Page 15 of Jimmy

Kurt opened a book filled with plastic pages containing drawings. “I’ll tell you a secret. He draws when he’s down. Does some of his best work when he’s upset. We have great tattoo art because of that. I hate that he’s been upset, but I love the work.” He turned the pages.

She admired the images, so many skulls, daggers, roses, and horror characters. The images were a tad gruesome, but beautiful, too. She touched the plastic on a drawing of a skull with a rose and Gothic writing. “Is he into books or plays? This looks very Hamlet to me.”

“I’ve never seen him read. Why?”

“It’s pretty and reminds me of a play.”

“He did that one for a guy who had a friend in the movie industry, so it could be inspired by a play.” Kurt shrugged. “Do you like them?”

“The works? I do. I don’t want to be inked with them, but they’re beautiful.” She touched an image of the name Christine surrounded by roses.

“You don’t want to look at that.” Kurt changed the page.

“Why?” She wanted to go back to the pretty roses.

Kurt sighed. “It was done for his wife, Christine.”

“Oh, did she like roses?” The image was a sweet gesture.

“Her middle name was Rose.”

“Ah. It’s a pretty design.”

“It is. Done with love, too, but she ripped his heart out, and he hates looking at it.” Kurt closed the book. “Look natural.” He whistled as Jimmy rounded the corner.

“Shut up. You’re guilty -- of what, I don’t know,” Jimmy said. “Karey.” He stopped short. “Hi.”

“He showed me your art. It’s wonderful.” She left the stool. “How are you?”

His eyes blazed, and she wasn’t sure if he was upset with her or Kurt… or just upset in general.

“Why did you get that book out?” Jimmy asked. “Jesus.”

“It was on top.” Kurt left his stool. “I need to prep for an appointment. Bye.” He ducked around the corner and disappeared.

Karey wanted to melt into the floor. She didn’t think she’d done anything wrong, but she wasn’t sure what to do. Instead of speaking, she kept her mouth shut.

“So you saw my art.” Jimmy leaned on the counter. “You like it?”

“I do.” She clasped her hands together.

“Do you?”

“I said I did.” How else should she answer? “I should go.”

“Why?” He stood, but his shoulders sagged. “Karey.”

“What? You’re uncomfortable with me being here, so I’ll go.” She left the counter. “See you around.”

“No. Wait.” He stopped her at the door. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“Being a dick.” He grasped her hand. “I’m touchy about my ex and my past. When I saw Kurt showing you that book of tattoos, I knew he’d shown you the one I did for Christine. It made me prickly because I wanted to hide and erase that you’d found out.”

She exhaled. “Why? Because you have a past? So? I do.”

“I wasn’t enough for my ex, and I got scared that I’d never be enough for anyone else.” He rubbed her hand. “I like you and I want to keep seeing you -- despite my being a thickheaded doofus.”

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