CHAPTER 14 – RECKLESS
Arriving back at the Lodging House, Kloppman is waiting. Since Dutchy is still unconscious he decides to look at the other wounded first. Skittery, though, is being taken care of by Nicolette. After the few scratches and bruises Specs had are cleaned up, Kloppman goes over to Dutchy. He pulls out some smelling salts and after a minute, to everyone's relief, Dutchy wakes up, coughing harshly. He moves to sir up, but it's an effort so I rush over to help him. Sitting up, I help him lean over to the side of the couch so he has somewhere to lean.
"Wha' happened?" He says shakily, smiling sheepishly at the same time. "Dah last thing I 'member is Oscar jumpin' meh. Den…nothin'."
"Yah hit dah ground. Hard." I gingerly touch his head. "We 'ventually beat 'em but Skitt got hoit and Specs got a couple a bruises." Dutchy looks at Specs.
Worriedly he asks, "Wheah's yer Specs?!"
"Oh," Specs responds, brushing off the question, "Dey got knocked 'round a bit, so Kloppman has 'em now an' is tryin' tah straighten dem out." His head is turned to the sound of our voices, but I can tell he's not sure where everyone else is. I get up and pull him over to the couch. He thanks me, but I know he hates feeling so useless. What is up with these guys and hating showing weakness or needing help?!
Kloppman walks out and motions for us to join him.
"Swift, go to dah back rooman' grab a shoit an' pants fer Nicolette." he nods and runs off. "Specs, I'm gonna need yah if yah want yer glasses fittin' right. Reck, youse an' Blinkgo wid Swift to dah back room. Den go upstaihs an' make up one of dah spah bunks fer Nicolette. Mush? Pie Eater? Go fetch everyone, will yah?"
We walk to the back room, which amazingly, is clean. Fro a second we all just stand there, shocked, because for as long as we can remember this room has never been clean. So, what we had expected to be challenge turns out to be quite simple. Swifty heads of to see our guest, while Blink and I head upstairs. While we're making the bunk, I remember something.
"Blink, 'ave youse been thinkin'of a name fer Nicolette yet?"
"Noht so much, youse?"
"Yeah. Didja see dah wall she was drawin' on?" He nods. "Whaddaya think 'bout Sketch?"
He thinks about it for a minute. "Dat's poifect." he decides conclusively. We head back downstairs to tell her our decision. When we get there, we find she went to get food with Swifty. All the other guys start to come back so while she's still out, we quickly change our plans. Circulating through them, we tell them about her new name first.