23F I stayed for “aftercare instructions” and they were not about the tattoo

Shop was closed. Sign flipped. Ink still on his gloves that he had already taken off.

I was only supposed to hear how to wash it. I sat on the chair like I was still getting work done. He locked the front and left the neon on so the street would think we were open.

The wrap came off. His mouth didn’t stay on the bandage. I came with my new tattoo under plastic and my heel on the foot pedal I was not supposed to touch.

I followed every aftercare rule except the one about keeping it uneventful.