Free Under the Cornerstone by Sasha Marshall Page A

the wind and let the new Noely make the decision for me.
    “Let’s do it,” I smile so proud of myself for doing something against the grain and because I fucking want to.
    They both seem excited by the prospect, and Sabrina and I hang out in the main area of the shop as Carmine assembles the pieces for my upper arm. I strike up a conversation about her piercings and the more I look at her nose piercing, the more I realize I want one. So, while Carmine continues to sketch up the tattoo, Sabrina pierces my nose.
    “The redness will go down in a few weeks. Here’s a care packet, and I’m giving you my number so call me if it starts to look infected or you have any questions.”
    “Thank you,” I tell her while suppressing my giddiness at getting my first piercing.
    I instantly take a selfie and send it to Jimmy, Ryan, and Rich.
    Jimmy calls moments later, “Welcome to the world of the freaks and misfits, Noely baby.”
    I giggle, “Thank you James.”
    “You talk to Carmine about your tat?” he asks.
    “Yeah. We’re actually about to start it in a few.”
    “Today?” he asks with surprise.
    “I think he had a cancellation today,” I answer.
    “Carmine never has cancellations and he’s always booked. Put his ass on the phone,” he growls at me.
    “No.” I say and damn it feels good to say that two-lettered word. “I can get a tattoo when and wherever I please. You recommended Carmine,” I remind him.
    “I clearly didn’t think this through. This isn’t about the fucking tattoo, now put his ass on the phone.”
    “I love you, Jimmy, but I’m hanging up now. I’ll send pictures of the tat when I’m done. I love you,” I finish and end the call.
    Moments later I hear a cell phone ring in Carmine’s booth.
    “Fuck you too,” I hear Carmine say. “Would you rather I let someone else tattoo her?” Pause. “She’s a grown ass woman, Jim.” Pause. “I’m not making any promises.”
    I roll my eyes.
    “Jimmy’s right, you know?” Sabrina smiles at me mischievously.
    “Bleh,” I respond.
    “Carmine is always booked. He was booked today, but he took one look at you and cancelled three appointments.”
    My eyes get big.
    “You’re foxy,” she says.
    “Thanks. I’m making a bucket list. I’m thinking of changing some things.”
    “Like what?” she asks.
    “Hair color, wardrobe, makeup, tattoos, and piercings,” I smile.
    “I like that kind of makeover. I shall be your personal makeup artist and shopper. We’ve got this,” she says like she’s known me my entire life.
    “Really?” I ask with a grin.
    “You’re obviously going through some sort of identity crisis.” She waves a hand down her body, “I’m the best option you’ve got to help you find you and make sure the outside reflects the inside. I told you we’d be friends.”
    I smile and we exchange numbers and a promise to meet for drinks soon.
    “You ready, Noely?” Carmine asks.
    I give Sabrina one last smile of appreciation and turn to follow Carmine. Fuck, his ass looks good in those jeans.
    After he preps his station, I sit for six hours through my very first tattoo. He finishes the main piece on my inner arm and the big piece on the outside of it. It looks beautiful. I almost cry when he escorts me to the mirror. He takes several pictures for his portfolio and then asks for my number so he can send me the copies. I’m not naïve enough to believe that’s the real reason he asks me for my number, and I do something I wouldn’t normally do. I give it to him anyway, hug Sabrina on the way out, and leave their shop feeling more alive than I ever remember feeling in my entire life.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Ten
     
     
    Making a bucket list is more complicated than you might think. I avoided the internet with everyone else’s ideas. I’m sure there are ten thousand websites devoted to bucket lists alone. I began to wonder if I died, what would I regret not doing? What experiences would I want to have before my