Jackie The Ripper

Chapter 15

    I woke up the next morning and bandaged up my wrist. I had wrapped cloth around it before I went to sleep, but it needed a good cleaning. I got it all fixed up. I walked into the kitchen to see Mr. Knight. "Good morning." "Jackie good morning. Did you get your wrist bandaged up?" "How did you know?" "I saw the blood on your hand. You shouldn't let the children see you do that." "Last night was the first time."

    I leaned my head down, waiting for a lecture. "Jackie, I know you have been through a lot in your life. Just if you need someone to talk to instead of doing that, just come in my room and talk to me." "I'll see what I can do, but I can't promise anything." "I know you can't, but the kids need you. I even need you." 

    I gave him a smile. I at least owed it to this man to try. To fight for life after everything that had happened. I got pulled from my thoughts when Mr. Knight had coughed. "Are you alright?" "Of course. I've had this cough for a couple of days. I just didn't want the kids to see me cough. They would worry." "Have you seen a doctor yet?" "No." "How about I get the doctor to come check you out today?" 

    He gave me a nod, because he knew I was worried. "I'll go get dressed and I'll go find a doctor to come to the house." There was no argument from Mr. Knight. I couldn't lose this man. He has a father to me. A grandfather to my children. All these thoughts ran through my head as I got dressed. This is something that I knew would be bad.

I wasn't sure that my kids would be able to handle the loss after everything that has happened in their lives. I took a deep breath and headed out for the day hoping to find a good doctor. I walked for about ten minutes. Coming across a small office. I didn't see the doctor's name, I didn't even ask. I rushed in and saw a man.

"Are you a doctor?" "Yes I am. What can I help you with?" "My father is sick. Do you make house calls?" "Yes. Let me grab my bag and we will go to your house." The walk was quiet, and rushed. I was so scared. I didn't have many people in my life. I wasn't ready to lose someone. We made it to the house faster than it took me to walk to the doctor's office. 

Mr. Knight was sitting in his chair in the living room, watching the kids play. I gathered up the kids and took them into my room, talking to them. Even sitting on the floor playing with them. I glanced up and saw the doctor. So I got up from the floor and went into the hallway. "Ms. Knight. Your father has tuberculosis." "Is there a cure for it?" "Not at this time. The only thing I know for you to do is make him comfortable and wait it out." I felt tears. I no longer had any words to speak.

"This will be free of charge Ms. Knight. I wish I could have had better news for you." I swallowed hard. "No doctor. You are doing your job. Thank you for seeing him." He nodded and I showed him out. I wiped my eyes and walked into the living room. "He must have told you how bad it is huh?" I nodded not wanting to cry again. "Jackie, you are strong, you can handle this." "You have helped me so much in my life Mr. Knight." "Call me dad." "Dad, what will I do without you?" "You will raise your kids. They will turn out great. They have an amazing mother." "I hope you are right." "I know I'm right." 

We both laughed as the kids walked back into the living room. "Is everything okay Aunt Jackie?" "Of course baby. Everything is going to be fine. Now who's hungry?" All the kids screamed. "We are!" Jumping up and down. So I headed into the kitchen to start cooking. I couldn't let my children see me cry. They have never known their mother to cry. 

Cooking supper gave me a chance to regain my thoughts. I didn't want the man who took me in as his daughter to die. Yet there was no stopping it. One of my biggest fears now was how were the kids going to react to Mr. Knight being gone. Emily and Damion have been around him their whole lives. I hoped they could be strong. Thomas on the other hand, has faced losing loved ones. Maybe I could get him to help me with Emily and Damion. 

I finished making up some soup for supper and walked in the living room to tell everyone. Only to see Mr. Knight on the floor, playing with the kids. I couldn't interrupt. Not yet anyways. This man just found out he is dying yet, he is still happy. Enjoying life. I need to live up to his example. My kids love him so much too. I know I should tell them, but I don't want them to be sad. 

Thomas finally saw me. "Is supper done?" "Yeah it is." All the kids rushed into the kitchen and I helped Mr. Knight off of the floor. "Thank you dear." "It's no problem." "Listen Jackie, I don't want the children to know I'm sick." "I wasn't going to tell them. They need to remember the happy times. Not worry about when you're going to die." "I agree. Now let's go get some food before the kids eat it all." So we walked into the kitchen ready for a nice family meal. 

We spent the evening laughing and playing with the children. Even staying up most of the night. Just spending time as a family. Finally forgetting about Jack, or the sickness that Mr. Knight had. Just being one big happy family.