by Tiana Laveen
Aaron huffed and turned away. “You must be Dr. Owens’ son…”
“Who?”
“Never mind. Continue. This is kind of interesting, actually.”
“You strike me as someone with a military background. Is that true?”
“No, though I had considered it when I was younger.”
“You’ve been told that before though, haven’t you? Several times, perhaps more.”
“Yes.”
“You have a disturbing quiet about you, even when you’re roaring inside. I can tell that you are precise, accurate, and controlled. Once you figure out how you’re going to handle something, you follow it to the letter. You’re a plotter, a schemer and manipulator. You have an assassin’s mind. You will stop at nothing to get what you want.”
Aaron clicked his tongue against his tooth as he smirked and enjoyed the man’s profiling that brought all his darkness to the fore.
“Don’t they call that a type A personality?” He grinned, knowing full well what Julian was getting at.
“No, Aaron. This goes way beyond that.” The man’s brows rutted as if he’d suddenly realized he sat in the presence of a demon. “You scare people, not just because of the way you look, but because of the energy you put out. It’s precise, yet scattered. It’s functional, yet useless. You are a contradiction, which draws people to you, as well as terrifies and repulses them. And that’s just how you like it…”
“If that is in fact who I am, then why would you agree to do this for me, huh?” He grimaced and threw up his hands. “Money is obviously not the incentive. You’ve got a waiting list that goes out over a year. You’ve been featured in countless magazines now; you don’t need someone like me.”
“Because my energy is attracted to yours right now, so that means I’m supposed to be here, and so are you.” He bumped his fingertips together. “We are to learn something from one another. It is no coincidence that Mia and Milan know one another and that led us to meet. It is no coincidence that one of the most dangerous minds in this country is sitting in my parlor.”
“Dangerous mind?” Aaron chuckled. “You give me far too much credit, man.”
“No, I don’t give you enough. You know that you’re powerful, but you don’t think about it anymore – it’s just second nature. You have a disconnect between your conscious and your spirit.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that you are able to turn off empathy, Aaron. That would make the tattoo of the zipper on your shoulder real. That’s why I’m glad that you’re keeping it… it will always be a part of you. It should remind you to be more humane, more loving. But here is the funny thing about a zipper – it can go up, lock off the rest of the world, or it can come down, and let love and light in. It’s never permanent…”
“Well, mine’s stuck.”
Julian burst out laughing. “A born and bred slayer with a sense of humor… gotta love it.” He shook his head. “Hey, when is your birthday?”
Aaron cocked his head to the side, puzzled by the question, but answered it nevertheless. “May 21st.”
“Oh…my…word. Shit!” Julian cracked up and slapped his knee as if he’d been told something truly outstanding. “No wonder. You’re a Gemini on a Taurus cusp.”
“I don’t pay attention to shit like that. What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you are the zodiac communicator. When war is about to strike, you either calm the masses or drive them into a frenzy. No one can beat you at this; you were born into it. You are the king of this sort of thing. You lead with words and then orchestrate your will in a deceptively beautiful way. Some philosophies call it the ‘Dictator Mind.’ You control others by making them believe they are in their own jurisdiction, when it in fact it would be you pulling the strings the entire time. You’re a puppeteer, and your tongue, your slick vernacular, are the strings you use to pull your marionettes in the direction you want them to go. People like you typically are created due to trauma in their youth.”
“Interesting…you sure Mia hasn’t been tellin’ your wife my business?” Aaron smirked.
“Positive! I promise you that I am just standing here, picking these things up on my own.”
Aaron cleared his throat and sat a bit straighter. “So, tell me more about the astrology aspect.”
“You are the only cusp that, through verbal word, or rather, song, speech, or poetry, can influence great masses with little to no effort. It is your second nature, so if something, say, terrible happened to you as a kid, you will use this in the same way to cope. Once you realize it works, you will remember it, perfect it, and continue using your powers of persuasion. Does any of this make sense to you or do you think I’m grasping at straws?”
“Julian, I have no reason to really think you’re blowin’ smoke up my ass. I said kind of as a joke earlier that I don’t pay attention to this sort of thing, when in fact, I just don’t know enough about it to say either way.”
Julian nodded in understanding. “Fair enough. Thank you for your honesty.”
“Of course. What I can say is that while I was involved with the Socialist Movement, yes, it was my job to discuss crucial matters with large audiences and enforce our will in as quiet a way as possible. What you’re describing is what was happening. I also learned during my time in prison, while seeing a psychiatrist, that this was a gift of mine. I’d agree that I’ve always had it. I hid the fact that I used to like to write things, stories, ideas, and thoughts out on paper. I didn’t want to be made fun of, so I kept it to myself.”
Julian crossed his arms but said nothing.
“What you are saying makes sense and is detailed enough for me to believe that it wasn’t just a lucky guess. I’ll have to check into this astrology shit you like.”
Julian grinned at him—a type of smile like Mia’s, warm and inviting. Oh Wonder’s ‘Body Gold’ snuck its sly musical notes through the speakers just then…
“Now, let’s talk about these tattoos from a psychological standpoint. These artistic displays are important to you, even right now at this moment. So even though you want them covered up, to be gone, this is still sort of like a funeral, a memorial if you will. They were a part of you.”
“Hmmm.” Aaron slowly nodded. “That makes sense. I didn’t think of it that way. What else do you think of me, Julian? The narcissist in me gets off on it.”
Julian turned away and reached into a basket. When he turned back around, he was lighting a stick of incense.
Oh, I can’t smoke in here but you can light THAT shit?
“You want me to keep doin’ tricks, pulling facts about you out of some hat?” he teased.
“Yeah, because I’m severely self-absorbed and I enjoy it when people talk about me.” He shrugged. “Whether it’s good or bad doesn’t make me any difference. I own it…”
Silence stretched for a bit between them.
“Aaron, you are one of the oddest, yet most captivating men I’ve ever met, and since I’m the weirdest motherfucker in the state of Georgia, that worries me.” They both burst out laughing once again.
“Okay, here’s another one,” he obliged. “You’re also a born playboy.”
“Okay.” Aaron shook his head and put his hand up. “Now I’m not going to try and pretend that I haven’t screwed my fair share. Yeah, I got around but that’s not my nature. I’m not a playboy, Julian. It happened because I couldn’t find anyone that suited me, not because I actually enjoyed bein’ that way.”
“No, wait. Hear me out. What I’m sayin’ is that women are attracted to you, very fascinated by you because you represent what is forbidden, wrong, sinful. Like I said, you were born like this; you didn’t have to work at it, so it breathes authenticity. It kind of reminds me of the story of Adam and Eve. Adam was loving but Eve got curious and met someone…the snake. The snake represents the bad boy, the serpent. That’s a phallic symbol, too, and an apple represents life and female fertility… But anyway, the serp
ent seduced her, so she, in turn, seduced Adam, tried to turn him into the serpent, only in human form. She wanted him to be that bad boy, so what did she do?” He shrugged. “She did what many women who don’t have a bad boy as a boyfriend or husband, but secretly crave one, do – they cheat on the good boy, or they try to change him into it.”
“I’ve never heard of that biblical story described that way before. Hmmm, interesting.”
“Yeah? Well, it’s how I see it. Seduction is an art and an addiction. Once you get a taste, it’s craved. You are naturally seductive to the opposite sex, Aaron. How in the hell do you think a woman like Mia, of all people, would even give you a chance based on your checkered past and background? It’s the magnetism, the charm, and your natural skill at the art of seduction. Now please don’t take this the wrong way. I’ve not met your wife yet, but I bet she is a good girl attracted to bad boys. She’s struggled with it because she struggles with traditional values versus what she really wants, and they don’t always match up. But it is what it is.”
Aaron lowered his head and ran his fingers across his chin, then burst out into fits of mirth. Julian joined in.
“Yeah, I’m right. No worries; my wife has a touch of that, too.” He grinned. “As soon as you walked in here, everyone looked at you. You command attention based on what I’ve been tellin’ you.”
“I know what you’re talking about,” Aaron said. “You have it, too, just differently.”
“Yes, yes, I do, but mine is a different brand, an acquired taste. Yours is more universal. Also, you have some mama issues. That attracts even more women because they want to nurture you, make it better.”
“You some hippie psychic?”
They both burst out laughing again.
“I’m eating up all your time with all of this… but this really interests me, the stuff you’re saying.”
“It should, because you are still trying to get to know yourself. Your life is completely different than what it was just a few years ago, man. That’s big. That’s why you’re here, in my parlor, doing this. You fell in love, and everything changed.”
Aaron rolled the information around in his mind, bouncing it like a ball. “Sometimes I still wake up surprised that this all happened – you know, my wife.” He shook his head. “I would have never believed it. Julian, I was so indoctrinated and deep in my beliefs, I look back and wonder how in the world I ever got out of all of that. It took experiences that happened at the perfect time, man.” He gestured as he spoke, illustrating his point. “Back to back! It was like I was being chipped away, hammered on, worn down.”
“Your soul was begging for freedom, man. But this, you know, what happened to you doesn’t surprise me and I’ll tell you why. You like diversity, so, this whole white supremacy thing you were going through would have ended sooner or later, because you can’t marry anything that is not aligned with your true nature.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You’re naturally attracted to your polar opposite, Aaron.” The man took his seat once again. “Like nobility is attracted to corruption, black to white, and so on and so forth. A Gemini Taurus cusp is notorious for this. Speaking of notorious, did you know that the rapper, Notorious B.I.G., shares your birthday?”
“No, because I don’t know who that is.” Aaron shook his head.
Julian nodded in understanding. “Look.” He clasped his hands together as if he were about to pray. “When you get time, listen to some of his music. Listen to the lyrics. The man predicted his own death, Aaron, and in some ways, you’ve done the same – witnessed the death of your old self. You are rarely broadsided; you knew these things were coming down the pike, pardon the pun. You just didn’t know how to stop it, or even if you wanted it stopped.”
“Damn, you’re good!” Aaron said, truly amazed. “I could talk to you for hours, man.”
“The feeling is mutual, and hopefully tonight we can all go out to eat and share some stories, get to know one another better.”
“So tell me more about this rapper.”
“He said things in a way that most rappers during his time were not. He has an album that went certified diamond, which is a big damn deal! He could move people. He was physically large, deemed unattractive, but had women all over him. It was because of his energy, his aura. You’ve got that same power, only more so, because you would be considered attractive due to your build, your facial structure, and height.”
“Don’t tell me some shit like that while my pants are down,” Aaron teased. “Sittin’ here in my boxers and you’re tellin’ me I’m attractive. I’m not really tryin’ to hear that.”
Julian cackled loudly.
“See? That’s what I’m talkin’ about… charming, funny, an air about you. You can turn on charm like a light switch, and you’re emotionally damaged, which unfortunately draws female attention even more so because women are natural fixers, just like I had stated. They want to heal the world.”
“…Not all women.”
Julian indicated his agreement, giving respect. He knew what Aaron was referring to; there was no need to say it.
“You’re right, excuse me. I’ll rephrase. Most women are natural fixers. Some women are attracted to bad men – thugs, if you will. It’s not because they necessarily want to get hurt, but because they want to heal that man. Women are fed spiritually by healing others and there is a sense of protection that goes along with that.
“The one healed is supposed to be in debt to the healer, giving her a promise of devotion, adoration, and love. Tough men are seen as more shielding, which sweetens the pot. You represented the best of both worlds. You could be articulate and kind when necessary, and mean and dirty in the next second, too. Keep in mind.” Julian raised his finger. “You are a Gemini, so there are always two sides to you. You don’t show both parts of you to the public. Only people you trust completely are allowed to witness this duality, because it is the key to who you are and what you are capable of, as well as it showcases your strengths and vulnerabilities.
“You are the quintessential example of light versus dark living within one person. We usually attract our likeness or something opposite to us, all of us do. You, on the other hand, attract both.”
This is what Patti meant by old souls. She used to tell me I was one all the time.
Aaron was feeling things he’d never experienced in his entire life. Julian was a person he’d never believed existed, kind of like Mia. The odd man had insight and an easygoing way about him, but he could sense they were kindred souls. Julian had a temper, could get angry and strike out. He was also protective over those he loved. He knew his own kind…
It wasn’t that what he was witnessing was an act; it was simply Julian’s duality, just as he, too, possessed the same. Julian was an artist, one of the most gifted ones in the entire country, possibly the world. He could render the type of precision and genius via ink that other tattoo artists could only dream of. He was a free spirit.
“I can learn a lot from you,” Aaron blurted out.
Julian paused and looked at him. “I know. And I can learn from you, too. I already am. I told you we met for a reason: to learn lessons.”
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I’ve always wanted a family, man. A real family. I never had that growing up.”
“You crave stability in your relationships. You’re attracted to your opposite, Aaron, because you were unstable, and you recognized this, so the opposite of you would help you get even, to finally find balance. I bet you’ve always been this way; you just may have been lying to yourself.”
“So, uh, have you always been attracted to black women?” Aaron asked as he watched the man stand up and lay a towel over the bench table.
“Yes. I’m attracted to all races of women, period. I never had a preference in that regard. It was more of a body type for me versus a race, complexion, anything like that.”
“Oh, I see.” He crossed his arms.
“Damn, this was a really good discussion.”
“It was. Let’s go ahead and get started though. We can take up the rest of this discussion later.”
“What do you have for me?”
“Well, I did some mock-up drawings last night and now that I’ve seen you in person, I think they are do-able with a little tweaking.” Julian released a drawer and retrieved a pad of paper. He opened it up, then handed it to Aaron.
“Here’s what I think we can do…”
“Ho-ly SHIT!”
“You like them?” The man’s face split in a grin.
“Man!” Aaron stood to his feet and grabbed the bastard to give him a big hug. “You are about to make me…man! You got all of this from our phone calls, and the consultation?! That’s incredible.”
Julian laughed lightly and pointed to the table.
“Go on and lie down. Let’s start with your back since it has the biggest tattoo and will take the longest. All of this work will take about three to four days… You game?” Julian sat down as Aaron reclined on the padded table and focused on a mirror that lay straight ahead.
“I have to do it. I want to do it…get rid of everything but the zipper.”
“Do you mind if I touch the zipper up a bit?” Julian asked as he poured rubbing alcohol into a shallow dish.
“Nope, not at all.”
“Alright, do you want an aspirin or anything before we get started?”
“No. I want it to hurt. I want to feel everything. That’s what lets me know I’m alive. As you said, I’m a pain addict. I need this. Make me bleed… I’m just now starting to allow myself to feel again… I want to keep on feeling, letting my wife in so I can be a good husband to her and an even better father to my children. I need it, man, a reminder that I’m human… That it’s okay to care, to want more, and to love…
Chapter Nineteen
MARCUS PUSHED HIS little girl on her bike. The thing swayed roughly from left to right, then went straight.
“You got it, April!” He jumped up and high-fived the air as he watched his angel make her way down the sidewalk all by herself on her brand new pink and white bicycle. She’d been so afraid before, but today was her day. He glanced back at his new house, where, through the window, he could see his woman sitting on the couch with the remote in her hand and a glass of water in the other. His heart swelled with pride at the sight. Finally… she can rest, have days off…
