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- 11/02/2019
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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 - 10. Chapter 10
Friday the thirteenth isn't over yet but there are some who wish it was, it's not all bad but just how bad is it?
Things had been quiet at The Boot although as is normal some guests had moved on, some had gone to other areas in the hope that their luck would change, a few had managed to obtain better accommodation and new ‘guests’ were always turning up.
Among those to gain accommodation were Beccy and Jim, with Beccy being pregnant they were classed as a priority. They had been placed in a council sponsored Bed & Breakfast hostel, this was the first stage to being offered accommodation from one of the Local Housing Associations that offered social housing. Unfortunately they hadn’t been able to take Jason with them as he didn’t have any ID, this meant that he could not apply for help with housing or claim any benefits and he kept avoiding the offered help to obtain any ID.
Jason continued to stay at The Boot and met with Beccy and Jim most days, they were still collecting discarded electrical items, mobile phones and laptops which Jason helped to repair. Some of them couldn’t be repaired but they were useful as spare parts for those that could be repaired. It made a small amount of extra cash, most of which was given to Jason.
All three had kept a mobile phone for their own use and to keep in-touch when they were apart, Jim and Beccy had basic phones which was okay with them as they had also kept a laptop for themselves, Jason had one of the more advanced smart phones and it was a prized possession, one which later would prove to be needed more than he could imagine.
******
As The Major made himself comfortable on an armchair Kevin went to make a pot of tea and check that he had the makings of a meal for three, he decided that the chicken in the fridge and a few vegetables would make a good roast chicken dinner and smiled to himself happy to be cooking for Pop. When he heard voices getting louder in the lounge he popped his head around the door.
“Like I said you boys have a nice home here, it’s your home, I’m just a temporary guest, you know like a lodger for a short time.” The Major was being very insistent.
“No Pop, this is our home, yours Kevin’s and mine, we all live here together, WE ARE FAMILY!” Ian was getting louder than Kevin liked.
Kevin finished making the tea and carried it through to the lounge, placing the drinks on the small table he looked directly at The Major. “Pop this is your home too, we don’t want you to leave. But if you want to then okay just stay as long as you want but,” Kevin hesitated, “But the only way that we are going to let you leave is when you are fully fit and that’s not going to be the case for a while and we are not going to let you leave unless you have your own place to move in to, you’re not going back on the streets and even if you leave your home will always be with us.” The tone of Kevin’s voice told both Ian and The Major that there would be no negotiation, his decision was final. Neither of them argued and accepted what had been said.
The Major was clearly holding back on his emotions. “You both mean it don’t you?”
“Yes Pop we do, we wouldn’t have anything if it wasn’t for you, thanks to you we have a home and a future. We want to share it with the most important man in our lives and that’s you, don’t you get it you old fool we love you.” Ian was almost choking as he held back his tears.
For the first time in a long time emotions got the better of The Major. “Okay boys I’ll stay but there has to be conditions, I can only stay if you let me contribute. As soon as I’m fit I’ll pull my weight around here and try to find a job, I HAVE to pay my way too.” Ian and Kevin saw something they hadn’t seen before, tears were streaming down The Majors face, there was a smile on his face and they were tears of happiness.
As there was nothing stronger available, and there never would be in that household, Kevin picked up his mug of tea and raised it, “I’ll drink to that, cheers.” Ian and The Major lifted their drinks and they clinked their mugs in agreement before taking a sip.
******
It wasn’t the first time that the staff in The Boot had heard the sounds of guests having bad dreams, it always got their attention and they would respond by going to whoever was having the dream. Lately it had been one particular guest that had their attention, his dreams were becoming more regular. They involved garbled shouting, crying and thrashing about in his sleep. They could only guess what was occurring in those dreams as he wouldn’t talk about them.
After a restless night Jason left The Boot with no clear idea of what he was going to do that day. Even the date hadn’t registered in his mind he’d forgotten that the following day, the fourteenth it would be his birthday. For most of us this would elicit excitement, maybe anticipation of what the day would bring. But being homeless, weary and tired all of this was forgotten.
When he felt a tap on his shoulder he turned sharply. “I knew I’d see you again. I see that you’re on your own, has everyone decided that you’re too much of a burden?” Bill was smiling as he looked at Jason.
“No, no they haven’t they just have other things going on and a lot to do that’s all.” Jason felt nervous, but what Bill said played on his tired mind.
“If you say so, but hey why not spend the day with me since it looks like you’ve nothing better to do.” Jason didn’t notice the glint in Bill’s eye.
“Yeah okay.” For some reason Jason felt trapped and compelled to go along with Bill, maybe it was his youthful naiveté or maybe it was his latent deep-seated feelings of abandonment that made him stay with Bill that day.
They spent most of the day in the bus station at Piccadilly Gardens, begging and were doing okay between them. Bill told him what to say and showed him who to approach for small cash handouts, years of experience had taught him how to spot those most likely to be an easy touch. Bill held the money they collected and ‘treated’ him to lunch from one of the burger bars. Bill spoke to a few people that he obviously knew but Jason wasn’t party to those conversations, or what dealings were going on between them.
Later in the day, sometime during early evening rush hour, Bill gave Jason a hot coffee that was welcome, but it wasn’t a coffee that could be ordered in the local coffee shops, but Jason wasn’t aware of that and being cold he drank it eagerly. Not long after Jason started to feel unwell, his stomach was churning, his head was swimming and he rapidly became incoherent. Bill hadn’t thought things through and wasn’t expecting what happened next. Jason fell to the ground losing consciousness, he was almost catatonic and struggling to breath.
Being the weasel that he was Bill made himself scarce, scared of any repercussions. A nearby Bus Inspector spotted the body of a young man lying unconscious on the ground and went to check on him and quickly called an ambulance. With the police and ambulance attending Jason was quickly rushed to hospital.
******
To everyone’s relief Danny had no broken bones, he was badly hurt but the scrapes looked worse than they were, and a bloody nose hadn’t made it look any better. There would be bruising but it would all heal given time, whatever it was that happened that day it all brought on an anxiety attack. After he had calmed down his wounds had been cleaned up and being given a prescription for painkillers Danny was ready for home.
It was just after 6:30pm, Danny along with Steve and Kate was leaving the hospital through A&E. As they were about to go out the door an ambulance with lights flashing and sirens blazing pulled up outside. They stepped to the side as paramedics rushed through with a young man looking almost white and lying unconscious on a gurney.
Danny froze, almost too quiet to hear he muttered, “JJ.” Then as realisation hit him, not feeling any pain, he screamed, “JJ.” And ran back into the hospital after the paramedics.
Kate and Steve glanced at each other and quickly followed.
I hope that everyone reading is still enjoying the story and look forward to your reactions and comments, let me know what you think I love reading all comments left so don't be shy and I promise that I will respond to you.
I am writing this without the aid of either a beta reader or editor but that is how I've chosen to do it, so any errors are all mine. If you spot any mistakes please let me know and I'll put them right as soon as I can.
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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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