China
A divulgence, a tattoo, a name I forgot to remember
In the Finnish sauna, flanked by women sweating in various states of toplessness, my friend tells me that a guy in the navy told her that China will invade the United States in 2027.
Yesterday I am finally put up with my work badge not working so I go to the security desk to change my access allowance. While the guard types I notice minutemen with rifles vanishing up his shirt sleeve. He hands me my badge and I ask him about his tattoo. He says it’s a full sleeve depicting every battle that marked the USA’s entrance into a major war and changed the course of American history. He walks me up his wrist, forearm, and bicep through the Revolution, Civil, and both World Wars, stopping short at the shoulder.
“Room for one more?” I say.
He laughs, shrugs.
I raise my eyebrows. “I heard China. 2027.”
I thank him for his help and ask his name, offering mine too.
And now today ascending the escalator, I see him at the desk and realize with no small degree of shame I’ve already forgotten his name. Tyler? Jake?1
Then again, if the seaman’s right, maybe three years from now it won’t hardly matter.
Update: I have reacquired his name, but will not disclose to protect the innocent.