Covet Thy Neighbor

shirt and torn jeans. Radiating attitude from every adolescent pore on his broken-out face.
    I saw kids like that in here all the time, so he wasn’t the reason I did the double take.
    “Something wrong?” Darren asked as the door banged shut behind him.
    “Uh, no, I . . .” Didn’t expect to see you tonight . I shook my head and moved toward the counter. “Just wasn’t expecting you.” And I’m not sure how to breathe around you right now. “How is the, um, is the tattoo still healing okay?”
    “Feels fine,” he said. “Itches a little.”
    “That’s normal.”
    “Yeah, that’s what the card said. And, actually, that tattoo is the reason I’m here.” His eyes darted toward the kid he’d brought in. “This is Max. He saw the tattoo through my T-shirt, and now he wants one.”
    My head snapped toward him so fast I damn near broke my neck. “And he’s how old?”
    Darren’s cheeks colored a little. “Um, sixteen.”
    My jaw dropped. “You want me to tattoo a kid who—”
    “He’s going to get one anyway,” Darren shot back. “I brought him here because at least then I can be sure he’s getting it at a clean, reputable place.”
    “And no clean, reputable place is going to tattoo a sixteen year-old without his parents’ permission.”
    “He’s emancipated. He doesn’t need his parents’ permission.”
    I let my head fall forward. “You’re killing me here, Darren.” I raked a hand through my hair. “Jesus. He . . . he’s just a kid!”
    “I know. And I’m sorry. I know this is putting you in a bad spot.” He nodded toward Max. “But he’s got emancipation papers. For all intents and purposes, he’s an adult, which means you’re not liable for—”
    “It’s not the legality I’m concerned about. Eighteen-year-olds are impulsive when it comes to ink.” I glanced at Max. “But sixteen? ”
    “What choice do I have?” It sounded more like a plea than a question. “He wants one. He’s determined to get one. There’s no way I can stop him, so I’m bringing him to you to make sure he at least gets it done safely.”
    I silently watched the kid for a moment. There were plenty of shady artists in this town. In any town.
    “Please, Seth,” Darren said, almost whispering.
    I gnawed the inside of my cheek, and finally nodded. “Okay. Fine.”
    Darren exhaled. “Thank you. I owe you big time.”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    I came around the counter and approached the kid. He had his arms folded across his chest, and his brow was furrowed as he scanned the art on the walls.
    “See anything you like?” I asked.
    “Eh,” he said with a half-shrug. “It’s not bad.”
    “Thanks.”
    He sniffed derisively, and his gaze slid toward me. “This all you got?”
    “Depends. What do you have in mind?”
    “Something tribal.”
    I eyed his stringy bleached hair and very nonnative blue eyes. “Which tribe?”
    “I dunno.” He shrugged. “Whatever.”
    I arched an eyebrow at Darren in what I hoped came across as a loud and clear What the fuck, dude?
    He shrugged apologetically, but didn’t say anything.
    I turned to the kid again. “Let’s check out some designs. See if anything catches your eye. Come on over here.”
    I led him back to the counter, and then I went around behind it. I pulled the tribal portfolio off the shelf and let it thud heavily on the counter. “Here you go. All our tribal work.”
    Max muttered something and pulled the portfolio toward him. He flipped it open and thumbed through it with all the interest of someone reading a book of tax codes.
    “While you’re doing that,” I said, “do you have a copy of your emancipation?”
    Without looking up, he dug the wrinkled and folded paper out of his jacket pocket.
    “How about some ID to go with it?”
    He huffed as only a teenager could huff, then pulled out a wallet that had both a Velcro flap and a chain. Then he smacked a state ID down on the counter.
    While he went through the portfolio, I photocopied the documents. I gave him back the originals and slipped the copies into a folder, which I’d file later. Even if he didn’t get any ink, that shit stayed here just in case anyone ever asked questions.
    “I want this one.” He tapped a wide tribal armband. “All the way around my arm.”
    “All right.” I put the consent form and Hold Harmless waiver on the counter. “Read that over and sign at the bottom.”
    “What’s this for?” He glared at me. “I already gave you my