Lakewood Confidential: Cross Springs

By Caren Crane

Sam Miller, known to the world as the rapper Lakewood, is grieving after his mother's death. A trip to New York to see a friend lands him an appearance on a reality show filmed at the Reed Brothers tattoo shop.

His discussion with the tattoo artist, Tondra, gives her insight into what got him to this low point in his life. It also guides her to draw the perfect symbol for his journey.

Sam's tattoo sets him on a path back to where his life really began and helps him realize where his next steps will lead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caren Crane
• Release date: Jun 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393519485

Book preview

1

The Reed brothers' shop was strangely busy for a Tuesday morning. Then again, the film crew was in today so everyone had shown up early. Way early.

Morning, Tondra! I'm so glad you're with us today.

Friday poked her head in the doorway of my workroom. I was blown away, as always, by her presence. She had it going on with the clothes and makeup and wild-colored hair. We had met a while back when she stopped at the table where I was selling prints of my artwork in Washington Square.

She admired my work, I admired her style. I noticed her ink, she noticed mine. Turned out she worked at Reed's and I had just finished my apprenticeship as a tattoo artist in Atlanta. First month in New York City and fate brought me Friday. When she asked last week if I would do a spot as a guest artist at Reed's and agree to be featured on their reality show, I knew I had made the right decision when I left Georgia, my family. Kendrick.

I shook off my ghosts. You knew I wouldn't miss this for anything. When do the skins arrive?

Should be any time now. Word gets out when we're filming. A wicked gleam shone in her eyes. Brings in the crazies.

I lifted an eyebrow and shot a look to Johnny, the cameraman filming me today.

He shrugged and nodded.

I smiled. Nothing like trial by fire.

No worries, Friday said. "I talked to someone over the weekend who is your perfect client. Someone with a story worth telling. Someone who'll inspire you."

The bell over the front door rang yet again. Friday disappeared before I could find out who this perfect client was. Must be someone who needed original art, which was what I had hoped for. No use wasting my precious onscreen opportunity doing flash. I needed this to be a great session, a breakout day. I needed a break, period.

I heard Friday's voice approaching and the distinctive click of her high heels. This is Tondra, your artist. Tondra, this is Sam. You kids have fun!

We traded hellos and I invited him to sit in the chair beside the table holding my sketchbook, pencils and pens. Introduced him to the cameraman, Johnny. Something about the man seemed really familiar. His face? Maybe. But it was his voice that teased my memory. So what are you looking for, Sam? What is it you want your ink to say?

He laughed, but no humor made it to his hazel eyes. I feel like I already said everything I got to say. What I want is a memory. I want a picture of what was, so I can get it back again.

I tilted my head to the side, studying his face. The angles, the planes. The curve of cheekbone, the warm golden tone of his skin that some people disparagingly called high yellow. Those beautiful gray-green eyes, so reminiscent of Georgia to me, where so many of us are a blend of races. I should know you, shouldn't I?

He grinned. You from Atlanta?

I nodded. Sure am.

Thought so. Yeah, you mighta heard of me. It was a long time ago, but I used to be MC Smoov Sam.

My jaw dropped. Remembering the camera, I tried to pull my shit together and not sound like a lunatic fangirl. "You're Lakewood."

Okay, I still sounded like an awestruck idiot, but it was fucking Lakewood! In my chair! Wanting my art on his