Tattoo #9// Vinnie Hacker

#13: you wont have to see my face

Warning: Sexual content

A few days later...

Tree was making breakfast when Vinnie came in from outside, placing a wrench onto the counter.

"I think my pancakes are turning out a bit better— the batter was a bit watery but I think it wasn't too bad." She informed, looking up from cracking an egg into a bowl.

Vinnie proudly folded his arms across his chest as he proudly swayed back his hair.

"What did y—

Tree began but immediately knew, "Did you get it started?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I might've."

She quickly turned off the stove and grabbed at Vinnie's hand, "Show me!"

They went out to the yellow car where scatters of tools laid around the open hood.

"Get in the driver seat— I'll show you how to turn it on."

Tree eagerly got in as Vinnie reached his arm across her, placing the e-brake in position. "Put your foot on the clutch."

"This one?" Tree asked. Vinnie nodded his head, "Yeah, now check your gear, make sure it's in neutral."

"How would I know that?"

"If the gear moves from left to right— it's in neutral."

She grabbed at the foreign knob like object and moved it about, "I think it is?"

"You think or you know?" Vinnie snapped, making her eyes roll. Her remarks were slowly coming back, "I hope it is."

Vinnie reached in and checked, "Okay— with your foot on the clutch, turn the ignition."

The yellow car immediately went into intervals of muffles, indicating that it was ready for a road test.

"Go head and release the clutch!" Vinnie yelled as he went to the engine to check for anything faulty or dislocated. Once everything was checked, he closed the hood.

He came back around, "Should we go for a test drive?"

Tree nodded her head as Vinnie motioned in, forcing her to crawl into the passenger seat. He pulled out his phone and unlocked it, "Here— open my gate."

They went off the property and immediately took up speed. From the day Tree met Vinnie, she admired his ability to drive a stick shift. It's about the only reason she asked him for a ride in the first place. She loved the jolty motions, loud mufflers, and people watching. It was exciting and different— which are two things she was drawn to. Vinnie— on the other hand was dull and practical— which made him exciting and different from everyone she surrounded herself with.

"Is it like you remembered?" He asked.

Looking across the open space between then, she was set on a decision before realizing it.

"Yeah."

When they arrived back at the house, Vinnie could sense she was quieter than usual. He concluded that she was finding the words to leave. The ignition went off and he stared forward, placing the keys on the dashboard.