Page 52 of One Day Like This (Excess All Areas 1)

She crouched down in front of him and took his hand. His skin felt like sandpaper. “Do you need someone to talk to?” she asked quietly.

“Do you have any painkillers?” he muttered, barely moving his jaw.

“We aren’t allowed to hand out medication at the shelter, but what do you need?”

Gingerly, Jon touched a hand to the side of his face. “I’ve got the worst toothache. Can barely talk, move my jaw, hurts all down the side of my face, neck, and throat when I swallow.”

“Have you tried the dentist?”

Jon nodded. “Tried to register with one today, but you know how funny they are about people without permanent addresses.” He winced and swallowed while holding his throat.

“They sent you away?”

Jon nodded again.

“For the record, they aren’t allowed to. They are meant to enter the dental practice’s address as the patient’s address. Let me go talk to Ibrahim and see what we can do. You just sit tight, okay?” She squeezed Jon’s shoulder.

“He’s a very stoic man,” she told Ibrahim. “For him to be showing this much pain, we need to do something. The University Dental Hospital has a drop-in for emergencies. If you hustle, I bet they could see Jon before they close for the day. You should take him.”

Ibrahim looked around the shelter where a large evening crowd were hungry for dinner. “I can’t. Plus, he trusts you more. You should take him then, even though it’s not the best timing.”

Izabel winced. She’d been hoping for an early night. “Fine. I’ll take him.”

Three hours and one emergency surgery later, Jon was totally out of it. His wisdom tooth had pierced the skin of his cheek, leading to a raging infection.

“These are antibiotics for the infection,” said Dr. Atkins, the young male dentist, waving the first box at Jon and speaking slowly. “These are anti-inflammatories, and these are painkillers. It’s imperative you don’t exceed the doses on the box or sell them instead of taking them yourself.”

Izabel snatched them out of the doctor’s hand and passed them to Jon. “Jon, I ordered an Uber, can you go wait for it outside and watch for it? A silver Toyota.”

Jon nodded and shuffled slowly outside as Izabel turned her attention to the doctor. “He’s homeless, not stupid. Don’t speak to him like he’s five. He’s a veteran, not a drug addict, so be respectful. The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published their report last year through the government and it states, and I quote, ‘the needs of people who are homeless, particularly rough sleepers, are not well met by mainstream benefits, health and social care and some drug services.’ They recommended education for people like yourself to ensure they are treated with respect. Stop judging people you don’t know.”

His face paled as his jaw slackened.

“He lives and I work at the Anderson Shelter in Ancoats. We could do with an outreach dentist to see those who live there. Twice a month would be sufficient.” She reached into her purse and pulled out her card. “Here’s my number if you’d like to volunteer.”

She marched out of the hospital into the cool night air. “Autumn’s here,” she said, as she reached Jon.

“You’re a good girl, Izabel.” Jon’s words were slurry because of all the numbing. “Thanks for sorting me out.”

Izabel patted his arm. “No worries, Jon. Perhaps next time you could let me know before it becomes so severe though.”

Jon shook his head. “It’s all too complicated. Dentists, council housing, and the likes. Too many hoops to jump through. Makes me feel like a scrounger.”

“Then let me jump through them for you, Jon. Let me be your advocate in this. It doesn’t exhaust me, and screw those who think you’re scrounging.”

“Fine. I’m tired of this shit. Exhausted by the stress of it.”

A fire lit deep within her. “I’ve got you, Jon. I’ll start in the morning.”

When they got back to the shelter, things were beginning to wind down for the night. Curfew was at ten o’clock. Ibrahim gave Jon directions to which room his bed was in. Once the room was quiet, Ibrahim rubbed his hands over his face. “We got a letter today.”

Izabel’s stomach dropped. A far fall after Jon’s acceptance of her offer of help. “What did it say?”

“It’s confirmed. The building has been sold. As part of the deal, the developer has agreed to let us stay through the winter, but come spring, we’re out.”

“Maybe we’ll find something better.”

Ibrahim raised an eyebrow and shook his head. “Always the optimist.”

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