The pounding at the front door came long after midnight. With a start, Jake sat up and began moving toward the door before he was even fully awake. “I’m coming!” he called. He opened the door and found his brother, Matt, on the porch. Matt had on a ripped jacket and Jake saw Matt’s eye was swelling and there was some blood under his nose and on the side of his head. Jake held the door open.
Matt looked over his shoulder and then came inside, heading for the kitchen. Matt found a kitchen towel and soaked it with cold water, wiping his nose gingerly and then wringing it out and holding it up to his eye.
“What happened to you?” Jake asked him.
“I was jumped. There were two of them, they wanted my wallet. When I tried to fight them, they got the best of me and they got my wallet, my cash and my phone. I think they were young, maybe teenagers, but I’m not sure. I couldn’t call anyone, so I drove here.”
“Did anyone see anything? Where were you, Matt? Why didn’t you drive to the police station?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t think of that. I was so mad, and I think I may have a slight concussion.”
“Your head hurts?” Matt nodded and groaned. Jake looked at the microwave clock. It was 1:00 a.m. It was going to be a long night.
“Come on, I’ll help you to the couch. Look, I’m going to get dressed and then I’m taking you to the hospital. You can make a police report there.” Jake left him and dashed upstairs.
Matt laid down. When Jake came back, he helped Matt to his feet and got him into his car. He started the engine, then turned to Matt and asked, “Is there anything else you want to tell me?”
Matt hesitated, then said, “No, nothing else. But, thank you, Jake. I want to say thank you for helping me.”
“Okay, brother, let’s go,” Jake said and turned on his darkened street, wondering if Matt was in trouble.
image created by me and Gemini
This week’s Story Starter teaser is:
The pounding at the front door came long after midnight.
A Little Bit of Everything, With Love 