Marcus Johnson stepped into his apartment at 2:17 AM, the scent of antiseptic and ink still fresh on his skin. The living room was dark except for the blue glow of the TV with his wife Keisha's standing there. Twenty-two years as a CPA, and tonight was the first time he had ever done something that truly makes no sense.
"Where the hell have you been?" Keisha's voice cut through the darkness. She muted the television and stood up, arms crossed tight over her chest. "You don't answer your phone? Not even a text? I called the office at midnight, Marcus. They said you left at seven."
Marcus dropped his briefcase by the door and unbuckled the top button on his Ralph Lauren collar polo shirt. The pain between his legs throbbed with each step, but he couldn't help the smirk forming on his face.
"Damn, I went to get a tattoo," he said, her eyes widened.
"A tattoo?" She shouted, stepping closer looking up and down at him checking his arms and neck. "I don't see nothing. You lying where the tattoo at Marcus?"
Marcus's smirk grew wider. "I got $100 dollar bills on what makes your eyes roll to the back of your head," he said proudly, still in pain adjusting his stance to stick his chest out.
Keisha's mouth fell open. "What the hell are you talking about?" I know you didn’t just say…….shaking her head in disgust. "What the hell is wrong with this man? Why on earth would a Professional Accountant get $100 dollar bills tattooed on his freaking private?"
The question hung in the air between them.
Seven years, and he had never seen Keisha this mad. Even during tax season when he had work long hours for weeks and come home smelling like coffee, she never looked at him in any other way.
"Well," Marcus said, counting off on his fingers, "one, I like to watch my money grow." He stepped closer to her. "Two, once in a while I like to play with my money." Another step closer. "Three, I like how money feels in my hand and you do to." He was inches from her now. "And lastly, instead of you going out shopping, you can stay right here at home and blow a thousand dollars anytime you want!"
Keisha stared at the tattoo for five full seconds before her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fell back on the couch. Marcus quickly lunged and sat next to her.
"Shit," he mumbled, lowering her head in his lap. He tapped her face gently. "Baby? Keisha?"
Her eyes opened. "Tell me you didn't," she whispered.
To be continued………