(no subject)
15
Life is divided into these divergent lines. Choices that lead to outcomes. There are good choices, and bad choices. You could break your brain trying to backtrack. One would love to be able to always establish satisfactory causality, but one is never, ever offered an opportunity to know for sure.
This was a good choice.
For it is on this fateful day, while rummaging through some stacks of National Geographic Magazines, you find it. It speaks to you from the moment you see the box, and you can never ignore that voice. The voice that tells you that this must be bought for Candace. Candace will love this. Candace will appreciate this. I’m referring of course to a copy of the board game “Clue” manufactured in 1963.
The box was probably taped shut with masking tape at one point, it really didn’t matter that some of the pieces were missing. The artwork is what really spoke. Each of the game cards is emblazoned with wonderfully dated designs. They all have a retro, almost Ben Shahn feel to them, without the Social Realism. Really, the only emotion evoked by this art is whimsy. Its pure pop art and old. Along with a few semi-interesting books, you walk the treasure to the counter. You always tip your change into the small vase labeled “Donations.” The gift is cradled in the passenger seat, and you’re sure that she’ll love it.
When both of you finally get a chance to go through it and admire all the neat artwork, one card will stick out more than all the others. There are 324 possible permutations/outcomes in the current incarnation of Clue. The card that speaks is one of the “Room” cards, used to determine the scene of the crime. That card represents the library. Candace off-handedly mentions that it would make a neat tattoo, and you agree somewhat sullenly.
Life is going to let you press fast-forward now, flip through several chapters, thumb the pages until you reach a section somewhere in the middle. This is where you are right now.
You felt it would be necessary to commemorate a quarter century in Texas with something substantial. You’ve made many memories here, and while though I know that you do look forward to the new ones, it’d be nice to have a reminder of your roots. Since there will be very little that you’ll be taking with you, you decided that this substantial souvenir of sorts should be something small and highly portable.
So you decided about a month ago that you would finally get your first tattoo. And yesterday, you followed through.
It didn’t hurt nearly as bad as you expected, and left your entire left arm cold and numb for several minutes, but you are immensely pleased with it. You think it’s tremendous.
THE BEGINNING