Claire - part 5

This is my submission to Creative Writing- Write Something And Win Some SBD run by @aubreyfox

Red, ugly blotches with yellowish fluid filled blisters were forming on her back where she had taken the brunt of the hot chilli. Too bad, Frank didn’t like his food cold.

Claire scrutinized her back some more in the antique mirror. It could be worse. It always could be worse with Frank. She didn’t think it would scar, but only time would tell.

She showered avoiding the lavender soap that she loved to use. The cool water running down her scorched back was painful enough. Drying off was a bit of a chore, being careful not to rub the burnt bits. Now she knew she needed to put some kind of balm on that wound.

With a forceful pull, she opened the ancient metal medicine cabinet. She found some old abandoned cobwebs, piles of rust and a small piece of dirty gauze. Nothing helpful.

Claire padded down the stairs to the kitchen thinking she might find something in the pantry. She found a very old looking metal first aid box that had rusted completely shut. It probably wouldn’t have what she was looking for anyway, so she set it aside and continued looking.

In a flashback to her childhood, she remembered that Granny had used used different natural remedies for burns. What was it now...Oh, yes! Honey!

She scrambled high and low looking for the elusive honey. She found a poor little honey bear shaped plastic bottle practically empty. Not enough for a slice of toast let alone the large area on her back. She sat down heavily on the kitchen stool and sighed.

Another stroke of inspiration! Granny used to use aloe vera gel on burns. Granny always had aloe vera growing in her garden and in small terracotta pots around the house. She had even given Claire a few plants for her garden when she married Frank all those years ago. If Granny only knew...

She started out the back door when it suddenly dawned on her she didn’t have any clothes on! She made her way as quickly as she could up the stairs and threw on her old worn bathrobe, padded down the stairs and out the kitchen door in no time flat.

“Please don’t let Frank see me!” she pleaded as she headed for the garden at speed.

Too late! Only it wasn’t Frank! Holy smokes! It was Jake, dusting up the lane! What on earth was he doing here now! Wasn’t he here just this morning? And look what had happened because of that visit.

She quickly cut two large leaves off the aloe vera and made a mad dash to the safety of the house, holding on tightly to the worn robe. She slammed the bedroom door closed and sat panting on the edge of the old sagging bed.

Holding on to the aloe vera in her trembling hands, she listened as Jake shut off the motor and nonchalantly climbed up the steps and onto the porch. She heard the creaking floor boards, the sound of his boots and his tentative knock. She sat holding her breath waiting for him to give up and leave.