Let it rock
Chapter 21 - Jim
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LYNN
I heard the van before I saw it, then Jonathan's voice floated down from above. "Hey, I thought you guys wanted a ride? What's the deal, did you lose something?"
I looked up, then moved aside so he could see Jim's limp form. "Yeah I did, but now I found it. Can you help us get him inside the van? I need to take him home."
"Woah, is that Jim?" he said, surprised, and then quickly added, "Yeah, yeah sure. No problem."
All three of us stared at him for a moment. Jim wasn't a big guy, but we weren't really sure how to go about moving him. Angie and I each reached down and lifted a boot, when suddenly he woke up.
"Huh, wazzit?" he mumbled groggily. "Who's there? Lynn?" He kicked us off, scratching my hands. We stepped back then watched as he slowly sat himself up.
He made a pitiful picture surrounded by bags of garbage. His clothes were torn and he was dirty and bloody, but on the bright side, at least he was still wearing his jacket. He had a black eye, a chunk was taken out over one eyebrow that had bled earlier, and his nose was scabbed over. His left eye was swollen shut. When I first saw him on the ground he was pale, like a piece of chalk in jeans. So I was relieved to see a little color come back to his face as he scratched his head. I'd definitely seen worse at after-fights at the Pea, but he would have to admit it, this was pretty bad.
He looked at me, then turned to Jonathan. "Hey, man. Long time no see." He coughed, then reached his arm out.
"Yeah, man. You alright?" Jonathan grasped his hand and helped him up. After Jim was standing he adjusted his jacket over his slight shoulders, then felt in his pants pockets, for his wallet, I guess.
I couldn't bring myself to talk. He's okay. He's alive. That's all that mattered.
Angie sidled herself closer to me, and asked quietly, "That's your brother?"
I nodded, dumbly.
"Thanks for the help, dude." said Jim. His voice sounded clearer now.
Jonathan replied, "You had some drinks? You need a ride home? I'm helping these ladies," he waved, indicating both of us.
"Naw, I'm good. I have my car. I got it. Thanks dude." He patted Jonathan on the shoulder, then looked at me again.
"Lynn, um, Thanks. I guess." Then he turned away and started to walk off in that loping up-and-down walk he has, down the alley, as if it was totally just a regular day. It's not a regular day! It's not...he's been gone for so long...it's not normal for him to be passed out in an alley behind a bar!
"W-Wait. Jim?" I called after him, finding my voice at last.
He turned slightly. "What is it?" He sounded only a little mad, and looked at me through his one healthy eye.
"You okay? I'll...I'll see you at home, yeah?"
"Yeah, yeah," he called back over his shoulder, and swayed off.
I can't believe it. He's okay. He's really fine. I watched him go down the alley and turn a corner, then looked at Jonathan, who grinned back. "You ready, ladies?"
Angie took the front seat. I climbed into the back of the van, still in a daze. I was disappointed to see that there were no seats, just bare metal tracks where the seats would have been. A few small boxes were stacked on one side, and a small rusty metal cabinet was installed on the other side. That left me with only one space to sit, between the boxes and the wheel cover. I silently scowled as I searched for anything to protect myself from the rails. One box had an empty soft guitar case. Folded over, it made a cushion of sorts, and I planted myself on top. I felt mostly secure, but to keep from sliding off of my makeshift chair I grabbed a piece of a strap hanging from a hole above my head.
"Hey," called Jonathan after he slid behind the wheel, "Comfy?"
“No,” I said, changing my hold on the strap slightly. "But thanks for the ride. Let's go."
I heard him ask, "So Angie, are you living in the dorms on campus?"
"Uh-huh. I'm in the buildings on the south loop." she answered.
Grrrr...grrr... sounds came from the engine as he tried to start the van. He was laughing at some joke Angie made, working harder on flirting than on the vehicle.
I interrupted them. "Jonathan, can you take us to my place first? I want to talk to Jim right away, and make sure he makes it home alright. The apartments are at the top of the hill on South Zapata Street, right before the turnoff to the school. You know where that is?"
"Yeah," he grunted, and took a break from both Angie and grinding the key.
"Great, thanks." I thought about boys and cars, and Angie, and how easy it was for me to end up doing something I'd regret. Maybe it was the same for her. "Angie, since it's so late do you wanna crash with me? I've got a couch that's mostly clean. Then Jonathan would only have to make one stop. I wouldn't want you to wake your roommate."
After a beat, she replied. "Thanks Lynn, sure that would be great," she said, and I breathed a small sigh. She continued, "I have a 10am class tomorrow, so I can just take the bus over early tomorrow morning. Thank you very much for the ride, Jonathan."
He nodded, then tossed his hair. "Okay, great, no problem. I'm on it." He leaned forward, put the stick in a different position, tried the key again, and finally the engine rumbled to life. I felt the van lurch to the side, which made me grip the strap tighter. After a moment I heard them talking in the front seat, but the engine was so loud that I couldn't make out what they were saying.
We hit a really big bump, and I banged my leg into the side of the van hard. "Ow! Hey, take it easy on those potholes!"
He shouted back, "Whoops, sorry! Old van!"
I rubbed my leg and hoped this ride, and this night, would be over soon. I hope Jim is as okay as he says he is.
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Janet