A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Twenty-Six
Susie looked around the small apartment. The
floorboards were bare and there an old sofa was across the back wall. In the
corner were the bed and a cupboard/ wardrobe. In the center of the room were
the chairs and table. He seemed to have virtually no processions at all. What
caught her eye were the windows. They had no curtains and looked out to
fantastic view over Philadelphia. She then snapped back into reality. Jack
needed help.
"Come Jack, don't go to sleep on me" she pleaded.
Jack looked up groggily, like a drunk in the bar. She could see his injuries a
lot clearer now.
"I'm tired Suze," he muttered.
"Well you ain't going to sleep 'til we've cleaned you up a bit."
Susie looked round for something to use. She went to the small kitchen and
found a towel. She poured Jack a glass of water and ran some water into a bowl.
She glanced into the cupboards, but as she suspected, there was nothing medical
or of any use there. Jack really didn't have much at all.
"Come on Jack" she said in her best bossy voice. She was used to
handling the drunks. Jack came to again. He took the glass of water.
"Have a good drink. Ok?"
"Jeez, it hurts" muttered Jack more to himself than her.
"Right, this will probably hurt but it'll make you look a lot
prettier." Susie wet the towel and started to clean his head up. He had a
small neat cut to the back of his head that had bled profusely. She cleaned
round it as best she could, then wiped up his face.
"Am I hurting you?"
"I don't think I can hurt anymore" he groaned.
"Take that shirt off and let's have a look at you." Susie helped him
to remove the shirt. She doubted if it would ever clean up again. His back,
chest and stomach were already coming up in dark bruises. Someone had given him
a good kicking, no mistake.
"You still don't know who did this?"
"I got jumped."
"Did they take anything?"
"Don't think so."
"That doesn't make sense. To do you over and not rob you? You had all your
winnings in your pocket!"
"Ouch," winced Jack
"Sorry."
"Can't remember much. Can I sleep now?"
Susie inspected her work.
"I wish you'd got some thing in the apartment to clean you up proper. You
ought to see a doctor."
"Can't afford no doctor. I just need sleep. Please."
"Come on then." Susie helped him over to the bed. She took his boots
off but thought it best to leave his trousers on. Jack curled up as best he
could and fell asleep straight away. Susie sat on the edge of the bed for a
while listening to his breathing, not wanting to leave him. She stroked his
hair. He needed a good bath, but he wouldn't be going anywhere for a few days.
She felt her own eyes growing heavy. She didn't want to walk home alone now. It
was late and some attacker was roaming the area.
She went over to the sofa and pulled her shawl over her. She got comfortable
and settled down to sleep. If Jack needed her, she was there.