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been this year and showed me pics of all of the tail he’d
gotten.  Unfortunately, my head wasn’t really in a place where I could truly
appreciate all of it.  Instead, I refocused his mind on coming up with the
perfect tattoo for me.  I told him that I was at a real crossroads in my life,
and I wanted a bold piece on my upper arm to commemorate the moment.  More than
anything, I wanted a constant reminder to leave the past behind and focus on
building a better future for myself.
    As we talked about the past, the future, and intersections,
he began to sketch out the graphics on a piece of paper.  At first, he had an
intersection with pictures of me as a young boy on the left and a grown man on
the right.  As we talked, the intersection evolved into more of a Celtic cross
and the pictures of me evolved into the comedy/drama masks.  Watching it all
take shape on a piece of paper was cool, but seeing him bring it to life on my
arm was over the top.  Looking down at my new half sleeve, I couldn’t help but
be impressed.  I hope Lara likes it.
    J.T. was more than a little bummed when I got Lara’s text. 
He thought for sure we would be crashing the scene together Friday and Saturday
night.  I fed him a line of bullshit about it being a family emergency.  Otherwise,
he never would’ve let me go.  Luckily, he doesn’t know a whole lot about my
more recent family history. Otherwise, he would call bullshit on my story.
    Stopping by the workshop, I found a clean, white,
button-down shirt and grabbed my least dirty pair of jeans.  Shit, I’m going
to have to go to a Laundromat or something.  My life had better pick up soon.
I’ve never even thought of using a Laundromat before. 
    As I got back in my car, my thoughts turned back to Lara.  I
wonder what kind of surprise she has for me.  I hope that she went out and had
Lasik or bought herself some contacts!  I caught myself smiling in the
rearview mirror.  It’s kinda funny that even though it was a week from hell,
I seem to be smiling a lot more often.   I glanced down at my new tat,
looking at the smiling mask on the right side of the cross.  Maybe things
are going to start looking up .
    Pulling up to the bar, I ran my hands over my head, a habit
from my days with long hair.  That was one battle that Dad won; I went clean
cut when I started law school and found that I actually liked having short
hair.  Not that I ever gave him the satisfaction of knowing he was right. The
only downside was that with short hair I stuck out like a sore thumb at most
heavy metal events.  At least my new ink would make me look more bad-ass.
    I actually felt a little nervous as I entered The Deuce that
night.  I pulled off my shades and glanced around looking for familiar faces. 
Not seeing any, I strolled up to the bar and ordered a beer.  As I slapped a
few bills on the bar, a sexy brunette caught the corner of my eye.  I casually
glanced over at her while taking a sip off the top.  Holy shit, w as my
only thought as she gave me that sexy smile.  No fucking way is that her!
    I casually walked toward the table searching for additional
clues.
    “Hi, Max,” was the only evidence I needed.
    Un-fucking-believable!
    “Hi, Lara.  Good to see you!” I replied, trying my best not
to seem stunned.  “Did you change your hair or something?”  Holy Hotness!
    “Yes, I got a cut and highlights.  I’m surprised you
noticed.”  She flipped her hair over her shoulder and gave me a coy look.
    “You look incredible, Lara.  It’s nice to meet the real
you.”  I wouldn’t mind seeing the rest of you…
    “Well, I’m not exactly sure which one is the real me, but
I’m tired of wearing those glasses.”
    “I definitely like you better without the glasses.  I don’t
care if they’re in style, you shouldn’t hide those beautiful eyes.”  I’m not
even going to mention her killer legs.  It’s going to be hard to keep from
staring.
    ~~~
    Lara
    That was the exact