Read Online Joy and Tiers by Mary Crawford - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mary Crawford
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just right. I thought we were going to drive each other crazy before it was all said and done.”
“It must’ve taken a while,” Tyler observes sympathetically.
I sigh as I remember, “Yes, it did. That was a long year for lots of reasons. I worked on rebuilding my life at the same time I got the tattoo. I think I kept it covered because it felt like it was my secret map to escape what had become a life that wasn’t mine.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, waiting for me to explain.
“Well, I got a new piece of the design as an inspiration to take the next step of my journey. For example, the koi represents personal strength and overcoming adversity. So, when I faced having to press theft charges against the man I thought was going to marry me,” she explains. “Looking at the tattoo reminded me that my identity was not his and even though he made me feel helpless, I really wasn’t. The koi also represents determination, courage and desire for success so in a way this gave me the strength to apply to culinary school.”
I point to the delicate blossom that’s interwoven into my piece. As I describes it, Tyler reaches out and lightly follows my words with his fingertips. The effect is mesmerizing; the tattoo feels like a living thing on my warm skin.
“The next portion I added was the lotus flower. The Lotus is a metaphor—it represents elevating myself. The lotus is born at the bottom of a muddy pond. The plant pushed its stalk up through the mud and murky water to the surface where a beautiful blossom eventually grows. I felt like this was the process I was going through by defying everything my family wanted me to do and striking out on my own to go to culinary school. They were throwing all sorts of mud in my direction, metaphorically and otherwise. It had gotten downright nasty in the LaBianca household before I left. Sadly, things have never quite been the same.”
Ty reaches up and wipes away a tear which has gathered on my lashes.
“I’m sorry it was so rough. What happened when they found out?” he asks as he places his hands on my waist as if they had every right to be there.
“They weren’t happy, but I just kept adding with each milestone. I added the last piece after I graduated from culinary school. The waves represent movement, strength, fluidity, and life. Mine is open—symbolizing the expanding of the soul and spiritual awakening. The wind represents change because I never want to feel as stuck as I did after I found out that I was betrayed by the person that supposedly loved me. I was strong enough to branch out on my own and get a degree in culinary arts so I’ll never be that reliant on another person again.”
Tyler gently kisses my forehead. “See? I told you. Horse-feathers. Someone as smart and beautiful as you wouldn’t randomly scribble on your skin without a great story behind it.”
“I guess I never thought it would mean anything to anybody except me,” I explain.
“Well, I find it—and everything else about you compelling,” Tyler responds.
I back away and give him a saucy wink as I comment, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to distract me from this game of lawn bowling.”
Tyler grins at me as he responds, “I have absolutely no idea what you mean. Wasn’t I winning?”
Boy, she wasn’t kidding when she said she is competitive. I have competed with former Olympic athletes who aren’t as cutthroat. I briefly toyed with the idea of just letting her win the bet so she could name the stakes. However, it becomes clear about ten minutes into the game there’s going to be no “lettin’” going on here. She is beating the pants off me fair and square. She is such a good player my competitive juices are going crazy, I feel like I’m back on the football field facing down a linebacker. It’s been a long time since I’ve competed just for fun. It’s exhilarating to be playing for silly stakes like pastries. I wonder
“It must’ve taken a while,” Tyler observes sympathetically.
I sigh as I remember, “Yes, it did. That was a long year for lots of reasons. I worked on rebuilding my life at the same time I got the tattoo. I think I kept it covered because it felt like it was my secret map to escape what had become a life that wasn’t mine.”
“What do you mean?” he asks, waiting for me to explain.
“Well, I got a new piece of the design as an inspiration to take the next step of my journey. For example, the koi represents personal strength and overcoming adversity. So, when I faced having to press theft charges against the man I thought was going to marry me,” she explains. “Looking at the tattoo reminded me that my identity was not his and even though he made me feel helpless, I really wasn’t. The koi also represents determination, courage and desire for success so in a way this gave me the strength to apply to culinary school.”
I point to the delicate blossom that’s interwoven into my piece. As I describes it, Tyler reaches out and lightly follows my words with his fingertips. The effect is mesmerizing; the tattoo feels like a living thing on my warm skin.
“The next portion I added was the lotus flower. The Lotus is a metaphor—it represents elevating myself. The lotus is born at the bottom of a muddy pond. The plant pushed its stalk up through the mud and murky water to the surface where a beautiful blossom eventually grows. I felt like this was the process I was going through by defying everything my family wanted me to do and striking out on my own to go to culinary school. They were throwing all sorts of mud in my direction, metaphorically and otherwise. It had gotten downright nasty in the LaBianca household before I left. Sadly, things have never quite been the same.”
Ty reaches up and wipes away a tear which has gathered on my lashes.
“I’m sorry it was so rough. What happened when they found out?” he asks as he places his hands on my waist as if they had every right to be there.
“They weren’t happy, but I just kept adding with each milestone. I added the last piece after I graduated from culinary school. The waves represent movement, strength, fluidity, and life. Mine is open—symbolizing the expanding of the soul and spiritual awakening. The wind represents change because I never want to feel as stuck as I did after I found out that I was betrayed by the person that supposedly loved me. I was strong enough to branch out on my own and get a degree in culinary arts so I’ll never be that reliant on another person again.”
Tyler gently kisses my forehead. “See? I told you. Horse-feathers. Someone as smart and beautiful as you wouldn’t randomly scribble on your skin without a great story behind it.”
“I guess I never thought it would mean anything to anybody except me,” I explain.
“Well, I find it—and everything else about you compelling,” Tyler responds.
I back away and give him a saucy wink as I comment, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were trying to distract me from this game of lawn bowling.”
Tyler grins at me as he responds, “I have absolutely no idea what you mean. Wasn’t I winning?”
Boy, she wasn’t kidding when she said she is competitive. I have competed with former Olympic athletes who aren’t as cutthroat. I briefly toyed with the idea of just letting her win the bet so she could name the stakes. However, it becomes clear about ten minutes into the game there’s going to be no “lettin’” going on here. She is beating the pants off me fair and square. She is such a good player my competitive juices are going crazy, I feel like I’m back on the football field facing down a linebacker. It’s been a long time since I’ve competed just for fun. It’s exhilarating to be playing for silly stakes like pastries. I wonder
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