Follow Me: Chapter 27
Hindy waddled out of the water, flailing her arms. “My knee — it’s b-b-burning!”
Pessie tiptoed over the white sand, shielding her eyes from the sun with her hand.
“Isn’t this the most beautiful place in the world?” she asked Hindy.
“It’s stunning,” Hindy agreed.
They’d woken up early for their first session at the beach, hoping to beat the midday blazing sun. Pessie had thought about skipping this session — she had to go shopping first, her swim stuff was in her suitcase, wherever that was — and she was still wearing her clothing from the day before. But every moment at the beach was crucial for Hindy, and they couldn’t afford to squander a single session. So what if her good shoes got sandy? They approached the water.
“Don’t go far,” Pessie instructed Hindy. “And remember, stay on your back the whole time, and chas v’shalom don’t stick your head in.”
Hindy stepped into the water. She looked back at Pessie. “The water is hot. Like a bathtub. And oily.”
Pessie nodded. “Yup. This the Yam Hamelach.”
Hindy took another few measured steps. When the water reached her knee, she let out a scream. “Ooowww!”
“What happened?”
Hindy waddled out of the water, flailing her arms. “My knee — it’s b-b-burning!”
“Oy, oy…” Pessie grabbed Hindy’s hand and shook her head. Of course Hindy was crying. Her knees were covered in rashes; peeling, flaky skin. Salt on open wounds, literally.
They ran to the cool shower at the side of the beach. Hindy panted as the water streamed over her. “Aaah…” she moaned.
Now what? Was she supposed to send Hindy back into the water? Pessie looked around. A cluster of women floated in the water, schmoozing. They all looked relaxed, nobody appeared to be suffering from salt burns. Well, many of them had probably come for other conditions — arthritis or respiratory issues. But surely some of them had skin conditions, too?
Nearby, a woman was sitting on a zero-gravity chair, reading a book. She looked American. Pessie approached her hesitantly and introduced herself.
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