“Aftercare’s the usual. Wash it a couple times a day. Clear, unscented antibacterial soap. Pat it dry with a paper towel. Don’t rub – pat.”
“Uh-huh,” Jim answered dutifully. He’d heard all this before. Would she suggest cocoa butter or skin cream next? It didn’t matter how highly recommended she was; Jim still had half a tub of cream leftover from his previous tattoo that he was going to use regardless. A tattoo’s a tattoo once it’s done.
“Keep it moist. Cocoa butter. Skin cream. Whatever. Use just enough…”
“… so it’s a little tacky.”
She smirked at the know-it-all kid. He’d bragged the entire session about how well he took ink, eyes never not looking down her shirt.
“Come back in a week and we’ll see if you get to keep it.”
“Wait, huh?”
“A tattoo’s a contract, kid. Let’s see if you live up to it. Otherwise it’s gone.”
