November 29, 1970

Dear Mr Keon

I did not tell you that when I woke up in the hospital father and mother were there. Mother was crying like I never seen before. I asked them what happened because I could only remember Barry dragging me out of the garage but not Jane. This time it was father’s turn for his eyes to water up but he did not cry all the way. He said Jane is ok. She got really lucky. Everybody did but maybe not so much Rollie.

Rollie? I asked.

He said Rollie dragged Barry and then Jane out of the fire but he suffered very bad burns. He will never be the same again.

I got tired very fast just listening. After mother and father left I could not fall asleep but then I cried and don’t remember any thing else.

I forgot to tell you that Barry and I were in the same hospital after the fire. The first time I went to his room he was sleeping. He snores. He had big bandages wrapped around his arms and body. The next time I went to visit him the nurse just finished feeding him ice cream.

Johnny boy Johnny boy, how’s my man? He said quietly but with a smile. He looked very tired and weak.

I smiled and said hi.

He looked at the door then said that nurse was foxy, hey?

We both laughed.

I said I am happy because the Leafs won last night and you scored and was named first star.

Doesn’t matter he laughed Esposito and Orr will destroy them in the playoffs. If they even make it.

Shuuut up I said.

We talked a bit about what was on tv and how stupid principal Ingles was and then we got quiet.

Finally I said I was sorry for hitting him.

He said, that’s ok, you got a slick right jab, I didn’t see it coming.

Yeah, well it was kind of cheap.

I guess I kind of lost it too.

Your parents came by again, he said.

I nodded.

They keep bringing these shrimp and whatever these balls are. It is like I’m a god to them. They also brought me a GI Joe and these comics.

I looked at the haw gow and shoe mie. Mother would have made them fresh. Barry did not touch them and I knew he would not. I said well you did save me.

That’s right I’m a hero. He smiled and tried to laugh but coughed instead.

I thought you ran away or something because you were gone for days after our fight.

He said his foster witch grounded him after the cop came and she made him miss his next visit to his mother. So he took off any way. Twomanski and the police brought him back the next day. Then the foster witch got really serious about the grounding and he was stuck at home.

So what were you doing at the garage, I asked.

He said I heard half the neighbourhood calling out for your sister. I figured she ran away too. And our club house is the best hiding spot. I took off and when I got to the laneway I saw you charge into the garage. I could hardly see you through the smoke.

I do not know why it is easier to say sorry than thank you but I could not thank him for saving me. Maybe it is easier for me to write than it is to say things. So I told him he snores.

Your friend,

Johnny Wong