Day 502

Breakfast’ll be ready in ten. You want the sea beet on the side or mixed in?

Stir the pot of limpets on the stove, adjusting the flame under the kettle to maintain a steady boil.

Got it. Sea beet going in now. (I slide the limpets to the side of the pot and add the chopped leaves, letting them wilt in the hot water.) How’s it feel when you flex it?

Continue stirring the pot, keeping the limpets and sea beet submerged and moving, watching for the moment the limpet shells begin to open.

Limpets are ready. I’ll drain them and plate up. When you’re set, we’ll look at the ankle together—see if it’s time to open it again.

Lift the pot from the stove, pour off the hot water into the sink, and transfer the limpets and sea beet to two tin mugs. Set them on the table beside Jenny, then reach for the clean gauze and antibiotic ointment from the first aid kit.

Jenny, the tarp’s lifting—grab the oak stakes and help me re-secure it.

run to the garden, grab the tarp corners, and re-stake them with the oak wedges while Jenny assists

Here, I’ve got the stakes—just tell me where to put them. Keep your weight on the good leg.

take the bundle of oak stakes from Jenny, crouch to avoid straining her ankle, and begin re-staking the tarp corners while she directs placement from the porch step

On it. Hold the frame—I’ll get this corner down so it doesn’t tear.

drive the oak wedge deep into the soil at the north corner of the garden tarp using the mallet, leaning into the blow to counter the slick ground, while Jenny steadies herself on the doorframe

Eastern edge’s lifting—I’ll weigh it down with the generator fuel can. Keep pressure on that ankle.

grab the half-full generator fuel can from the porch, walk to the eastern edge of the tarp, and place it firmly on the corner to weigh it down while Jenny maintains her grip on the wall, monitoring her ankle

I’m tying it to the mooring ring—gives it sideways hold. Don’t shift your weight, Jenny.

walk to the dock, grab the spare half-inch three-strand rope, tie one end to the eastern tarp corner, walk back to the mooring ring, and secure the other end with a round turn and two half-hitches, pulling tight to stop the ripple while Jen

Jenny, I’m going to the dock to check the mooring ring properly. Need to pull some wedges and see if we’ve got the right wood for a lasting fix.

walk to the dock with crowbar, mallet, and a sack for hauling wood scraps

I’ll be quick. Keep the poultice on and elevate it. I’ll shout if I need you to pass anything.

reach the dock, drop the sack, and start prying out the old wedges with the crowbar to see what’s solid in the mortise

(from the dock) Got it. I’ll cut back to the heartwood and use the wedges we saved from the mast step — they’re straight-grained and dry.

use the mallet to drive out the rotted chunks, then measure the mortise depth and width to cut new wedges to fit snugly without splitting

Almost there. Just setting the last wedge — then I’ll come up and recheck your ankle with you.

tap in the final vertical-grain oak wedge with the mallet, then slam the crowbar sideways against the ring to test for any shift under load

Jenny, I'm back. Let me look at your ankle again—see if we need to change the poultice or if it's time for the next dose.

walk to the porch steps where Jenny is sitting, crouch down, and gently unwind the bandage from her ankle to compare the red streaks against the pen marks she made earlier.

I know it's hot, Jenny. I'm going to give you the doxycycline now—it's our best shot. Then we'll reapply the poultice to draw out some of the heat while it works.

open the antibiotic blister pack, take out one doxycycline tablet, hand it to Jenny with the tin mug of water, then after she swallows it, reapply the fresh sea beet and mint poultice to her ankle and rewrap it with the clean gauze and clot

I'm going to sit right here with you. If the throbbing eases even a little, I'll know it's working. If it gets worse, we'll have to think about the signal fire and the medevac forms.

sit beside Jenny on the porch steps, shoulder almost touching hers, and watch her face and the poultice on her ankle while listening to her breathing and the lap of tide against the pilings.

I'm going to check the radio for one minute—just to see if the supply boat's called in early. I'll be right back. Keep breathing slow, Jenny.

stand up, walk quickly to the cottage shelf, turn on the shortwave radio, listen for any voice or signal on the emergency frequency for exactly sixty seconds, then turn it off and return to the porch.

No call yet—just the wind. I'm back. How does it feel now? Any change in the throbbing?

kneel beside Jenny again, gently lift the edge of the poultice to check the skin underneath for color and heat, then lay it back down and rewrap the gauze snugly but not tight.

Let me check if you're running a fever—just a quick touch. If we're seeing signs it's gone systemic, we might have to think about the signal fire sooner.

place the back of my right hand lightly on Jenny's forehead, then the side of her neck, feeling for heat and moisture, then pull back and watch her face for any reaction.