Overheard at Chipperfields' ... Part LXVI ...

"Hi boss," Kriss called out cheerily as Bonnie came in the front door and swung past the counter saying nothing as she zoomed by Kriss and Tracy.

"Was she crying?" asked Tracy, watching Bonnie disappear into the back room.

"I dunno," said Kriss, glancing ovr at J-- and a group of regulars sitting at the table in the corner by the juke box. Her glance was met with a collective shrug.

Both women watched as Bonnie emerged from the staff washroom in a large oversized men's plaid shirt, rather than the uniform shirt she had been wearing when she went into the back. As she came up to the front and pumped herself a coffee both Kriss and Tracy stood and said nothing for a long moment. Then as Bonnie turned to return to the back room, Kriss broke the silence with a smirk-like smile.

"Nice uniform," she said grinning, before she could say any more Bonnie cut her off.

"I don't want to talk about," Bonnie snapped as she wiped away a tear.

It was then that Kriss noticed that Bonnie's face was a bit redder than normal. "Did you go to the Tanning Salon again?"" asked Kriss, as she surpressed a smile.

"I said, I don't want to talk about it," said Bonnie.

"Did you stay in too long?" asked Kriss, not willing to let it go.

"Why would you say that?" asked Bonnie.

"Because you came in here and changed into something loose," observed Kriss, "and if I'm not mistaken you've taken off your bra ..." Her hand motioned to the top three buttons that revealed more flesh than she had planned.

Bonnie's hand gripped the collar of the shirt closed as she looked around the shop, noting that J-- and the three regulars sitting at the corner table were engrossed in a conversation and paying no heed to the happenings behind the counter. She turned and faced the cooler as she refastened the top three buttons on the shirt and checked the others for good measure before speaking.

"If you must know," Bonnie began as she gently smoothed the fabric of her shirt with one hand, "I went to the tanning salon for an eight minute session to get ready for our vacation down south, and I did get burned."

"Really," said Kriss gleefully, "I was right?? I was only guessing," her face broke into a broad smile.

"Where did you get burned?" asked Tracy, her face reflecting her concern.

"All across here," Bonnie's hand motioned across her tummy, "and here," and her chest.

"Ouch," said Tracy with a wince, "that couldn't be comfortable," she observed.

"That's why I changed from the tee-shirt to this," Bonnie's hand motioned over the plaid shirt she was wearing.

"Ouch," repeated Tracy.

"I was right," Kriss was still smiling, "I can't believe I was right."

"Move on Kriss," Bonnie hissed, "you're taking too much delight in this."

"Sorry Bonnie," said Kriss, her smile fading ever so slightly, "I don't mean to make light of it, but I WAS just guessing when I asked if you had burned yourself."

"Whatever," Bonnie glared at Kriss.

"Bonnie," Kriss spoke softly, "did you know you also burned your forehead," Kriss' eyes were drilling into Bonnie's forehead.

"Oh my gawd," gasped Bonnie as her hand shot up to cover her forehead. As her hand made contact she shrieked, "ow !! That hurts."

Kriss surpressed a laugh and Tracy turned and took a dish cloth and ran it under cold water, "Would you like me to run tot he pharmacy ad get you some Noxema or something?" Tracy asked as she handed the cold damp cloth to Bonnie.

"Thanks," said Bonnie, taking the dish cloth and putting it on her forehead, "I'll call Ross on his cell phone and get him to pick something up." As she spoke she picked up the phone handset and began dialing.

After a moment she spoke, "Ross where are you?" There was a pause, "Ross are you crying?" Following another pause she spoke again, "Ross are you okay?" The three women glanced up as Ross walked slowly and uncomfortably past the front windows, his cell phone held to his ear.

As he walked in the front door, Bonnie disconnected the phone and looked up, watching Ross enter through the front door. Ross tucked his phone into his pocket as he stepped through the inner door. The three women behind the counter gasped, drawing the attention of J-- and the regulars at the table.

"OH MY GAWD," exlaimed J--, "Ross you look like a freakin' Tomato!"

Ross with tears in his eyes nodded mutely.

"Ross," Bonnie's voice was soft, "Did you get an all over tan?"

Ross nodded.

"Ross," Bonnie paused before continuing, "If your face is THIS red," her hand waved up towards his face, "How red is the rest of you?"

Ross' shoulder sagged and he shook his head. The crew in the corner and Kriss and Tracy stood entranced by the unfolding scene in front of them.

"Ross?" Bonnie's voice was soft, "How long were you on the tanning bed?"

"I booked for eight minutes,"He said, his voice nearing the breaking point, "but I fell asleep and she got busy and ..."

Bonnie interupted him with a gasp, "Oh My gawd. You didn't ..."

Ross nodded as he spoke, "I was on the bed for almost 25 minutes ..."

Kriss burst out laughing, "Ross, that's terrible ..." Her broad smile offered no modicum of compassion.

From the corner J-- and the regulars snorted with delight.

"Gee Ross," J-- was smiling broadly, "That's tough ..." he snorted with laughter.

Ross tried to smile and winced, "Oh, it even hurts to smile."

Bonnie reached out a hand and gently stroked his cheek. Ross grimaced.

"THAT, even hurts," he said, his eyes tearing up.

Tracy headed to the back room, "I will be right back."

"Where are you going?" asked Bonnie.

"I'm going to the Pharmacy to get you both something for those burns," said Tracy as she grabbed her coat off the chair, "you're gonna need it ..."