The Boot - Three Years On - 5. Chapter 5

Through the night everything had calmed down at the shelter and all the guests had finally gone to their beds. Jeff, Steve and Kate had dealt with many questions about John/Christian, there were a few that had trouble accepting the explanations given but for the most part, with support from Beccy and Jim, most had accepted the news without much fuss. Everyone had been given assurances that John wanted nothing more than to help.

On Steve's suggestion Kate left as the guest's settled back down for the night. She needed to get some rest before the planned overnight visit of their first foster child.

Jason was tired but had trouble sleeping, he was tossing and turning most of the night, worrying. The small amount of money he had had run out and he hadn’t eaten for two days until he met Bill who brought him to the shelter. He worried, how long he could keep up the pretences before he got found out, he didn’t know, what he did know was that it was only a matter of time. He was safe for now, but decided he needed to make plans. Eventually he did get some sleep, waking up the next morning to find Jim sat on the edge of his bed waiting for him.

“Come on sleepy head, Beccy’s getting us both something to eat so let’s go get cleaned up and join her. We can talk over breakfast.” Jim gently put his hand on Jason’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze and smiled. “Come on let’s go.”

Jason nervously got up and walked with Jim to the men’s shower room, they both stripped off and entered separate cubicles to shower. After showering Jason felt much better as he dried but as he went to get dressed he felt a hand touch his arm. Shocked and terrified he jumped back, shaking with fear he immediately started a verbal assault on the owner of the hand before breaking down in tears.

Jim had only tried to get Jason’s attention and was surprised at the reaction, he got worried when Jeff came dashing in wanting to know what was going on.

Jim explained, “Jeff I wasn’t trying to hurt him or anything I was just trying to give him this,” and held out a laundry bag. “I went and got him some clean clothes and was trying to tell him that he could wear these and if he put his dirty clothes in the bag he could wash them before we left for the day, that’s all honest.”

“You … you … you mean you didn’t want anything from me, or to do anything? You was only trying to give me something?” Jason was obviously distressed, his eyes were red from crying and tears were still rolling down his ashen face.

Jim looked sympathetically at him, “That’s right, Jason I told you last night that Beccy and me would look out for you, just stick close and we’ll be there for you, that’s if you want to it’s tough out there.”

Jason slowly walked over to Jim and cautiously took the laundry bag before looking inside, calmer now and smiling, “Thanks, thanks a lot and I’m sorry, really sorry.”

“Hey there’s nothing to be sorry for, now cone on let’s get dressed and get breakfast I’m starving and I bet you are too.” Facing Jeff, “Is that ok with you Jeff, he just got the wrong Idea that’s all.”

Jeff nodded and said, “Yeah that’s ok, it looks like you two have sorted out your misunderstanding, go eat and I want to have a chat with Beccy and you before you leave today, don’t look so worried I’m just trying to figure out what we can do to help with Beccy being pregnant. Jason I’d like to have a chat with you too so stick close to Jim, I like to get to know our guests and see what we can do to help if we can.”

As Jeff left the shower room Jason and Jim got dressed then hurried off to the dining room where Beccy was waiting. Beccy sensed that something had happened but was shushed by Jim when she tried asking. The main topic of conversation that morning was John/Christian. The three of them made small talk while eating trying to get to know each other, Jim and Beccy soon realised that Jason was a young kid inexperienced in the ways of the streets, he needed someone to look out for him. After breakfast Beccy and Jim showed Jason the usual routine, every guest washed and dried the crockery and cutlery that they had used and put it away. Then they could wash their dirty clothes and bedding before hanging them to dry in the drying room, while their clothes were washing they cleaned up the shelter getting it ready for later that night.

Once the morning routines were completed guests started to leave allowing for some of the support groups to come in and set up for the day as Beccy, Jim and Jason waited for Jeff in the lounge. As they waited they noticed John come in making his way direct to the office, he was dressed very differently to way they usually saw him at night and hadn’t noticed them.

About fifteen minutes later John stood in the doorway of the office and invited the three of them in, offering them all a seat he remained standing and looked nervous. Jim and Beccy took the sofa while Jason took what had been John’s seat. As Jason sat he couldn’t take his eyes off John, mesmerised by his good looks and perfect figure he almost missed the chair but caught himself just in time.

Jeff broke the silence, “I’m sorry for keeping you waiting as you can see John dropped by and I needed to let him know about last night’s events. There are a few things that I’d like to chat about with all of you but I think John wants speak with you first so I’ll let him do that then we can talk after. Is that ok with all of you?”

Jason was still transfixed as Jim nudged his arm, “Hey earth to Jason, are you ok?”

“Erm … Erm … yeah … yeah … I’m fine.” Jason looked a little flustered answered and returned to the here and now.

“So are you good with John talking first?” Jim asked, oblivious to what was going on in Jason’s head.

“Yeah anytime.” Was the instant reply.

Beccy had a giggle at the reaction, “Sorry, yeah I’m good with that too.”

Jeff was looking on slightly amused by the situation. John had a puzzled expression on his face until the penny dropped, then his expression changed to one of embarrassment.

“Ok, well I want to apologise for the deception and misleading you and not telling you who I really am. If I can I’d like to introduce myself properly. My name is Christian Edwards not John and I’m not homeless that was a ruse. Now that the truth has come out I promise that I will explain why and answer any questions that anyone has, I only ask that you wait to ask your questions until tonight when I can speak with the other guests and I will answer those questions tonight. If you can let our other guests, your friends, know I would be grateful. I give you my word that there has never been or ever will be any intention to cause any harm, I only want to help.” John looked on hopeful and was relieved when all three nodded their agreement. “Thank you, your trust means a lot to me I hope that I haven’t lost it.”

Jim and Beccy stood and walked across the room, Jim stood squarely in front of John placing his left arm around Beccy he held out his right hand to John. As the two men shook hands he spoke, “I can’t speak for everyone but I think I can speak for Beccy and me, you haven’t lost our trust and you will always have it. Both of us have liked you from day one, we always thought that there was something different about you, now we know what it is that’s the only thing that has changed. When we overheard Jeff telling Andy about you and what you have done we were surprised, but you have gained our respect and thanks, thank you for everything you have done and are doing for all of us who are homeless.”

John felt relieved there was the glint of a tear in the corner of his eyes and was surprised by the tight hug he received from Beccy, “You’re the best friend any of us here have and we never knew it thank you. I think I love you.” To everyone’s relief she quickly added, “But not as much as I love Jim, he’s everything to me and mine forever.”

“I’m happy to hear that and from what Jeff tells me congratulations are in order so we need to try to find you somewhere better than here to stay and get you two settled down pretty quick. I’m going to be looking into things as soon as I can.” Turning his attention to the young man who had remained quiet, “If I remember right your Jason, I hope I haven’t said or done anything to make you feel uncomfortable and welcome to The Boot. You are welcome here any night and to take advantage of any of the support services that are here during the day. Stick close to Beccy and Jim they are good people and I hope to see you tonight so that we can talk. Jeff will give you all the help he can and the info that you need, I know that he would have done that last night if he hadn’t been side-tracked worrying about The Major.”

Steve knocked on the closed office door and entered with fresh coffee and tea, “Hope I’m not intruding, I thought that you may all like a drink while having your chat. Andy is about to leave as he’s back on shift tonight and I’ll be off in a few minutes too as we have our visitor later, Kate is home on her own and nervous as hell so I need to calm her down and get some rest myself.” Noticing John he started to apologise, “I’m sorry John I didn’t mean to let the cat out of the bag.”

John cut him off, “No need to apologise it was bound to come sooner or later and I know it was unintentional. Could you do me a favour and ask Andy if he can help me out for about thirty minutes, I could really do with an extra pair of hands.”

“Sure John I’ll ask him to come and let you know, I need to rush off. I’ll see you tomorrow night, I know you said not to say it but I really am sorry.” Steve then left to go home for some rest and to get ready to meet his and Kate’s first foster child.

Andy agreed to help John and they left to collect The Majors possessions, leaving Jeff to his chat with Beccy, Jim and Jason before they left for the day, then handing over to that day's support services.