Between the Cracks She Fell by Lisa de Nikolits

Author:Lisa de Nikolits
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Inanna Publications
Published: 2015-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

30. THE BELIEVERS

THE NEXT DAY I WENT LOOKING for Emma, and I found her sitting on the sidewalk next to her car with her head between her knees. Sam was licking her arms and whimpering.

I was afraid to greet her in case, like Ashley, the face she raised to me was battered and bruised.

Em? I asked hesitantly.

Emma looked up and groaned. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I’m dizzy as anything and I feel sick to my stomach. I can hardly move.

When last did you eat?

Em looked up. I dunno. Yesterday I guess, when we were down at the beach.

Em! I was horrified. I thought back to my feast of the night before and felt guilty.

Wait here, I said, I am going to get you a healthy breakfast.

Em groaned and hugged her stomach. Couldn’t move if I wanted to, she said.

I rushed over to the grocery store and bought a package of breakfast cereals, the kind that came in a six-pack of little boxes, and half a litre of milk. Then I went to the coffee shop where I got two extra large coffees and two toasted bagels with peanut butter.

Could I trouble you for two spoons? I asked the woman behind the counter who grunted something about spoons hardly being necessary for bagels. Coming out of your pocket is it? I asked her politely, and the woman stared back, grudgingly giving me the spoons.

I nodded and then hurried back to Em, noticing as I left that neither Lenny nor his gang were anywhere to be seen. Somehow their absence unnerved me more than their presence and I wondered what was going on.

Lenny and the Jets are MIA, I reported back to Em as I sat down and spread out my purchases.

Em groaned, clearly not interested.

Okay, I said, Rice Crispies, Corn Flakes, All Bran…. Take your pick. And here’s a bagel with peanut butter.

I’ll take the Rice Crispies, Em said, looking more cheerful. Mix up the All Bran for Sam here would you? He could do with some fibre. I’m worried about his bowels.

How are his back legs?

Not good, Em said through a mouthful of cereal. I am really worried about him.

Is the vet here in town?

Em nodded. But seriously, they will want a fortune just to look at him, there’ll be X-rays, and you name it. And if I take him, they won’t give him back to me until I pay. Although, her eyes brightened, maybe we take him, they fix him up, and then we break in and steal him back.

By now I was used to Em’s flights of criminal fancy and I ignored this suggestion and stroked Sam’s back.

Poor big guy, I said, kissing his head. We’ll have to figure out a plan.

Maybe the vet likes homeless girls with their roots showing and a strong case of body odour, Em said, pulling open the box of Corn Flakes. I am willing to do whatever it takes. We must do my hair, don’t forget. That might help me have more value in proposing myself in exchange for Sammy’s treatment.

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