By Caitlin Espiritu 

“Does it hurt?” I ask the artist.

“Just think about something nice,” he replies.

I lie here now, face down on the chair, arms at my sides.

The scent of the black leather infuses my brain.

My sister and best friend stand outside the open door of the little artistic room—

Old and new tattoo sketches covering the walls,

Acoustics playing lightly on the speaker.

The buzz of the needle rings in my ear…

The tip of the needle pricks my skin.

It’s for you—

Black ink punctures the special spot on my neck. 

A place where I experience the most anxiety, 

Soon to be comforted by your zodiac symbol:

Two coy fish that circulate each other and embody Pisces.

I know you are always with me.

I think about the “nice things” as I was instructed to before.

A pinching vibration, 

Breathing in and out to help me get through the pulsating needle—

The scent of leather as I breathe in,

Relaxation as I breathe out.

A gentle tear streams down my right cheek and onto the leather head of the chair.

Thinking about you, 

I know you are here,

Watching me lie still

As the needle pokes its last marks

For you.