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    Mancunian
  • Mancunian
  • Author
  • 09/07/2019
  • 1,413 Words
  • 2,958 Views
  • 17 Comments
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

The Boot - Three Years On - 2. Chapter 2

How do Ian and Kevin cope with The Major, their 'Pop', seriously ill in hospital? Read on, the future for some may be starting to change.

Distressed, Kevin had eventually fallen into a fitful sleep leaning on Ian’s shoulder, tears had left their mark on his cheeks and red puffy eyes. Ian was no better, anxiously checking the clock every few minutes and tapping his feet impatiently. Steve had returned to The Boot leaving John to give whatever comfort he could to his young friends, whilst trying to remain calm himself.

Exhausted, eventually Ian and John dozed off only to be startled awake by the doctor and a nurse entering the room, “Are you Major Oxley’s family?”

Tired and anxious John replied, “Yes we are, or at least the lads are he’s their Pop.” Ian nodded as he yawned while holding tightly onto Kevin who was still asleep in his arms.

"Good, I have some news for you,” the doctor said. “We’ve managed to get Major Oxley stabilized, his body temperature is slowly returning to normal and he’s being transferred to ICU. He’s responding well to treatment and shows signs that he may regain consciousness shortly which is very encouraging. We think under the circumstances it would be a good idea if he saw familiar faces when he comes round, normally we’d say one at a time but looking at these two I think we may have to make an exception, it looks like even a crowbar wouldn’t separate them.” A warm friendly smile broke out on his face as he looked at Ian and Kevin. On checking his beeping pager the doctor excused himself rushing out to attend to another emergency.

“Where’s ICU and how soon before we can see pop?” Ian asked trying to wake Kevin.

Pointing at Kevin the nurse replied, “When that cute young man wakes up you come and get me and I’ll show you where ICU is. I’ll be at the nurse’s station down the corridor getting his paperwork together.” Then she slipped out returning to her duties.

John stood and stretched yawning as Ian began to shake Kevin by the shoulder and telling him, “Hey it’s time to wake up sleepy head, pop needs us.”

All Kevin heard as he woke was the words ‘pop needs us.’ His eyes shot open as he jumped to his feet and steadied himself. “What, what do you mean pop needs us, he’s going to be okay isn’t he please tell me he’s going to be okay please, I can’t take if it’s anything bad.” Breathless, Kevin broke down sobbing looking from Ian to John and back again.

John took him into a tight hug, “Hey now calm down everything is fine.” Breaking the hug and holding him by the shoulders at arm’s length he looked Kevin in the eyes, “Pop’s going to be okay, the doctor just told us that he’s responding well to treatment and we can see him soon. Now go check on your boyfriend, I think you left him in shock the way you just sprang to life.”

Kevin returned to Ian’s embrace and laid his head on Ian’s shoulder. “I’m sorry babe, I’m just worried about pop.”

“No need to be sorry I know you’re worried, I am too, we all are. He’s become like a father to us both and I know that none of us want to think about him not being around.” Ian gave Kevin another gentle squeeze.

At John’s suggestion they made use of the facilities to freshen up then went to find the nurse.

On the way to the ICU all Kevin could think about was how stubborn The Major is, if only he would come and live in the apartment with them he could have a home and be comfortable. Both sides of the arrangement would benefit as they wouldn’t be worrying about each other and right now The Major needed to be looked after, Pop’s health was paramount in Kevin’s thoughts.

Kevin was so deep in thought when they arrived at the ICU that he didn’t notice the nurse stop and walked straight into her. “I’m so sorry I didn’t notice that we were here already. Are you alright, I haven’t hurt you have I?” Kevin was nervous to the point of almost acting like a scared child as he apologised.

“I’m okay, but are you?” Showing genuine concern the nurse looked to Ian and John for reassurance.

“Yeah he’s okay, he’s just worried and over thinking again, if it’s what I think it is, he’s thinking about the same thing that I am.” Without thinking about where they were Ian embraced Kevin giving his boyfriend a short loving kiss on the lips. Nothing passionate, but loving and caring, one that gives calm, strength and love in those brief moments of contact.

“I knew it! The way you two look at each other I knew you weren’t brothers, oh don’t look so embarrassed I’d already guessed and I’m not telling anybody. So whose dad is he really?” Asked the grinning nurse.

“Err, well….”

Ian took over from an embarrassed Kevin, “Well the truth is none of us are his sons, he’s homeless and took us under his wing when we were homeless. He’s become like a dad to us, we call him Pop out of love and respect, we try to look out for each other, please don’t stop us from seeing him he’s as good as family to us, we’re all he’s got and he’s the closest we have to family except for John.”

The grin now gone the nurse choked back tears as she tried to smile, “I’m not going to stop you and if anyone else does they’ll have me to deal with. Now let’s get you guys in to see your dad.”

As they entered the ward they were approached by John's friend Dr Gary Evans, after exchanging hugs and greetings Gary explained, “The Major is improving by the minute and slowly regaining consciousness, although there are still some concerns regarding the hypothermia and pneumonia. He has been put in a bed designed to gradually raise the body temperature at a safe rate. When normal body temperature is stable he will still need plenty of rest tempered with gentle exercise to regain strength. Fluids and antibiotics are being administered by intravenous drip and oxygen is being given by nasal tube, the oxygen is just a precautionary measure and we will be giving him a special diet to help with recovery. All being well The Major will be transferred to a standard ward in 24 to 48 hours and hopefully he will be discharged in 4 to 5 days if he has proper accommodation otherwise it will be longer, I don’t want him going back onto the streets if it can be avoided.”

“I’ll see what I can do, he’s always stubborn about receiving any help saying that he belongs on the streets.” Although relieved at the news John was still concerned, he’d been trying to get The Major off the streets for the last few years with no luck.

Ian spoke up, “If we can convince him to live with us will that be okay?” Turning to Kevin he apologised, “I’m sorry Kev I know I should ask you first but I’m worried about Pop.”

“Don’t you dare apologise, if you hadn’t said it I would have.” Changing his focus to John and Gary, Kevin continued, “We have the spare room and it’s been ready for him for ages, we’d love it if he came to live with us and we’ll look after him. We’ve just not been able to convince him, can you two help us please?”

Proud of his younger friends John told them, “I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“I think I know just the right nurse to help here.” Gary said smiling, then he walked off to start recruiting the help needed.

The three men picked up a chair each and sat at The Major’s bedside. John looked on as Ian held The Majors hand with his right arm holding onto Kevin, who was committing to memory a list of items to bring to the hospital as he recited them, pyjamas, underwear, shampoo, soap and several other things, checking with the other two if had forgotten anything.

Slippers and a dressing gown were added to the list, with John insisting that he would help with the cost and add new clothes even though he knew that The Major would object.

Now he felt confident that there would be one less on the streets.

How will The Major react to the lads plans and ideas? I guess we will find out in later chapters.
I hope that those who are reading are enjoying the story, let me know what you think comments are always welcome.
This is all my own work without the aid of an editor or beta reader so any mistakes are all mine, if you spot any and let me know I'll put them right as soon as possible.
Copyright © 2019 Mancunian; All Rights Reserved.
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Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
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Chapter Comments

Marty

I'm glad to hear the Major's not in any immediate danger and is likely to recover from his bout of hypothermia and pneumonia. Let's just hope that he agrees to the boys' suggestion and goes to live with them; but he does seem like he can be a stubborn bugger when he wants to be.

I know we know something about the Major's background and the reason he finished up living on the streets, but I can't help feeling that there may still be more to him than we already know...

Enjoying the story, @Mancunian, and looking forward to further chapters. :thumbup: 

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Mancunian
15 minutes ago, Marty said:

I'm glad to hear the Major's not in any immediate danger and is likely to recover from his bout of hypothermia and pneumonia. Let's just hope that he agrees to the boys' suggestion and goes to live with them; but he does seem like he can be a stubborn bugger when he wants to be.

I know we know something about the Major's background and the reason he finished up living on the streets, but I can't help feeling that there may still be more to him than we already know...

Enjoying the story, @Mancunian, and looking forward to further chapters. :thumbup: 

Thanks for the comments @Marty, I'm happy that you are enjoying it so far. :) 

You are right there is more of a backstory to The Major, that may or may not be told at some stage. He is a stubborn and very private person so we don't know yet if he will tell it, maybe 'stubborn' should be his middle name lol.

As you can see he has built a fondness and something of a relationship with the boys, but where that leads is yet to be written so we will have to wait and see. There's a lot going on at The Boot with people coming and going, some good - some bad, but unfortunately that is the real nature of events for organisations that try to look after the homeless. Hypothermia and pneumonia are only two of the dangers for anyone living on the streets - malnutrition, alcoholism and drug dependancy are just few of the others, there are many more as I'm sure others can attest to.

As before I ready have the next chapter written which will be posted when I have checked, rechecked and checked again and written the following chapter too. 

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Former Member

There are some homeless people (a small minority) who refuse to live inside, often because they refuse to be restricted by rules and regulations. It’s not clear what the Major objects to, since the boys are unlikely to impose harsh rules on him. It’s clear he values his independence over the comfort of housing. There might be some mental health problems as well…

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Mancunian
8 hours ago, droughtquake said:

There are some homeless people (a small minority) who refuse to live inside, often because they refuse to be restricted by rules and regulations. It’s not clear what the Major objects to, since the boys are unlikely to impose harsh rules on him. It’s clear he values his independence over the comfort of housing. There might be some mental health problems as well…

The Major's reasons will become clear as time progresses but I'll say no more for now. But you are right, as well as being stubborn he an independent type of person. As with many people that are homeless there are many different reasons for the problems they have and for the decisions they make, some are simple some are complex, but whatever the reasons discovering the solutions and implementing them is never an easy task, after all is said and done everyone is a unique individual including someone who is homeless.

Edited by Mancunian
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Former Member
2 minutes ago, Mancunian said:

As with many people that are homeless there are many different reasons for the problems they have and for the decisions they make, some are simple some are complex, but whatever the reasons discovering the solutions and implementing them is never an easy task, after all is aid and done everyone is a unique individual including someone who is homeless.

This is why the much derided San Francisco homeless study is so important. Even though everyone is an individual, there are usually clusters of people who share similar issues and can be served with many of the same strategies. Simply providing housing for every homeless person, while an admirable (but very unrealistic goal in most major cities), will not solve the underlying problems. The lack of affordable housing does exasperate existing and ongoing problems.

Getting an addict who wants to quit into housing does increase the chances of their eventual success. This is a case where housing first before treatment does make an enormous difference. Studies have proven this to be effective.

But for others, such as those with severely mental health problems, isolating them away from the support they need causes more problems than it solves. Many, but not all, homeless people need easily accessible services – preferably in the same building. Many homeless people have multiple issues that need to be resolved for them to live alone successfully.

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KayDeeMac

I am thoroughly enjoying this story.  You are an expert at weaving intrigue into your cast of characters. I am definitely hooked. Thank you!

In my experiences with the homeless population, mental health was an enormous problem which was exasperated by poorly funded programs to address the problems.

Interestingly, you bring a character by the mane of "Major" into the original story. Veterans, probably unbeknownst to most, make up a significant portion of the homeless population here in the US.

 

 

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Mancunian
1 hour ago, KayDeeMac said:

I am thoroughly enjoying this story.  You are an expert at weaving intrigue into your cast of characters. I am definitely hooked. Thank you!

In my experiences with the homeless population, mental health was an enormous problem which was exasperated by poorly funded programs to address the problems.

Interestingly, you bring a character by the mane of "Major" into the original story. Veterans, probably unbeknownst to most, make up a significant portion of the homeless population here in the US.

 

 

Thank you for your comments it's good to hear from you again and I'm happy that you are enjoying the follow-up, there are many events still to take place in this further snapshot of The Boot.

Ex-servicemen do form a significant part of the homeless people here in the UK too for many different reasons, The Major is representative of our ex-servicemen and does have a significant role in the story, as do some of the other characters.

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Mancunian
1 hour ago, raven1 said:

This is a well written story and your characters are very lovable.  It is easy to get caught up in their world and quickly bond with them.  I am enjoying this story already and look forward to learning more about the Major.

Thank you for the comments they really are appreciated and welcome. I've tried to keep the characters believable and show that everyone is an important individual no matter what their background or life situation is. There is a lot to learn about The Major, some comes to light in this story, more of his background is explained in his own story, Lost Soul - The Ox, he also appears in Ian and Kevin's story, Goldstein Johnson and Cole, where he has an important role.

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Summerabbacat

I normally like chapters with a little more bulk @Mancunian, but I am finding these leaner chapters to my liking given the "difficult" story lines and the fact I am reading this story some 4.5 years after it was published.

I have never been homeless, but for many years I fostered cats rescued from the streets or from the euphemistically (deceitfully) named "animal shelters". The joy I derived in returning a cat to full health and seeing him or her re-homed is the single achievement in life I am most proud of. Some may find it offensive that I dare to compare the plight of homeless non-human animals to homeless humans. My response is several expletives to such a person.

I hope The Major can be persuaded to see sense and accept Ian and Kevin's offer of a home. What he does not seem to realise is that his presence in their home will be a joy to them. They clearly regard him as a father figure, something both seem to sorely miss and need.

Another rewarding read @Mancunian.

Edited by Summerabbacat
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Mancunian
1 hour ago, Summerabbacat said:

I normally like chapters with a little more bulk @Mancunian, but I am finding these leaner chapters to my liking given the "difficult" story lines and the fact I am reading this story some 4.5 years after it was published.

I have never been homeless, but for many years I fostered cats rescued from the streets or from the euphemistically (deceitfully) named "animal shelters". The joy I derived in returning a cat to full health and seeing him or her re-homed is the single achievement in life I am most proud of. Some may find it offensive that I dare to compare the plight of homeless non-human animals to homeless humans. My response is several expletives to such a person.

I hope The Major can be persuaded to see sense and accept Ian and Kevin's offer of a home. What he does not seem to realise is that his presence in their home will be a joy to them. They clearly regard him as a father figure, something both seem to sorely miss and need.

Another rewarding read @Mancunian.

I'm happy to see another comment from you they are a joy to read. Hopefully, The Major will make the sensible choice, the lads have a high regard for him and do have strong feelings for the man responsible for getting them help when they needed it.

Rescuing homeless animals is a very important thing to do, homeless animals need our help too. You are doing for cats what I do for people, I appreciate and thank you for that, imagine the joy if one of your re-homed cats was placed with a rehomed homeless person, two lost souls rehomed and finding love is twice the pleasure.

Edited by Mancunian
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Mancunian
5 hours ago, ReaderPaul said:

Excellent chapter, @Mancunian.  You are one of about three authors who consistently write believable stories about homeless persons.  I am sure there are more authors who do so, but I can only think of the three of you at this time.

I like that you do not try to hide that it can be challenging to work with homeless persons.  

I look forward to the future chapters.

Thank you @ReaderPaul for leaving such a wonderful comment. I try to keep the stories in The Boot World as real as possible but, like working with homeless people, it isn't always easy and I write these stories to raise awareness. Homeless people have many varied reasons for being homeless and the difficulties in working with them are just as varied and numerous. In The Major's case, his stubbornness is one of his many problems, others will come to light later in this story while some have also been explored in his own story, Lost Soul - The Ox. For others, the problems can cover addictions, and mental health issues including depression and lack of self-worth and that is only the tip of the iceberg so to speak as they affect people in many different ways. Some of the stories and events in TBTYO are loosely based on real events, some of which I have come into contact with and have had some experience with. I hope you continue to read, enjoy and comment.

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