My First Tattoo, Part I.

Jan 04, 2008 - 21:48 PM PST

I was given an assignment in a creative writing class once to write a story about "My First Tattoo". Overachiever that I pretend to be - I wrote two versions.


My First Tattoo, Part I
Rebecca Pilling

I want a tattoo.
A what?
A tattoo.
You’re too young to get a tattoo.
How old do I have to be to get a tattoo?
Older than seven.
So . . . eight?
Eighteen. But I don’t want you to get a tattoo.
Katie got a tattoo.
Yes, well . . .
Is it because Katie’s eighteen?
Your sister is definitely eighteen.
When I’m eighteen can I get a tattoo?
Even when you are eighteen I don’t want you to get a tattoo.
Why not?
I don’t like tattoos. I don’t think they’re nice.
So why does Katie have a tattoo?
I didn’t know Katie was getting a tattoo.
Is that why it’s ok Katie has a tattoo?
It’s not ok Katie has a tattoo.
So why don’t you do anything about it?
Sweetie, tattoos don’t just wash off like facepaint, or pen, or your markers. Tattoos are permanent, forever. What you have tattooed on you – you might not want it in the future. It’ll stretch as your body changes, become distorted and look weird.
Don’t get a tattoo.
Ok, Ma.

Fifteen years later and part of me still wants a tattoo.