Page 88 of Pretty Thing

Matt holds out his hand like he is showing off a castle.

“Come on in, take a look around. You may even see a tattoo Felix can do for you. Trust me, you can’t go wrong with his work.”

Felix seems mortified and a little shy. This is so not the man I know.

“Give me your jacket, and I’ll hang it up.”

After passing him my coat, I strike off to investigate his personal space. A container just like the one my mum used to store her homemade cookies in catches my eye. The little sign on the counter says “Take one,” so I do. I’m not one to pass up a home-baked treat.

I take a bite and moan. Then, like hitting a switch, tears stream down my face. Felix is right there, hands on my shoulders.

“What’s wrong?”

Holding up the cookie, I try to get out the words.

He looks at it.

“You don’t like it? I didn’t know my cooking was that bad,” he teases, and I manage a little smile.

“They taste…” I suck in a steadying breath and look at the delectable cookie. “It tastes exactly like my mum’s recipe.”

“I’m so sorry.” His face falls, and he reaches for the container. I quickly stop him.

“No, don’t. Just leave them. They’re…wonderful. Perfect even, my favorite. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

And I suddenly understand how grief sneaks up on people. It isn’t anything big. It’s just a cookie.

“Are you sure?”

The initial shock wears off, and I manage a nod.

“Yeah…it’s this tiny random piece of my past, but in the best way possible. It’s like my mother was here, making these for us. Does that sound crazy?”

Felix slowly smiles and then shakes his head.

“No, it doesn’t. In fact…you’re giving me an idea for your tattoo,” Felix says.

“Oh, I don’t know…”

“Let me guess…a virgin,” Matt says, and my eyes go wide.

“What?” I squeak.

“You know, like you’ve never had a tattoo before,” Matt clarifies, and I relax, feeling wholly stupid.

“I actually have a small one already.”

I lift my jeans and show off the tiny turtle tattoo just above my ankle.

“I got it for my high school graduation. My friend Kris and I both got one at the same time. From a place on Main St.”

“The Needle Queen? Yeah, I know it. Felix used to work there,” Matt says.

I turn to look at Felix, and he nods. “For around five years.”

“Wow, small world. I wish I’d seen you,” I say, and Felix chuckles.

He lowers his voice, making it sound eerie.