"Morning, new store!" said I.
"Welcome, yes this is my new store and first store!" said Darren.
I began to look the place over. Never had I let anyone tattoo me but as it seemed the rage now maybe it was the right time?
"Lots of animal pictures, you specialize in animals?" I asked.
"Oh sure lots of real men think they are more a man with the picture of a bull, goat, or lion drawn on a chest, arm, of even their butt!" explained Darren.
I smiled and contiued to look at the hundreds of painted schemes he had available.
Darren walked into the back room as I thought about which one of these pictures brought a memory of better times.
"Holy mooly!" said I.
Darren poked his head out from behind the drape covered doorway and just looked at me.
"Where did you fine this one!" said I, pointing to a truly detailed picture of a small dappled gray horsehead.
"Oh that, that was Mike! He was a Shetland pony my Uncle owned up in Michigan. I used to visit him when quite young and stayed there during the Summer months riding, and enjoying the ponies." explained Darren.
"John Henry Markley!" I said.
"Yes, yes, how did you know?" asked Darren as he walked out into the shop his face now glowing of joy.
"Kyle Smyth, I owned the pony Fire, a roan beauty with white blaze and white foresocks. He was boarded there for many years, I remember a brat kid coming there in the Summer and riding Fire, the pony enjoyed you very very much!" explained them I.
"I remember you, yes I do!' said Darren as we got more comfortable and talked.
"Mike, a large Shetland stallion Mr. Markley used as a stud for his mares, that's his picture, right?' I asked.
"Yes, he was a favorite of mine!" replied Darren.
"Nice store you should do well, good location and might I say some very nice art work too!" said I.
"Hey, I got something you might well be interested seeing!" said Darren as he jumped up and walked off into the back room.
"TA Daaaa! Fire!" said Darren as in his hands was a perfect picture of my American Shetland pony stallion, Fire.
"Fire! Wow you really got a flair with recreating animals, he's so real you think the picture might just snort and whinnie!" I said very pleased as I took the picture into my hands.
"Damn!" I muttered.
"Something wrong, did I make a mistake?" whined Darren as his joyful expression changed quickly to one of anguish.
I smiled at him, "No nothing's wrong except now I can't make up my mind. I like Mike and I liked and loved Fire, which one would look best on my chest?" I wondered.
"Fire he was yours and now the two of you can be friends again!" announced Darren.