Chapter 5
“Uh, Thor, we might have pissed off one of your neighbors,” Clint said a bit bashfully.
“What did you do?” Thor sighed.
“So, you know Friends? I was quoting it and maybe was a bit loud—“
Knowing Clint, Thor knew he wasn't being just a bit loud.
“Your neighbor came out and asked us to be quiet. Said his kids were sleeping,” Steve added.
Thor loved his brother and their friends, but their personalities were too big for normal people. “I guess I’ll apologize. Which apartment is his?”
“We said we were sorry. He's in 213,” Steve supplied.
Thor sighed. He had been excited about moving into a new apartment. Honestly, he was looking forward to a fresh start and being closer to his family. When he was three, Thor had been adopted by Sarah and Joseph Rogers. He didn't remember his birth parents, but that didn't matter.
Sarah and Joseph had been the best parents ever, and Steve was the best little brother he could have asked for.
Joseph had died when Thor was twelve and Steve was seven.
Sarah had done her best to take care of both of her boys.
He’d followed into her footsteps and went to college then medical school. Now, he was officially a doctor. But he was more excited about being home again.
His friend and his punk brother just had to piss off his closest neighbor.
He hesitantly knocked on the door.
Quiet footsteps padded to the door. “Who is it?” A very young voice asked.
“Uh, I’m your neighbor. I wanted to speak to your father.” Thor felt silly talking to the door.
“He’s at work.”
“Who is it?” Another young voice asked.
“The neighbor.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Shut up, Zali!”
“May I come in?” Thor asked. He couldn't help worrying over the idea that several young children were apparently home alone
“No, you’re a stranger. The rules are no strangers,” the voice in charge said.
“I’m your neighbor?” Thor said.
“Not sposed to!” A little girl squeaked.
Thor's worry wasn't assuaged, but it was smart not to let strangers in. “When will your father be home?”
“Late. He came home early last night, so he’ll have to work double tonight.”
“I'm your neighbor. My name's Thor, and I'm in 214. If you guys ever need anything, I can help, ok?”
“Swanger!”
“Yeah, I know. But I promise I’m just your neighbor.” Thor went back to his apartment and tried to not think of his young neighbors.
It was almost time for dinner when he heard a very quiet knock. He opened the door revealing a small boy with black hair and green eyes. “Can I help you?”
“Y-your the neighbor?” He asked trying to sound brave.
“Yes.”
“You said you could help?”
Thor nodded. “What’s wrong?”
“My baby brother's breathing funny.”
“I can help; I'm a doctor.”
The little boy scurried to his apartment with Thor on his heels.
Inside, Thor found four small children looking up at him with wide eyes.
“Swanger!” A tiny girl screamed.
“S’okay, Hel,” the little boy soothed.
“He’s the neighbor. Baby's in Daddy's room.”
This apartment was not only much smaller than Thor’s but much older. The furniture was old and worn. The paint was chipped. It felt confining like the walls were closing in.
Thor followed the eldest boy to the bedroom where a tiny baby was gasping for breath. He immediately got to work.
The baby definitely had a fever, but Thor was worried that he might also have pneumonia.
“I need to take him to the hospital. Do you have your father’s number?”
The boy looked up at him with fear. “Is he gonna be ok?”
“It's good that you got me. I think we caught it early enough that he'll be ok, but he needs to go to the hospital.”
“Daddy doesn’t have a phone,” the little boy whispered. “I think he has the number for the bar, but it’s just for mergeny.”
“This is an emergency.” The little boy nodded and walked toward the kitchen.
On the fridge, a scrap of paper held the number.
Thor dialed the number. Loud music blared through the speaker.
“Hello?” A muffled voice asked.
“I’m your neighbor. Your son said that the baby wasn’t breathing correctly, so I checked it out. I think he might have pneumonia, so I’m taking him to the hospital. I’ll call one of my friends and have him watch the kids until you get home. Or will you be able to get off to meet me at the hospital?”
"What? Are they ok?” The panicked voice asked.
“Everything is well. I just wanted to make sure you were informed.”
“I can’t get off work, but my shift ends at 12. What hospital are you taking him to?”
“Saint Mary’s."
“Can you put Fenrir on the phone?” Thor wasn’t sure who Fenrir was but hoped it was the kid who sounded most in charge. He gave the phone to the little boy.
"Daddy? Didn't know what else to do. It was real scary. He's the neighbor. I think he's ok. Come home? Love you too."
"You still there?” He asked.
“Yes, but if you do anything to my kids I swear I’ll kill you.”
“I just want to help.”
“Thanks. I don’t know what would’ve happened if Fen didn’t go to you—“
“Everything will be ok.” After ending the call, he called Steve.
“What’s up?”
“I need a favor.”
“Of course.”
“One of my neighbor’s kids is sick, and I’m going to take him to the hospital. But I need someone to watch the other kids.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
“Thanks, Steve.” Thor hung up and turned back to the little boy. “My brother is coming over to watch you and your siblings while I take your brother to the hospital.”
“I come too,” Fenrir insisted.
“I promise everything is going to be fine. Your daddy is going to meet me at the hospital as soon as his shift is done.”
“My sponsibility! I’m coming too!”
“Fen? Someone needs to take care of the rest of you. Your little brothers and sisters are scared, and it is your responsibility to take care of them. I promise I will take care of the baby.”
“Pinky swear?”
“Pinky swear.”
He made sure all five of them were settled with Steve in his apartment before he and the baby headed toward the hospital.
This was not how he expected his night to go, but if it hadn’t, he didn’t want to imagine what might’ve happened to this small family.
***
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