Outside In - Bathtime

Outside In is the working title of a story in process. If you are peeking in for the first time, you might want to catch up on the rest of the story before reading this part... it will make better sense to you. For convenience I have added a page with the links from the beginning to this point. I will continue to add them as the story continues to grow. 


(In chronological order - Outside In)

The water was very warm, he liked it that way. He lowered himself under so that only his face was above the skin. He listened to the sound of his heartbeat thumping steadily from the inside out. With  his eyes closed, he could see his Momma at her drawing table, in the dim light of the cabin. A small swivel light was anchored to the slab of wood she hung at an angle from the ceiling. Her face was back-lit in such a way that it formed a halo around the thick, dark curls piled atop her head. Blake remembered her that way: she was an angel to him. 

"Are you a prune yet?" Torie asked as she came into the bathroom, and picked up one of his water-wrinkled hands. "Oh, my you have become a prune" she teased. "It's time to get out, get your pajamas on and get into bed."

"Can I stay a little more?" he asked knowing that the prune status was sure to earn a no from his aunt. 

"No, but you can take another one tomorrow!" she smiled as she helped him out of the tub and wrapped the towel around him. "Be sure to dry between your toes." 

He wondered what was so important about his toes that she always told him that, but he did it anyway. His pajamas were covered in red cars, and about 3 inches too short, but he wore them to bed every night that they weren't in the wash. His Momma made them for him just before she left, and he believed she would be back before he grew out of them.