Gun Shy

by Lori L. Lake

  “My legs are wet. The rest of me is pretty dry.”

  Luella gave her a perplexed look and ran a hand down to the knee of Dez’s uniform. In her bossiest voice, she said, “You are definitely wet, too. Get those clothes off right now and crawl in there and warm her up. She won’t warm up quick enough without help, you know.”

  Dez said, “I was thinking maybe you could—”

  “Are you nuts? I’ve got the circulation of a penguin. Poor girl would probably freeze to death next to me. Go on. Get in. Here, toss these over the top of her.” She helped Dez rearrange the two blankets. “Hot chocolate ought to be done now, too.”

  Luella picked up the empty hot water bottle from the top of the dresser and shuffled out of the room, leaving Dez to strip off her own clothes and shoes. She went to the opposite side of the bed. Jaylynn lay curled up on her right side facing toward the door, her arms clenched over her chest. Dez slipped under the covers and turned to her right side and scooted over. Before her skin even touched Jaylynn’s, she felt the chill radiating off, and she winced when the cold flesh touched the front of her legs. Jaylynn’s back was a frozen block against her stomach, but she resisted the desire to recoil. Putting her arm around Jaylynn’s middle, she moved as close as she could, tucking her head up over Jaylynn’s left shoulder. The body next to her trembled violently, her teeth chattering so hard they made clicking sounds.

  Luella bustled into the room with a TV tray and set it next to the bed, then left and returned with two mugs half-filled with steaming liquid, which she placed on the tray. She picked up the heating pad from the floor and went to the foot of the bed. “Jaylynn, I’m tucking this under here on top of the sheet by your feet. I put it on high but it isn’t all heated up yet.”

  Dez said, “Thanks Luella, you’re a lifesaver.”

  “I’ll go fill the hot water bottle, too. How cold does her stomach feel?”

  Dez shifted her hands to Jaylynn’s middle and, a little embarrassed, pressed the flat of her hand there a moment. “She feels pretty cold all over—maybe not quite as cold there.”

  “All right. I’ll be back in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.” She bent slowly and gathered up the clothes on the floor.

  “Luella, you can leave those. I’ll get them—”

  “Don’t you worry. Looks like some of this needs to be put to soak. I’ll take care of it.”

  Jaylynn continued to shiver, but less violently, and Dez thought some warmth was finally generating between them. Several minutes went by, and though Jaylynn wasn’t shaking as much, her skin still felt like cold Jello. More time passed and Dez began to worry. Quietly, because her lips were near Jaylynn’s ear, she asked, “Hey, you feeling any warmer?”

  Dez thought Jaylynn nodded, though she continued to shiver so she wasn’t sure. “Was that a yes, Jay?”

  “Um hmmm.”

  “As soon as the shivering calms down some, you think you can drink something warm?”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Your legs and back are a little warmer now.”

  Through gritted teeth, Jaylynn choked out, “Feels like I’ll never get warm again.”

  “You will, just be patient.”

  “Where the hell are we?” she groused.

  Luella stepped in the room carrying a bundle wrapped in a towel. “So, my dear, you’re finally with it again?”

  “Hi, Luella,” she said miserably. “I think so.”

  “Here, take this hot water bottle and hold it on your tummy.” She lifted up the edge of the covers and slipped the bundle under.

  “Ohhhh, this is even warmer than Dez is.”

  Luella said, “That girl’s like a furnace, isn’t she? Dez, are your feet warming up?”

  “Yes, Luella. My feet are fine.”

  “As long as you two are thawing, I may as well get together a midnight snack. I’ll be right back.”

  She disappeared from the room before Dez could protest. “Oh, geez. She’s about to show up with a pile of food ceiling high.”

  In a muffled voice Jaylynn said, “Would that be so bad?”

  Dez nestled closer and lifted her chin up over Jaylynn’s upper arm. “You’re not shaking as badly now. I guess you’re doing better, huh?” When Jaylynn assented, Dez said, “Think you could drink some cocoa?”

  “Yeah.”

  Dez slipped her right arm under Jaylynn’s neck and pulled herself up on her elbow. She snaked her left arm out from under the covers and hooked a mug. Carefully she brought it near. Jaylynn tried to reach for it, but Dez said, “No, stay under the covers. I’ll hold it for you.”

  Jaylynn lifted her head a bit and let Dez guide the mug to her lips. “Yum! This is great.”

  “Everything Luella makes is great. I’d weigh three-hundred pounds if I didn’t fight her off daily.”

  Jaylynn let her head drop on Dez’s arm. She shivered slightly and snuggled deeper. “I guess I’d weigh three-hundred pounds then. I couldn’t refuse her.”

  “You’d probably only get to about two-fifty with the smaller build and all.”

  “That’s comforting.” Jaylynn clutched the covers tighter against her neck.

  Dez set the mug back on the tray and picked up the other one, brought it to her lips and downed most of the hot liquid. “Whew, that is good. And it’s not instant. She makes it from scratch.”

  “Dez?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Will you turn over?”

  “What?” she asked, confused.

  “On your other side. Will you turn over? My back is feeling better now, but my stomach and legs are freezing.”

  Dez flipped over and faced the wall. She flinched when the chilled skin touched her back, hips, and thighs, which made her break out in shivers. In a cranky voice she asked, “How can you be so cold and not dead?”

  “How can you be so warm and not melted?” She pressed a chilly cheek to Dez’s shoulder.

  “Very funny.”

  Jaylynn shuddered again. “I’d be warmer without these wet underwear on.”

  “Yeah, me, too.” Neither made a move to remove any more clothing.

  Jaylynn slipped her right arm around Dez’s waist, placing her forearm against a taut stomach. With warm hands, Dez rubbed the cold arm and hand.

  “Where’s the hot water bottle?” Dez asked.

  “Leaning on my back.”

  “Good. Here, I’ll get the heating pad.” She snagged the cord, dragged it up, and tucked it behind Jaylynn’s knees. She arranged the covers tight over them again and settled back down.

  “Ohhh, that feels good. I can actually feel heat now. What a relief.” An arm tightened around Dez’s middle, and her hand came to rest just below Dez’s breastbone.

  Dez looked down and realized she was beginning to feel heat she would not want to admit to. She swallowed and tried to still her beating heart. Glad she was not facing Jaylynn, she took a deep breath and resisted the urge to flee, saying, “You should have told me before you got so damn cold.”

  “I guess I didn’t notice until too late.”

  In a grumpy voice Dez said, “Now you know what it’s like, so pay closer attention next time.”

  Dez felt a cold hand move down to the side of her stomach and pinch the muscle there. She jumped, and Jaylynn said, “I do believe you’re in a compromising position here, Miss Big Shot Cop. Don’t go getting grouchy on me or I’ll have to tickle you.” She poked into the muscle of Dez’s stomach.

  “Hey!” Dez yowled, but Jaylynn’s arm tightened around her before she could squirm away.

  “I’m not warm enough yet.”

  Dez growled, “Be nice or I’ll unplug the heating pad and leave you with that tepid hot water bottle.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  Dez turned over on her back. “You should drink the rest of the cocoa. I’m sure the five-course meal chaser is coming any minute.”

  Jaylynn rolled onto her back, clutching the covers, and half sat up to grab the mug. She leaned on her elbow
and sipped it. “I feel way better now, but I’m still cold. My feet are freezing.”

  “Here, put the heating pad on ’em.” Dez sat up and explored under the covers in the middle of the bed until she found it. The blankets fell away as she leaned forward, revealing muscled shoulders and smooth ivory-colored skin.

  “Dez! You’re letting all the cold air in.”

  “Whine, whine, whine!”

  From the kitchen a warbling whistle trilled. Jaylynn set down her mug. As Dez settled the heating pad against her feet, Jaylynn asked, “She’s not really making a five-course meal, is she?”

  From her seated position Dez looked over her shoulder, a scowl on her face. In the golden lamplight, Jaylynn couldn’t quite see the blue in her eyes. They actually looked dark and far away. “I guarantee you she is making some sort of full meal. I don’t know how she does it.” Dez sighed. “How are your legs and feet—you feel the heating pad now?”

  “Yeah, but they’re sure not as warm as the rest of me.”

  Dez stretched long arms under the covers and clamped hot hands on Jaylynn’s left thigh. She kneaded gently down to her calf and back up. “Getting any circulation now?”

  Jaylynn was grateful for the dim lamplight because a surge of warmth branched out starting somewhere in the pit of her stomach—or perhaps lower—and radiated outward. She felt a blush come on exactly when Dez leaned over more closely to give the same treatment to her other thigh.

  “Does that help?”

  “Yep, I’m definitely warmer.” Jaylynn was relieved to hear Luella’s tread in the hall. She rounded the corner into the room carrying two glasses of milk balanced in one hand and a pair of three-inch-tall ceramic pink pigs in the other. Dez reached across Jaylynn and took the glasses from Luella’s hand and put them on the TV tray. Jaylynn frowned as she looked at the pink pigs.

  “Salt and pepper shakers,” Dez said.

  “Aren’t they cute?” Luella asked. “I bought ’em years ago at an estate sale up the street. Two more minutes and I’ll be back with some goodies.”

  Dez said, “Nothing big for me, you know.”

  “Um hmm.” Luella rolled her eyes and headed out of the room.

  “Wait,” Dez said. “Can I borrow a robe or shirt or something?”

  Luella paused. “Why?”

  “I want to run upstairs and get us some dry clothes.”

  Luella disappeared for a moment, then popped back in the room. She handed Dez a worn green and red plaid wrap-around robe. “It was the mister’s so it ought to fit you.”

  “Thanks. I’ll bring it right back.”

  Jaylynn watched all of this with amusement. She wasn’t used to anyone, not even the duty sergeant, ordering Dez around. Even more amusing was how meekly Dez took it from Luella.

  “Back in a second.” She threw the covers aside and stood, putting the robe around her shoulders and tightening the belt before she turned around.

  Jaylynn said, “I’ve still got the heating pad, but there’s definitely a chill in the bed now that you’ve gotten out.”

  From the foot of the bed Dez glanced at her, a peculiar look on her face. “I’ll be right back.”

  Jaylynn sank down under the blankets. She kicked her feet back and forth and felt the warmth of the friction from the heating pad and sheets. Even though her body was nestled in a toasty cocoon, she still felt chilled. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said it wasn’t as warm without Dez.

  She looked around the small room she was lying in. Plain and simple. Hardwood floors with a multi-colored braided rug next to the bed. The maple dresser matched the headboard. The window shade was open and a lacy valance hung at the top of the window frame. On the desk sat an eight-by-ten picture in a frame, but Jaylynn couldn’t see what the photo was of. Two of the pictures on the walls were of flowers: daffodils and jonquils in one, roses and bluebells in the other. The third picture hanging over the dresser was of two sweet children walking across a rickety bridge with a benevolent looking guardian angel hovering over them. The wide golden frame highlighted the gold of the children’s hair and the angel’s halo. All in all, the room was a cozy place to warm up in.

  True to her word, Dez returned carrying an armload of clothes and the plaid robe. She had changed into tan-colored wool socks, flannel sleeping shorts, and a loose black T-shirt that had a pink explosion on the front and read “Cherry Bombs Attitude Gear.”

  “Here.” Dez stood over Jaylynn. “Put this on.” She handed Jaylynn a long-sleeved sleeping shirt. “Take off your wet things, okay?” She spun around abruptly and sat on the edge of the bed facing away. Jaylynn puffed up the covers like a big cocoon, removed her bra, and wormed her way into the shirt without ever taking the covers off. Over her shoulder Dez tossed a pair of red cotton shorts, soft and worn. “Take the last of the damp stuff off and wear these.”

  Jaylynn was more than happy to remove the wet underwear and slip on the shorts. They actually felt warm against her skin.

  “Socks,” Dez said. She stood and handed them to Jaylynn as Luella came around the corner bearing two plates.

  “Now, Dez,” Luella said. “You need to keep your strength up, so I went ahead and dished you up a plate, too.” With fake menace in her voice, she ordered, “Get back in there where it’s warm.”

  “All right,” Dez said in a resigned voice. She moved around to the other side of the bed, got in, shifted upward against the headboard, and rearranged the covers over her lap.

  Luella set the two plates on the TV tray. She took forks out of her robe pocket and handed them to Jaylynn, who passed one over to her glowering partner. Jaylynn paid no attention to her bedmate. She was intent on plates filled with buttered carrots, turkey, mashed potatoes, and a liberal splash of gravy covering half of each dish. Without warning, her stomach clenched, leaving her feeling weak. “I can’t believe how hungry I am.”

  Luella handed a plate to Jaylynn, who passed it to a reluctant Dez, then accepted the other for herself. Luella beamed as she got the desk chair and dragged it next to the TV tray. With difficulty, she lowered herself into the chair and watched by the bed as Jaylynn lit into her plate like she hadn’t eaten food for decades.

  The gravy was succulent, spiced with pepper and something Jaylynn couldn’t identify. “This is so good.” She looked over at Dez who was dutifully eating the carrots.

  “Now, are you girls going to tell me what happened?”

  Between bites, Jaylynn told most of the story, though Dez took over for a while when it came to the parts Jaylynn was fuzzy about. After they’d explained, Jaylynn said, “I wonder how those kids are?”

  In a low, flat voice, Dez said, “Probably all dead.”

  Jaylynn drew a quick breath. “What do you mean?”

  Dez shrugged. “The kids in the front were crushed, I’m sure. And the girl would be lucky to live through that. Between her injuries and the cold—look how it affected you—well, she’d be lucky to live.”

  Jaylynn swallowed and sat back. “God, she was only a teenager. I hope she doesn’t die.”

  Dez looked away and nodded. “Yeah. Maybe we got her out in time. Hard to tell.” She set her plate on her lap. The carrots and turkey were gone, but not the potatoes or gravy.

  Luella said, “I’m sure you two did the best you could. That’s all anyone could ask. I’ll pray for the girl tonight and tomorrow and perhaps God will see fit to give her another chance.” She lifted her legs up to the edge of the bed and stretched them, leaning back in the chair. “Don’t get old. Arthritis is no fun at all.”

  Jaylynn set her plate aside on the TV tray. “Do you take anything for it?”

  “Sure, but there’s only so much can be done for these ancient legs.”

  A low voice said, “Couldn’t have anything to do with the high fat diet.” Luella ignored her.

  Jaylynn elbowed Dez and pointed at her plate. “If you’re not finishing that off, may I?” Dez nodded, and Jaylynn snapped up the plate without a moment’s hesitation
. “This is the best gravy.”

  With a sly grin Luella said, “Why thank you, dear. It’s nice to be appreciated.” She squinted her eyes and gave Dez a mock dirty look, which her tenant returned.

  “Hey, I didn’t do so bad, Luella. The turkey was great, as usual, and I did break my carb rule.”

  Jaylynn asked, “What’s your carb rule?”

  “No carbohydrates after six o’clock.”

  Luella shook her head. “Don’t pay a lick of attention to her, dear. You go right on and eat like us normal folks.”

  Jaylynn shoveled in the last couple of bites. “I’m pretty warm now, so I suppose I should get home.”

  But Luella wouldn’t hear of it. She leaned forward and touched a moist palm to Jaylynn’s forehead, smoothing back the white-blonde hair. “You still aren’t all that warm. I think you should stay put. Besides, I’ve got some special breakfast goodies started. You need to stay and sleep. And you haven’t got any clothes to go home in until I finish your laundry anyway.”

  “But it’s the middle of the night, Luella,” she protested. “I shouldn’t be keeping you up. And you don’t have to do my laundry.”

  “Good lord, that’s nothing. It’s not like I sleep well anyway. And it’s nice to have a little excitement every once in a while. Stop worrying yourself over it. I’m often up at this time.” She looked at the gold watch on her wrist. “At midnight the talk show comes on that I like to listen to.”

  Jaylynn said, “Oh. What show?”

  “I forget the man’s name. He’s somewhere in Colorado, and for two straight hours he talks to people about the government conspiracy regarding aliens.”

  Dez asked, “Illegal aliens or outer space aliens?”

  Luella said, “Definitely outer space. It’s quite interesting.”

  Dez arched an eyebrow, flicking a look over at Jaylynn. “Luella, don’t tell me you believe in that stuff.”

  “Of course not, you fool,” Luella said with a chuckle. “But it’s a laugh a minute listening to all the looney tunes who do.” She ignored the teasing sigh of relief from her frowning tenant and lifted her legs off the edge of the bed, scooting the chair back. She stood, replaced the chair under the desk, and picked up the plaid robe from the foot of the bed. “You wake up in the morning when you want, and I’ll fix you the mother of all breakfasts. You, too, Miss Health Nut. I’ll make something you can eat, too. Now why don’t you both get some sleep?” She shuffled to the door, hit the lights and went down the hall.