Page 23 of Valley of the Shadow
Makeda asked, “What’s wrong with water?”
“Because we’re out with the girls,” Brigid said. “That’s what’s wrong with water. I’ll get you a whiskey.”
“That’s really okay.”
“Whiskey!” She looked at the tattoo artist. “Beer?”
The man nodded. “Beer.”
“I’ll be back.” She turned, then spun back. “You”—she pointed at Makeda—“come with me. I’ll need the extra hands.”
Makeda rose from her chair. “I am more than happy to help.”
The small town at the edge of the water was the gateway to the many national parks in the region as well as being a hub for ranchers and farmers who needed to trade. The town consisted of a clutch of houses, a church, a school, a general store with lots of camping equipment, and two different pubs. One of the pubs was called Gato Negro, the Black Cat, and the other was simply called Irish Pub, which amused Brigid to no end.
Natalie, Beatrice, and Dez waited while the artist applied the stencil to Dez’s ankle. Within few moments, the tattoo needle had buzzed on and the artist had started the outline.
“Oh, you bitch!” Dez spit out. “This hurts like a mother.”
Natalie tried not to cackle. “It’ll be fine. I wonder if it hurts worse on the ankle?”
“I bet it does,” Beatrice said.
“Uh-huh.”
“You are both lying liars who lie.” Dez closed her eyes and hummed loudly. “Where’s my beer?”
Over the next hour, the artist carefully outlined the small flower before he filled it in with vivid golden orange and began shading it. Green and orange were brilliant against Dez’s pale skin while the black and grey of Natalie’s new ink complemented her freckles.
“You know,” Brigid said, peeking at Natalie’s ink again. “I’m quite happy you’re…” She glanced at the artist. “…taking the path you are. Not enough of our kind with freckles. Even in Ireland.”
Natalie’s eyes went wide. “You don’t think…”
“What?”
“Do they fade? Do you think it’s like… a side effect?”
Brigid wrinkled her nose. “Oh, that’d be horrible, wouldn’t it? But no! My fine man has plenty of freckles, just not on his nose like you. So they mustn’t fade.”
That was a relief. Natalie had hated her freckles as a child, but she’d grown to love them, especially after Sarah was born. Baojia called them her personal constellations. Speaking of constellations…
“Are the skies clearing up?” Natalie asked.
“Yes,” Makeda said, finishing her second beer. She’d drunk the whiskey and asked for another, but then switched to beer when the pub had closed down. “I can see the stars. And the Southern Cross! That’s lovely.”
The artist was finishing up Dez’s tattoo, Brigid had stocked up on beers for the ride home, but the night was getting shorter and shorter. The skies had threatened rain on the way into town, but the women had soldiered on, unwilling to let a little rain get in the way of their girls’ night out. Natalie was relieved to know they wouldn’t get rained on as they made their way back to the valley once the tattoos were done.
“Do you think we’ll be able to do this again?” Natalie asked.
“Tell you what,” Brigid said. “I will commit to a year from now, dragging my reluctant arse onto a giant ship—because you know I hate sea travel—and making my way down here to do this again.” She lifted her beer. “Though maybe without the tattoos. Is everyone in?”
“I am in,” Makeda said. “Also, Lucien will be here for the full year, so I’ll likely be in the area as often as possible.”
Natalie’s mouth fell open. “Really? He’s planning on the whole year?”
Makeda cocked her head. “Of course. He wouldn’t dream of leaving you.”
“But Baojia—”
