Tattoo Trauma

/ roughwighting

nose, nose with heart, tattoo, grandmother and granddaughterI didn’t think she’d agree to it – my granddaughter. Months earlier I endured facial surgery to remove what we thought was an unexpected birthmark, which instead turned out to be skin cancer.

Originally 16-year-old Sophie told me my ‘birthmark’ was cute. “Looks like a heart, Madre,” she exclaimed, even though it was centered on my nose. After the surgeon removed the “heart” and the cancer was eradicated, I joked with Sophie, “Well, I guess we’ll just have to get a tattoo of a heart – you and me.”

“Okay!” Sophie agreed readily. Whoops, but I didn’t worry too much. Her mom, my daughter, would never allow it.

But on the day after school ended in June, Sophie, feeling feisty and free, texted me. “Can I pick you up in two hours? I made an appointment for our heart tattoos.”

My eyes widened. Damn. I was about to text back “Does your mom know?” but then I shrugged. Who cares?

Sophie beeped the horn of her huge Jeep Wrangler at 1:59 p.m. with a devilish grin. She knew I thought beeping was rude, but I hopped up into the front ‘cab’ without saying a word. A girls’ afternoon out. I was so excited.

“It’s a secret,” Sophie said with a wink, her long blonde hair waving through the Jeep’s open window. Well, that answered that question.

tattoo, tattoo parlor, ChatGPTTwenty minutes later she parked in front of a shabby building set in the middle of a near deserted alley.

“Max says they’re great here,” Sophie assured me. Max was Sophie’s new boyfriend; one I hadn’t met yet. I followed her confident stride into the tattoo “parlor,” which was dark with lavender lighting and a beaded doorway on the right. A deep accented voice intoned, “Come in.” Or at least that’s what I thought he said, his words mumbled and jumbled in a cadence I didn’t know.

I followed my 16-year-old sweet grand and swallowed my gasp at the seven-foot-tall giant with the thickest longest beard I’d ever seen. If he smiled at us, we couldn’t tell. His mouth was hidden with facial hair. tattoo artist, tattoo parlor, giant, ChatGPT

“Sophie, right?” Mr. Giant grumbled. “And your ole granma. You both want matching parts on a tush, right?”

What did he just say? “No, no,” I replied, much too loudly. “No part of any tushes!!”

Sophie began to giggle. “Madre. He asked if we wanted a heart or a rosebush.   

My face turned as red as a rose on a bush. “Heart,” I begged. “Just a heart. On…?”

Sophie completed the question. “On our ankle?”

“Yes!” I sighed, relieved, thinking this could go well.

ChatGPT, rose tattoo, heart tattoo, rose heart

Do you have a tattoo, or would you like one? P.S. This is autofiction, half is true, and half is my imagination.

107 thoughts on “Tattoo Trauma”

  1. My daughter and friend were visiting on spring break. We lived in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay area. The two went (of course) to Haight Ashbury and got temporary tattoos. They showed them to The Producer and were planning to show them to me and try to pass them off as permanent. (To get a reaction) The Producer advised that they might better keep them hidden since she was sure they would trigger a heart attack. Let’s just say my middle name was Establishment at the time. 😀

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  2. So the half that is untrue is that the tattoo “parlour” was a nice and clean place and the true half is you have matching heart tattoos on your ankles, right?

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  3. Your story is getting a little edgy here with facts and innuendo. Ha!

    And you and Sophie have a sweet relationship–you and she against the “establishment.”

    No, I don’t have a tattoo, but my students urged me to get one. “Just a little butterfly on the inside of your ankle would be nice,” one said. 😀

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    • I am amazed that you didn’t get the butterfly,Marian. Quite a compliment that the students wanted you to. Back when my mom was in her mid 70s she asked me to get a tattoo with her. I didn’t being afraid that she was too old and it wouldn’t be good for her skin plus I didn’t want a tattoo. Now I wish I had done it for her. Sophie laughed when I shared this story with her before I posted it, and she and I are planning on finding a clean tattoo parlor soon. 🙃

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  4. So did you do it??? I guess if you did you’re better than me!!! Jeffrey’s first tattoo was the date I had my transplant on the inside of his arm! I told him I never wanted him to get a tattoo and when he appeared with that, what could I say!

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  5. Both my son and my daughter-in-law have large tattoos. We’ve gotten used to them. My son’s first occurred when he was old enough not to need our permission (16) and was actually very artistic. Since he joined the army, that tattoo and all the subsequent ones were kept out of sight with a short-sleeved short.

    I doubt I would ever get a tattoo – certainly not at my age – it would sag and look dreadful – but I very much enjoyed this story,

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  6. I had wondered if it was true when I was reading it. I do not have any tattoos. I’m not a fan. Both of my kids have several, including some matching sibling designs. I just ignore them.

    You can’t get a driver’s license here until you’re 17, so that would be fiction here. 😉

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    • The sum of the parts, for sure. Let me add that “sometime this summer” I believe the two of us will have our matching hearts. 🙂 Just no dirty tattoo parlor and no bearded man allowed. You know me, once I start a story my imagination takes off like a motorcycle. Being driven by a bearded giant. With a dozen tattoos on his arm.

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  9. Either way, true or created, it’s a great story. I don’t care for tattoo’s but know many who have small body art and some that went for larger scale. The world is wide with so many of us to express to our hearts content. Even on an ankle. I’m glad you had the cancer removed and are healing.

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    • THANK you, Marlene. The facial surgery was a big deal and took a lot of time to heal. Thus, I’m not adverse to taking the plunge and getting a tiny matching tattoo with my granddaughter to celebrate healing and recovery. ❤

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    • I understand, Liz. Remember when it was only motorcyclists who had tattoos, and sometimes men in the military? Ah how the world has changed. I’ve gotten braver now and now and then ask someone who works in the service industry who I see frequently what their tattoo symbolizes, or why they got one. The answers are beautiful, sentimental, and thoughtful. Gave me time to pause. I don’t ever want a large tattoo (and even the idea of a tiny one scares me a bit) but I’m less judgmental on those I see.

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    • Darlene, if I’ve learned anything in my (many) years on this Earth at this time, it’s “never say never.” I thought I’d NEVER get a tattoo either. Nor would I ever encourage my granddaughter to get one. Whoops, look at us now. 🙂 The second part of this story IS fiction, for now….. ❤

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  13. What a great story! I do like tattoos, and the way you framed it makes the skin mark from cancer less frightening for relatives, possibly. I somehow delayed my daughters getting tattoos for a bit by telling them enthusiastically fine, I’m coming too, and getting an “eye” tattoo in the middle of my forehead. They didn’t want that, seemed quite horrified, and waited until they were older. So it turned into a kind of inside joke. I never did get one myself.

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    • Oh, I love this, Jennifer. You are such a smart mom. But I agree, keep our kids (through their teens) away from tattoos until they’re really sure (21 on up) that they want this forever. Maybe I’m a bad grandmother for encouraging Sophie. We’ll see what happens this summer. ❤

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  15. Firstly Pam, I am just delighted to know the surgery went well and all is now clear…
    As to the Tush… that made me smile… 🙂 And fiction or not…. I think you most probably have a most remarkable Granddaughter whose heart is always going to be entwined within yours Tattoo or no tattoo…

    Much love to you … ❤ and Mega Hugs xx ❤

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  16. Fun story with the tatto part. I hope your cancer is resolved! I had a heart-shaped mole on my leg that I thought was cute. Luckily, it was OK, but now gone. There are no tattoos on me, but hubby and son got matching ones a while back for the instruments they play.

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    • That’s fascinating about the tattoos on your husband and son. Are they the same instrument? And what instrument(s)? I’m thinking a drum tattoo could be challenging…

      Yes, I used to think moles were ‘nothing,’ but I’ve learned otherwise. Keep using your sunscreen!!

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  17. When I was young (maybe college-age?), I wanted to get a tattoo because I thought they were cool. When I mentioned it to my mother, she reminded me that my future self may not look so “cool” with a tattoo. I didn’t get one and I’m happy with that decision. Tattoos used to be exciting and different, now they are common. I think small ones that have meaning (like your matching hearts) are nice. I know several people who have larger, more prominent tattoos who would love to get rid of them.

    Wait, I just remembered (seriously, it just occurred to me)… I got my eyebrows tattooed about a year ago because they were disappearing. I guess my “future self” does look cool with tattoos!

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    • Haha. Smiling, Janis. Thanks for that. Yes, I’ve heard eyebrow tattooing is great. Not sure if it’s painful though. Sophie hates (HATES) needles, so we shall see how the summer-tattoo-plan turns out …. 🙂

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  18. True or not or a half truth, I love the story Pam and it had me laughing.🤣 I refused twice as did my middle girl. The others have since gotten a couple of more. I don’t like pain and prefer removable art. 🖼️💓

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    • Half true and by this summer it might be true except for the dirty tattoo parlor. 🙃 I understand what you’re saying and kind of feel the same. We shall see… ♥️

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  19. Haha. I love this story, Pam.. Doing anything with a grandie is a win. I’ll bet you never dreamed you’d be getting tattoos with her the day she was born. Now that you’ve come this far, but maybe it will be the tush next year. 🤣 Sure hoping your skin cancer doesn’t return.

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  21. I like the picture of The Giant. Not fond of his scowl, though.

    It’s amazing how popular tattoos have become, not only tattoos but enough to cover large portions of the body. I’m getting used to it. If the artwork is well done, it can look good, especially on men. A delicate heart for you and your granddaughter sounds just right.

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  23. Another fantastic story! I never considered getting a tattoo, but if I had a granddaughter like you, I would definitely go for it. I wish you the best of luck with your melanoma. Please see your dermatologist regularly. Gerlinde

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    • I have to see the dermatologist every three months for a year, Gerlinde. 😦 But better safe than sorry. Thanks for the encouragement on the granddaughter/grandmother tattoo. I think we’ll go for it!

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  24. If I ever got a tattoo, it would be a small Yin/Yang symbol . . . but I’m more inclined to stick with temporary tattoos. 😀

    I had a mole removed this month ~ biopsy revealed “melanoma in situ.” I see the dermatologist mid-June. Fingers crossed, the margins are already clear and no further treatment is required.

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  26. Oh, I hope you both got a matching tattoo. That would be so sweet!

    I have two – they’re about 45 years old now and look like black smudges, all the color faded and the lines blurred. But I never regretted them. They were a whim, but how lovely it would have been to get them with a grandie.

    I’m guessing that granma didn’t go through with it. Will you change your mind? That’s what I want to know! ❤

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    • We’re just waiting for school to get out and then we can sneak out and find a clean tattoo parlor. Shhhhhhhhhhhh. Don’t tell anyone. 🙂 But yes, at one point Sophie explained to the family (at a Mother’s Day dinner) that she wanted it as a “remembrance” of me. Hahaha. I still hopefully have a lot of years left, but I love the sentiment.

      Would you re-do your tattoos, or have another one? Hmmmmm.

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  27. usually I would not think to tattoo myself but lately several of us have agreed we need to have a tattoo:: DNR since we do not carry our directives with us. What do you think?
    jeanette

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  29. This was a great story, especially since I didn’t realize it was a story until we got to the hairy giant part! (I knew you had skin cancer removed from your nose.) But I loved the relationship between grandma and granddaughter, and understand that the tattoo would strengthen the bond between them. Personally, I doubt I’ll ever get a tattoo (if I had any kind of unnecessary surgery, it would be a “neck lift” but I’m too chicken to even get my ears pierced!) But I know many people who do, and not always for the looks. A good friend who lost her daughter has a small rose tattooed on her arm, in memory……

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    • This tugged my heart. Yes in that way I could see a small tattoo being a beautiful remembrance. And an act of love. 💕
      A few years ago I got my second ear piercing with the same granddaughter. We both were very brave and we both loved getting it together at the boardwalk on the Jersey shore. No neck lifts though!! 🫣😂

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  30. This story is a delight, Pam. You had me smiling throughout — but I thought it was pure fiction… until I started reading some comments. I’m so very sorry you’ve had to go through that. Here’s to your perfect health from now on.

    I have an admission… I’m totally freaked out by long beards. For years it was just something I didn’t like. I rarely saw a man that I thought looked good with a beard, and then only the short neatly sculpted ones. But in the past few years, it’s gone from strong dislike, to revulsion and then to “freaks me out!” LOL. Big hugs.

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    • LOL right back. And that’s why, for the “fiction” part, I decided that the tattoo artist must have a long heavy beard. Uh, nope, no how. We’re hoping to get our tattoos for real this summer. From a clean-shaven woman. 🙂

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  31. I don’t have any tattoos but my middle-aged son and daughter have them. Once at a family reunion a tiny relative came up to me and asked me where my tattoos were, as if she assumed all adults had them. (Her parents had many visible ones.) Now you have me wondering if I would be able to resist an invitation from a beloved grandchild to get a meaningful one…

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    • Oh, that’s a funny story, Barbara. It’s like when a small child who was visiting us with his parents came into our master bedroom and asked, “wait, do you two sleep together in the same bed??” Gave us an inkling that his parents were having a, ahem, tough time.
      My bet is that if your beloved grandchild asked, you’d be the first one in the tattoo parlor door. 🙂

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  33. I smiled all the way through while reading, Pam. Especially ‘the tush’ giggle. I’m like Jennie…did Sophie get a heart tattoo….half autofiction, half true, eh? Now I’ll need to reread to try to guess.
    And yep. I’ve got one tattoo – a Celtic scroll shared by me and my bestie, Linda on our wrists. Sister bonds. 💕🥰💕

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    • Ah! So glad to know that you’ve done this also, with your best friend. I think that’s really meaningful. My story is autofiction. First part is true, but we don’t have the tattoos yet. Hoping this summer when she’s out of school and we can find a clean parlor. 🙂

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  35. A cute story Pam. I love the heart. I don’t have any but am thinking of joining a friend next winter in Mexico and getting something indiscreet and small to represent my husband. ❤

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  36. Hi, Pam,

    My two girls have tattoos, and my husband got a small one that matches one of the girls’, but I haven’t taken the plunge. I made my kids wait until they were 18.

    I’m thrilled to hear that you’re getting one! You and Sophie will share something really special.

    Lots of love,

    Amy

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    • That’s fascinating, Amy. I would have guessed that YOU would have gotten the smaller matching tattoo before your husband. Sophie is really enthusiastic about it, and her mom has given the go-ahead, so we’re planning on sometime in August. Wish we could get it at OCNJ!

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