After they had finished eating, Vaulto offered to clean up.
At least let me help.” Sarah offered.
“You guest.” He shoed her away from the dirty dishes.
Orion rubbed the top of Paul’s head. “It’s time for you to learn something?”
“Yes sir,” he ran away.
Sarah cut through the silence Paul left in his wake. “I have a very personal question to ask you.”
“Ask.”
She reached out lifting is arm. He did nothing to stop her. With great care, she exposed a patch of the red skin hiding inside the shirt sleeve, “May I examine you?”
His first reaction was to say no.
When she noticed he was hesitant, “just your upper body.”
“I will allow it.”
Once in her quarters, Orion took off his shirt. His back was red. However, his chest was only slightly pink. “Tell me about this.” She asked retrieving a pair of gloves from a bag.
“What would you like to know?”
“Does it hurt, burn, itch?”
“No.”
She rubbed her hand across his back. “Has it ever?”
“My skin feels tight.”
“How do you feel?”
“Tired. I almost can’t hold my eyes open.”
“How’s the food setting?”
“Heavy.”
“Your skin wasn’t like this on the train.” He gave her a questioning glance. “I would have noticed.” She continued her investigation. “Do you sleep on your back?”
“Yes.”
“This is personal. I’m sorry. Do you share sleeping arrangements with your wife?”
“No.”
“Has Paul ever slept with you?”
“No, if he got scared, I’d always go to him.”
“Who has access to your bedroom?”
“Anyone that wants it, with permission of course.” He paused for a moment. “Sarah, I’ve had five new mattresses. And countless sets of new sheets.”
“The laundry detergent has been changed?”
“Yes.”
“Fabric softener and other chemicals?”
“Yes.”
She was continued rubbing his back. “I swear this almost looks like a chemical burn. And you say your skin is just tight?”
“Yes.”
He watched her take the gloves off, one inside the other in a neat little package.
Poetry & More 