The bite of the needle into her skin cut off other thoughts as she adjusted to the pain.It had become an exorcism of sorts.The pain and resulting tattoo were cleansing her of all the bad memories she had, and Trent was helping her replenish her memory with good ones.
It was scary to admit that Trent was becoming as necessary to her as air and water.
Trent broke the silence, scattering her thoughts.“What do you know about Celtic symbols?”
The amount of ink in a very small space was starting to grate on her, the needles moving in such a small area becoming increasingly more painful.She thought back to the sketch of her tattoo, recalling that the handle was made up of predominantly Celtic trinity knots and spirals surrounding precious stones.
“Not that much,” Harper responded through gritted teeth.
“Celtic trinity knots or triquetra can mean many different things.Father, Son, Holy Ghost in Christianity.Pagans celebrate the Virgin, Mother, and Crone.Life, death, and rebirth just about anywhere else.I prefer this one.It means the growth of spirit, life that is eternal, and love that never ends.”
A soothing energy filled the room as Trent described the meaning behind the lines that would be permanently etched on her back.What had started out as being purely a cover-up for something so horrific was becoming a definition of who she was and what she hoped for, way beyond her initial intention.
“The spirals or Celtic triskelions represent the eternal cycle of life, death, and spiritual rebirth.I woke up the morning after I met you and I knew I had to include them somehow because that’s what I think this tattoo means to you.”
Harper felt Trent pause to wipe some of the surplus ink off her back.“And I get that a part of you died when it happened.”
He leaned forward and kissed near the base of her spine, far away from where he was tattooing.“I hope this is a rebirth for you, Harper.That’s what I see when I look at you, darlin’.”Reveling in the power of his words, yet afraid of speaking, of revealing the depth of her true feelings, Harper remained silent.
Trent explained that the two ends of the handles had embedded stones of moss agate.“It’s the most powerful agate,” he said.“It’s believed to help balance emotional energy by allowing the wearer to let go of anger and bitterness.”
Harper could feel the needle going into the left of her spine as Trent inked the green stone.She let her mind focus, visualizing the pent-up anger and frustration leaving her body.
“The center stone is aventurine, red aventurine actually.It could be considered your birthstone.Kit assures me that it supports your root chakra, should you believe in that.Don’t ask me to explain it because it’s not my thing, but she’s a big believer.She says the root chakra ensures your basic needs for safety and health are taken care of.It also helps the wearer see new possibilities and opportunities.”
And she was.It was all becoming clearer that she was staying.She wanted to be with Trent.Tonight wasn’t the night because she didn’t want to sully the incredibly intimate evening, but tomorrow she was going to sit down and tell him about the messages.
“Ouch.”The yelp came out by accident as Trent went back over the bumps of her spine.Harper winced.Trent was doing his best to move the needle location around, she could feel that, but it was really starting to hurt.
She heard Trent put down his equipment and slide the stool around in front of her.
“This is the worst it’s going to be, Harp.You’re being so incredibly brave.I’ve had grown men cry at this point.”
He paused for a moment before kissing her gently on the temple.“We have two options.I can stop in a minute and we can pick it up next time, or I can keep going for another twenty minutes and it will be done.The final appointments, then, will be short and sweet.Not to mention a whole lot less painful.”
Harper took in a deep breath and blew it out harshly.Determined not to cry, she bit down on her lip hard.It stopped the pending deluge, but the tears still threatened.
“Oh darlin’.”Trent kissed her softly.“I’d switch places with you in a heartbeat if I could.I know it hurts where I’m working.”
Harper nodded.He understood.“Can you make it fifteen?”
Trent kissed the side of her eye, where a single tear was making a break for freedom.
“I’ll do it in ten.”
Chapter Twenty-one
“Hey, Harper, come here,” José whispered when Harper arrived for the start of her shift.His forehead wrinkled as he nodded his head toward a table in the corner.“There’s a fella over there been asking for you.The slick-looking guy in the suit.Is everything okay?”
Harper shook her head slightly.“I don’t know.Let me go see what he wants.”
“You were looking for me?”Harper said as she reached his table.
“Harper Connelly?”he asked, his beady eyes observing her.She nodded.“Well, sit, sit, Ms.Connelly.Can I get you a coffee?”
“No, thank you.Would you mind just telling me why you’re here?”
“Of course.”He reached into his bag and pulled out a slim green folder with THEGARDEN OFEVERLASTINGLIFECEMETERYembossed in gold on it.“I’m here for the two o’clock appointment you booked.To discuss the funeral details for your friend…”
