Tatted Up

by Phoenix Rayne

  “I want to see Beale Street Fiona.”

  “It’s really nothing to see during the day. We can come back tonight or tomorrow night. Then we will see some real action.” Fiona told Waverly.

  “I’ve heard so many things about Beale Street.”

  “Yes, it’s pretty amazing. All the lights, music, and the food.” Fiona told her.

  “So, have you talked to him?” Waverly asked. Fiona just shook her head.

  “No voicemail, no text messages?”

  “Nope,” Fiona replied to her.

  “Well, I guess the real question is, do you want to hear from him?”

  “I have way too much on my plate right now to even muster up enough feelings to care.”

  “No, I understand. You’ve always been an expert of covering and hiding your true feelings.” Waverly told her friend. Fiona didn’t respond this time. There was something in the words that Waverly had just said to her that stung a bit.

  Waverly Lockhart stayed in Robinsonville, Mississippi for five days. Fiona took her to the famous monuments and historical places the Midsouth had to offer. They went to the Casino’s, Pink Palace, Elvis Priestley’s Home (Graceland), National Civil Rights Museum - The place where Dr. Martin Luther King was shot (Lorraine Motel), Crystal Shrine Grotto, The Peabody Ducks, Fire Museum of Memphis, Metal Museum, Shelby Farms Park, and on Waverly last night they stayed in Memphis and went on a bike tour. This was no normal bike tour, this one was a Tavern on pedals.

  Waverly thought this was the absolute best outdoor activity. The tavern accommodated up to 20 people. It was a bring your own booze Tavern. They provided the cooler, ice and cups, and even a few refreshments! All passengers must be at least 21 years of age. The two-hour bar crawl included exclusive drink specials and it made 2-3 stops for the patrons to take advantage of deep discounts from their partners. At the tail end of the pedal Tavern tour, Fiona got very chatty.

  “I miss him so much Wav.” Fiona slurred.

  “You mean you miss his dick?” Waverly slurred back.

  “Yea! That’s it, he had an amazing dick. It was thick and lengthy.”

  “He looked like he could fuck ya really good.” Waverly hiccupped.

  “Girlllllll yes. This one time, he was like getting from the back, and I sat up a little. Girlllllll he pushed me down and wrapped his forearm around my neck and told me to stay down and take his dick! Girlllllll my pussy is pulsating just thinking about that shit.” She slurred.

  “Shit! Mine is too just from hearing it.” Waverly laughed. They were both quiet for a couple of minutes. Fiona finished the last bottle of the Dutch Apple IVANABITCH flavored Vodka.

  “Yep, he loved me good.” Fiona sighed.

  “Wait, what?” Waverly asked confused.

  “I said, yep he fucked me good.”

  “Ohhhh, okay.” Waverly fanned herself from the alcohol’s heat that was rising inside of her.

  The two drunken women walked hand in hand to their hotel singing Blue Suede Shoes down the street.

  As soon as Waverly got off her plane at Nashville International she called Hil to see if they were outside. She yanked her one suitcase from the roundabout terminal and rushed towards the terminals exit. She saw Hil’s white Beemer with the headlights on. She lifted the open trunk and threw her bag in. She opened the back door and scooted to the middle of the seat.

  “She’s way worse than we thought.” She told Hil and Nickey.

  “Fuuuck,” Nickey whined.

  “Where’s that butcher shop at?” Waverly asked.

  “Somewhere in the Gulch,” Nickey answered her.

  “It has a weird name,” Hil told them. They all thought about it and nothing came to mind.

  “Wait, what’s the name of that bakery?” Nickey asked.

  “What?” Waverly replied to her

  “That big warehouse bakery, you know the commercials about the dentist for-uhmmmm.” Nickey drifted in deep thought.

  “Oh! I know. Ouch! You’ll need a dentist for that pain. I know but this toothache is worth it.” Hil recited the commercial like she was casting for it.

  “Tooth Ache Bakery, the Butcher shop is directly across the street from it,” Nickey told them. The trio headed across town to Demonbreun Street. They say all the flying cakes, sweet rolls, and cookies on the large building. The looked across the street and saw The Chop Shop. The line was wrapped around the doorway onto the sidewalk outside. It was a Saturday afternoon and the Butcher shop was packed. The trio walked through the crowded shop door and ignored the death stares they got in the walkthrough. Inside all the tables were crammed full and they saw a pickup order line, it was empty. They walked over to it and waited.

  “You ah got an order?” Levy the owner asked them. He was elbow deep in a slab of meat. Waverly looked over at him and nodded.

  “Uhh, what’s the name?” Levy asked wearily. He hadn’t taken any orders for any new customers. Normally on Saturdays, his customers came in and made fresh to go orders. Waverly used her pointer finger and summoned him over. Levy finished the slab he was slicing. He washed his hands and went to the pickup counter.

  “What was the name?” Levy asked them.

  “Do you have an employee by the name of Asher that works here?” Waverly asked him.

  “No, I mean yes and no.”

  “What?”

  “I had an employee here name Asher but he doesn’t work here anymore,” Levy told him. The trio sighed and looked around. “Are you ladies’ friends of Asher’s?” Levy asked suspiciously.

  “Yes, do you know where we can reach him?”

  “How do you know him?” Levy asked sternly.

  “He’s a friend of a friend,” Hil told him.

  “Oh, the super model.” Levy accused. The trio just stared at Levy. He shook his head and started walking away from the counter. “Leave him alone.” He bit out.

  “We’re trying to help him,” Nickey told him.

  “The high society wench messed him all up. Leave him be.” Levy told them.

  “Sir, I don’t think there any good without the other. I think they need each other. We're just trying to help, that’s all, honestly.” Waverly pleaded.

  “He moved out to Franklin, our second location is out there,” Whistler told them from behind the order counter.

  “Whistler!” Levy yelled.

  “He’s sick over that damn girl and you know it,” Whistler told him. Levy looked back at the trio and sighed.

  “It’s over by Drakes on Cool Springs Boulevard.”

  “Is she there today?” Waverly asked.

  “He’s there whenever those doors are open,” Levy told them. Waverly caught the undertone is his words but she said nothing.

  The Trio drove down I-65 for 16.1 miles. They pulled up at The Chop Shop and this location was just as packed as the other.

  “Oh, I see why The Chop Shop is so damned popular. Salt Bae only goes to their locations when he’s in town. He’s been at locations like ten times getting meat.” Hil told them. Salt Bae is a Turkish chef named Nusret Gökçe. He became an Internet phenomenon after he posted an Instagram video of himself stripping and slicing a steak and then fancifully throwing salt onto it.

  Since then, he's been dubbed "Salt Bae" and videos of him dusting the cut of meat has been transformed into gifs. More than 10 million people have watched his Instagram video.

  “That would explain it,” Nickey replied. They walked passed the crowd on the side walked and went it to the pickup line. They looked around the big shop and didn’t see Asher anywhere. Two customers stood in the pickup line. This location had five people behind the counter and two working the pickup counter. When the trio was up next Waverly made one last look at all the employees before she looked at the girl behind the counter.

  “What’s the name?” She asked.

  “Uhmmm is Asher here?” Waverly asked.

  “Yea, may I ask who’s asking?”

  “Oh, a friend,” Waverly told her. The gir
l at the counter nodded and turned her back on the Trio. She touched the black cord hanging from her ear and spoke into the microphone.

  “He’ll be right out.” She told them. They moved over to the side of the counter while the customers behind them were being served. They waited almost two minutes and then someone cleared their throat.

  “Sorry about the wait, I’m one of the owners how can I help you?” The Trio who then had their back on the counter turned to face the voice. The sight the women saw was breathtaking. Asher Waters had turned into one of sexiest businessman any of them had ever seen. He wore a pair of black square frames that complimented every edge and structure of his face. White collared button down with navy blue trousers that looked almost melted to his skin, in a good way. Navy socks and square toe dress shoes ended his ensemble. There wasn’t a tattoo in sight. His wrist, hands, neck, and head were the only pieces of skin showing.

  The moment when Asher recognized his visitors he closed his eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath with his shoulders giving him away.

  “Ladies, I wasn’t aware it was you waiting on me. How may I help you?” He asked in a business but almost casual tone. The trio was speechless and stunned. The first to speak was Hil.

  “Did she do this to you?” Hil whispered. Asher didn’t answer her, he just grinding his back teeth silently. Waverly saw his jaw moving up and down.

  “Can we speak with you, somewhere not so crowded?” Waverly asked.

  “There’s a Starbucks in walking distance, would that suffice?”

  “Ahh, who are you?” Nickey asked in pure disgust. Asher turned without a word. He mouthed and pointed towards Starbucks at the girl behind the pickup counter. She nodded and he held a hand out for the trio to exit the shop.

  “Like a Stedford wife is more like it.” Asher was over Hil and Nickey talking about him, but he didn’t react to their opinion. Waverly lingered closer to Asher and she watched her carefully. Asher gave her nothing from his demeanor nor his face.

  Hil ordered an Iced Lightly Sweet Chai Latte, Nickey ordered the Toasted Coconut Cold Brew, Waverly had a chilled Ethos water, and Asher ordered a Nitro Cold Brew. Asher picked up the bill and put ten dollars in the tip jar. The quartet found a table and sat down. Everyone was quiet at first and then Waverly started in.

  “What’s going on with you?” She asked Asher with her arms tightly crossed over her chest.

  “I became part owner of The Chop Shop and I relocated here to Franklin.”

  “Why?”

  “It was what I wanted.”

  “Why?” She asked again.

  “I’m not sure what you all came here to accomplish with this ambush, but I’m done with her. I haven’t called, texted or anything like that. I’ve had no contact with her and I’d like to keep it that way.” He told them. Hil rolled her eyes and dropped her head down. Nickey growled loudly and turned her head away from him. Waverly stood her ground and continued her interrogation as long as he would allow it.

  “So, you get a little of Salt Bae’s celebrity famous fans to come to The Chop Shop and now your untouchable?” Waverly asked him.

  “No.” Was all he responded.

  What was the last thing she said to you?” Waverly asked. Asher sipped his Nitro and then he pulled his left ankle up to his right knee and held on to it with his right hand. Waverly could see the edge of a tattoo on his wrist in this position.

  “I called her out on some shit, she denied it and that was it.”

  “What was the shit?”

  “You should really be asking her these questions.” He told them.

  “We can’t,” Waverly replied. Asher stopped breathing then. His eyes immediately went to Hil and then Nickey. His mouthed popped open and Waverly thought about how her words may have sounded to him.

  “Is she alright?” He begged. Waverly placed a hand on his clenched fist that looked ready to bust through the wood table.

  “She’s fine Asher, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make it sound like something was wrong with her.” Waverly apologized. After a few hard heartbeats. Asher pulled his phone out of his pocket and then stood to his feet.

  “My apologies ladies, but I have a conference call.” He told them, then exited the Starbucks. The Trio watched him leave and they all enjoyed the show.

  That evening when Asher Barker set the alarm and locked the back door of The Chop Shop in Franklin, TN. Asherwas unaware that he was being watched and soon to be followed home. A black sedan followed in behind Asher’s truck through the McKay's Mill community. McKay’s Mill is one of the premier planned communities in Franklin. It’s located about 2 miles east of I-65 and Cool Springs Blvd. It has Its very own town centre that hosts a grocery store, medical offices, restaurants, child care, and other businesses in the heart of the community. The sedan followed Asher until he turned down a small street and entered a two-car garage. The person driving the sedan noticed the motorcycles sitting in the should be second cars parking space, and they sighed in relief. Asher’s garage only held one car and three motorcycles. The person driving the sedan could tell from the looks of this upscale neighborhood that cars wouldn’t ever park on this street. He lived alone and that was a relief.

  The Bluetooth phone rang throughout the speakers of the sedan.

  “Hello?” She whispered

  “Why are you whispering?” Hil asked.

  “I’m in a department store.”

  “Where?”

  “Parisians.” She lied.

  “Uh huh,” Hil responded. There was silence for a moment and then there was a clearing of the throat on the other end of the phone.

  “Well the find my buddy app says your in Franklin and it pinged you’re at the McKay’s Mill subdivision. Oh, and Parisians closed like four years ago.” Hil said Waverly over annoyed with her.

  “I have to go, I’ll call you back.”

  “Wav, make him love her again.” Hil croaked out through the speakers.

  “He still loves her, Hil. It’s the liking part I gotta work on.” Waverly told her concerned and then she disconnected. Waverly pulled up into Asher’s drive and got out of her car. She walked up the steep walk wondering what she would say to him. She rang the doorbell and pulled her phone back out. The front door light came on and then Waverly waited. The door opened and he stared at her. The black rimmed frames and the white button down were gone. It was replaced with a white tank and a pair of Harley-Davidson pajama pants. He was almost glaring at Waverly. He took a swig of his Guinness’s Beer.

  “What do you want?” He growled at Waverly.

  Chapter 10

  Asher stood tall in the doorway, Waverly couldn’t help but to think how much bigger he looked. She thought the door framed looked too small for him. His stare made her feel like an errant child. Waverly was completely out of her comfort zone with this version of Asher. He was so hardened and unwarming.

  “What?” He asked her. Waverly frantically pressed send on her phone and held it up for him to see the call trying to connect. The call connected and Fiona’s breathy ‘Hello’ lingered through the air. Asher closed his eyes tightly and almost transformed into what Waverly was used to. ‘Hello’ was repeated and Waverly could almost feel the sizzle floating.

  “Your friends ambushed me today at work and now Waverly is standing on my doorstep with her phone crushed in my face.” He told her with his eyes closed. There was a long period of silence, and then Fiona broke it.

  “Ash.” Fiona breathed it like a song.

  “Fiona.” He whispered, she didn’t respond. “Fi.” He breathed hard into the phone. Fiona breathed and then a hiccup from a soft cry was heard and Asher's eyes shot open. He made the already shaken Waverly even worse.

  “Ash-”

  “I really want you to still love me” Asher interrupted as he breathed to Fiona. Waverly’s body felt as heavy as a building. Her feet wouldn’t let her walk away and give them the much privacy they deserved and needed right now. Waverly’s body was bei
ng selfish and desired to stay right there and listen to every word spoken between the lost lovers.

  “I mess up everything Asher, we won’t last.”

  “I’ll take whatever days, minutes, or seconds were destined. I just want you to want me no matter how long that may be. I understand in the future these moments may only be one-sided. I’ll welcome any memories of you Fiona.”

  “I can’t get to you Asher I’m not there.”

  “I’m coming to you.” He told her.

  “Asher wait, I’m still in Mississippi.”

  “I don’t give a fuck where you are.”

  “I didn’t imagine it, did I?” Fiona asked him.

  “Didn’t imagine what?”

  “We truly had something special.”

  “Have!” Asher corrected.

  “I’ll be at your doorstep before morning light.”

  “Asher, you can wait till tomorrow, it’s late.”

  “I’ll drive all night to get to you woman.”

  “Ash”

  “Woman, I’m coming. Stop trying to convince me otherwise.” Asher’s deep voice echoed in Fiona’s ears.

  “All I’m saying is, you should wait until the morning,” Fiona said softly, wishing Asher would ignore her concerned and come to her anyway.

  “I’m on my way.” He growled back to her. Fiona’s insides clenched her female walls and wouldn’t let go.

  “Come to me, Asher.” Fiona finally caved into her cravings and told the man that she loved to come to her.

  Asher turned from Waverly, leaving his front door open. She stood there confused when she felt completely and utterly dumbfounded she turned to walk away. She completed three full steps on the walkway when she heard Asher calling out to her. She turned and saw the most precious thing she’d ever seen in her life.

  Asher held the tiniest, curliest, and the most adorable little black puppy in his hand. The little puppy fit in one of his hands.