RDR Sapphic Week 2020 - Day One: Kiss/Patching Up Wounds
word count: 991 (tis short)
You held the cigarette to your lips to inhale the harsh smoke, almost like your body is moving on its own. The day had been so dull since most of the camp members had gone out to do a job, and you were bored to death. Already finishing your chores to avoid a lecture from Miss Grimshaw, you were lazily seated on the grass, running your fingers through the blades. You could feel the coolness of the earth below you harmonize with the light wind blowing through the trees that gave an overall peaceful atmosphere.
The sun was setting and Pearson was preparing to cook dinner for the camp with the help of Sadie Adler, but not without a fight, of course. Yes, the seemingly daily fight where Sadie screams at Pearson that she would be a better fit hunting the animals rather than cooking them, that she and her husband shared the work, so she’s not used to house chores. You understood and truthfully, you had wanted to get out of camp as well instead of being forced to work chore to chore, but sadly, the camp relies on the help of the women in camp and Miss Grimshaw isn’t going to let you become an exception to that.
You burned your cigarette out and stood up to walk to your tent, hoping to get a small nap in before everyone came back from the job. Knowing Dutch, he probably would want to throw a party if the job was successful. Though the idea of drinking and talking to people seemed like the last thing you would want to do right now, you knew an eager Karen or Mary-Beth would just pull you out anyway, so might as well get some rest before that.
With a hand pulling the flaps of your tent open, a shrill “Shit!” stopped you from taking another step, turning to see what the cause of the yell was. Sadie held her hand close to her chest, clearly putting pressure on the wound that was dripping crimson liquid down her arm. You gasped and walked over to help, being interrupted by Pearson calling your name.
“Can you please help Mrs. Adler? I still have to finish all of this.”
With a sharp nod, you gestured to Sadie to follow you to the cart where all the medical supplies were. She sat down on the edge and waited for you to prepare all of the bandages and ointment for the palm of her hand. You set them down next to you, so you wouldn’t have to keep reaching over to the back of the cart. She spoke softly, “Stupid me. I’m usually not this clumsy.”
You smiled politely and grabbed her hand lightly to start rubbing a washcloth with some water on it to her hand, carefully avoiding the actual cut, but mostly to clean up the blood that pooled around the wound. You chuckled, “It’s okay. Hey, if I had to listen to Pearson complain all day, I think I’d do the same thing.”
She laughed and watched you clean the cut, applying the ointment that Hosea made to heal cuts faster. You reached over and grabbed a bandage from the cart, wrapping it around her hand, then tying a knot on the top of her hand so it wouldn’t restrain her too much. “Is it too tight?”
“No, it’s fine. Thank you.” She replied, flexing her hand to see how tight the bandage was. You nodded and started to put back the supplies. You looked to her and noticed how she played with the ends of the bandage, successfully avoiding eye contact with you. You hesitated, but decided to try and start a conversation with her. Other than a few greetings in passing, you really haven’t tried to speak with her, “So, how have you been doing?”
Really? Out of all the things you could’ve said to her?
Sadie paused to look at you quickly, “As good as I can be doing, I suppose.”
Duh, you thought. You nodded and gulped, “Been liking it here so far?”
Sadie narrowed her eyes at you and stood up abruptly, “Look, I get that everyone feels bad for me or whatever, but you don’t need to start talking to me to try and make me feel better about myself or what happened.”
“No! No-” Following suit in standing up beside her, you tried to calm yourself down, “I’m sorry- I didn’t mean for it to come across like that! I’m just not that great at talking to people! I wanted to talk to you because you’re new to camp. And you’re a woman, which we don’t have many around here, so it’s nice to talk to another-”
She looked at you for the entire time you were ranting, trying to see if you were telling the truth or if you were just covering up the fact that she might have guessed your intentions. After detecting no lies, she sat back down slowly, cutting you off from your explanations, “So...not that great at talking to people, huh?”
You laughed softly and sat back down as well. People were starting to come into camp for food, the sound of the horses trotting through the trees filling the silence. You could hear Dutch declaring their success of the job and calling for a party, the excited chattering followed soon after. You stood up and walked over to grab food with Sadie following you, secretly dreading the loud singing and talking that went through the night. You were also feeling the same dread, but pushed through that because at least you had someone with you.
You both sat on the outskirts of the camp, towards the cliff that overlooked the grand view of the trees and lakes below it. You talked to each other until you could barely keep your eyes open. And yes, you noticed Arthur smirking at you both.
