A couple months ago, I decided I was committing to a tattoo. I grew up Christian and was taught that my body is a temple. A temple, which I should keep spotless. This includes “graffiti," more commonly known as a tattoo.
The crazy part is that, although I have I have a crazy conservative mother, I actually got the tattoo while I was back in my hometown. Looking back now, I am not completely sure how my mom did not notice. I was in town for about three days after I got it.
But this story is not about me getting the tattoo or even about how I hid it. No, this story is about the time I revealed my tattoo to my mother. Crazy story, actually.
Thanksgiving break, obviously, I went back home. I was doing a solid job at fooling my mom. I was good. I have the tattoo on my right arm a little below my elbow, so it was easy to conceal; a.l I really had to do was wear a long sleeve. I mean the tattoo is small; I could easily cover it with a bandage if I wanted to commit to that, but I figured I wouldn’t.
At the time, my sisters knew about the tattoo. For some reason (I am not too sure why, looking back), they felt like testing me.
I recall it so perfectly. We were all in the living room, you know, causally living our lives. I was curling my sister Maria’s hair (typical, she usually uses me for this when I am home). My younger, obnoxious sister Desirie was snapchatting as she usually does (this girl snapchats like her life is a documentary, it's annoying to some level). Zack, Maria’s long-term boyfriend's younger brother was also there (instigator). My mom and stepdad were on the bed (yes, we have a bed in the living room) watching television.
Anyway, like I previously said, I am not too sure how it all happened, but my sister wanted to test me. They sabotaged me with their peer pressure and taunting.
“You’re not down to show her your tattoo,” they teased in English, knowing my mother would not understand since she is not fluent in English.
“Yeah, I bet you won’t show her. ‘Cause you’re scared,” they continued. At this point (30 seconds into it), I began feel the need to prove them wrong. Don’t get me wrong: I knew if I showed my mother she would go off on me. Picture a volcano eruption... something along those lines was what I imagined.
Obviously, my mother noticed something was going on. I mean, she was in the room. She began questioning us, and that was when I decided I was going to take on this "challenge.” I was going to risk it to get the biscuit. I do not think I have to mention this is when it all started going downhill.
I turned to my mom. My sister said, “Denise has something she needs to show you.” (What a brat, right?) OK, so I stepped up and said “Mom, guess what? I got a tattoo lol. ”
She paused, “What do you mean? Don't be playing games with me!” She took a break, looked at me, then continued, “No, don’t be messing with me, it's not funny. I know you didn’t.” She proceeded to continue watching her show.
I had already started, so I had to finish the job right. “Mom, I’m serious. I got a tattoo. Watch. I’ll show you.”
I started removing my jacket slowly. I had to have some suspense. I started with my left hand and winked at her. Then I moved on to the right. At first her eyes popped out, and I mean legit popped out. “That’s not a real one,” she said so ever confidently.
I responded by slowly approaching her, my elbow sticking out to her purposely so that she could tell it was no joke, my sisters laughing (being evil of course). Then my mom gasped! A really loud gasp. I immediately saw the disappointment in her eyes. My sister was still laughing. My mom did not talk to me for hours. God, I felt so bad. I did not regret getting the tattoo, but I felt bad. I sincerely think she would have fainted, but she was already laying down. I think this is probably the first time I’ve ever disappointed my mom.
It took the rest of the day for her to talk to me. When I got back to college she called and told me she did not trust me as much as she did before, and of course she gave me the ‘your body is a temple” speech. But I will never forget this day. It was funny, scaring, and exciting. I swear I’ve never felt so many emotions at once.
