Big Bangs, Prohibition, and a Sugar Daddy

After the Blast

Carol still held her bandaged face. As if keeping a hand pressed against the bandages would relieve the pain. Luke took Carol's elbow. As if he would help her along. She didn't need Luke to lean on, her face was cut. She could still stand and move on her own. She didn't need help.

Halfway up the stairs I had another coughing fit. I felt myself being picked up. Before I could object another cough came over me. Luke had me in his arms, carrying me up the remaining stairs. I was sit down at the head of the stairs. I tried to act indignant, but it was difficult to be upset with someone who was being chivalrous.

"You could at least say thank you." Carol chided.

Mrs. Markel peeked out her door. She saw our ragged, dust covered clothes, and might have come out to ask what happened. If Luke hadn't been with us. Mrs. Markel was a notorious gossip, but shy around strangers.

I turned to Carol. "I didn't ask to be carried."

"You needed to be carried. You are as stubborn as Mother. You're breathing is still labored." Carol pointed out. She was right, I was still having trouble catching my breath.

"Go eat a radish." I told Carol. Luke had said nothing.

I looked over at Luke, who smiled slightly as we argued.

As we came through the door, Mother immediately began fusing. Luke explained how we were caught by the blast. What happened to Phillip. Mother was hugging Carol, who broke down and began crying again. I was relieved just to sit down.

"Mrs. Cross, I must apologize. If I hadn't asked Phillip to drop me off at the Financial District, none of this would have happened." Luke said.

"Bushwa." Mother replied. "It was those terrible foreign anarchists who did this. Who could know they'd place a bomb on Wall Street of all places."

"Well, all the same, I'd like your permission to check on Carol and Ellen tomorrow. I can deliver Carol to the hospital, to see Phillip." Luke offered.

"Of course, how sweet of you to be so concerned." Mother was still holding Carol on the divan.

"I hope your cough gets better." Luke said to me.

"Cough?" Mother looked over to me.

"There was a great deal of dust thrown up during the explosion. Poor Ellen has been coughing ever since." Luke explained. "I should go. I will call on you tomorrow."

Mother began fusing on me. She made me a ginger and honey tea. Insisting I drink it. I was allowed to bathe first. I was dressed in my night gown, sipping another tea when Carol finished her bath. Coming into the living room with a towel around her wet hair. Carol had removed the bandages, her face didn't look quite as bad. She refused more bandages.

Mother insisted I go to bed after my tea. Carol stayed up with my Mother to fill in the details of all that happened. I could hear them talking. Now that it was all over, Carol was her usual active, talkative self. I think it helped her to see that her face didn't appear as bad as it seemed at first.

After breakfast, I examined the minor cuts on Carol's face. I doubted there would be the slightest of scars. The splinters of glass were very small. As for the larger cuts on her forehead, they were long, but shallow. I cleaned the cuts with alcohol, to be sure they wouldn't get infected.

"Hold still." I told Carol.

"It stings." Carol whined.

"Would you rather have your face turn green and fall off." I chided.