see. It will be beautiful.”
“Yes, it will.”
He caressed her lower back and kissed her shoulder.
“You can dress yourself again.”
Jenice blushed and nodded. She dressed herself properly again before turning around and hugging him.