Chance Encounters.'Man

Chance Encounter



"Man I wish I'd taken the bus," Jake thought as he walked hurriedly down the darkening sidewalk to his apartment.

Stuffing his hands deeper into the pockets of his black duster he lowered his head as a frosty gust of air blew over him. It had been one crazy night. Not only did he get to work late this morning but two people called in sick, forcing him to pull a double shift. It was a good thing he only lived a mile from the restaurant or he’d never make it home on foot.

He was only a few building away when the sound of a loud, hacking cough caught his attention. Stopping, he turned towards a dark ally from where the sound had come from and waited to see if it would happen again. After a few long minutes went by he heard another cough though not as loud followed by a sneeze. Curious as to why anyone would be out at ten o’clock at night in nearly 60 degree temperature Jake walked slowly towards the ally, peering into the shadows.

“Hello? Is someone there?”

The sound of paper rustling and a muffled cough was his only answer. Unable to walk away without checking to see if someone was in trouble Jake made his way into the ally, careful not to disturb any of the trash that littered the ground. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom he saw a bunch of open newspaper and rags in the corner. At first he thought it was just a pile of trash until it started coughing uncontrollably.

“Hey, are you OK?” he asked, moving carefully towards the hacking pile of trash.

“Help me, please.” The voice was little more then a whisper, barely audible from underneath the rubbish.

Bending down Jake pulled off the paper and rags, revealing the curled up body of a young man. His hand brushed lightly against the guy’s cheek and was alarmed at how hot it was.

“Man, you’re burning up. How long have you been here?”

“Three days…maybe more.”

‘Homeless, maybe a runaway,’ Jake thought, his heart going out to the young stranger.

“Can you stand?”

The guy tried but a strong coughing fit took hold of him and he slumped to the ground exhausted.

Careful, Jake slipped his arms underneath him and struggled to his feet. The guy was like dead weight and it took nearly everything Jake had not to drop him as he stumbled from the dark ally into the dimly lit sidewalk. Thankfully nobody was around to see him as he hurried to his apartment building carrying a guy nestled against his chest. Somehow he managed to open the front door and get inside without mishap. Bringing his houseguest to the couch he laid him down carefully, turned on a small table lamp and studied the sleeping boy closely. He looked to be around seventeen, short, shaggy reddish-brown hair framing a haggard face. A large dark purple bruise covered his right eye. His shirt and blue jeans were soiled and torn and he was missing his shoes. Hurrying to the kitchen he filled a glass with tepid tap water, brought it over to couch and knelt down.

“Hey, open your eyes. Look at me, come on, look at me,” he said gently, “Wake up, you need to drink.”

Slowly the guy’s eyelids fluttered open and Jake found himself gazing into a pair of emerald green eyes.

Clearing his throat he smiled and picked up the glass of water. “Hi, I’m Jake. This is just water, do you want it?”

Seeing the glass the guy’s eyes widened and he tried to sit up. Slipping an arm behind him Jake helped him sit up and brought the cup to his lips.

“Easy, not so fast,” he warned as the boy drank the water in rapid gulps. “Careful or you might throw it up.”

“More water,” the guy asked, his voice a pained whisper.

“In a minute, let’s see if you can keep that down. You’re very feverish, maybe we should go to the hospital.”

“No!” he croaked and promptly started to cough.

It was so violent Jake feared that he would vomit the water but it passed quickly, and the guy fell back exhausted against the pillows. Holding on to his shoulder Jake watched helplessly as the guy began shivering so hard his teeth chattered.

‘I need a way to warm him up and bring his fever down. Maybe a bath will work.’

Standing up he felt the guy’s head one last time. “I’m going to fix you a bath, maybe a warm soak will get rid of your chills.”

The guy didn’t protest, he simply closed his eyes and settled deeper into the couch cushions.

Walking quickly to the bathroom Jake filled the small tub halfway with lukewarm water. Satisfied with the temperature he returned to the sleeping stranger and gently shook him awake.

“Wrap your arm around my neck and slowly stand up. Lean on me if you have to.”

Moving sluggishly the guy did as instructed, leaning so heavily on Jake that he was forced to carry him to the bathroom. Easing him down onto the toilet seat he steadied him and dropped down to one knee.

“I’m going to undress you, Ok?”

The guy nodded his eyes on the warm bath besides him. Grimacing with disgust Jake pealed his filthy shirt off, revealing large, ugly welts and bruises scattered about his back, arms and chest.

“Damn, what happened? Did someone attack you?”

Giving him a slight nod, the guy started unzipping his pants and tried to stand. Jake moved to support him as he wiggled out of his jeans and briefs.

“What’s your name?”

After a short pause the guy whispered. “Ethan.”

Afraid Ethan would fall if he tried to step into the tub; Jake scooped him up and eased him down into the water. Instantly he began shivering harder, jaw clenched to keep his teeth from chattering. Taking hold of Ethan’s shoulders Jake pushed him gently back so he was resting against the porcelain. Grabbing a washcloth from a shelf he dipped it into the water, squeezed it out and pressed it against Ethan’s cheeks and forehead. Soon the violent shaking lessened much to his relief.

“Don’t move, just relax. I’m going to get you something to wear.”

He nearly ran to his bedroom, flung open his closet and yanked out a gray flannel shirt, cotton drawstring pants and boxers. Returning to the bathroom he found Ethan washing his arms and chest. Seeing that his patient had regained some of his strength Jake sat the cloths on the counter and started for the door.

“Hey, could you help wash my hair and back?”

Surprised by the request Jake stopped and turned around. Ethan was looking at him expectantly, his green eyes half closed from fatigue. Feeling slightly awkward he went over and knelt besides the tub. Using the washcloth to wet Ethan’s hair Jake grabbed the shampoo bottle from the shelf and lathered up his hands real good. Having never washed another person’s hair he began to gently massage Ethan’s head, working in the lather. He then retrieved the washcloth and used it to rinse out the soap. Once he was sure it was all out he slid the cloth across Ethan’s thin, bruised back, carefully not to press to hard on the discolored spots.

“Is there anyone you want me to call? Family or maybe a friend?”

Ethan shook his head, looking down at the dirty water. Deciding not to push the matter Jake got up and pulled a fluffy blue towel from the closet.

“I better get you to bed before you fall asleep in the tub.”

It took more effort to get Ethan out of the tub, his legs were very shaky and standing made him very dizzy. Wrapping the towel around the boy’s shoulders Jake dried off his back, legs and arms.

“Do you feel too cold with your hair wet?” he asked, pulling the towel up over his head. “I don’t think it will matter if it air dries, maybe it’ll help cool your fever.”

Ethan shrugged and braced himself against the sink as Jake briskly dried off his hair. Once he was as dry as possible Jake helped him slip into his flannel shirt, boxers and drawstring pants. All were very ill fitting but manageable. Retrieving his comb from a drawer he draped Ethan’s around his neck and half carried half dragged him back to the couch. Sitting him down in the corner Jake walked behind the couch and started combing out the tangles in his hair. Ethan never objected, not even when the comb became snagged on a snarl. Finally he was able to draw the comb cleanly through every strand so that it shone like polished mahogany in the lamplight.

A coughing fit suddenly seized Ethan, forcing him to bend forward as he struggled to breath. Sitting next to him on the couch Jake held him until the coughing subsided into a slight wheezing. Feeling his forehead he found it still burning hot with fever.

“Come on, you’re going to bed. I’ll give you some Nyquil and if that fever isn’t down by tomorrow you’re seeing a doctor.”

Ethan’s head lolled to the side and his eye were closed. Untangling himself Jake scooped him up into his arms and carried him to his room. Laying him down on his unmade bed he turned on the nightstand lamp and pulled a sheet over him. Hurrying to the bathroom he found the nearly empty bottle of Nyquil in his medicine cabinet and got a cup of water from the kitchen. He then returned to his patient and gently shook him awake. Groaning in protest, Ethan looked up at him with bleary eyes.

“I’m sorry but you need to take this. Then I promise you can sleep for as long as you like.”

Pouring out the correct amount of medicine Jake propped him up and fed it to him, followed by a health swallow of water. Laying him back down he made sure he was comfortable before turning off the lamp.

“I’ll check on you later,” he whispered and slipped quietly out of the room.