Little Boy
Lost
Part Four
by GCS
DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.
Lost
Part Four
by GCS
DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.
Chapter Ten
"Listen kid. You didn't ask for my help. I just gave it, so don't worry about it. Just accept it, okay."
Johnny met Jimbo's eyes, and they looked at each other for a long time; neither giving an inch until Johnny finally nodded his acceptance and snuggled deeper beneath the blankets with a sigh.
Jimbo patted his shoulder. "I'll be back in a little while with some soup. I need to check on the last few customers. Rita has to get home to her boys." He pulled the office door leaving it open a crack in case Johnny needed anything before going out into the dining area.
"How's the kid?" Rita asked as she pulled off her apron and reached for her purse and keys.
"He seems to be holding his own." Jimbo scratched behind his ear, a nervous habit he had when he was pondering something. "He don't complain much, but he looks like hell."
"I bet he's had a hard life." Rita said as she glanced up through the window to the kitchen and at the office door. "What do you plan to do with him tonight?"
"I brought another cot from the house. I'll bed down here tonight. Keep an eye on him." Jimbo shrugged. "I think he's okay, but I can't risk taking him to my place, at least not yet."
"Well, I guess you police types know best where that is concerned." Rita teased. "But seriously Boss, be careful. He may be sick and weak tonight, but tomorrow could be a different story. After all you did say last night that he was just another street urchin."
"There's more to him than that. I can see that now."
Rita looked at Jimbo. She could see that he had already started to have a fondness for the kid. "Where is this idea coming from?"
"The way he speaks. He just doesn't fit the profile of a trouble maker. His hands have calluses on them from some kind of hard work, maybe lawn work. His sox had grass stains on them. Would you believe he apologized just now for being such a burden?"
Rita's mouth formed a silent "O".
"Most street urchins would have been asking for more...food, sodas, cake, you name it. John hasn't asked for one thing. Not one."
Rita smiled. "Geeze Boss, you're already sold on this kid aren't ya?"
Jimbo chuckled. "Momma always did say I brought home all the strays in the neighborhood."
"Well I have to run." Rita turned to leave. "Everyone is finishing up their meals. You might want to check them for drink refills. Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks Rita; drive careful." Jimbo turned and grabbed the pitcher of water and the other of sweet tea; anything else he would just bring the glass back to the counter to refill or take them another full glass after he made the rounds. "Hey Rita!"
Rita stopped halfway out the door and waited to see what Jimbo needed.
"Can you do me a favor and call before you head in, just in case I need you to stop for anything on the way?"
"Sure, I'll call." She smiled and let the door slide closed behind her. She knew Jimbo was thinking Johnny might need something. One thing about her boss, he was a teddy bear in a former cop disguise.
A little over an hour later Jimbo put the last touches on mopping the dining area floor. It had been a long day. He was tired and a little hungry. He hadn't heard a peep from the boy and thought it might be time for both of them to have some soup and sandwiches. At least he would have sandwiches. John might be too sick for that, but he needed the soup at least.
While the soup heated Jimbo pulled a large envelope from beneath the counter and unwrapped the string from the closure. He was surprised to find only a few papers inside. Either his buddy over at records didn't look too hard for information or the file didn't contain much. Scanning the first page revealed some things he already knew. John Roderick Gage, 17 years old…
Reading some more he was surprised to find that the address on the kid's drivers license actually matched his "current" address, only it didn't if he was living on the streets…did it. 'What is your story John Roderick Gage? What happened to make you run away from home?'
The next section revealed that both parents were deceased and guardianship had been placed with the aunt and uncle, but the uncle had also passed. 'Man…you sure have had to face the loss of family for being so young.'
Jimbo stopped reading long enough to stir the soup. He was warming it slowly so it wouldn't scorch. It hadn't started to simmer yet, so he returned to the police record he had been reading. Turning the page to the arrest history section surprised him even more than the first page. He flipped through the few pages again to be sure he was seeing them correctly.
There was no record of criminal charges…there was however a rather detailed description of his time at a detention center for boys and how though he had not deserved to be there he was because no one else would take him after his parent's deaths. Jimbo felt angry that an innocent young boy had faced such discrimination simply because he had mixed blood. He crammed the papers back into the envelope and slammed it on the counter. "Unbelievable!" He said to the empty kitchen. He glanced at the envelope again. 'How could they do that to you and you not have any criminal history?'
He blew out a breath and shook his head. After thinking for a few minutes a small grin spread on his lips. 'There are many layers to you my friend. I hope you let me get to know you better, because I think you might surprise me even more than you already have.'
The bubbling coming from the pot of warming soup drew Jimbo's attention back to the task at hand. He stirred the simmering pot and turned off the heat. It would stay warm while he quickly prepared some sandwiches. Feeling better about helping the kid he whistled a happy tune as he worked.
A noise from the office caught his attention just as he had ladled up the second bowl. He looked over his shoulder and waited, listening. He heard it again… it was a soft moan followed by the creak of the cot. Jimbo put the bowl on the tray and hurried to the office to check on Johnny. When he slowly pushed the door open the light from the kitchen fell across the cot revealing Johnny tangled in the covers, his head tossing and turning, sweat beaded on his brow. He was clearly having some kind of bad dream. Jimbo got down on one knee beside the cot and started talking to the teen. "Hey…hey it's alright. You're safe now. They won't hurt you here." He began untangling the covers from around the long thin legs as he kept talking. "Come on kid. It's time to wake up and have some dinner. Can you do that?"
The tossing and shifting slowed. Jimbo kept up his litany of assurances. "Sh… you're okay. Whoever you're dreaming about can't hurt you now. I won't let them…okay. Come on…wake up for me." He smoothed the blanket and placed his hand on Johnny's shoulder, lightly shaking him. "John…"
Johnny stilled and squinted up at Jimbo.
"There you are. You were having a bad dream."
Johnny blinked a few times and looked around the office. Once he realized he was no longer in the place in his dreams he turned back to look at Jimbo.
"Do you need to get up?" Jimbo stood and backed away to give Johnny some room.
Johnny turned the covers back and stood slowly. His legs felt wobbly but he managed to take the few steps to the door and shuffled toward the bathroom without a word. Jimbo followed him to the kitchen and once he had seen that Johnny made it to the bathroom with no trouble he went back to finish putting their dinner on the tray. In a few minutes Johnny came back out of the bathroom.
"Feel better?" Jimbo asked.
"Yeah." Johnny said softly. His throat ached and he didn't feel much like talking.
"Do you think you can eat something? I have some more soup and sandwiches. We could eat at a table or if you don't feel like sitting up I can help you back in bed."
Johnny stopped in his trek back to the office, took a minute to consider the options, shrugged his shoulders and turned to follow Jimbo into the dining area. Jimbo spread the food on the table just as he would if he were serving a customer, and then waved Johnny to his seat.
"Thanks." Johnny said as he slid into the booth, but he didn't pick up his spoon or touch the sandwich. He just looked at them as though trying to decide whether to eat or not.
"What do you want to drink? Milk, a cola, tea?"
"Water would be okay." Johnny didn't want to ask for too much.
"You can have anything you want. How about some cola?" Jimbo turned toward the counter.
"Milk… can I have milk?" Johnny asked hesitantly.
"Milk it is." Jimbo said smiling. He scratched behind his ear as he rounded the end of the counter and grabbed a couple of glasses. He poured two glasses. Returning to the table he noticed Johnny had not touched his food. "Are you gonna eat or just look at it?"
Johnny looked up at Jimbo as he put the glasses on the table and slid into the booth. "My throat hurts. I'm not very hungry. I'm sorry."
"Try some soup. It's warm and might help your sore throat." He picked up his spoon and took a bite as if his actions might encourage Johnny to try. "It's good." He smiled. "Even if I did make it myself."
Johnny smiled and picked up his spoon. He took a small experimental bite. "Mmmm it is good." He took another bigger bite and reached for the glass of milk.
'Well at least you're eating.' Jimbo took a bite out of his sandwich. 'Now somehow I have to get you to tell me why you're on the street instead of back home with your aunt.'
Johnny put his spoon down and sighed after only a few bites.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to get out of your way." Johnny looked up at Jimbo. "Th..thank you f…for helping me." He turned to slide out of the booth. "And for the food. I'm sorry I can't eat much."
Jimbo stood quickly. "Now hold on just a minute. I thought we had this all straightened out earlier." He put his hand on Johnny's shoulder and kept him from getting up. "There is no way in hell I'm letting you leave here in your condition."
Johnny shifted beneath the strong grip Jimbo had on his slender shoulder.
"Sorry." Jimbo relaxed his grip but left his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "But I can't let you leave."
"I can go to the shelter. I have friends there. They're probably wondering where I've been."
"It's too late to go to the shelter."
Johnny looked around for a clock. He could see that it was dark outside. "What time is it?"
"It's after ten. The shelter closed their doors hours ago, so you're stuck here with me."
"Where will you sleep? I have your cot." Johnny said barely loud enough for Jimbo to hear him. "I need to leave."
"I have another cot. You're not leaving, at least not tonight. Tomorrow I can give you a lift back home."
Johnny's eyes widened. "Home? I don't…I can't…"
"Can't…go home? Why? Why can't you go home? Did something happen at home?"
Johnny sighed deeply and pushed up from the seat.
Jimbo kept his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Let me help you John. I want to help you."
Johnny stepped back and turned to face Jimbo. "Why?" He said loudly. Sadness mixed with anger washed over his face. "Why do you want to help me? What's in it for you? There's always some reason." He turned and paced on shaky legs. "Other than my aunt and uncle and he died. Why would anyone want to help me? They never have before unless they could benefit from it somehow, and I'm the one who suffered for that!"
"Take it easy…I'm not in it for anything. I'm a retired cop. I've seen too many kids go down from being on the streets, too many end up dead, too many serving time in prison from petty crimes that lead to terrible ones." Jimbo's voice raised too. "You're not like that…at least not yet. I won't let that happen to you."
"You don't even know me!" Johnny said with a softer tone.
"I know enough. You haven't asked me for a thing…not one thing. Any other street urch…uh…kid on the street would have been begging for more. That's enough for me to know there is still hope for you. Hope that if you let me I can help you. Let me help you John."
Johnny stared at Jimbo for a long time like he had that morning, thoughts warring in his mind over what to do. In his lifetime there had only been a few people he had ever trusted since his parents died, Officer Brewster, his aunt and eventually his uncle. He had made friends with a few people down at the shelter, because without them he felt like the other men would steal from him or try to take advantage of him, but those were just acquaintances…people he hung out with. Should he open himself up to another possible hurt? Should he trust this man who seemed to really want to be his friend? He had thought so this morning. He slowly nodded his head. "Okay."
Jimbo smiled broadly. "Okay?"
Johnny smiled, "Okay."
Johnny met Jimbo's eyes, and they looked at each other for a long time; neither giving an inch until Johnny finally nodded his acceptance and snuggled deeper beneath the blankets with a sigh.
Jimbo patted his shoulder. "I'll be back in a little while with some soup. I need to check on the last few customers. Rita has to get home to her boys." He pulled the office door leaving it open a crack in case Johnny needed anything before going out into the dining area.
"How's the kid?" Rita asked as she pulled off her apron and reached for her purse and keys.
"He seems to be holding his own." Jimbo scratched behind his ear, a nervous habit he had when he was pondering something. "He don't complain much, but he looks like hell."
"I bet he's had a hard life." Rita said as she glanced up through the window to the kitchen and at the office door. "What do you plan to do with him tonight?"
"I brought another cot from the house. I'll bed down here tonight. Keep an eye on him." Jimbo shrugged. "I think he's okay, but I can't risk taking him to my place, at least not yet."
"Well, I guess you police types know best where that is concerned." Rita teased. "But seriously Boss, be careful. He may be sick and weak tonight, but tomorrow could be a different story. After all you did say last night that he was just another street urchin."
"There's more to him than that. I can see that now."
Rita looked at Jimbo. She could see that he had already started to have a fondness for the kid. "Where is this idea coming from?"
"The way he speaks. He just doesn't fit the profile of a trouble maker. His hands have calluses on them from some kind of hard work, maybe lawn work. His sox had grass stains on them. Would you believe he apologized just now for being such a burden?"
Rita's mouth formed a silent "O".
"Most street urchins would have been asking for more...food, sodas, cake, you name it. John hasn't asked for one thing. Not one."
Rita smiled. "Geeze Boss, you're already sold on this kid aren't ya?"
Jimbo chuckled. "Momma always did say I brought home all the strays in the neighborhood."
"Well I have to run." Rita turned to leave. "Everyone is finishing up their meals. You might want to check them for drink refills. Have a good night. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Thanks Rita; drive careful." Jimbo turned and grabbed the pitcher of water and the other of sweet tea; anything else he would just bring the glass back to the counter to refill or take them another full glass after he made the rounds. "Hey Rita!"
Rita stopped halfway out the door and waited to see what Jimbo needed.
"Can you do me a favor and call before you head in, just in case I need you to stop for anything on the way?"
"Sure, I'll call." She smiled and let the door slide closed behind her. She knew Jimbo was thinking Johnny might need something. One thing about her boss, he was a teddy bear in a former cop disguise.
A little over an hour later Jimbo put the last touches on mopping the dining area floor. It had been a long day. He was tired and a little hungry. He hadn't heard a peep from the boy and thought it might be time for both of them to have some soup and sandwiches. At least he would have sandwiches. John might be too sick for that, but he needed the soup at least.
While the soup heated Jimbo pulled a large envelope from beneath the counter and unwrapped the string from the closure. He was surprised to find only a few papers inside. Either his buddy over at records didn't look too hard for information or the file didn't contain much. Scanning the first page revealed some things he already knew. John Roderick Gage, 17 years old…
Reading some more he was surprised to find that the address on the kid's drivers license actually matched his "current" address, only it didn't if he was living on the streets…did it. 'What is your story John Roderick Gage? What happened to make you run away from home?'
The next section revealed that both parents were deceased and guardianship had been placed with the aunt and uncle, but the uncle had also passed. 'Man…you sure have had to face the loss of family for being so young.'
Jimbo stopped reading long enough to stir the soup. He was warming it slowly so it wouldn't scorch. It hadn't started to simmer yet, so he returned to the police record he had been reading. Turning the page to the arrest history section surprised him even more than the first page. He flipped through the few pages again to be sure he was seeing them correctly.
There was no record of criminal charges…there was however a rather detailed description of his time at a detention center for boys and how though he had not deserved to be there he was because no one else would take him after his parent's deaths. Jimbo felt angry that an innocent young boy had faced such discrimination simply because he had mixed blood. He crammed the papers back into the envelope and slammed it on the counter. "Unbelievable!" He said to the empty kitchen. He glanced at the envelope again. 'How could they do that to you and you not have any criminal history?'
He blew out a breath and shook his head. After thinking for a few minutes a small grin spread on his lips. 'There are many layers to you my friend. I hope you let me get to know you better, because I think you might surprise me even more than you already have.'
The bubbling coming from the pot of warming soup drew Jimbo's attention back to the task at hand. He stirred the simmering pot and turned off the heat. It would stay warm while he quickly prepared some sandwiches. Feeling better about helping the kid he whistled a happy tune as he worked.
A noise from the office caught his attention just as he had ladled up the second bowl. He looked over his shoulder and waited, listening. He heard it again… it was a soft moan followed by the creak of the cot. Jimbo put the bowl on the tray and hurried to the office to check on Johnny. When he slowly pushed the door open the light from the kitchen fell across the cot revealing Johnny tangled in the covers, his head tossing and turning, sweat beaded on his brow. He was clearly having some kind of bad dream. Jimbo got down on one knee beside the cot and started talking to the teen. "Hey…hey it's alright. You're safe now. They won't hurt you here." He began untangling the covers from around the long thin legs as he kept talking. "Come on kid. It's time to wake up and have some dinner. Can you do that?"
The tossing and shifting slowed. Jimbo kept up his litany of assurances. "Sh… you're okay. Whoever you're dreaming about can't hurt you now. I won't let them…okay. Come on…wake up for me." He smoothed the blanket and placed his hand on Johnny's shoulder, lightly shaking him. "John…"
Johnny stilled and squinted up at Jimbo.
"There you are. You were having a bad dream."
Johnny blinked a few times and looked around the office. Once he realized he was no longer in the place in his dreams he turned back to look at Jimbo.
"Do you need to get up?" Jimbo stood and backed away to give Johnny some room.
Johnny turned the covers back and stood slowly. His legs felt wobbly but he managed to take the few steps to the door and shuffled toward the bathroom without a word. Jimbo followed him to the kitchen and once he had seen that Johnny made it to the bathroom with no trouble he went back to finish putting their dinner on the tray. In a few minutes Johnny came back out of the bathroom.
"Feel better?" Jimbo asked.
"Yeah." Johnny said softly. His throat ached and he didn't feel much like talking.
"Do you think you can eat something? I have some more soup and sandwiches. We could eat at a table or if you don't feel like sitting up I can help you back in bed."
Johnny stopped in his trek back to the office, took a minute to consider the options, shrugged his shoulders and turned to follow Jimbo into the dining area. Jimbo spread the food on the table just as he would if he were serving a customer, and then waved Johnny to his seat.
"Thanks." Johnny said as he slid into the booth, but he didn't pick up his spoon or touch the sandwich. He just looked at them as though trying to decide whether to eat or not.
"What do you want to drink? Milk, a cola, tea?"
"Water would be okay." Johnny didn't want to ask for too much.
"You can have anything you want. How about some cola?" Jimbo turned toward the counter.
"Milk… can I have milk?" Johnny asked hesitantly.
"Milk it is." Jimbo said smiling. He scratched behind his ear as he rounded the end of the counter and grabbed a couple of glasses. He poured two glasses. Returning to the table he noticed Johnny had not touched his food. "Are you gonna eat or just look at it?"
Johnny looked up at Jimbo as he put the glasses on the table and slid into the booth. "My throat hurts. I'm not very hungry. I'm sorry."
"Try some soup. It's warm and might help your sore throat." He picked up his spoon and took a bite as if his actions might encourage Johnny to try. "It's good." He smiled. "Even if I did make it myself."
Johnny smiled and picked up his spoon. He took a small experimental bite. "Mmmm it is good." He took another bigger bite and reached for the glass of milk.
'Well at least you're eating.' Jimbo took a bite out of his sandwich. 'Now somehow I have to get you to tell me why you're on the street instead of back home with your aunt.'
Johnny put his spoon down and sighed after only a few bites.
"What's wrong?"
"I need to get out of your way." Johnny looked up at Jimbo. "Th..thank you f…for helping me." He turned to slide out of the booth. "And for the food. I'm sorry I can't eat much."
Jimbo stood quickly. "Now hold on just a minute. I thought we had this all straightened out earlier." He put his hand on Johnny's shoulder and kept him from getting up. "There is no way in hell I'm letting you leave here in your condition."
Johnny shifted beneath the strong grip Jimbo had on his slender shoulder.
"Sorry." Jimbo relaxed his grip but left his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "But I can't let you leave."
"I can go to the shelter. I have friends there. They're probably wondering where I've been."
"It's too late to go to the shelter."
Johnny looked around for a clock. He could see that it was dark outside. "What time is it?"
"It's after ten. The shelter closed their doors hours ago, so you're stuck here with me."
"Where will you sleep? I have your cot." Johnny said barely loud enough for Jimbo to hear him. "I need to leave."
"I have another cot. You're not leaving, at least not tonight. Tomorrow I can give you a lift back home."
Johnny's eyes widened. "Home? I don't…I can't…"
"Can't…go home? Why? Why can't you go home? Did something happen at home?"
Johnny sighed deeply and pushed up from the seat.
Jimbo kept his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Let me help you John. I want to help you."
Johnny stepped back and turned to face Jimbo. "Why?" He said loudly. Sadness mixed with anger washed over his face. "Why do you want to help me? What's in it for you? There's always some reason." He turned and paced on shaky legs. "Other than my aunt and uncle and he died. Why would anyone want to help me? They never have before unless they could benefit from it somehow, and I'm the one who suffered for that!"
"Take it easy…I'm not in it for anything. I'm a retired cop. I've seen too many kids go down from being on the streets, too many end up dead, too many serving time in prison from petty crimes that lead to terrible ones." Jimbo's voice raised too. "You're not like that…at least not yet. I won't let that happen to you."
"You don't even know me!" Johnny said with a softer tone.
"I know enough. You haven't asked me for a thing…not one thing. Any other street urch…uh…kid on the street would have been begging for more. That's enough for me to know there is still hope for you. Hope that if you let me I can help you. Let me help you John."
Johnny stared at Jimbo for a long time like he had that morning, thoughts warring in his mind over what to do. In his lifetime there had only been a few people he had ever trusted since his parents died, Officer Brewster, his aunt and eventually his uncle. He had made friends with a few people down at the shelter, because without them he felt like the other men would steal from him or try to take advantage of him, but those were just acquaintances…people he hung out with. Should he open himself up to another possible hurt? Should he trust this man who seemed to really want to be his friend? He had thought so this morning. He slowly nodded his head. "Okay."
Jimbo smiled broadly. "Okay?"
Johnny smiled, "Okay."
Chapter Eleven
Johnny sighed deeply…then turned back toward the table. His little tirade had taken its toll. He suddenly felt very tired.
With renewed purpose Jimbo asked, "Do you want me to warm up your soup?" as he stepped closer to the table intending on getting the bowl.
Johnny slowly nodded his head and reached for the table. He felt weak in the knees. Jimbo immediately grabbed his arm which startled him, and he jerked away almost stumbling. "I…I don't want anymore."
"Hey, take it easy. You agreed to let me help you…remember?"
Johnny looked at Jimbo. Slowly he nodded.
"Then let me help you back to bed. Then I'll bring you some more aspirin."
"Okay." Johnny said softly. He felt Jimbo move over beside him and take him by the elbow while his other hand reached around his back. At first he tensed, but after a few seconds he relaxed and began moving toward the kitchen and his cot.
"Listen kid, I know those thugs beat the crap out of you last night, and I know there is more to your situation than you have told me about."
Johnny stopped and looked at Jimbo. 'How does he know? What does he know?'
Jimbo looked back at Johnny and chuckled. "Remember I'm a retired Cop. I have connections. Anyway…" He nudged Johnny to start moving again. "It's really none of my business unless you want to talk about it."
Just as they moved through the door to the kitchen they heard a loud crash and glass splintering across the dining area floor. Johnny felt himself being slammed down on the floor; the air rushing from his lungs as he heard Jimbo yell, "Get down."
A few seconds later the heavy weight of the older, heavier man lifted. "What the hell was that?" Jimbo said softly as he cracked open the door and peeked out. What he saw made him immediately jump to his feet. "Get out the back door! I'll call the fire department." He slipped through the door and quickly moved over to the phone behind the counter.
Johnny managed to get some air into his lungs. His already sore ribs now ached with renewed force. He rolled over on his side and saw smoke begin drifting beneath the swinging door. A sense of urgency swept over the young man. Forgetting his aches and tiredness, Johnny rose to his full height and peered through the round window. Glancing over his shoulder at the kitchen looking for something that he might use to snuff out the growing flames, his eyes settled on a fire extinguisher which he moved toward immediately pulling it from the holder on the wall.
Jimbo looked up from the phone as he gave directions to dispatch to see Johnny burst through the swaying doors armed with the fire extinguisher.
Johnny pulled the pin, and with the hose in his hand pointed and began spraying the contents over the flames, sweeping from side to side. It was a large extinguisher designed specifically for a professional kitchen, but he didn't know if it would be big enough. He hoped he might keep the flames from spreading beyond the accelerant that had been inside the beer bottle before the fabric that hung from the top had been lit with flame. The broken glass from the door mixed with the shards of brown glass that had shattered and slid across the smooth surface of the floor creating tendrils to extend the damage further into the room.
Johnny watched the flames as they danced across the splattered liquid…skipping from droplet to droplet and flitting down the paths of the spreading liquid, devouring every inch of life provided by the elixir. He moved along the length of the burning liquid as the flames moved. The sensation of power seeped through his veins as he worked to gain control. Determination to prevent destruction of the diner directed his every move.
Jimbo hung up the phone. Grabbing a broom, he began sweeping the glass toward the dwindling fire to keep it from spreading back toward him and the boy skillfully wielding the fire extinguisher.
Within minutes sirens could be heard approaching. A mixture of blue and red flashing lights bounced off the windows reflecting back into the night sky. Johnny had just about extinguished the fire and still stood over the charred tile with the large extinguisher in his hands. The earlier weakness forgotten, he felt a surge of energy and excitement about having practically put out the small fire.
What was left of the diner door opened and a man dressed in turnouts with a white striped helmet came in along with two other firemen dragging a hose. "Looks like we're not even needed here." The man with the white striped helmet said smiling at Johnny and Jimbo. "What happened here, Jimbo?"
Jimbo stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom while addressing the fire captain. "Hey, Captain McKonikee. Some neighborhood thugs decided to break my door out with a molotov cocktail. It doesn't look like they knew exactly how to make one though." He swept his arm across his damp forehead and looked at the damage before him.
"Well I guess that's lucky for you." Captain McKonikee chuckled. "Who's the kid? He looks like hell."
McKonikee's words brought Jimbo back from his worries about the damage, and he looked with pride at his charge. "That's my new friend John Gage. I suspect the thugs that did this are the ones who beat the crap out of him last night in my alley while stealing all of his money."
"Well whoever he is he did a good job putting out that fire."
Johnny blushed as Captain McKonikee looked at him. He backed away from the mess and before he realized it someone was taking the extinguisher from his hands. "You did good kid. Ever think about becoming a firefighter?" Johnny looked at the man with interest. "I think you're a natural." The man gripped his shoulder. "But you can relax now and let the professionals finish up."
Johnny moved back a little more and Jimbo walked up beside him. "Thank you John."
"What?" Johnny asked him. "I didn't do nothin'…just sprayed the extinguisher on it." He shrugged.
"Who taught you to do that?" Jimbo wondered. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher was not something that everyone knew how to do.
"Back at the center, all of the older kids were taught how to use one in case of a fire. It's no big deal." The attention he was getting made him nervous. He was relieved when a police officer came in and came over to get a report from Jimbo.
"Jimbo?" The tall black officer said the greeting with a questioning tone. "What happened here?" He waved his notepad at the charred spot.
"Hey Vince, some street kids trying to make a statement." Jimbo commented with disgust as he shook hands with the officer.
Johnny didn't like the idea of the police being there. He knew they had to come and get a statement from Jimbo, but he didn't want to be a part of any questions by the authorities. He backed away from the group and slipped into the kitchen.
Part of him wanted to escape out the back door, while another part of him wanted to stay and watch the firemen work. He looked back out the windows to the red truck. The red flashing lights were mesmerizing; the way the men worked together impressive. One of the men stood beside the truck making adjustments on a panel of controls. He reached down and lifted the small hose the men were using to wash down the still smoking tile and wall. Johnny watched the man look over his shoulder at the men inside thinking it must be his job to make sure the water pressure is enough to fill the hose. Suddenly their eyes met and the fireman smiled at Johnny who immediately diverted his eyes and moved further into the darkened room.
The weariness that had plagued him earlier seemed to be slowly returning as Johnny stood in the dark watching. His throat felt scratchy from breathing the smoke. His head began to ache again. When the firemen began pulling the hose back out of the diner he turned and made his way back to the office where he could lay down, leaving Jimbo to handle the rest. Sleep claimed him as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Red flashing lights and men dressed in turnouts fighting fires filtered into this dreams.
With renewed purpose Jimbo asked, "Do you want me to warm up your soup?" as he stepped closer to the table intending on getting the bowl.
Johnny slowly nodded his head and reached for the table. He felt weak in the knees. Jimbo immediately grabbed his arm which startled him, and he jerked away almost stumbling. "I…I don't want anymore."
"Hey, take it easy. You agreed to let me help you…remember?"
Johnny looked at Jimbo. Slowly he nodded.
"Then let me help you back to bed. Then I'll bring you some more aspirin."
"Okay." Johnny said softly. He felt Jimbo move over beside him and take him by the elbow while his other hand reached around his back. At first he tensed, but after a few seconds he relaxed and began moving toward the kitchen and his cot.
"Listen kid, I know those thugs beat the crap out of you last night, and I know there is more to your situation than you have told me about."
Johnny stopped and looked at Jimbo. 'How does he know? What does he know?'
Jimbo looked back at Johnny and chuckled. "Remember I'm a retired Cop. I have connections. Anyway…" He nudged Johnny to start moving again. "It's really none of my business unless you want to talk about it."
Just as they moved through the door to the kitchen they heard a loud crash and glass splintering across the dining area floor. Johnny felt himself being slammed down on the floor; the air rushing from his lungs as he heard Jimbo yell, "Get down."
A few seconds later the heavy weight of the older, heavier man lifted. "What the hell was that?" Jimbo said softly as he cracked open the door and peeked out. What he saw made him immediately jump to his feet. "Get out the back door! I'll call the fire department." He slipped through the door and quickly moved over to the phone behind the counter.
Johnny managed to get some air into his lungs. His already sore ribs now ached with renewed force. He rolled over on his side and saw smoke begin drifting beneath the swinging door. A sense of urgency swept over the young man. Forgetting his aches and tiredness, Johnny rose to his full height and peered through the round window. Glancing over his shoulder at the kitchen looking for something that he might use to snuff out the growing flames, his eyes settled on a fire extinguisher which he moved toward immediately pulling it from the holder on the wall.
Jimbo looked up from the phone as he gave directions to dispatch to see Johnny burst through the swaying doors armed with the fire extinguisher.
Johnny pulled the pin, and with the hose in his hand pointed and began spraying the contents over the flames, sweeping from side to side. It was a large extinguisher designed specifically for a professional kitchen, but he didn't know if it would be big enough. He hoped he might keep the flames from spreading beyond the accelerant that had been inside the beer bottle before the fabric that hung from the top had been lit with flame. The broken glass from the door mixed with the shards of brown glass that had shattered and slid across the smooth surface of the floor creating tendrils to extend the damage further into the room.
Johnny watched the flames as they danced across the splattered liquid…skipping from droplet to droplet and flitting down the paths of the spreading liquid, devouring every inch of life provided by the elixir. He moved along the length of the burning liquid as the flames moved. The sensation of power seeped through his veins as he worked to gain control. Determination to prevent destruction of the diner directed his every move.
Jimbo hung up the phone. Grabbing a broom, he began sweeping the glass toward the dwindling fire to keep it from spreading back toward him and the boy skillfully wielding the fire extinguisher.
Within minutes sirens could be heard approaching. A mixture of blue and red flashing lights bounced off the windows reflecting back into the night sky. Johnny had just about extinguished the fire and still stood over the charred tile with the large extinguisher in his hands. The earlier weakness forgotten, he felt a surge of energy and excitement about having practically put out the small fire.
What was left of the diner door opened and a man dressed in turnouts with a white striped helmet came in along with two other firemen dragging a hose. "Looks like we're not even needed here." The man with the white striped helmet said smiling at Johnny and Jimbo. "What happened here, Jimbo?"
Jimbo stopped sweeping and leaned on the broom while addressing the fire captain. "Hey, Captain McKonikee. Some neighborhood thugs decided to break my door out with a molotov cocktail. It doesn't look like they knew exactly how to make one though." He swept his arm across his damp forehead and looked at the damage before him.
"Well I guess that's lucky for you." Captain McKonikee chuckled. "Who's the kid? He looks like hell."
McKonikee's words brought Jimbo back from his worries about the damage, and he looked with pride at his charge. "That's my new friend John Gage. I suspect the thugs that did this are the ones who beat the crap out of him last night in my alley while stealing all of his money."
"Well whoever he is he did a good job putting out that fire."
Johnny blushed as Captain McKonikee looked at him. He backed away from the mess and before he realized it someone was taking the extinguisher from his hands. "You did good kid. Ever think about becoming a firefighter?" Johnny looked at the man with interest. "I think you're a natural." The man gripped his shoulder. "But you can relax now and let the professionals finish up."
Johnny moved back a little more and Jimbo walked up beside him. "Thank you John."
"What?" Johnny asked him. "I didn't do nothin'…just sprayed the extinguisher on it." He shrugged.
"Who taught you to do that?" Jimbo wondered. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher was not something that everyone knew how to do.
"Back at the center, all of the older kids were taught how to use one in case of a fire. It's no big deal." The attention he was getting made him nervous. He was relieved when a police officer came in and came over to get a report from Jimbo.
"Jimbo?" The tall black officer said the greeting with a questioning tone. "What happened here?" He waved his notepad at the charred spot.
"Hey Vince, some street kids trying to make a statement." Jimbo commented with disgust as he shook hands with the officer.
Johnny didn't like the idea of the police being there. He knew they had to come and get a statement from Jimbo, but he didn't want to be a part of any questions by the authorities. He backed away from the group and slipped into the kitchen.
Part of him wanted to escape out the back door, while another part of him wanted to stay and watch the firemen work. He looked back out the windows to the red truck. The red flashing lights were mesmerizing; the way the men worked together impressive. One of the men stood beside the truck making adjustments on a panel of controls. He reached down and lifted the small hose the men were using to wash down the still smoking tile and wall. Johnny watched the man look over his shoulder at the men inside thinking it must be his job to make sure the water pressure is enough to fill the hose. Suddenly their eyes met and the fireman smiled at Johnny who immediately diverted his eyes and moved further into the darkened room.
The weariness that had plagued him earlier seemed to be slowly returning as Johnny stood in the dark watching. His throat felt scratchy from breathing the smoke. His head began to ache again. When the firemen began pulling the hose back out of the diner he turned and made his way back to the office where he could lay down, leaving Jimbo to handle the rest. Sleep claimed him as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Red flashing lights and men dressed in turnouts fighting fires filtered into this dreams.
Chapter Twelve
Johnny awoke several hours later to the sound of soft snores in the cot next to his. Accustomed to sleeping in a room with others, having spent much of his childhood in the correctional facility and now spending many of his nights in the men's shelter, he listened to Jimbo's deep breathing hoping he could lull himself back to sleep, but that wasn't to be, not after sleeping away most of the day trying to recover from the mugging last night. After quietly listening to the night sounds around him for what seemed like forever, Johnny gave up on sleep and slowly shifted on the cot until his feet touched the floor. Stifling a deep cough, he tiptoed from the office, gently closed the door and leaned against the wall listening for any noise from the sleeping man. When he didn't hear anything he pushed off the wall and started across the room careful to go around the chopping station.
The kitchen was mostly dark, but the Exit sign by the back door cast a red glow that gave him enough light to make his way toward the dining room and the damage left behind by his so-called friends. He knew it had been the same kids that had mugged him that tried to burn the diner down. He didn't know why except Jimbo had helped him. He shuddered to think he had been the cause of Jimbo's almost losing the diner. When the sun came up he would need to move on.
The windows in the dining area allowed the street lights to shine across the floor letting Johnny see the darkened spot left behind by the fire which only served to fuel the guilt burning in his gut. He could still smell the scorched tile; reaching up he tried to rub the odor from his nose thinking he would never get rid of that stench.
He stood staring at the charred floor trying to think of how he could repay Jimbo for taking him in.
After looking around the semi lit room unable to think of anything else to do, Johnny set out to find some cleaning materials. Maybe if he could clean up some of the soot and smell Jimbo could still open the diner for business. He rubbed his nose again thinking the smell would be the hardest thing to get rid of.
When he came back with a bucket full of hot bleach water, a mop and scrub brush, Johnny thought he saw movement outside in the street. Anger swept over him. Reflexively, he reached up and carefully felt of his face near the eye that had been previously swollen shut. It still felt very tender and swollen, but at least he could open it now. He ran his tongue over his lips. They still stung in places where they were split but they weren't puffy like before. The shadow he'd seen scampered beneath the street light letting him know that his anger was wasted on a cat.
"Hey Pete, check that out." Jim Reed pointed at the group of boys crouched in the alley across from Jimbo's diner. "Didn't Mac say somethin' about a disturbance at Jimbo's last night? Break in or something."
Without a word, Pete Malloy flipped off the headlights and pulled the black and white over between two cars parked at the curb. The two officers settled in to watch the boys.
Rita pulled into the alley at the back of the diner. That door was closer to the kitchen; she wanted to unload some things from her trunk. She hadn't noticed the boarded up front. She smiled to herself as she opened the heavy metal door and found the kitchen still dark. "Hey Jimbo!" She called softly so as not to wake up the kid she suspected to still be fast asleep. She propped open the door and proceeded inside and flipped on the lights. The office door was closed. "Jimbo? Are you still asleep?" She asked as she cracked open the door. The light from the kitchen allowed her to see the empty cot where she thought Johnny would still be sleeping. Jimbo squinted up at her. "Better get up, boss. We have a lot to do before the breakfast crowd gets here." He groaned and rolled over covering his head with the pillow. Rita ducked out of the office to give him a minute, and went in search of the boy.
Johnny had scrubbed the walls, the tables, the counter and the chairs, but most importantly he had managed to reduce the black stain on the floor to a smaller area where the fire had been the hottest; there the floor was burnt beyond repair. Wearily he had returned the scrub brush to the bucket, propped the mop against the wall and slid into one of the booths to rest his head on the table; that is where he was when Rita found him.
Upon walking into the dining area and seeing the boarded up door and charred spot on the floor, Rita gasped in surprise. Then she saw Johnny with his head resting on his crossed arms sound asleep. Black smudges decorated his face and arms. Clearly the boy had been trying to clean up. She smiled realizing Jimbo had been right about him.
"So what do you think we should do?" The rookie cop asked.
Pete shot a sideways glance at his new partner, but didn't make any attempt at a reply.
"I mean why would a bunch of kids be out this early unless they were up to something?" Jim looked at his superior and waited for his response.
Pete rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to be watching them to find out."
Jim turned back to watching the boys.
The seasoned officer let out an exasperated sigh and resumed his watch.
The group of boys moved across the street and slipped into the alley behind Jimbo's.
"That's our cue." Pete said as he slipped from the cruiser and carefully closed the door with barely an audible click.
Jim clamored out of the cruiser, then jumped for the door-handle, barely managing to catch his door before it slammed closed. He winced at the loud snick, and then flushed with embarrassment when Pete turned his head to glare at him.
The boys stopped dead, but when they didn't hear any other noise they hurried down the alley toward the open door.
The kitchen was mostly dark, but the Exit sign by the back door cast a red glow that gave him enough light to make his way toward the dining room and the damage left behind by his so-called friends. He knew it had been the same kids that had mugged him that tried to burn the diner down. He didn't know why except Jimbo had helped him. He shuddered to think he had been the cause of Jimbo's almost losing the diner. When the sun came up he would need to move on.
The windows in the dining area allowed the street lights to shine across the floor letting Johnny see the darkened spot left behind by the fire which only served to fuel the guilt burning in his gut. He could still smell the scorched tile; reaching up he tried to rub the odor from his nose thinking he would never get rid of that stench.
He stood staring at the charred floor trying to think of how he could repay Jimbo for taking him in.
After looking around the semi lit room unable to think of anything else to do, Johnny set out to find some cleaning materials. Maybe if he could clean up some of the soot and smell Jimbo could still open the diner for business. He rubbed his nose again thinking the smell would be the hardest thing to get rid of.
When he came back with a bucket full of hot bleach water, a mop and scrub brush, Johnny thought he saw movement outside in the street. Anger swept over him. Reflexively, he reached up and carefully felt of his face near the eye that had been previously swollen shut. It still felt very tender and swollen, but at least he could open it now. He ran his tongue over his lips. They still stung in places where they were split but they weren't puffy like before. The shadow he'd seen scampered beneath the street light letting him know that his anger was wasted on a cat.
"Hey Pete, check that out." Jim Reed pointed at the group of boys crouched in the alley across from Jimbo's diner. "Didn't Mac say somethin' about a disturbance at Jimbo's last night? Break in or something."
Without a word, Pete Malloy flipped off the headlights and pulled the black and white over between two cars parked at the curb. The two officers settled in to watch the boys.
Rita pulled into the alley at the back of the diner. That door was closer to the kitchen; she wanted to unload some things from her trunk. She hadn't noticed the boarded up front. She smiled to herself as she opened the heavy metal door and found the kitchen still dark. "Hey Jimbo!" She called softly so as not to wake up the kid she suspected to still be fast asleep. She propped open the door and proceeded inside and flipped on the lights. The office door was closed. "Jimbo? Are you still asleep?" She asked as she cracked open the door. The light from the kitchen allowed her to see the empty cot where she thought Johnny would still be sleeping. Jimbo squinted up at her. "Better get up, boss. We have a lot to do before the breakfast crowd gets here." He groaned and rolled over covering his head with the pillow. Rita ducked out of the office to give him a minute, and went in search of the boy.
Johnny had scrubbed the walls, the tables, the counter and the chairs, but most importantly he had managed to reduce the black stain on the floor to a smaller area where the fire had been the hottest; there the floor was burnt beyond repair. Wearily he had returned the scrub brush to the bucket, propped the mop against the wall and slid into one of the booths to rest his head on the table; that is where he was when Rita found him.
Upon walking into the dining area and seeing the boarded up door and charred spot on the floor, Rita gasped in surprise. Then she saw Johnny with his head resting on his crossed arms sound asleep. Black smudges decorated his face and arms. Clearly the boy had been trying to clean up. She smiled realizing Jimbo had been right about him.
"So what do you think we should do?" The rookie cop asked.
Pete shot a sideways glance at his new partner, but didn't make any attempt at a reply.
"I mean why would a bunch of kids be out this early unless they were up to something?" Jim looked at his superior and waited for his response.
Pete rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to be watching them to find out."
Jim turned back to watching the boys.
The seasoned officer let out an exasperated sigh and resumed his watch.
The group of boys moved across the street and slipped into the alley behind Jimbo's.
"That's our cue." Pete said as he slipped from the cruiser and carefully closed the door with barely an audible click.
Jim clamored out of the cruiser, then jumped for the door-handle, barely managing to catch his door before it slammed closed. He winced at the loud snick, and then flushed with embarrassment when Pete turned his head to glare at him.
The boys stopped dead, but when they didn't hear any other noise they hurried down the alley toward the open door.
