Closure

It was time. Hando pulled the car up to the petrol station and filled the gas can and put it in the trunk. He drove carefully especially after he turned off the road onto the dirt road that led to the cabin. He drove with his lights off turned in the yard so his car was pointed to the drive. Taking the gas can he walked through the cabin spewing its contents as he went. Placing the empty can back in the car he walked over to the cabin lit a cigarette and started to throw the lighted match into the door…he hadn’t counted on the gas still on his hand. It caught fire and he beat his hand against his coat running down to the lake where he plunged it underwater. It hurt like hell but he had to go back and strike another match…this time doing it right.

He drove back to the parking lot where he’d been spending his nights, carefully wiping anything he thought he might of touched in the car he slipped out tossing the keys under the floor mat where he’d found them. He went back to his own car and changed his clothes then with his hand now hurting to the point he couldn’t keep it still he ran through several back yards until he came to Tilly’s house and let himself in with the key he no longer bothered to place back under the pot of geraniums

It was a little after midnight and Tilly was in bed. She woke when she heard the back door slam and water being turned on in her kitchen. Turning on her bedroom light she reached for her robe and the wooden walking staff she kept behind her door and walked quietly down the hall. Her kitchen light was on and she peeped around the door. It was him.

"What are you doing here…get out," she yelled drawing back the staff.

"Put that damn thing down, "he said quietly holding his hand under the water.

"What are you doing?"

"Trying to cool my hand down what does it look like," he was trying to keep his cool and not go off on her he needed her help.

"What’s wrong with it?" she asked placing the staff against the wall and moving closer to him.

"I burned it…trying to light a fire on the beach." He said looking at her sideways.

She looked at his hand not at his face, "why did you come here…why not stick it in the ocean?"

"Because…I thought you were some kind of nurse or something…you might know what to do with it."

"I am a nurse…or was…let me see it…that’s a nasty burn you should go to hospital…to emergency."

"No…you can do something can’t you?"

"Well…let me get my kit," Tilly went to the hall closet and pulled out a first aid kit and a box of bandages.

Hando watched her as she dressed his burn…he watched the intent look on her face.

"You smell of smoke," she said

"I told you I had a fire on the beach. You smell like apples…what is it shampoo…lotion?"

Tilly looked up at him briefly, "both. You really should see a doctor…Hando." It was the first time she’d used his name…it fitted him somehow.

"You don’t work tomorrow do you?" he asked knowing the answer.

"No…why?"

"Because…I’m staying…I’m staying the night…you want me to don’t you?" he asked tilting his head and looking up at her. His right hand strayed to her arm and trailed up to her shoulder and to her neck left bare by the robe she tied around her waist.

Tilly didn’t speak…his fingers playing with her neck and tendrils of hair sent shivers up her spine. She straightened up putting the bandages back in the kit.

"You do don’t you…you’ve wondered when…if…I would come back when you were home. I’m here and I ain’t leaving…Tilly."

His voice and his eyes were mesmerizing she was drawn to him…wanted him.