MaeMae for treating; they had for years and saw no need to change . Besides, she never charged them a fee, and the drive to Lafayette was out of the question for some. After all MaeMae lived right up the road, just a short piece. But Bon Amie needed more.
MaeMae had told Joelette many times that God had blessed her with a gift, but there were things she couldn’t do that a proper doctor could . But she never turned anyone away.
“ You boys go watch TV while your mother and I help this poor man.” MaeMae ushered them out as she talked.
“ He's going to be miserable with all the itching and burning from these insect bites,” Joelette said.
MaeMae shook her head. “The salve will help, but first we'll dry the bites with a baking soda bath.” She sat back and looked at him. “I'm more worried about his head.”
With a whisper of a touch, Joelette pushed his hair back. A huge dark mass appeared stuck to the lump on his forehead. Dried blood surrounded a cut crusted over with a mixture of mud, blood and God knew what else.
“ MaeMae, I tell you there was nothing around him. No weapon or evidence of a fight. Not even the sign of a vehicle.”
“ No telling. And truth be told, we may never know. You know sometimes the swamp keeps it secrets.” MaeMae handed Joelette a bar of soap.
Joelette took the jar of homemade cure-all salve and the white Lye soap and got to work .
The water in the basin turned dark red as she rinsed the cloth in fresh water . His injury emerged as an ugly knot and abrasion. As she worked the shampoo mixed with soap through his hair, freeing it from the blood and grime, soft blond curls slid through her fingers.
Once the injury was cleaned, Joelette removed his bloody, torn jacket. His shirt was also beyond repair. There was no telling what he’d gotten caught on in the swamp. Taut muscles and crisp blond hair covered his chest and stomach.
S he watched her hands rise and fall on his chest every time he took a breath. Her hands were tanned and weathered next to his pale skin. His heart pounded, a strong tempo, she hoped it was a steady reminder that meant he would survive his injuries.
Joelette sat back on her feet, her hand still rested on his chest . This man was so very different than her late husband, their coloring, their size. Unlike this man with his chest covered in soft blond hair, Otis had only had a small trail of dark hair that traveled from his chest onto his stomach. How many times had he told her 'grass doesn't grow on a playground'?
Was he ever right . His chest proved to be a playground for many playmates.
“ Joelette, you counting hairs?” MaeMae’s voice startled her. “This man will die of pneumonia if we don't hurry. His body is so chilled.”
“ Sorry.” No question this man made her uncomfortable. It was one thing for Ozamae to bring in an injured bird for MaeMae to care for. Or for Mr. Tompkins to buy some tea for his gout. But this man, his injuries could be serious and Joelette didn't want to feel responsible for him. She cleared her throat. “After we get him cleaned and changed into dry clothes, why don't I just take him to the hospital in Lafayette?”
“ Not yet, Cher. Can’t you see he's in shock? He might not make the trip.” MaeMae smiled sadly at Joelette. “Don't be afraid.” She clicked her tongue. “I can fix him, don’t you worry.”
“ I'm less worried about what you can't do, MaeMae, than I am about this man and what he might do to our family. We know nothing about this man, he’s a stranger we found stuck in the swamp. I don’t want to put any of us in danger.”
“ Joelette, Joelette.” MaeMae shook her head. “Look at him. What harm can that poor man do? Mais , if it makes you feel better we’ll lock his door at night, and keep the boys away. When the swelling goes down, he’ll awake, and we can take him to the doctor. Now let's finish his bath.” She stood. “I'll get him some of Otis's briefs. Remove his pants and
MaeMae had told Joelette many times that God had blessed her with a gift, but there were things she couldn’t do that a proper doctor could . But she never turned anyone away.
“ You boys go watch TV while your mother and I help this poor man.” MaeMae ushered them out as she talked.
“ He's going to be miserable with all the itching and burning from these insect bites,” Joelette said.
MaeMae shook her head. “The salve will help, but first we'll dry the bites with a baking soda bath.” She sat back and looked at him. “I'm more worried about his head.”
With a whisper of a touch, Joelette pushed his hair back. A huge dark mass appeared stuck to the lump on his forehead. Dried blood surrounded a cut crusted over with a mixture of mud, blood and God knew what else.
“ MaeMae, I tell you there was nothing around him. No weapon or evidence of a fight. Not even the sign of a vehicle.”
“ No telling. And truth be told, we may never know. You know sometimes the swamp keeps it secrets.” MaeMae handed Joelette a bar of soap.
Joelette took the jar of homemade cure-all salve and the white Lye soap and got to work .
The water in the basin turned dark red as she rinsed the cloth in fresh water . His injury emerged as an ugly knot and abrasion. As she worked the shampoo mixed with soap through his hair, freeing it from the blood and grime, soft blond curls slid through her fingers.
Once the injury was cleaned, Joelette removed his bloody, torn jacket. His shirt was also beyond repair. There was no telling what he’d gotten caught on in the swamp. Taut muscles and crisp blond hair covered his chest and stomach.
S he watched her hands rise and fall on his chest every time he took a breath. Her hands were tanned and weathered next to his pale skin. His heart pounded, a strong tempo, she hoped it was a steady reminder that meant he would survive his injuries.
Joelette sat back on her feet, her hand still rested on his chest . This man was so very different than her late husband, their coloring, their size. Unlike this man with his chest covered in soft blond hair, Otis had only had a small trail of dark hair that traveled from his chest onto his stomach. How many times had he told her 'grass doesn't grow on a playground'?
Was he ever right . His chest proved to be a playground for many playmates.
“ Joelette, you counting hairs?” MaeMae’s voice startled her. “This man will die of pneumonia if we don't hurry. His body is so chilled.”
“ Sorry.” No question this man made her uncomfortable. It was one thing for Ozamae to bring in an injured bird for MaeMae to care for. Or for Mr. Tompkins to buy some tea for his gout. But this man, his injuries could be serious and Joelette didn't want to feel responsible for him. She cleared her throat. “After we get him cleaned and changed into dry clothes, why don't I just take him to the hospital in Lafayette?”
“ Not yet, Cher. Can’t you see he's in shock? He might not make the trip.” MaeMae smiled sadly at Joelette. “Don't be afraid.” She clicked her tongue. “I can fix him, don’t you worry.”
“ I'm less worried about what you can't do, MaeMae, than I am about this man and what he might do to our family. We know nothing about this man, he’s a stranger we found stuck in the swamp. I don’t want to put any of us in danger.”
“ Joelette, Joelette.” MaeMae shook her head. “Look at him. What harm can that poor man do? Mais , if it makes you feel better we’ll lock his door at night, and keep the boys away. When the swelling goes down, he’ll awake, and we can take him to the doctor. Now let's finish his bath.” She stood. “I'll get him some of Otis's briefs. Remove his pants and
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