Riker's Calling - Episode 18

Riker Wednesdays

PART THREE

NORMALIZED

(September, 2016)

“SO HAVE YOU GIVEN ANY MORE THOUGHT TO MY OFFER?” Riker asked Jaime, the two seated across from each other over lunch at their favorite seafood restaurant, The Charleston Marina right outside their window.

“You’re already an amazing artist, but it can only strengthen your skills. Just imagine being able to study the greats, while taking your work to the next level. I’ll take care of everything- tuition, books, dorm, unless you prefer to live off campus. You could look for an apartment. We could start hunting for a good school, get you set up for Winter Semester?”

“I can’t promise anything, Uncle Riker, but maybe we can aim for next fall. You know I’ve been waiting for this day from as far back as I can remember.

“Now that I can finally start inking real skin, I’m gonna need this first year to gain experience. To really get my name out there.”

“Couldn’t you do both? Part time studies, part time slingin’ ink?”

Jaime laughed. “Look at you! Aren’t you the hipster!

“Treat your passion like it’s a past time, you’re a hobbyist. Treat it like it’s your life, you’re an artist.”

“Wow. And look at you! Ms. Philosopher!”

This is the kind of rapport they always had, playing off each other like a comedic duo, enjoying each other for a couple of days every couple of months.

“Talking about giving it a little more thought, remember what you promised me a couple of years ago, on my sweet sixteen?”

“Yeah, but I already told you, it’s not that easy booking Beiber.”

“Ha, ha! I’m not talking about your secret wish list.”

She had become so matured, so fast, now a beautiful young adult that was ready to take on the world. But Riker wasn’t quite ready. Wasn’t ready to see her spread her wings and fly beyond the marina. And definitely wasn’t ready to answer her questions about what really happened to her mother. He had side-stepped and avoided the subject for all these years, even buying more time two years ago when he got her mind off it by giving her a new tattoo machine and a two-year supply of artificial skin.

“You have my word. Next time we see each other, I’ll tell you everything. It’s just that, with your birthday and all. Well, this is your big day. Your biggest of days.”

“So it’s really that bad, huh?”

I could do nothing but change the subject, Jamie seeing that talk of this was starting to get to me and therefore letting me do so.   

“What are you gonna give yourself?”

“You’re just gonna have to wait and see, just like everyone else. But I will go ahead and tell you where…”

She had her elbow up on the table, side of her head resting against the base of her palm. Holding her position, she glanced down to her forearm, then back up to Riker.

“Your forearm?”

“Prime real estate.”

“Just don’t get too crazy, too fast. Next time I see you, I still wanna be able to recognize you.”

“There’s only so much space, I’m in no rush. Have you decided what you want yet?”

“Still gonna have to politely decline.”

“I’ll break you someday. You know you’re dyin’ to show the world what a belieber you are!”

Pappy entered the restaurant and made his way over to their table. “We’re all set up, sweetie. Everyone’s come out to support you.”

The three headed out, Riker taking a moment to pay the bill before catching up. He hadn’t given much thought to the woman who had been seated at his back, other than to include her in his initial mental map of the place when he and Jaime had first sat down.

An inconspicuous woman, probably a traveller just passing through, enjoying her chicken salad and iced tea on this sunny September afternoon.

Five minutes later and the woman had joined the big crowd out in front of Davey Jones’ Locker. Some were tourists, but most were part of the seaside community, there to cheer the young eighteen-year-old on as she tattooed herself for the first time for all to see.

Little by little, the woman was eventually able to make her way to a good vantage point, standing not that far behind the teen’s uncle and grandparents as the ink on Jaime’s forearm began to form a colorful work of art that appeared to magically take shape. This was the skill of all great artists, wasn’t it? To create beauty out of nothing but simple items? The image coming to life was that of