[ WP ] You run a tattoo parlor . Every couple of weeks the same customer comes in , always requesting the same tattoo - an additional tally mark on an ever-growing cluster of tally marks .

I never liked why some people get tattoos “ Oh i'm quirky or it's true love i have to get their name, or nazi shit ” either way I don ’ t give two shits why most people get their tattoos so long as they pay. Some people have good stories which i ’ ll listen to just so long as they don ’ t make it a two way conversation, in fact I only started a conversation once with a guy who got a couple tally marks on his hand seemed fidgety the first time he got a tattoo here and everytime after looking at the doors or people around him even me sometimes like i'd robbed him not like I wouldbguy was a solidb 6'6'' and had scars along his hands that seemedbto say fuck off. Guy only said two damn words every time he came “ line here ” pointing to his hand. He carried a gun on him every session but one day I got a little more curious it had been damn near 3 years since i'd seen him and he looked different his eyes were sunk in and small he didn ’ t look at the door when like before. He seemed dirty like he ’ d been digging. He seemed small which was odd considering he was built like a brick shit house. Once we started I got brave or stupid and asked. 
 
 “ So 26 huh? ” 
 
 He kept staring at the table. 
 
 “ Big number ” 
 
 “ old am ” he muttered pulling up his sleeve to reveal a tapestry of phone numbers, addresses, and names some crossed out; all neatly arranged along his arm I realized that he didn ’ t recognize me or this shop he had everything written down. I continued boldening the line when he kicked the desk toward me screaming and pinning me against the wall 
 
 “ Mom! Where are ” he said crying like a damn child before letting me down took an hour before we could calm him down and tell him were he was he said okay over and over but i could see it in his eyes he was just like confused kid. 
 
 

