The occasional splash or plink of water interfered with the silence as Jay moved, luxuriating in a hot bath. Despite Dean’s caution, he’d added more heat too fast and complained the cool water burned. Dean had taken over adjusting the temperature. A comforting steam now filled the room. A hot drink also helped thaw him out, Jay on his second mug, hotter than the last. Many didn’t know dehydration also occurred in the cold as well as the heat. Dean intended to make him drink more before he slept. From his position, kneeling on the floor at the side of the bath, Dean lifted one of Jay’s feet from the water. Jay laughed, kicking a little.
“What the hell?”
“I’m examining your toes. They look healthy.” They glowed nicely pink. The indirect idea Jay could have been a victim of frostbite hung i
