Free Daddy Cool by Donald Goines Page A

but not until after he had cleaned up.

    He tried to stand without the help of the woman. There was a sharp pain in his ribs, but other than that he felt as if he was all right. First he tried to take two short steps. The pain was sharp, yet he believed it was possible for him to walk. If only he didn't have to walk all the way back to his hotel.
    "Miss," he began, "if you would be kind enough to drop me off at my home, I'd gladly pay you for your troubles."
    The heavyset black woman glanced at him curiously. She seemed as though she would say no, so he spoke up hurriedly. "It's only a couple of blocks away, miss, and I'd gladly pay you for any trouble it would cause you."
    Before she could answer, her friend spoke up. "We might as well, girl; he can't hardly give us any trouble when he can't even walk."
    The woman helping Daddy Cool glanced over at her friend. "Okay," she finally said. "I guess we can do that much for you." Between the two women, they helped him to the car.
    When he bent down to get into the car, pain exploded inside of him. For one brief moment, Daddy Cool thought he would pass out. Gradually the pain became bearable. He gritted his teeth and fought back the tendency to faint. He was glad to see the hotel, after directing the women to it. At first, he had wanted to give them the wrong address and get out near the hotel, but the pain was too harsh. He didn't believe he had the strength to make it without their help.
    "You should go to the hospital," the woman called Sally stated sharply.
    Daddy Cool tried to smile. "I would go, but I don't even know where a hospital is at, and," he continued, not giving the woman time to speak, "I don't even have enough money left on me to catch a cab back. After I go up to my room and get some money, I'll take your advice and seek out a hospital."
    After the woman driving parked in front of the hotel, Sally, sitting on the driver's side, climbed out and held the door open for him.

    "You see," she said as he tried to get out without her help, "you can't even stand up by yourself."
    This time Daddy Cool didn't attempt to smile. The pain was too great.
    "I must go up to my room and get some money," he finally managed to say. "If you ladies would be kind enough to wait and take me to the hospital, I'd be willing to pay you for your troubles. But I must get some money," he stated. "It wouldn't make sense coming out of the hospital and havin' to catch a bus."
    The driver began to shake her head.
    "I don't know if we'll have that much time," she stated, staring past Daddy Cool and catching her friend's eye.
    "Aw shit, Doris," Sally said, "it won't take that much time to just drop him off at General Hospital. You can see he ain't in no shape to help himself."
    Before Doris could answer, Daddy Cool added, "I'll give you ten dollars for your trouble, miss."
    The driver hesitated, then said quickly, "Okay, if you don't spend too long up in your room, 'cause I've got to be gettin' on."
    "You want me to help you?" Sally inquired, when she saw the trouble he was having trying to stay on his feet. Daddy Cool could only nod his head. The woman put her arm around him and started for the door. Before they reached the entrance, Doris joined them. Between the two women, they managed to get him up the steps of the hotel.
    The desk clerk glanced sharply at the threesome as they came into the hotel. Daddy Cool didn't have to go to the desk for his key since he made it a habit to carry it on him at all times. They took the elevator upstairs, while the few people still up stared after them curiously.
    Once upstairs, Daddy Cool managed to open his door. Again, the women stayed right with him as he went into the small bedroom.
    The only way he could get some privacy was to excuse himself and stumble into the tiny bathroom. Once inside with the door closed, Daddy Cool had to fight back the weakness that constantly tried to overcome him. He finally was able to take off his coat, then remove his shirt.