Angel in Blue Jeans

by Richard L. Coles

  Dave chuckled. “If you’d like to try cracking off the ice from around the door jamb and the lock, I’ll keep on chipping away at the step here.”

  “Okay. Dave, are you sure you’re okay doing this? You’re not putting too much stress on your body?”

  “Look, Kel, there’s no way I could sit at home, in the cold, knowing that elderly and sick neighbours were suffering, when I had the means to help them. It would be criminal. Yes, I will be careful.”

  Kelly began to thump and chip at the thin ice around the doorframe. Luckily, it was in a relatively sheltered spot under the porch overhang, and she got most of it off quite quickly using the metal spatula she had brought from her kitchen.

  Fortunately, the lock was the type with a cap over the keyhole, so she concentrated on chipping the ice away so the cap could slide aside.

  “Do you have the key, Dave, please?”

  “Sure. You’ve got it free? Good for you. Let’s see.”

  Dave put the key in the lock, and turned it. He smiled as the door swung open and they entered the building.

  The Hennigan Centre was heated by natural gas but, of course, all the pumps and controls needed electricity. But its power came underground, like the power to the Mews, so Kelly presumed it came back on at the same time as for the Mews. The building was still very cool.

  “It’ll soon warm up,” said Dave, checking the thermostat and raising it to occupancy setting.

  “Okay. So what should we do first?”

  “Well, first I’ll call Jane and let her know we’re in okay. She should have contacted the emergency people by now, and hopefully got a plow of sorts to come and clear the parking lot. Once that’s done, we can start bringing people in, and having bedding and supplies brought in.”

  “Okay. I’ll go check on the status in the kitchen, and start preparing hot drinks.”

  Mike sat down wearily on a stool in the Hennigan Centre kitchen. What a week! It was now Thursday, and still the freezing rain was coming down in places. There was still no power in the houses in the Gardens. He had been working up to sixteen hours nearly every day so far that week. No sooner did he get one job fixed than another emergency erupted. And he was getting frustrated, too—some of the emergencies need not have happened if people had followed instructions and precautions with portable generators. He was glad to sit down and do nothing for a few minutes.

  Poor Kelly, he thought, she was so looking forward to this week, preparing for the wedding—so was I. And look what she’s doing: she’s been over here at the Centre every hour of the day, helping and looking after people. Some of the families seemed quite organized and resilient, and helping others too, but other folk seemed disoriented, lost. Strange how it affects people differently.

  “Hi, my love, glad you’re back. How was it today?”

  Mike slipped his arm around Kelly’s waist as they kissed. “Could’ve been worse, I guess. How about you?”

  “Busy, busy, busy. But fun, really. Most people are taking it in their stride, and there’s lots of help now. I’m a bit worried about old Mrs Donnelly, Edith, though. She’s finding it all a bit bewildering. Jane’s trying to find a home with power that has space for her. Have you eaten?”

  “No, I’m past food just now. Maybe later.”

  They stood in silence, arms around each other.

  “Mike, what are we going to do? Everything’s closing down for tomorrow. First the reception place cancelled, then the hairdresser lost power, now the courthouse will close. Oh, Mike …” The tears began to flow. “Why did it have to come this week, of all weeks?”

  Mike held her close, putting his hand at the back of her head as she leaned on his shoulder. His eyes watered too.

  “When I heard on the radio that places were being asked to close on Friday,” he began, “I called George Simpson. He said he would see what he could arrange, and not to worry. He’ll call this evening, or early in the morning.”

  Kelly lifted her head; her eyes were red as she wiped them. “What is he going to do?”

  “Not exactly sure, but he sounded reassuring, and kept saying not to worry.”

  Kelly was not at all content with this, but she could do no more but wait.

  “My congratulations and best wishes to you both, for a long and happy life together.”

  Judge Armitage stepped around the table and led Kelly and Mike forward a couple of steps, announcing, “I present to you all, Mr and Mrs Carson.”

  Loud cheers and applause filled the Hennigan Centre. Kelly felt so happy and exhilarated; this was so wonderful, after all the stress of the past week.

  She and Mike kissed, and then shook hands with or hugged everyone around. Kelly had a special hug for George Simpson, for it was he who had managed to arrange with his good friend, Judge Armitage, for this ceremony at the Centre. It had all been very much a last minute go-ahead, because it was not at all clear whether the Judge would be able to get there, given the ice conditions.

  Kelly had been promoted to become George’s personal secretary a couple of years ago, and she really enjoyed working with him. He was so kind and thoughtful, but this topped it all.

  To their amazement, when they had arrived at the Centre earlier that Friday afternoon, Kelly and Mike had found that the whole place had been transformed overnight from the emergency shelter they had left fifteen hours before into a highly decorated wedding reception hall. They were overwhelmed by it all, and very happy.

  They moved out into the crowd, for not only were their original invited guests in attendance—except for Mike’s cousin, who was trapped by the ice storm in Montreal—but all the families who had come for shelter were there, also.

  “Where’s Dave gone?” called out Kelly, as she looked about her.

  “He’s coming over now,” someone was pointing to him.

  “Dave, this is wonderful. Thank you so much. Thank you for escorting me, it really meant so much to me.” Kelly gave him a big hug and a kiss, planting lipstick on his cheek.

  “You are very welcome, both of you,” replied Dave as he shook Mike’s hand. “You both deserved the best we could do to help you on your way. You’ve put out your best to the community in so many ways. And Kelly, escorting you meant a lot for me, too. It really has made my heart recover quickly.” His and Kelly’s eyes met.

  “Thanks, Dave,” said Mike. “But when did you plan all this, and pull it together?”

  “Well, several of us got together as soon as you came in to say the reception place had cancelled, but we had to wait until we knew what was happening about the ceremony. We’d got everything ready to roll as soon as you went home last night, assuming that you got the good word from George.

  “You see, things do go on behind your backs sometimes—George called me as soon as he’d finished talking to you, Mike, yesterday afternoon—to see what we could do. I told him we were already half-prepared, so he said to be ready to roll, and we were!”

  “And you did a great job. Who all helped?”

  “Just about everyone here, to be honest. They all knew what it meant to you. Elizabeth Hampden quickly made up a wedding cake, with a few bits from Barb; and we pooled all the other food from what we could gather.”

  “Bless you, Dave.” Kelly grabbed and squeezed his arm. “And Elizabeth, there you are. What a great cake—thank you so much.”

  “You are so welcome, both of you. Congratulations.”

  Dwayne Hampden joined with his wife, shaking Mike’s hand and hugging Kelly.

  - 32 -

  Jane set down the coffee pot and picked up the phone. “Hello?”

  “Er—Jane? It’s me—er—Tony, Tony Ferruccio …”

  “Well hi, Tony. Good to hear you. How are you?” Jane was upbeat in her voice, knowing something of Tony’s situation and wanting to present a positive image.

  “Er—not so good. I—er—need to talk. I—I need some help?”

  Jane’s mind was racing, now. She knew the general happenings in Tony’s past f
ew months—Dana had kept her in the picture. But what had prompted Tony himself to call her?

  “Where are you, Tony?”

  “At Gina’s place, but she’s at work till late.”

  “Can you tell me what kind of help you need? Is something wrong?”

  “Albert’s died …”

  Who on earth is Albert? thought Jane—but keep going. “Was Albert a friend, Tony?”

  “Yeah, kind of.”

  “Okay, now you stay right there. Don’t worry. I know where the apartment is. I just need to make a few arrangements, and then I’ll be on my way. It’ll take me maybe half-an-hour. Will you be all right till then?”

  “I think so.”

  “Good. I’ll see you soon.”

  Now, act fast, Jane, she thought, before he slips back—he clearly recognizes he’s in difficulties. She picked up the phone again and dialled.

  “Hi, Kelly. Sorry to bother you, but could you possibly pop round and sit with Trish for an hour or two? An emergency has just come up, and I need to go right away … You will? Thanks a bunch, Kel. See you in a couple … Bye.”

  She walked over to her daughter, who was happily playing with her toys on the carpet. Trishy looked up at her with her blue eyes, holding up a stuffed bear toward her. Jane crouched down, and drew Trishy to her. “Mummy has to go out for a while, sweetheart. Aunty Kelly is going to come and play with you, and maybe she’ll give you your bedtime snack. Will you be a good girl for her, please?”

  “Ah-hah.”

  The doorbell rang, and Trishy’s eyes lit up as she headed toward the door. Jane let Kelly in.

  “Where’s my big girl? Ah, there she is!” Kelly swept her up into her arms. “Don’t worry, Mummy, we’ll be good.”

  “Thanks Kel. I hope I won’t be more than a couple of hours, but I’ll have to see—I’ll tell you about it later.”

  “No problem, Jane. Off you go.”

  “Bye.”

  Jane shivered as she entered the building and walked up the stairs to the second-floor apartment. It had been such a bitterly cold week, and her car heater wasn’t working properly, so she was now quite chilled. The lobby was not well heated. She had never visited the apartment before, but she knew this area well from her early days with the Force, and had no problem recognizing it when Dana first told her of its location around the time that Tony had come to live with Gina.

  She knocked on the door. After a moment, it opened. Tony was standing there, looking somewhat dishevelled, his shirt loose over his pants, and barefoot.

  “Hi, Tony. Can I come in?”

  Tony motioned to her to enter. They walked through to the living room as Jane slid off her jacket. At least this place is warm, she thought. Tony took the jacket and laid it on a chair.

  He was not in good shape. Jane realized that she was going to have to lead. She sat down.

  “Would you like to tell me about what has happened?”

  “Yeah.” Tony reached over to the newspaper lying on the coffee table. He found a page and passed it over to Jane, pointing to a headline. In spite of the warmth of the room, Jane felt an icy chill pass through her as she saw the words.

  Homeless Succumb to Winter

  She read the first few lines …

  Two bodies, found yesterday in an alley off Rideau Street, appear to have been there for several days, according to Sergeant Guy, who is heading the investigation. Foul-play is not suspected. The two men, recognized as street people, may have died as a result of the intense cold last week. One of them was known as Albert, but nothing is known about the second man. Anyone able to supply further information about these men is asked to contact the Ottawa Police …

  Jane lifted her eyes to look at Tony. Her heart went out to him. Clearly this sad event had affected him deeply. “You knew these men?”

  Tony nodded. “I knew Albert. Don’t know who the other one was.” His eyes were still downcast. Jane knew he probably still had difficulty making eye contact—he still had a long way to go in his recovery.

  “I’m sorry, Tony, I really am. Did you know him well?”

  “Not really. He … he was good to me when … when I was on the street …”

  Jane watched as he broke down and tears rolled down his face.

  He sniffed. “He said things …” He sniffed again. “He said things that made me ask for help …”

  Jane put her hand on his arm. “He was your friend,” she said gently.

  “Uh-huh.” Tony lifted his eyes to look at Jane, but could not hold them there. “If I hadn’t come here, I … I could have been dead as well.”

  Jane had seen some sights in her time as a policewoman, but she found this situation deeply moving. She knew something of Tony’s time on the street, based on what Dana and Gina had gleaned from Tony’s fragmented memories of those days. But this was something deeper. In spite of the conditions in which they had existed, there clearly had been some sort of a bond between Tony and Albert. She sensed gratitude in Tony for what Albert must have said to him—a realization by Tony that, if he had not acted on what was said, he could likely have suffered the same fate. And so she shared Tony’s sadness that Albert was no more.

  Although she had known Tony now for several years, she had not known him closely. There was nothing like the relationship she had developed with Dana, for instance, or some of the other people in the Gardens and Mews. She felt good that, in spite of all his troubles, Tony had thought to call on her, of all people, for help at this time. She wished that she could do more for him right now, but she had to come back to practicalities.

  “I know you are very upset, Tony, and it is sad to lose someone you have known, especially someone who has helped you. But take comfort in knowing that Albert isn’t cold and suffering anymore.”

  Tony nodded.

  “When do you expect Gina home?”

  “’Bout eleven.”

  Jane realized she could not stay with him that long, but neither did she feel she could leave him in this state. He was too fragile, and therefore vulnerable, and likely to go to the bottle. What should she do? She paused for a few moments. Tony was vacantly staring at the floor.

  “Could I use your phone for a moment, please?”

  “Sure.” Tony absently waved toward the phone.

  Jane moved across the room, picked up the phone, and dialled. “Hi Dave, it’s Jane. I wonder if you could help me out. I’m not at home, but I have someone here who needs help and counselling right now. Could you possibly meet us at the Centre in, say, half-an-hour?”

  “Is it going to take very long?”

  “It probably will. Are you able to give an evening?”

  “I guess so. Can you tell me more?”

  “You’ll understand when we get there. Thanks, Dave. See you there.”

  Jane felt a moment of relief. She knew Dave could talk with Tony on the level. She turned to Tony.

  “I’m glad you called me and asked for help. I hope I’ve been some help, some comfort, to you. But I can’t be with you much longer. If you’ll come with me, though, there’s someone else who is willing to talk with you, and help you through the evening. I’ve just called Dave Adkins, and he’ll meet us at the Centre. Then one of us will get you back here for when Gina gets home. Would that be okay?”

  Tony looked up and nodded. “Yeah.” He sighed. “That’s okay.”

  “We’d better leave a note for Gina, telling her where you are, in case she’s back early.”

  Jane wrote a short note as Tony dressed for the outdoors.

  Little was spoken as Jane drove Tony back to the Hennigan Centre.

  Jane knew that Dave had come to grips with his own demons and alcohol, partly through that occasion when Jane had challenged his driving. They had developed a strong friendship through their work together in building the Centre’s program.

  Dave was waiting for them inside the Centre. Jane quickly explained the basic situation, and Dave agreed to get Tony back to the apartment.

&
nbsp; “I’m sorry I have to leave you like this, Tony, but I have to get back to my little girl. Graham’s away again. I’m glad you called me. And I’m truly sorry to hear about Albert.”

  Tony managed a wry smile. “Thanks, Jane, thanks for coming.”

  Jane let herself out into the darkness.

  “Let’s go into the lounge and make ourselves a bit more comfortable,” said Dave brightly. “There’s some instant coffee in the kitchen. Fancy a cup?”

  “Not really, thanks.”

  They sat down in two of the easy chairs in the lounge.

  “Jane tells me a friend of yours has died …”

  Dave did not have the background knowledge on Tony that Jane had, but he skilfully, gently, learned of Tony’s story, as best Tony could recall it and tell it—the story of Tony’s time on the street, and of the significance of Albert.

  Dave had not seen much of Tony since the early days of the Centre. He knew he had left home, under something of a cloud, but that was all. So as he learned of Tony’s problems with alcohol, he felt compelled to do what he could to help Tony in his struggle.

  Learning about Tony’s descent into the pit took a long time, as Dave led the conversation very gently, very slowly, with many long pauses. Now Dave felt that it was time for him to share his experiences, in the hope that they might help Tony.

  “You know, Tony,” Dave began again, after a long pause. “You know, I’ve been down much the same road as you. I lost my job back a few years. I found out a few weeks before Christmas. I think you may know that, because it was well known around the Gardens at the time.”

  Tony nodded, but he continued to gaze intently at the table in front of him. Dave focussed his eyes on Tony’s face, hoping he would look up and connect, if only momentarily.

  “In the months following, when I was out of work, I became very bitter. I had nothing to do, and I felt so depressed and miserable. Barb and I had always had a habit of relaxing with a glass of scotch when I got home from work, before dinner.

  “Well, without realizing at first, I began to drink more glasses of scotch, during the day, anytime, just for something to do. Each one gave me a kick, anyway, which helped me feel better, and helped me cope with the feelings of despair that I kept having.