Chapter 5 - Sal
Strolling into Inked, the kids’ tattoo shop, we were about thirty minutes late. To my shock, Izzy wasn’t prowling at the entrance waiting for us.
“Finally,” Izzy moaned, standing from her chair as I let Maria walk in front of me when we entered the work area.
“Sorry,” Maria said, holding up her hands to stop Izzy from continuing. “We were busy.”
“Hey, Pop,” Joe said, walking over to shake my hand and give his mother a kiss.
“Hey, son,” I replied, looking around the shop. They’d done a ton of work. It looked nothing like it had when they purchased the store last year. Every time I visited, something would be changed, and I was truly in awe of their hard work. “It’s looking damn good in here.”
“Thanks. Just when we think we’re done, Izzy has to change something. She’s so damn picky.” Joe rolled his eyes, taking a deep breath.
“She’s a Gallo. Nothing is ever perfect.”
“Fuck, I know it,” he hissed, raking his fingers through his hair as he walked back to his station.
“So what was so important for me to see?” Maria asked, walking over to the wall and checking out some new artwork that had been hung. “These are stunning,” she said, touching the glass.
“Thanks, Ma. I just hung them up the other day,” Joe replied, sitting in his chair as he cleaned off his workspace.
“You made these?” she asked, staring at them in amazement.
“Yeah.” He smiled, puffing out his chest as he took pride in his work.
“You’re so talented, Joseph.” She turned, smiling at him.
His face turned pink, showing a moment of embarrassment. Joe wasn’t one to take a compliment. “Thanks, Ma.”
“I’m so proud of each of you. The shop looks amazing.” I beamed with pride, watching their faces light up. No matter how old they were, they still wanted our approval.
“Thanks, Daddy,” Izzy said, giving me a peck on the cheek before grabbing Maria’s hand. “I wanted you to see how I changed the piercing room, Ma. Come see,” she said, pulling Maria toward the back of the shop.
“Does it matter, Izzy? Why someone would want another hole in their body, I’ll never understand.” Maria shook her head as she sighed.
“It’s decoration, Ma, and makes a statement. It’s about beauty, just like a tattoo,” Izzy answered.
“A necklace is a hell of a lot easier and less painful than a piercing. Kids these days. Thank God you kids haven’t scarred your bodies in that way.” She looked around the room, watching their reactions.
Each one of them looked away, staring at the floor or in the opposite direction. They didn’t have to admit it, but they all had a piercing. I hadn’t known firsthand, but their reactions confirmed it.
“All of you?” Maria asked as she turned to look at each of them. “Damn. How do I not know these things?” She put her face in her hands, shaking her head.
“It wasn’t important,” Anthony replied, looking at Maria when no one else would.
“I think it’s important to know that my children added holes to their bodies. Jesus,” she hissed, moving toward Michael. “Did you do them all?”
He shook his head, still staring at the floor as he whistled. “Nope,” he replied, not giving any more detail.
She sighed, shaking her head. “Nothing I can do now.” She shrugged. “Show me the room, Izzy.”
“I’m sorry, Ma,” Izzy stated, leaning over and kissing Maria on the cheek. “Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not. You’re all grown and can make your own decisions. Just don’t hide anything from me again. Got it?” she asked.
“Yes,” they each answered, nodding their heads as they looked at Maria.
“Good. Now let’s see it.” Izzy smiled, grabbing Maria’s hand and taking her in the back room.
“How’s business?” I asked, sitting down in Joe’s customer chair.
“Busy. We’re booked the entire evening. People are still hungover from New Year’s,” Joe answered, kicking back in his chair and placing his hands behind his head.
“I knew the shop would be successful. Is there anything I can help with?” They never asked for anything. Whether it was painting, picking out the location, or setting up a business, they handled everything and never asked for help.
“Nah, Pop. We got everything handled,” Anthony replied with a giant smile on his face.
“I’m always here if you ever need anything or just want advice.”
“We know. How about we take you and Ma to lunch? Have you eaten?” Joe asked, rubbing his stomach. “I’m starving.”
“Sure, son. I worked up quite an appetite this morning.”
“Jesus,” Izzy groaned as she walked back in the room right as I made the statement. “I love you two, really, I do. But there are some things that aren’t meant to be shared.”
I laughed, knowing she was probably right, but it was too much fun watching her freak out. “Okay, baby girl. You’re right.”
“Did someone say lunch?” Maria asked, resting her hand on Izzy’s shoulder and smiling at me.
“Yeah, Ma. We want to take you and Pop to lunch.” Anthony stood from his chair, tossing garbage that was on his station in the trash. “Up for it?”
“I’m famished,” she responded, walking toward me.
I slid my arm around her, tucking her under my arm. “How was the room, love?”
“It’s beautiful. Way nicer than I’d expect for a room that inflicts so much pain.”
“It’s not painful, Ma,” Mike stated, shaking his head as he locked up the register. “Some find it a turn-on actually.”
Maria’s body jerked as she turned toward Anthony. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Nope,” Mike replied with a small smile.
“I finally understand when Izzy says it’s too much information. I don’t want to know anymore. Take me to lunch.”
“Anything you want, my love.” I smiled at her, holding her by the shoulder as we walked toward the door. “We’ll wait for you outside while you lock up,” I said, pushing opening the door and walking outside with Maria.
“I’m proud of them, Sal. They’ve done so well, you know?”
I stopped, moving her body in front of mine. Holding her face in my hands, I kissed her lips, inhaling her scent. “I do. They’re great kids. You’ve blessed my life more than I can ever express, Maria. I’m eternally grateful for everything you’ve done for our family. My family.”
“I couldn’t have done it without such an amazing husband,” she whispered, rubbing her nose against mine.
“I can’t wait to get you home.” I kissed her again, taking my time as I held the back of her neck, pulling her body against mine.
“You’re insatiable,” she murmured against my lips.
“Only for you.”
I slid my hands down her back, groping her ass and grinding my cock against her. “This is only for you.”
“Sal,” she moaned, her body stiffening as the door opened behind us.
“Can’t leave you two alone for five minutes,” Anthony said, walking past us with a small smile on his face.
“How do you think you were all born?” I asked, releasing Maria from my grasp and holding her hand.
“I like to believe it was like the Immaculate Conception,” Izzy stated, standing behind us as we walked into the parking lot.
“Someday you’ll have someone you can’t keep your hands off of, baby girl,” Maria said, squeezing my hand as we approached the car.
“Shh,” I whispered. “I don’t want to hear that.” I wrinkled my nose, unable to think of my daughter as anything but a little girl.
“Enough talking about love and all that mushy shit,” Anthony said, opening the car doors for everyone to pile in. “One car?” he asked, turning to face me as I was about to open our car door for Maria.
“Where are we going?” I asked, opening the passenger door for my lovely wife.
“Let’s hit the diner down the street. They have amazing burgers,” Joe said, climbing in the passenger seat of Anthony’s SUV.
“We’ll meet you kids there. I want to be alone with your mother, and then we can head home from there.”
“Okay, Pop,” Anthony replied, jogging around to the driver’s side as the rest of the gang piled into the vehicle.
I closed Maria’s door, strolling to my side and climbing in. Starting the car, I placed my hand on the back of her seat, looking back before pulling out.
“We could’ve gone with the kids, Sal.”
I shook my head, looking at my beautiful wife. “Not as long as I have a hard-on. I don’t know what has gotten into me, Mar, but I feel like I did when I was twenty-five.” I pulled out of my parking spot, following behind Anthony as we left the parking lot.
“They say we only get better when we age.” Maria smiled, touching my cheek with her soft fingers.
“I can’t wait to see what the next thirty years holds, love,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips, kissing each finger tenderly as I drove.
“Me either, Sal. There’s no one else I’d rather spend it with.”
I don’t know what I did to deserve such a blessed life. To have the love of a good woman, amazing children who have grown up to be spectacular adults, and health on our side—it was more than I could’ve ever dreamed for when I was young. I was a proud father and husband, the best thing in the world.
I had a feeling the best was yet to come.