While operating out of Jim’s studio, Desired Ink, in Morehead, he’d had a couple of clients who were breast cancer survivors who’d heard that nipples could be tattooed on reconstructed breasts, giving them a more normal appearance. They were deprived of the sensations in their nipple area by cancer, but that didn’t mean they had to look in the mirror and remember the loss. Those ladies had been part of a breast cancer survivor’s network. Since then, he’d done similar tattoos for a number of women, offering his services at a discount for those who were wiped out financially by medical bills.
Bernice had told Seth in her previous consultation that Hugh hadn’t only taken time off from work to be with her in Houston for the surgery, but that he’d also taken her to her chemotherapy and radiation therapy appointments and been there for her in every way she needed. Seth imagined things were tight at home. He was doing Bernice’s tattoos at a deep discount. Her first question had been how much it would cost, and that had made up Seth’s mind on the issue.
She’d said it had been therapeutic to talk to Seth about it, and he’d been told that before in helping other cancer patients to regain a feeling of wholeness after breast removal surgery. The other reason for the consultation had been to give her a chance to get comfortable with him since he’d be holding her breasts while tattooing them. Bernice was the epitome of modesty, so doing this would be a stretch for her. He knew she was still sick and receiving treatment and wanted for this to be a positive step toward healing.
“The receptionist will be back in just a minute or two, and I don’t have any other clients lined up until after lunch, so we won’t be interrupted.” As he spoke, he moved a folding screen to the end of the partitioning wall. He’d offered to use the extra workroom which had a door that could be closed for added privacy, but Bernice had said she’d feel too claustrophobic in it and preferred just the privacy screen. No one could see into his main workroom from the waiting area, but the screen added extra privacy from anyone venturing behind the reception counter.
As if on cue, the front doorbell rang. “I’m back, Seth!”
He sat down on the rolling stool and faced Bernice as she sat on the padded table with her husband nearby. Handing her the remote to the CD player, he said, “I put in the CDs you liked when you were here for your consultation and you control the volume and which song plays. I know you said that the nerves weren’t finished regenerating but if you need to take a break, just tell me.”
She’d picked hard rock, which had been a surprise, because she didn’t seem the type, but the heavy drumbeats and guitars might help distract her from the vibration of the tattoo machine.
Bernice released a deep breath as she took the remote from him. Seth gave her a slight smile. “First step is the placement and centering. I’ll give you a minute to remove clothing from the waist up. After we have the placement, we can drape you so you’ll be more comfortable.”
Bernice nodded, and he exited the room. Lucy smiled at him from her seat, red pen in hand as she searched the rentals section of the local newspaper. Bernice called out a few moments later, and he reentered the room. Bernice’s jaw was set in grim determination as Seth picked up the nontoxic permanent marker and took his seat on the stool. It was no big deal for him to be in a room with body parts exposed, but he knew it was difficult for Bernice and definitely for her husband. He placed an open binder in front of Hugh on the end of the table and indicated the photos of nipples he’d tattooed in the past.
“Hugh, tell me which is closest to the colors you’re used to. I can adjust them if need be. Bernice already decided on a semipuckered appearance and wanted to leave the color selection to you, since you’d be seeing them on a regular basis.”
While Hugh peered at the book, Seth worked on marking the placement for the nipples, drawing the points of the compass on her exposed flesh. “I have a marksman’s sniper grid on my boobs,” Bernice noted with a chuckle.
Seth winked at her and said, “I’ll be right back.”
Without further comment, he left the room to give them time to breathe and for Hugh to have a private moment with her to determine if the placement was right for him as well as her. Bernice had appreciated it during the consultation when he’d mentioned that he would do that. The whole point was for her to reclaim that womanly part of her that had been lost, and this was one more step toward healing. She still had chemo to get through, and recapturing some of what she’d lost in surgery would go a long way toward healing and beating cancer.