Page 173 of Not My Type
“Yes, mi want sup’m small,” I watch as his laughter dances through the air.
“Okay, like what?” he inquires, curiosity piqued.
I shrug, contemplating. “Um... my name or something I cherish,” I tell him, a smile creeping onto my lips.
“Okay... so mi nuh fi drop yuh off then?” he asks, and I shake my head no.
“Yuh know what, I want to change my clothes first,” I say. He nods and pulls off.
Once we’re home, I quickly swap into something more comfortable, the excitement bubbling inside me. I meet Nickoi in the car, and he drives us to the tattoo shop. When we get there, the buzzing of the machine hits my ears, and for a split second, doubt creeps in.
“This sick enuh, Wayne!” a woman exclaims, and I glance at the man behind the needle. Is he a relative of Nickoi? He doesn’t seem old—perhaps in his late 30s, I muse, while Nickoi scrolls through his phone on the sofa beside me, oblivious to the familial connection.
“Yeah man!” Wayne laughs, capturing the moment with a photo.
“When mi done, mi a go wear bikini fi show off mi tattoo,” the woman exclaims, bubbling with enthusiasm.
He chuckles warmly. “Nickoi, how it gwaan since yuh dweet?” Wayne asks, turning his gaze to Nickoi.
“It Gov’ enuh, mi just feel like a time fi yuh finish it,” a hint of readiness in his voice.
Wayne’s eyes meet mine. “Hi beautiful, bright eyes,” he smirks, a playful glimmer in his expression.
“Uncle, none a that—a mi ooman dat,” Nickoi interjects, a teasing edge to his tone, prompting a chuckle from Wayne.
I feel a blush creep onto my cheeks. “Bwoy yuh nuh ramp enuh,” Wayne chuckles, extending his hand for a handshake, which I gladly accept.
“I’m Wayne... your boyfriend’s favorite uncle, ask him,” he declares, drawing a laugh from me. Nickoi shakes his head with a smile, clearly amused.
“She want a tattoo,” he states before turning to me.
“Weh yuh want it?” I shrug, uncertainty clouding my thoughts.
“I’m not sure yet,” I say. After a moment, I think I want it between my breasts, but the idea makes me hesitate. “I’d like it between my breasts...” I trail off. He studies me for a moment.
“Uncle Wayne naah do that; mi aguh make him ooman do it, fawud,” he says, standing from his seat, my hand in his.
“She decide what she want yet?” Wayne asks.
“Yah, but yuh naah dweet,” his voice sharp, a grin spreading across his face.
“Arite bad bwoy,” Wayne grins. Nickoi pushes the back door open, revealing a woman adorned with piercings over her face; two on her eyebrows, two gracing her nose, and as soon as she smiles I see glistening gems peeking from her tongue. My
goodness man.
“Wah gwaan Nickoi?”
“Deh yah enuh. Fawud fi finish mi tattoo and mi ooman want one between her breasts,” he tells her.
She looks at me with a smile. “Hi hun, I’m Stacy.”
“Hi,” I smile stretching to her a picture of my desired design.
“Alright,” she smiles. After a brief moment, she finally revs up the machine again.
“Tattoos are cute but the sound a this just chro,” I laugh and Stacy joins me.
“Nuh focus on the sound baby,” she assures. “It nah guh that bad.”
