Tattooed Moon by Tiana Laveen Page A

be swayed to change.”
    This man actually makes sense!
    “We do things for them, help them out. That’s what you want to try to do. It is hard for a woman to do this with a man though, because in a professional environment it can be misconstrued as flirting, so be careful. Now, if that doesn’t work, you’ll want to tell the head guy what the hell has been going on. You already have a good rapport with him.”
    “Why not just go to him now ?”
    “Because you’ll be filing a complaint, a report. You first want to fix your current situation.” The buzzing seemed to get softer as he spoke, as if the entire place knew he was speaking important stuff. “You want to stop the troubled waters, if you will, the hemorrhaging.” He ran his forearm over his nose, then continued. “This accomplishes something really important. It shows that you tried to get along with your manager before you made a complaint. It would demonstrate that you attempted to work with him directly, to fix the issue before running to a higher-up.”
    “You’re a damn genius.” She cackled, causing him to do the same.
    “Hmmm, thanks.”
    “I’m going to do that. I’m going to try it.”
    He nodded. “Good, and I hope you are successful. It’s important to enjoy your job as much as possible.”
    “I take it you love your job?”
    “Eh.” He paused and shrugged his shoulders, his face in a slight grimace. “Yes, for the most part. I love aspects of it. I am struggling with the business part, quite honestly. I’m good with numbers, I’m great with people, my customers, but times are changing and I’m having trouble keeping up with inventory, ’nd shit like that.”
    “There are all sorts of really user-friendly computer systems, software, you know?” She paused, wished to help. “You can just put all of your inventory in, and then—”
    “That’s the thing, I haven’t found the time. I’ll deal with it later. I have more pressing matters to tend to.” He brushed her off, hesitating to discuss it any further.
    “The salon is beautiful, by the way,” she offered.
    “Thank you. I had some remodeling done to attract more customers. Well, they came alright, and we were already pretty busy but I wanted to meet one of my goals.”
    “Which was?”
    “I wanted to have this building paid off fast, and I managed to accomplish that not too long ago, actually. I rent out two rooms upstairs to responsible students. I save the rent money and put it towards any repairs that may pop up. The other efficiency I keep as my personal art studio. I basically just store a lot of my paintings in there and in the last one I keep additional supplies for the herb store and salon, and allow some of the artists to train apprentices in. I own two properties now—my own house and this building—and even though it can be a bit stressful at times, a huge burden is off my shoulders. All my school loans are paid off. I have freedom, finally.”
    “That is wonderful.” Milan was duly impressed. “School loans? Where did you attend school?”
    “Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. I have a Bachelors of Art and Humanities. I studied fine art, design, things like that.”
    “Good for you!”
    “Also, there is a tattoo apprenticeship scholarship I started. One student wins a yearlong apprenticeship with any of the local artists that sign up for it. It’s a great opportunity. Part of the prize is they get money, as well as a party once they graduate, and they can choose which artist they want to go under as long as that artist doesn’t currently have an apprentice. So far, I’ve got fifty-three local artists signed up and hope to get more.”
    Now you’re talking…
    “See? That’s what I am talking about. You’ve been blessed and you’re giving back, paying it forward. That is how it should work. Reciprocity…I love it.”
    “It’s important to give back to yourself, too…kinda like what you’re doing right now.”
    The mood shifted to