In a couple of days I will celebrate my 28th birthday. A lot of things in my life have changed over these past 10 years. For starters, there's my employment. This former waitress became an RN, having studied at U-Mass Amherst. The charge cards in my wallet these days_ a Master Card from Bank of America, and a card from Forever 21_ are my own. Reimbursing my mom $160 for that charge on her credit card from Body Art by Jen left my savings badly depleted. Needless to say she didn't like the way I had used her plastic.
There's the change that makes me feel very good about my body. Implants done by my employer have turned this girl into a C cup. I hated being just an A.
There's also a major change in lifestyle. I got engaged 6 months ago to a neurosurgeon named Jon Crowe.
A Sunday morning sees me having morning coffee with him on his deck. I don't live with him yet but I spend more time at his place than at my own.
He knows nothing about a certain incident in my past, an incident I would love to repeat. I'm not ashamed of what I did that day. As I sip my coffee and puff on my ciggy between sips my brain formulates the words.
"When I graduated high school I went to Body Art by Jen. Her shop is downtown. I had a pink lace cami and skinny jeans painted on my body and went on a date that night."
"You went on a date naked?"
I gave a grinning nod.
"We need to go grocery shopping and I want to go painted."
"My future wife wants to go naked in public."
"People will think I'm wearing actual clothes. I did it once already and no one even suspected anything."
"Ok go for it girl," said Jon resigning himself to my will.
"Will you walk with me?"
"Of course, and since you have a birthday coming up I'll pay for it. That will be your birthday present."
"Thank you for that. That's exactly what I want from you for my 28th birthday. It's just a question of what I want to wear."
He asked, "what did you wear ten years ago."
"Lace cami and skinny jeans but I don't want the same outfit," I replied.
At 2 P M on my day off, a Tuesday, Jon and I came into a familiar shop and saw a familiar face. Jen greeted us with her warm welcoming demeanor.
"I was here once before, ten years ago. I'm Stephanie Tattaglia."
"Welcome back Stephanie," said Jen. "What can I do for you this time?"
"I want this sweetheart-neck floral cami top." I showed Jen the printout from my computer just so there's no confusion about what I wanted. It's multi color though predominently black.