Naked , except for red rubber boots, I turn the shower faucet full blast and scalding water fills the room with steam.
Mist covers mirrors, walls, and ceiling.
Droplets collect on the ceiling above me and turn the paint brown before plopping to the floor. Some of them drop on me. My skin burns, first brown, then red. My breathing, no longer a harsh shallow rasp, eases, and quiets as moist air fills my lungs. U nder the stream of water, with my eyes closed, I touch my breast.