Walking in the house Brad's palms itched as he felt the sticky stuff from the resevior on hands and wrists. Walking into the kitchen he turned on the water and sprinkled borax on his hands.
"AURGGGG, he moaned as the acidic borax touched his palms." Quickly he rubbed the borax around it hope of a quick cleaning. Yet he could see acid burns on the skin of his palms. One spot worse than any other started to bleed.
A paper towel he dabbed at the seeping blood. He felt a strange feeling pulse through his whole body, arms, and legs.
The feeling and his fear of looking at burned palms he felt cold. Walking down the hall he opened the closet door and searched for a jacket.
Finally he decided to donn his leather riding jacket, which he always loved it's warmth.
Hand's still bleeding he reach out and touched the smooth leather jacket. As he clasp it's surface he felt as if his head would spin off his shoulders.
Falling to his knees and ripping the jacket off the hanger he slumped to the floor. Hands which ached, now burned as if on fire from the touch of his jacket.
Brad leened over and fell on his side, moaning his pain. Minutes passed as the bleeding palms sucked and merged with the leather of the jacket.
Pain subsided suddenly and Brad lifted his head looking at the now calm hands.
Putting on his jacket and still feeling a chill he gapped wide eyed at his hands. Nolonger bleeding and seemingly healed they looked almost normal again.
Looking close he could see small black spots where minutes ago his palms were bleeding. Not scabs or clotting the spots were ingrained in his palms, as if now part of him.
Getting up Brad rubbed his palms, itching and strange he walked off to bed.
"Mellony don't scratch the stuff, said Chuck as they drove out to her parent's farm."
"I itch, just everywhere, said Mellony scratching!"
At last Chuck drove into the Maple tree lined drive. "Stop here Chuck, I'll walk in you car's loud muffler could wake the dead!"
Laughing he stopped the car and Mellony jumped out. "Thanks for taking me home, I'll walk from here. Oh and lets go to the museum, see you in the morning Chuck!"
Mellony poked her head into the car long enough to peck a greatful kiss on Chuck's face. Cupping his face in her hands she express her friendship.
Mellony turned and started walking the dusty drive lined by dozens of Maple trees and pasture fence.
Chuck feeling every bit the best man, drove toward home. Just the thoughts of Mellony falling in the resevior and her itching he started to scratch his face.