Doing it

Jack's shoulder stung as the tattoo needle drug across it for what seemed like the hundredth time. The music in her headphone drowned out part of the monotone buzzing that the tattoo gun admitted but neither noise was enough to drown out her thoughts. As she glanced down at her ankle where crisp fresh letters stood out against her skin. 

You don't look great, but you’re doing it.

And as even as she read it, for the millionth time, it took her right back to when Matt had first told her it. She had crashed at his house, in between a shift at Guardian Angels, and when she was still working up top to try and cover the bills after her dad died. She had taken him up on the offer to not go all the way back to her house in the mere 4 hours in between the two shifts. She was trying to be quiet as she got up off the couch and got ready in the bathroom, but when she emerged Matt was in the kitchen making her breakfast. 

“Did I wake you up?” she asked as he set a travel cup of coffee on the counter for her. 

“Nope. I'm taking the girls to school today so Maddie can sleep at least a little bit.”

“Well thanks for the coffee.”

“Sit your butt down and eat the breakfast I'm making.”

“I would but I really have to go.” 

He held up his spatula in mock aggression. “Take 90 seconds to talk to me, well I make it to go then.” 

“Fine.” She acknowledged. “Did you sleep well?”

“Oh yeah, that three hours just hits different when you have something to do in the morning.” Jack laughed, “You know Jack, and I mean this in the best way possible. You don't look great, but you're doing it.”

“Wow Matt. You sure know how to flatter a woman.”

He gave her a love tap to the back of her head. “You didn't listen to what I said. First of all there was the ‘in the best way possible’ disclaimer. And secondly, you really are. Every time I see you go out and do something that I thought would be too much, you consistently prove me wrong. It's shocking really.” 

Jack looked down at her hands, unable to find an appropriate response inside her brain. “Don't worry.” Matt jumped in, saving her from trying to conjure up a response. “Foods ready. Have a good day. I'll see you at work tonight.”

She sniffed as she brought herself back to the present. No matter how desperately she wished to go to work with Matt again, they would never work another night shift in Nowhere again. The artist put the wrap over the fresh tattoo and she thanked him, tipping generously. As she drove home the heat in her shoulder reminded her not only that he was gone but that his influence was very very present.