Gareth by Daniella Brodsky

Gareth:
When Tilly walks into my tattoo parlour, saying Ciao,
And wanting a tattoo that says “I will not be tied down,”
I know I have to make her mine.
I won’t tie her down.
I’ll show her that real love is the kind that
breaks the reins and sets you free.
And if her serious eyes and beautiful spirit are any hint,
it’s going to be one wild ride.

Tilly:
I am free and happy and always will be
is what I wanted my tattoo to say.
I’m coming off the best two years of my life,
traipsing around Italy, doing whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted.
It healed me after a terrible relationship
And I’m vowing to live the rest of my life this way.
But the guy who’s tattooing me is having the craziest effect on me.
When I see him, I see my future.
And as he gently begins to draw those words on me,
I already know they are a lie.