Free Stone Heart by Candace Sams Page B

lass? None of this frightens you any longer?"
    "No. It's going to be one great adventure." The very last one .
    He couldn't help staring at her. The sun came through a small slit in the curtains and landed on her honey-colored hair. It glistened like lantern light on precious metal. How was it that someone as contemptible as he was allowed a second chance, and a kind, sweet soul like Karen was so dreadfully ill? He quickly turned away before she could see the emotion he could not hide.
    For a moment, she didn't speak. Then she placed a small hand on his arm. "Come on. I'll show you how the bathroom works. There are even some spare razors and some other stuff you can use if you want to."
    He turned back toward her, and when she smiled at him, he let himself believe everything might be all right. He smiled back. It was good to have her as a friend. How could he have ever come so far without her?
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    Stone Heart
    by Candace Sams
    Karen allowed herself the small luxury of staring at Angus'
    beautiful face before leading him to the bathroom. She stood at the door, took a deep breath and led him in by the hand.
    "This is the faucet where you can get water to drink. On and off." She demonstrated, then let him try it for himself. When he nodded, she went to the next device. "This is the shower for bathing. Again, there are handles for hot and cold water.
    Test the water first so you don't burn yourself."
    "Hot and cold water ... right inside a room, without it being carried." He shook his head in bewilderment that men had achieved so much. "And that?" He pointed toward the commode.
    This was the part she dreaded. "Let's just say that's an indoor privy."
    Angus didn't respond, just tilted his head and stared.
    "Outhouse? Water closet? Latrine? Loo?" Karen tried every euphemism she knew besides the more obvious, coarse versions.
    "Call me a dimwit, lass. I have no idea what you mean."
    Oh, Lord ! She inwardly groaned. "It's where you go to ...
    when nature calls. You know ."
    "Ah! I see." He finally did understand. But it puzzled him that anyone would do such a thing without a chamber pot.

"Good! That's fine," she sighed. "I'll be on my way." She started to walk out of the bathroom when he grabbed her upper arm and held her.
    "I still dunna' know how to use it, lass."
    Karen put one hand to her face, leaned against the vanity and let out a long breath. "You sit, do your business, or stand 75
    Stone Heart
    by Candace Sams
    if you're a man and have to urinate. Then you do this ." She pushed the handle down and flushed.
    Angus practically stuck his head inside the bowl.
    " Iongantach! Where does it go?" He watched the water swirl around and drain out.
    Karen gazed at the floor. " Away , Angus. It goes away."
    "And you have no need for soft grass or leaves?"
    Karen quickly reached for the roll of toilet paper, pulled some off and handed it to him. "Use this."
    Angus held it in his hand for a moment, put it to his face and rubbed it against his cheek. " Ahhh, super absorbent . I remember. That is what the man in the box said."
    Karen pressed her lips together, patted him on the shoulder and tried to walk out of the bathroom. Again, he stopped her.
    "You have something for my beard?"
    Stifling an urge to laugh at a situation Angus clearly couldn't help, Karen picked up one of several complimentary razors on the vanity then put the plastic-handled razor down.
    Looking him over, she knew the disposable blades wouldn't be nearly sharp enough to tame the thickness of a long beard. "I'll be right back," she told him.
    Angus watched her walk away, only to return a few moments later with a pair of scissors in her hand. They were very small, but looked exceedingly sharp. This was something with which he was familiar. "Ah! Scissors are still used."
    Karen handed him the scissors from her portable sewing kit, and when he put them in his hand correctly, she was satisfied he knew how to use them. Glad she'd packed the kit 76
    Stone Heart
    by Candace