The Space Between Us(53)

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it ever since I turned eighteen.”

“I don’t get it. This is supposed to be my birthday, why are we getting you a tattoo?”

He kissed me quickly and pulled away smiling. “Because my tattoo is going to be your name.” My eyebrows shot up and I shook my head.

“Asher, no. No, no no, no, no, no. You can’t. No.” My head shook quickly back and forth, my hair flailing around behind me and I unconsciously took a few steps backwards.

“Yes. Listen, I’ve given this a lot of thought and I want to do it. You can either come in here and keep me company or you can take a cab back to the hotel, but I really want you with me.” I looked back and forth between Asher and the door to the tattoo parlor.

“Can you get something else besides my name?”

“No.”

“Is there anything I can say to change your mind? This is a little crazy.”

“What’s crazy about it?”

“It’s permanent, Asher.”

“So are we.”

There was nothing else to say. Even if I didn’t think it was a good idea, I couldn’t argue with that. Didn’t want to. I was impressed, however, with how prepared he was. It did seem like he’d spent a lot of time thinking about the decision. He had a drawing with him that outlined exactly what he wanted, he knew where he wanted it, and there was no talking him out of it.

I watched as they prepped his arm, the spot right below his elbow on the backside. I watched as they placed the stencil and he stood up to look in the mirror, approving its placement. He showed it to me and asked, “How’s it look?” He was so excited. All I could do was smile. I watched as he flinched when the needle dug into his skin, moving so quickly in and out you couldn’t see it move, just heard the incessant buzzing. He put on a brave face, but I could tell at some points it really hurt him. It took about an hour and a half, but when all was said and done “Bit” was scrawled down his arm in a masculine yet flowery script.

“I love it,” he said, moving in front of the mirror to examine it from all angles. I stood behind him and when he lowered his arm naturally, I could see my name, clear as day, etched permanently on his skin.

“You’re crazy,” I said under my breath. He heard me, of course, and we smiled at each other.

“You don’t think you’d ever get my name tattooed on you?”

I shook my head. “No, probably not.”

“Why?”

“I don’t think I need a reason for not getting a tattoo. I still think you need a reason for the tattoo you just got.”

“Why is it so hard for you to understand? This tattoo? It will last for as long as I live. When I die, this tattoo will still be on my skin, still be a part of me. But eventually, I will be gone, the tattoo will be gone, and you will be gone too. But, us? We will never be gone. We’re forever. Infinite. So whether I get your name tattooed on me or not, it makes no difference. This ink, it’s permanent, but it’s nothing compared to how I feel about you.”

I pulled him to me so that our lips were almost touching. “I think you’re crazy for doing this, but I love you.”

“That’s all I need, Bit. I love you too.”

The next two days went by too quickly. I met Asher’s grandparents when we went to the farm and, although they were nice, they weren’t much company. While Asher was out working the fields, or whatever he did the entire day he was gone, I spent a lot of time trying to draw the landscape around me. Thank goodness Reeve had thought to pack my drawing supplies. I wasn’t a city girl, but I wasn’t used to being in such a rural setting either. I tried perfecting my trees, worked on getting the shading of the wheat fields just right.

The last night of my visit Asher found me in the hay loft of the barn, where I had befriended the barn cat. This beastly cat must have made many meals of mice because he was massive. I couldn’t even fathom how he’d made it up to the second story of the barn. He rubbed vigorously against my ankle, his pink, wet nose seeking out any part of me that he could accost.

“Bit, you up there?”

“Yeah. I’m hanging out with the cat.”

I saw Asher’s face appear as he climbed up the ladder to sit next to me. “Ah ha, you’ve met Sir Mouse-A-Lot.” I giggled loudly.

“That’s not really his name.”

“Indeed. He is the best mouser in these parts. That’s why he’s so fat.”

“How was your day?” I asked, looking over at him. His cheeks were pink as if he’d been in the sun too long. I looked over the rest of him and it seemed like his cheeks took the brunt of the sunlight.

“Long. I just kept thinking about how you’re leaving tomorrow.”

I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. “Thank you for flying me out here. I had a really good time. Best birthday ever.”

“I wish you could stay.”

I sighed. “Honestly, I’d love to spend the summer with you, Asher. But there’s nothing for me to do here.”

“You could draw.”

I looked over at him and took a moment to think about what he was saying. Asher had his moments of insecurity, just like any guy, and sometimes he just wanted me near him, especially when it felt like it wasn’t an option. “I could draw, but eventually I would get tired of drawing. My dad would miss me and I feel like Reeve still needs someone around to keep her spirits up.” I reached over and wrapped my hand around the back of his neck, urging him to look at me. “We’ve spent every summer apart, and even though I miss you like crazy, the best part of the summer is always the day you come back.” I started playing with the hair on the back of his neck, liking the way it was still damp from sweat.