As anyone in my small group of friends will tell you, I'm very shy. So shy, in fact, that I'm surprised I have any friends at all. I am not really sure why I am so shy, after all I'm average looking, I have a decent job, and I'm intelligent. I guess I was just raised to be very quiet and guarded. I've never done good things. I've never done bad things. I never did anything out of the blue. That's why last weekend was so incredible; I still can't believe there's a woman like her out in the world. She is an axe to break the ice. I'll tell you the story, and you'll see what I mean.
I was at a local antique store, in the overcast gloom of Seattle, rooting through some records. I'm a big collector of vinyl, and they had just come across a large purchase of albums. While I was picking through some gems from the past, a smoking hot Tattooed girl jostled in next to me, bumping my arm and began fishing through the records as well.
"I love the imperfect sound of vinyl" she said, in a distinct accent, that I couldn't yet place. I gave her a half grin, my shy way of agreeing. I was clutching an original pressing of London Calling by The Clash. every once in a while, you find a great score like that. Maybe not once in a lifetime, but a great score nonetheless. As I continued my careful inspection of the vinyl gold, the unbelievable looking foreign beauty standing near me, exclaimed.
"OH MAN! You have London calling?!"
I managed to squeak out some kind of 'yep' or something stupid like that.
"Dude, I would totally suck your cock for that record" the eccentric stranger said with a giggle. I must've looked stunned, I said nothing. She laughed and asked if I was OK. I was able to chuckle quietly and mumble about how I love The Clash.
"I'm actually from London. Too bad they broke up before I was born." She told me, without a hint of discomfort at the unsolicited conversation, which I admired. "So, I guess you're going to buy the record then?" She inquired.
I felt like simply handing it over to her. Pressing it into her hands and running. She seemed so into the band, but I really wanted it too.
"I would really love to have it, but you seem to really want it." My voice cracked as I told her. Before I could really make a decision, she told me to get it and that she would just come home with me and listen to it at my place. As I was sheepishly agreeing with her, she interrupted with
"I'm Matilda" and stuck out her hand, which had a fantastic tattoo of a lotus flower on the top of it. I shook her hand, afraid that mine was sweaty, and let go quickly. I could tell she was used to talking to anyone near her. Which was so foreign to me. I went directly to the cashier and purchased my new find, but I was very nervous about having the stranger come home with me. what would I say to her? How would I entertain her? I was bright red when I turned to walk away from the counter.
"What turntable do you use?" She asked. I was fixated on her facial piercings and could hardly concentrate enough to answer her. I finally said
"Oh...uh, I have an old RCA hi-fi" she was totally impressed and was excited to get to my apartment. She drove the conversation and seemed to be a little flighty as we took the short walk in the grey afternoon light.
I fumbled with my keys, trying to get my door open; I know she could tell that I was not comfortable. We stepped through the door and she looked around.
"Nice place" she complimented. I thanked her and showed her into my front room "so, do you ever talk?" Matilda asked.
I told her that I was very shy and wasn't used to meeting random people and having them over.
"That's too cute" she told me.
I was embarrassed and she loved it. I opened up the turntable and put on the old, well worn treasure that I had just unearthed. I told her she could sit anywhere. Of course, to make me even more embarrassed, she sat right next to me on my black leather sofa. As the record crackled out its first notes, Matilda asked if she could take off her jacket. I told her to make herself comfortable. She pulled her denim jacket off, her arms were exposed and she had the most amazing tattoos down both arms. I was trying not to stare. I was able to make out a Japanese tree and flowers on one arm and a guitar and some music themed, tattoos on the other. Her shirt was low slung at the collar and I could see that she had a tattoo on her chest as well.
"I like your tattoos" I mentioned timidly. I had a few of my own and she returned the compliment. I was beginning to feel a little more comfortable around her; I was really impressed with her gregarious openness. She had a way of breaking through to me. An unexpected radiance that melted me easily.
By the time we got to the song Hateful, we were both singing along in our best Joe Strummer voices. She was dancing in a sort of chaotic way, and I was laughing with her. I hadn't felt such an ease with anyone in a long time.
Finally, Side, one of the first album came to a close. The dirty cracking of the needle was the only sound. I went over to change sides when Matilda blurted out
"Do you wanna fuck?"