family story # 29
my sister pat told me of a bass player
in their orchestra bound for a concert
grabbed coffee at a drive-in spilled it
scalded his hand in agony he rushed to
a drug store gasped out “Preparation
H!”– which he’d heard soothes burns
as well — slapped money on the counter
do you want me to wrap it for you sir?
no! cried douglas struggling out of his
tuxedo coat I’ll put it on right here,
quick, quick, have you an old piece of
cloth I can use? the saleswoman was
too rooted in shock to make a reply
©2018 Jacqueline Jackson
This article appears in Feb 15-21, 2018.
