G-GAME: The Cross of Santo Domingo

Chapter 16

When we pulled up to Ricky's, JJ laid on the horn, before beeping it a few times. 

"Ricky!" He yelled, as we all hopped out of the car and opened the back doors for Pope. "Ricky! Hey, bro! Ricky! Ricky!" JJ kept shouting, as we ran to knock on Ricky's door, John B and Kie dragging Pope behind. 

Ricky opened the door, wearing nothing but his underwear. JJ had to be joking about this guy, right? What was a guy in underwear going to do to help? 

"Ricky, hey, I got a problem, bro! I know you're still mad at me!" JJ yelled, through the screen door.

"Remember that time you stole my ambulance?" Ricky shouted back, before flipping JJ off and closing the door on JJ. Of course, Ricky was an EMT; the cousin JJ used to buy weed from. It all clicked. 

"Yeah, I know! I know you're mad. Please don't close the door!" JJ replied. 

"Please, please!" Sarah cried, as she started knocking.

"We need your help!" I added, as I banged on the door. "He was stung by a wasp! He's having an allergic reaction!"

"He can't breathe!" Sarah shouted. 

"Ricky, come on!" JJ cried, as he ran to start banging on a window. "He can't breathe, bro!"

"Ricky!" John B added, panting from holding Pope up. 

"Who can't breathe?" Ricky sighed, as he opened the door. Sarah and I moved aside to show Pope. 

"Look at him! Help my friend!" John B cried, as Pope continued to gasp for air. 

Ricky rolled his eyes. "Alright, Jesus Christ." He grunted, as he opened the screen door for us to come in. 

"Hi! Nice to meet you!" I smiled, as I ran in, Sarah behind me, and we cleared off a table for Pope to lay on. Family Feud was on the TV in the background.

"Sorry!" Sarah added, as she shoved a laundry basket onto the floor and slid papers off. 

"You know, I wouldn't come to you if it wasn't an emergency." JJ sighed, as he held the door open for Pope to be brought in. "Alright, hang in there, buddy." JJ added, as John B and Kie laid him on the table. 

"What's wrong with him?" Ricky asked, as he looked down at Pope. 

"Wasps!" Sarah panted. 

"Wasps?" Ricky asked. We all nodded. "Is he allergic to wasps?"

"Clearly." I replied. "He needs a shot." 

"It was a beehive worth of wasps." John B sighed. 

"Here, raise his legs!" JJ grunted, as he lifted a leg, John B lifting the other, so Kie could slide a pillow underneath. 

"What's his name?" Ricky asked.

"Pope." Kie replied. 

"Hey, Pope." Ricky sighed. "Alright, hang tight. I gotta get my kit." 

"Hang tight? Ricky!" JJ shouted.

"He's looking for a kit! Go help." John B ushered, as JJ followed Ricky down the hall. 

"Breathe a little, okay?" Kie whimpered, as she cupped her hand on Pope's face. "Just, like, a little bit." She cried. "I just need you to focus. Focus on your breathing." She cried, as she leaned over Pope. 

"What does it look like?" JJ asked, running after Ricky, who was heading towards the garage.

"It's a duffel bag." Ricky replied.

"Where the hell is your kit?" I cried, as I turned to watch them run to the garage. Pope continued to wheeze. 

"Okay, I got it!" Ricky shouted, as he ran back into the living room carrying his kit.