Fingertips

“Let me have your hands please?” the doctor asked.

Julia held her hands out, palms facing upward.

With a look of deep concentration he took the splinters out of here fingertips one by one.

“Well, it looks like we are done for today. I’ll be seeing you tomorrow correct?”

Julia simply nodded her head. She grabbed her purse and waved before heading back home.

The doctor didn’t know what to make of Julia. She was an anomaly an object of curio. Everyday for the last three months she came in fingertips covered in splinters. No explanation, no excuses, just those delicate fingers.

“Janet I’m going out for a little bit. Can you cover for me?”

“No problem.”

“Thanks.” The doctor grabbed his coat and left entering the night.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked fast trying to warm his body up. Julia wasn’t too far ahead. He kept a comfortable distance as he trailed her to her home.

Julia stepped inside.

A few minutes later she walked around the kitchen making things shake and clatter. More time passed and the doctor began to feel like a voyeur. He felt like dirt so he left feeling cold and empty both inside and out.

As night deepened, Julia crawled into her bed. She felt the stiffness of shadows enclose the room and the cold bark clutched her hands in its own seeking warmth.