I Fell in Love with Hope - Lancali

“Remember, it’s gonna hurt a little, okay?” he says.
“Go for it! I fear nothing.”
Carl laughs. “I don’t doubt that. Try not to move, honey.”
Sony hums for the endearment.
While Carl gets to work, Hikari and I explore the graffiti rampant
parlor.
Bold colors pop against the dark walls, drawings like I’ve never seen
all over them. Hikari takes my hand in hers and points to her favorite
designs. I ask her what kind of gods tattoo artists are in her
bohemian religion. She smirks over her shoulder, lips twisting as if
she’s trying to rein in her amusement. She doesn’t answer me. Her
arms have more devious ideas. They sneak and interlink around my
back as she recommends I get definitions tattooed on my hand. For
the sake of remembering pretentious Latin meanings. I tell her she
should get her drawings tattooed on her so they live forever. She
tells me sometimes I am more considerate than her teasing allows.
“How are you doing, Sony?” C asks.
“I’m great!” Sony yells. We are only privy to the finished product, she
said, so we listen from the other side of the shop. Sony chuckles. “It
feels like a spicy ultrasound.”
“So what do you do? You a college student?” Carl asks her.
“Nah. I just take care of kids. Most of them are in oncology or the
daycare center. It’s gonna be my job soon.”
“That sounds fun.”
“It’s so fun! Kids are great. I mean they can be jerks sometimes, but
they’re honest and funny and a little crazy. It’s never boring.”