Settling into the rocking chair in the corner of the room, I place Layla in my lap. “Hi, Baby Girl. I’m your daddy.”
I know she can’t respond, but the huge, toothless smile that takes over is answer enough. There’s nothing that can bring me down from this moment.
* * *
I’m loungingon Marshall’s couch flipping through many pictures I took of Layla, pausing on the one I had Tonya snap of the two of us. I can see how proud I am of this little person. I toss the phone to Marshall so he can see her.
“I’m glad you finally manned up and talked to Tonya,” he says scrolling through the pictures.
“Me too. Thank you for giving me the push I needed.”
“I take it everything went okay?” He asks.
“Yep. We’re going to arrange a day in the park soon.”
Marshall laughs, “I sense a but coming on.”
“Reaf is going to be there,” I grimace. “But I guess if we’re going to attempt to co-parent, I need to deal with him being around. He’s been good to her while I’ve been trying to figure my shit out.”
“Look at you being an adult.”
I yank my phone out of his hand. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“Alright, I’ll quit.” He stands and picks up two controllers from the coffee table. “Want to throw down on some 2K?”
I don’t reply. I grab the offered controller and try my best to beat him. With the way I’m feeling right now, even a loss in a video game won’t bring me down.
Eight
Charleigh
It’s beenover two weeks since I tattooed Jake, and I have yet to put ink on another person. It’s really starting to frustrate me. I know Corey approves of the sketches I’ve been doing. He’s finding less and less to criticize when I show him. It’s part of the reason I’m so annoyed with the whole situation.
It’s also why I’m mopping the floor like it’s personally offended me. Maybe I should let some of my anger and frustration follow me home. There’s no telling how spotless it would be if I scrubbed like I am right now.
I hear footsteps approaching from behind. “You know that’s all you’re going to be, right?”
Ugh, why does Bianca have to choose this moment to come in here and be bitchy. That’s one thing I can’t take right now.
“Why does my place in this shop matter so much to you? It’s not like you’ll be out of a job when I come on board.” I slam the mop into the water bucket.
“I just wanted to let you know that if you haven’t made it by now, you most likely never will.” She turns on her heel and walks back into her workroom. Not even giving me the chance to reply.
I really wish I understood what her problem with me is. She’s someone I’ve looked up to since she started working at Life in Ink. I’ve watched her work with precision and professionalism, but she takes every opportunity to put me down. I’m beginning to question whether I even have what it takes to pursue this dream of mine.
I continue mopping because the shop is practically a ghost town this afternoon. I have a feeling it will pick up this evening, but for now this is keeping me busy. I’m trying to let my mind wander, but it’s not working. I’m still stuck on the fact that my uncle is holding me back, and I want to know why.
The bell about the door dings, so I set the mop aside preparing to see who’s come in, but I’m met by Corey in the hallway. He’s carrying a bag of food.
He lifts it in my direction. “Want to take a break and have lunch with your favorite uncle?”
I roll my eyes, little does he know he’s not my favorite anything right now. “Sure.”
Putting away the mop and bucket, I try to figure out how I’m going to talk to Corey about my place in the shop. I need to know if I’m wasting my time. If everything that I’ve been working toward is for nothing.
When I walk into his office, he’s setting food on his desk. I notice he made a special trip for me to get pasta. He must have sensed my mood before he left to get lunch.
“Sit down, Charleigh. Whatever you were doing can wait.” Corey says before taking a seat behind the old metal desk he’s had for as long as I can remember.