The Boot - Three Years On - 6. Chapter 6

John had left the hospital with the lads dropping them off at their apartment in The Northern Quarter, they were tired and had plans to sleep for a few hours. As he was about drive off his mobile phone rang, he knew by the ring tone that it was Jeff. After being briefly told of the nights events he decided against getting changed into his ‘night time’ clothes and drove straight to The Boot.

On entering he didn’t notice Beccy and Jim or the young man with them, he made his way straight to the office to speak with Jeff and was given all the details of the night’s events. He had mixed feelings about what had happened he felt disappointed as he hadn’t wanted anyone to know about his wealth, at the same time he felt relief as there were times that it was tiring keeping up the pretence. His main concern was how this would affect The Boot and being there to help those on the streets, it was difficult to gain the trust of homeless people and this would be seen as something big in their eyes and could cause a huge loss of trust that may never be regained.

When he was told about Beccy, Jim and Jason waiting in the lounge to have a talk with Jeff he decided to speak with them hoping to gauge the feelings toward him. John was relieved and almost overwhelmed at the reaction he got from them, this gave him hope that the work of The Boot and its relationship with homeless people wouldn’t be as damaged as he feared.

A few minutes later he left with Andy to pick up The Major’s possessions. Thoughts of how best to help Beccy and Jim were playing on his mind. Jason was never far from his thoughts, he looked so young and something that he couldn’t put his finger on just didn’t feel right.

Andy had his own questions which were asked some of which were answered as they set about their task.

******

Kevin couldn’t settle when they got home and decided to start getting ready a few of the things needed for The Major before making a list of what they needed to buy that afternoon.

Kevin asked, “Babes, what time do you want to go to The Arndale so we can get Pop’s stuff?” He looked tired and his eyes were closing. “And can you asking Manny if you can have a couple of days off, you know that would give us time to talk Pop round and make sure his room is ready.”

“Good thinking hun, I’ll call him now. As for going in to town I think if we leave it till about four we could get pop’s stuff and eat before going to the hospital, maybe a burger or something how’s that sound?”

“Yeah I can go with that. Now you make your call then we can get some sleep, I’ll set the alarm three o’clock should do it.” Kevin made his way to their bedroom leaving Ian to make his call.

Manny, Emanuel Goldstein, had been Ian’s boss for the last eighteen months, teaching him how to make and repair jewellery, and run the shop that he owned in Prestwich. He enjoyed his job and was learning a lot at fast rate which pleased Manny, he knew he still had a lot to learn and like many jobs he would always be learning. He enjoyed his job and wanted to make this his lifetime profession.

Ian had the number saved in his phone and only needed to press a couple of buttons to make his call which was answered quickly hearing Manny’s voice. “Good morning Goldstein’s Fine Jewellery, how can I help you?”

“Good morning Manny it’s Ian, I was wondering if I could ask favour of you.” The tiredness was evident in his voice.

“Ian my boy, are you alright? You don’t sound very well, if you're ill and need time off I’ll understand so tell me what’s wrong?” Manny was genuinely concerned, he liked Ian and having no children of his own he treated Ian like a son and those feelings extended to Kevin too.

“Thank you I’m ok just very tired, Kev and I have been at the hospital all night with Pop.”

“What? Is he alright? What’s happened? Now tell me and take as much time as you need, I know how much you care about him. After all is said and done he is like your family, he is your Papa so you look after him as well as yourself and Kevin. Don’t forget if you need anything, anything at all, just let me know and it will be done.”

Ian explained everything to a very concerned Manny and promised to only take a few days off. This was extended to a week with full pay at Manny’s insistence. Although born into the Jewish religion Manny was not a practising Jew for reasons of his own, but still lived by many of the tenets of the religion and would offer help to anyone who genuinely needed it. When the college had placed Ian with him for work experience he had been impressed by his work ethic and willingness to learn. Over time he had got to know the young man, learned of his life and of his relationship with Kevin and all about The Major. Ian had earned the respect, trust and affection that Manny had for him.

Thanking Manny again, Ian ended the call and joined a sleeping Kevin in bed.

******

When Steve got home he parked on the drive and walked around the back of the house, it was a habit of his preferring to enter through the kitchen. As he opened the door he knew by the smells meeting his nostrils that Kate was feeling tense and probably nervous, she was baking her favourite comfort food, not that he would complain he liked mince pies even if it was the middle of April.

He stepped behind her placing his arms around her waist, his chin on her shoulder and kissed her neck, “Are you feeling nervous?”

“Mmmm …. do that again, I’m feeling better now your home.” Kate stopped rolling pastry and turned around.

“So what are you making, as well as the mince pies?”

“Well I thought apple pies, cherry pies, and chocolate muffins. For dinner tonight a choice of lasagne, pizza or beef burgers, all homemade of course. What we don’t use you can take to The Boot tomorrow after we drop off Danny. That’s ok with you isn’t it?” Kate was in her element, she enjoyed cooking and although nervous she was looking forward to having Danny stay over. The visits at the children’s home had gone well and she was already growing fond of the fourteen year old boy who would be their first foster child.

“Yep that’s fine with me, now let me go get some rest before they arrive I’m shattered.” As Steve went to leave the kitchen he turned and asked, “By the way, who’s choosing what we have for dinner?”

“Danny of course, he’s the guest. Why?”

Trying to hide a smile Steve fixed his eyes on Kate, “You don’t play fair, you know how to win anyone over tempting them with your cooking. But that’s just one reason why I fell in love with you.” Laughing Steve made his way to bed for a few hours’ sleep.

Later in the day Steve woke to the sound of voices down stairs in the lounge, checking the time he wondered who it was he could hear it was too early for Danny and his Social Worker, they weren’t due till four o’clock. Getting out of bed he had a shower and shave, combed his hair, got dressed and went down stairs. Entering the lounge he was surprised to find Danny was already there and watching TV on his own.

“Hi Danny you’re early is everything ok and where’s Kate and your Social Worker?” Steve was puzzled but pleased to see Danny.

Jumping to his feet Danny was apprehensive and stared at his feet. “I’m sorry if I woke you up sir I didn’t mean to. My Social Worker needed to drop me off early to go to an important meeting, Mrs Barton said it was alright she’s in the kitchen cleaning up. I did offer to help but she wouldn’t let me.” Danny looked like he was getting very upset.

Steve sat on the sofa next to where Danny had been sat, letting out a short sigh he spoke quietly to the nervous boy. “Danny look at me,” the boy stood frozen looking at his feet. “Danny look at me please.” When Danny eventually looked up Steve spoke again. “Danny I thought we had got past sir and Mr and Mrs Barton. We all agreed that you should call us Kate and Steve or if you prefer Aunt and Uncle, you’re coming to live with us to have a home and we want you to be happy and comfortable. You do still want to live with us don’t you?”

By now Danny was fighting back tears and rushed his words. “Yes sir I do, but you might not want me to stay when I tell you something about myself. I wanted my Social Worker to be here when I told you so she could take me back when you told me to go, but since she’s not here I’ll walk back after I tell you.”

“Danny we’re not going to tell you to go, we want you here and there isn’t anything you can say that will change that. Come here and sit down, if there is something that you think you need to tell us can I call Kate then you only need to say it once.” Steve called out for Kate, he had a good idea what was going to be said and wanted her to be with him to help comfort Danny.

Kate stood in the doorway looking puzzled as Danny gathered his courage and blurted out. “I don’t like girls I like boys I’m gay and nobody likes me or wants me because I’m gay.” Crying he tried to run past Kate but she gathered him in a hug not letting go. Kate’s tears ran down her cheeks, she could feel his strength leave him as he shook sobbing.

She led him back into the room sitting him down on the sofa between her and Steve. As Steve went to hug him Danny flinched, but Steve continued to put his arm around him and embraced him the same as a father would when his child is hurting.

“Ok you’ve said what you wanted to say, now can I tell you something?” Steve asked, Danny nodded his head. “We already knew, we guessed when we first saw you and your Social Worker confirmed it for us. None of us said anything because we decided that it was your private business and agreed that we should leave it for you to tell us if and when you decided you wanted to. We still want you and you still have a home here with us if you want it and your bedroom is still upstairs for you.”

Danny was processing what he heard as he started to calm down wiping his tears with his hands Kate spoke to him. “I only want to know one thing, do you have a boyfriend and if you do, what’s his name and when do we get to meet him?” As much as it hurt to see Danny like this Kate put on her best to smile.

“I … I don’t have one anymore.” Danny got that faraway look in his tear filled eyes. “He ran away from the home when I told him that I was coming to live here, he said that he couldn’t stay there without me. His name is Jamie, Jamie Jones, I called him JJ and I really, really like him. But now I’ll never see him again.” And the tears flowed again.