Chapter Nineteen
Jim took a long draw of his beer. The mug was so cold ice crystals slid down the sides and melted against his hand. The cold heady brew eased the tightness in his throat. He wiped the dampness on his hand across his jean clad leg and glanced around the table at the men he trusted his life with on the job; off the job too. 'I wish they would just get to the point. I hate this.' He thought as he watched the idle chatter among his friends. He had arrived at McGill's a good twenty minutes ago and still no one had brought up the subject they all knew had brought them together. It seemed that his friends were all very relaxed and happy to be there while he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
The group of men seemed to be enjoying each other's company. They always did. Spending twenty four or forty eight hours together tended to make them more like brothers. It only made sense that they hung out together in their off time.
Tony looked over and met his gaze. Jim quickly dropped his eyes to the darkly stained, wooden table top. For what he thought was a very good reason, he was extremely uneasy about being with them today. Instead of continuing to watch his friends he studied the moisture that dropped from his mug and beaded up on the highly shellacked surface. Absently, he circled his fingers through the droplets and watched them separate into smaller beads that speckled the table top with shiny glimmers.
"So Jim, what's Cody doing today?" Tony asked.
Jim looked up abruptly, "Last I saw he was at home, alone watching the ball game and getting wasted. Why?" He couldn't help the sarcasm in his voice. Cody had been wanting company to watch the game, but no one…not even himself…had opted to hang out with him. Jim had heard them discussing the game, so he knew they had watched it together. He and Cody hadn't been invited which said a lot about what they thought about his brother right now.
Tony shot a glance at Scotty before answering. He knew that Captain Jones was going to call Cody to come down to Rampart so Dr. Early could check him out again. Now he also knew that Jim must not know that. He didn't want to be the one to break that news to him. "Hey relax Jim, I was just asking." He shrugged.
"Listen Tony, guys, I know you didn't invite me here just for the beer. Why don't we cut to the chase?" Jim looked at Scotty expectantly. "Why, exactly, did you ask me to come?" Everyone stopped their conversations and turned their attention to Scotty. He was second in command on their shift which usually made him the one in charge when their Captain was not around. That spilled over into their personal lives too. Scotty was a natural born leader and an all around good guy.
"Listen Jim, we didn't call you here to hassle you about Cody." He hesitated long enough to sip his beer trying to sooth his suddenly dry mouth. "We just want to talk about what's been going on. You've been a member of our crew for a long time. We respect you a lot." Scotty started explaining.
"Member of your crew!" Jim bit out. "And here I thought we were friends."
Scotty's eyebrows rose. "Whoa, wait a minute pal." He held his hands out in a stopping motion. "You are one of my best friends. I'm sure all the guys would agree." He waved his hand towards the others, "We're family, Jim; Cody too. That's why we asked you here. Cody's been around us for such a long time he's like our little brother too, but I gotta tell ya, he's been giving Gage hell. I don't think that kid deserves it. Johnny is a good fireman. He's a nice kid, smart, and can read a fire better than most of the older guys at our station, hell, in the whole department."
"So what are you saying?" Jim was still aggravated at his so called friends questioning him about his little brother.
"What we're saying…" He paused, sighing, "what we're asking is…do you think that Cody put that nail in Gage's tire?"
"I don't know." Jim answered quietly dropping his eyes to his hands. "I hope not, but I…I just can't be sure."
The orderly pushed Cody's wheelchair into the elevator. He was thankful that he hadn't been made to ride on a gurney. "We'll have you settled in no time." The overly jovial orderly assured Cody.
"Yeah…thanks." He answered less enthusiastically.
"I understand you'll be rooming with one of your buddies." Cody heard over his head. The orderly had moved back around behind his chair. 'Why does everyone think we're buddies just because we work together?' Sure he was friends with his shift mates and even some of the guys on the other shifts, but not Gage. He didn't have anything in common with Gage. 'I doubt we'll ever be friends. He's just too much of a suck up to the department. Always has to be the best at everything. Always doing things 'exactly' how Cap tells him to. I bet the guy's never been in trouble a day in his life. Probably calls his mother every day, and takes the trash out for his father without being asked, stupid suck up.' He felt the bounce of the elevator as it stopped on his floor. The orderly started pushing him out of the elevator before the doors were even completely open.
"Evening ladies." Cody grinned at the sudden flirty tone in the orderly's voice. "I brought you another hero." The nurses smiled. The prettiest one giggled. Cody sat up a little straighter. 'Hero huh, well I guess I'll have to try looking a little stronger. Have to keep up that 'hero' image.' He rubbed his hand on his achy chest. 'Even if I don't feel very much like a hero right now.'
"Come on handsome, let's get you settled." The cute nurse came around from behind the desk and walked up beside him. She pointed to a room a few doors down from the nurse's station. "Right this way." She directed the orderly.
"Yes ma'am, right away ma'am." The orderly teased.
'Maybe this won't be so bad after all.' Cody smiled as he watched the cute nurse move ahead of them and hold the door open. 'Man she's a doll. Wonder if I can get a date out of this hospital stay?'
"My name is Darcy, Mr. Graves. I'll be your nurse for the rest of the day and then Belinda will take over for the night shift." She smiled at him as she turned down the bed. "Now here is a gown. Do you need any help getting into it?" She innocently asked.
Cody thought about it for a second. 'Help might be fun.' But then he decided it might be more embarrassing than fun. "No, I can manage." He rose slowly from the chair. "Um I'll just duck in here and take care of things." He moved toward the bathroom.
"Hold it mister." Darcy placed her hand on his arm. Cody looked questioningly at her. "Let me take this out so you can get your shirt off." She slipped the IV out of the port. "I'll put it back when you're done." Cody nodded his understanding and walked over to the bathroom and closed the door.
Darcy turned to the other patient in the room. She gently took his wrist to check his pulse. He turned sleepy eyes to her. "Hey there sleepy head." He blinked a few times. "I brought you some company." She watched his eyes look over toward the other bed. "He's getting changed. I understand he's a friend of yours." The brown eyes moved back to look at her. "Cody Graves"
His eyes slowly closed and he turned his head away. Darcy didn't think anything about his actions. She just assumed he was trying to go back to sleep. She brushed her hand across his forehead to test for temperature. He still felt warm, but he didn't seem to be coughing as much.
Cody chose that moment to re-emerge into the room taking her attention away. "All set?" She asked gaily.
"I guess." Cody said softly. 'If you call getting into a gown that has no back…all set.' He grasped the back of the gown as he carefully walked over and sat down on the side of the bed hoping she didn't see anything. He hadn't planned on staying when Cap had called him to the hospital. His mother had always told him to be sure he had on clean underwear when he went out. The one's he had on were clean, but they were old and threadbare. If anyone looked they would see as much as if he hadn't worn any at all. The first thing he planned to do when she left the room was call Jim and have him bring him some newer ones. His cheeks flushed at the thought.
"You look a little flushed. Are you going to be sick?" Darcy asked in concern.
"I'm fine."
"Oh yeah?" She giggled. "That's why you're in the hospital…right?" She patted his shoulder. "Now lay back and relax while I restart this IV." She gently pushed him down on the bed.
He lay back without argument. His eyes wandered around the room finally settling on the man in the other bed. There seemed to be extra blankets on his bed. He had his back to Cody and the covers were pulled high on his shoulders. Darcy watched him looking at his friend. "He'll be all right. He's got a bad case of pneumonia in both lungs, but Doctor Early will take care of that as soon as we figure out the right antibiotic for him. I don't think we'll have any trouble getting you better either. According to your chart you've never had pneumonia before. That makes fighting it easier."
Cody looked at the beautiful woman fussing over him. "I hope so." He smiled. "The quicker I get out of here the quicker I can ask you out." He ended with a coughing spell that took the wind out of his sails.
She simply smiled at his flirting and patted his shoulder, her eyes twinkling at the intended compliment. "Well let's get you better first, okay." Unable to speak without coughing he nodded instead. "I'll be back in a little while to check on both of you. Try to get some sleep." She smoothed his covers and turned to leave. "Oh and that little button there hanging on your bedrail will call me if you need anything. Keep an eye on your friend for me too."
Cody's eyes traveled back to the man in the next bed.
Captain Jones stepped into the darkened room and looked around for anyone he recognized from his crew. What met his gaze surprised him.
Jim stood in front of an overturned chair and appeared to be shouting in Scotty's face. Captain Jones could hear him yelling above the loud music that seemed to make the glasses behind the bar clink to the rhythm. The rest of his crew was standing as well; staring open mouthed at the altercation in front of them. Whatever the argument was about it was tearing up his crew and he would not allow that to happen.
"He's my little brother Scotty. Even if he did put that nail in Gage's tire, he's still my brother. Don't ask me to go against my brother for anyone, especially some boot that has no ties to the department!"
Scotty stepped back trying to put some distance between himself and Jim. How had things gotten so out of hand so fast? One minute Jim was quietly saying he didn't know if Cody was guilty and the next he was shouting in his face. Scotty held up his hands in surrender. "Okay Jim, let's not do this here. Sit back down and let's talk."
"I'm through talking. You called me here to this lynch mob to hang my brother out to dry, and I won't stand for it. Ever since my pop died, firefighting is all Cody has wanted. I will not stand back and let you or anyone else take that away from him. You have no proof! There is no proof it was him!" Jim continued yelling. He had lost control of his anger and now rage had taken up root in his gut.
Scotty knew this was not Jim's normal behavior. He was usually quiet and reserved. Cody had always been the vocal one. "Jim, no one is out to get Cody." He continued to try to calm his friend.
Captain Jones strode purposely across the crowded bar and stepped between the two men. In a calm authoritative voice he spoke to the group. "Whatever is going on here…this is not the time or the place." He turned toward Jim. "Now I expect you to remember that we are all friends here. Let's not forget that." Jim backed away and righted his overturned chair.
"Sorry Cap."
Captain Jones turned to Scotty who sheepishly looked away. "Yes sir."
Then he turned to each of his men and received a nod of understanding. "Now does anyone care to enlighten me as to what has caused this public display of emotion?" He turned back to Scotty.
"No sir. It's just a little misunderstanding among friends. Nothing to tell."
"I hardly believe that Scotty, but if you don't care to tell me, then I'll respect that. Let me tell you one thing though. You are all public servants. When you signed on to that job you put yourself in the public eye on and off the job. You will not behave this way in public again while serving on my crew, understood!" Captain Jones spoke in his most commanding voice.
"Yes sir," came from every man around the table.
"Uh…what brings you here Cap?" Scotty asked what everyone was thinking. Captain Jones did not usually join his men at McGill's. Sure they might go out for breakfast after a long shift or have a gathering at someone's home, but he didn't frequent the bar.
"I came here to let you know Jim that Cody has been admitted to Rampart. It seems that he and Gage ingested some sort of bacteria the other day when they were in the water. Gage has full blown pneumonia in both lungs and Cody is pretty close to it as well. He didn't want me to call your mother, so I told him I would find you and let you know."
Jim didn't even speak. He looked at Scotty with hurt in his eyes, turned and left for the hospital. Guilty or not, Cody was his brother. He knew why Cody didn't want to upset his mother if there was no need. He would be there for his brother no matter what. He knew that now. Cody would not have to endure any more ball games or anything else alone.
Jim took a long draw of his beer. The mug was so cold ice crystals slid down the sides and melted against his hand. The cold heady brew eased the tightness in his throat. He wiped the dampness on his hand across his jean clad leg and glanced around the table at the men he trusted his life with on the job; off the job too. 'I wish they would just get to the point. I hate this.' He thought as he watched the idle chatter among his friends. He had arrived at McGill's a good twenty minutes ago and still no one had brought up the subject they all knew had brought them together. It seemed that his friends were all very relaxed and happy to be there while he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.
The group of men seemed to be enjoying each other's company. They always did. Spending twenty four or forty eight hours together tended to make them more like brothers. It only made sense that they hung out together in their off time.
Tony looked over and met his gaze. Jim quickly dropped his eyes to the darkly stained, wooden table top. For what he thought was a very good reason, he was extremely uneasy about being with them today. Instead of continuing to watch his friends he studied the moisture that dropped from his mug and beaded up on the highly shellacked surface. Absently, he circled his fingers through the droplets and watched them separate into smaller beads that speckled the table top with shiny glimmers.
"So Jim, what's Cody doing today?" Tony asked.
Jim looked up abruptly, "Last I saw he was at home, alone watching the ball game and getting wasted. Why?" He couldn't help the sarcasm in his voice. Cody had been wanting company to watch the game, but no one…not even himself…had opted to hang out with him. Jim had heard them discussing the game, so he knew they had watched it together. He and Cody hadn't been invited which said a lot about what they thought about his brother right now.
Tony shot a glance at Scotty before answering. He knew that Captain Jones was going to call Cody to come down to Rampart so Dr. Early could check him out again. Now he also knew that Jim must not know that. He didn't want to be the one to break that news to him. "Hey relax Jim, I was just asking." He shrugged.
"Listen Tony, guys, I know you didn't invite me here just for the beer. Why don't we cut to the chase?" Jim looked at Scotty expectantly. "Why, exactly, did you ask me to come?" Everyone stopped their conversations and turned their attention to Scotty. He was second in command on their shift which usually made him the one in charge when their Captain was not around. That spilled over into their personal lives too. Scotty was a natural born leader and an all around good guy.
"Listen Jim, we didn't call you here to hassle you about Cody." He hesitated long enough to sip his beer trying to sooth his suddenly dry mouth. "We just want to talk about what's been going on. You've been a member of our crew for a long time. We respect you a lot." Scotty started explaining.
"Member of your crew!" Jim bit out. "And here I thought we were friends."
Scotty's eyebrows rose. "Whoa, wait a minute pal." He held his hands out in a stopping motion. "You are one of my best friends. I'm sure all the guys would agree." He waved his hand towards the others, "We're family, Jim; Cody too. That's why we asked you here. Cody's been around us for such a long time he's like our little brother too, but I gotta tell ya, he's been giving Gage hell. I don't think that kid deserves it. Johnny is a good fireman. He's a nice kid, smart, and can read a fire better than most of the older guys at our station, hell, in the whole department."
"So what are you saying?" Jim was still aggravated at his so called friends questioning him about his little brother.
"What we're saying…" He paused, sighing, "what we're asking is…do you think that Cody put that nail in Gage's tire?"
"I don't know." Jim answered quietly dropping his eyes to his hands. "I hope not, but I…I just can't be sure."
The orderly pushed Cody's wheelchair into the elevator. He was thankful that he hadn't been made to ride on a gurney. "We'll have you settled in no time." The overly jovial orderly assured Cody.
"Yeah…thanks." He answered less enthusiastically.
"I understand you'll be rooming with one of your buddies." Cody heard over his head. The orderly had moved back around behind his chair. 'Why does everyone think we're buddies just because we work together?' Sure he was friends with his shift mates and even some of the guys on the other shifts, but not Gage. He didn't have anything in common with Gage. 'I doubt we'll ever be friends. He's just too much of a suck up to the department. Always has to be the best at everything. Always doing things 'exactly' how Cap tells him to. I bet the guy's never been in trouble a day in his life. Probably calls his mother every day, and takes the trash out for his father without being asked, stupid suck up.' He felt the bounce of the elevator as it stopped on his floor. The orderly started pushing him out of the elevator before the doors were even completely open.
"Evening ladies." Cody grinned at the sudden flirty tone in the orderly's voice. "I brought you another hero." The nurses smiled. The prettiest one giggled. Cody sat up a little straighter. 'Hero huh, well I guess I'll have to try looking a little stronger. Have to keep up that 'hero' image.' He rubbed his hand on his achy chest. 'Even if I don't feel very much like a hero right now.'
"Come on handsome, let's get you settled." The cute nurse came around from behind the desk and walked up beside him. She pointed to a room a few doors down from the nurse's station. "Right this way." She directed the orderly.
"Yes ma'am, right away ma'am." The orderly teased.
'Maybe this won't be so bad after all.' Cody smiled as he watched the cute nurse move ahead of them and hold the door open. 'Man she's a doll. Wonder if I can get a date out of this hospital stay?'
"My name is Darcy, Mr. Graves. I'll be your nurse for the rest of the day and then Belinda will take over for the night shift." She smiled at him as she turned down the bed. "Now here is a gown. Do you need any help getting into it?" She innocently asked.
Cody thought about it for a second. 'Help might be fun.' But then he decided it might be more embarrassing than fun. "No, I can manage." He rose slowly from the chair. "Um I'll just duck in here and take care of things." He moved toward the bathroom.
"Hold it mister." Darcy placed her hand on his arm. Cody looked questioningly at her. "Let me take this out so you can get your shirt off." She slipped the IV out of the port. "I'll put it back when you're done." Cody nodded his understanding and walked over to the bathroom and closed the door.
Darcy turned to the other patient in the room. She gently took his wrist to check his pulse. He turned sleepy eyes to her. "Hey there sleepy head." He blinked a few times. "I brought you some company." She watched his eyes look over toward the other bed. "He's getting changed. I understand he's a friend of yours." The brown eyes moved back to look at her. "Cody Graves"
His eyes slowly closed and he turned his head away. Darcy didn't think anything about his actions. She just assumed he was trying to go back to sleep. She brushed her hand across his forehead to test for temperature. He still felt warm, but he didn't seem to be coughing as much.
Cody chose that moment to re-emerge into the room taking her attention away. "All set?" She asked gaily.
"I guess." Cody said softly. 'If you call getting into a gown that has no back…all set.' He grasped the back of the gown as he carefully walked over and sat down on the side of the bed hoping she didn't see anything. He hadn't planned on staying when Cap had called him to the hospital. His mother had always told him to be sure he had on clean underwear when he went out. The one's he had on were clean, but they were old and threadbare. If anyone looked they would see as much as if he hadn't worn any at all. The first thing he planned to do when she left the room was call Jim and have him bring him some newer ones. His cheeks flushed at the thought.
"You look a little flushed. Are you going to be sick?" Darcy asked in concern.
"I'm fine."
"Oh yeah?" She giggled. "That's why you're in the hospital…right?" She patted his shoulder. "Now lay back and relax while I restart this IV." She gently pushed him down on the bed.
He lay back without argument. His eyes wandered around the room finally settling on the man in the other bed. There seemed to be extra blankets on his bed. He had his back to Cody and the covers were pulled high on his shoulders. Darcy watched him looking at his friend. "He'll be all right. He's got a bad case of pneumonia in both lungs, but Doctor Early will take care of that as soon as we figure out the right antibiotic for him. I don't think we'll have any trouble getting you better either. According to your chart you've never had pneumonia before. That makes fighting it easier."
Cody looked at the beautiful woman fussing over him. "I hope so." He smiled. "The quicker I get out of here the quicker I can ask you out." He ended with a coughing spell that took the wind out of his sails.
She simply smiled at his flirting and patted his shoulder, her eyes twinkling at the intended compliment. "Well let's get you better first, okay." Unable to speak without coughing he nodded instead. "I'll be back in a little while to check on both of you. Try to get some sleep." She smoothed his covers and turned to leave. "Oh and that little button there hanging on your bedrail will call me if you need anything. Keep an eye on your friend for me too."
Cody's eyes traveled back to the man in the next bed.
Captain Jones stepped into the darkened room and looked around for anyone he recognized from his crew. What met his gaze surprised him.
Jim stood in front of an overturned chair and appeared to be shouting in Scotty's face. Captain Jones could hear him yelling above the loud music that seemed to make the glasses behind the bar clink to the rhythm. The rest of his crew was standing as well; staring open mouthed at the altercation in front of them. Whatever the argument was about it was tearing up his crew and he would not allow that to happen.
"He's my little brother Scotty. Even if he did put that nail in Gage's tire, he's still my brother. Don't ask me to go against my brother for anyone, especially some boot that has no ties to the department!"
Scotty stepped back trying to put some distance between himself and Jim. How had things gotten so out of hand so fast? One minute Jim was quietly saying he didn't know if Cody was guilty and the next he was shouting in his face. Scotty held up his hands in surrender. "Okay Jim, let's not do this here. Sit back down and let's talk."
"I'm through talking. You called me here to this lynch mob to hang my brother out to dry, and I won't stand for it. Ever since my pop died, firefighting is all Cody has wanted. I will not stand back and let you or anyone else take that away from him. You have no proof! There is no proof it was him!" Jim continued yelling. He had lost control of his anger and now rage had taken up root in his gut.
Scotty knew this was not Jim's normal behavior. He was usually quiet and reserved. Cody had always been the vocal one. "Jim, no one is out to get Cody." He continued to try to calm his friend.
Captain Jones strode purposely across the crowded bar and stepped between the two men. In a calm authoritative voice he spoke to the group. "Whatever is going on here…this is not the time or the place." He turned toward Jim. "Now I expect you to remember that we are all friends here. Let's not forget that." Jim backed away and righted his overturned chair.
"Sorry Cap."
Captain Jones turned to Scotty who sheepishly looked away. "Yes sir."
Then he turned to each of his men and received a nod of understanding. "Now does anyone care to enlighten me as to what has caused this public display of emotion?" He turned back to Scotty.
"No sir. It's just a little misunderstanding among friends. Nothing to tell."
"I hardly believe that Scotty, but if you don't care to tell me, then I'll respect that. Let me tell you one thing though. You are all public servants. When you signed on to that job you put yourself in the public eye on and off the job. You will not behave this way in public again while serving on my crew, understood!" Captain Jones spoke in his most commanding voice.
"Yes sir," came from every man around the table.
"Uh…what brings you here Cap?" Scotty asked what everyone was thinking. Captain Jones did not usually join his men at McGill's. Sure they might go out for breakfast after a long shift or have a gathering at someone's home, but he didn't frequent the bar.
"I came here to let you know Jim that Cody has been admitted to Rampart. It seems that he and Gage ingested some sort of bacteria the other day when they were in the water. Gage has full blown pneumonia in both lungs and Cody is pretty close to it as well. He didn't want me to call your mother, so I told him I would find you and let you know."
Jim didn't even speak. He looked at Scotty with hurt in his eyes, turned and left for the hospital. Guilty or not, Cody was his brother. He knew why Cody didn't want to upset his mother if there was no need. He would be there for his brother no matter what. He knew that now. Cody would not have to endure any more ball games or anything else alone.
Chapter Twenty
Cody watched Johnny for a few minutes. 'I guess everyone is right about you saving my life. I just didn't want to admit it. Just one more thing that makes you look good…makes you the best.' He turned over on his side facing away from Johnny. 'I don't know why it bothers me so much that you're so good. I guess it's because I wanted to be the best fireman there ever was to make my dad proud.' He pulled the blanket up close to his chin. 'I know he would be proud of me anyway.' He sighed. 'Maybe not with the way I've treated you.'
Johnny felt hot and smothered with the oxygen mask over his face. He tugged at it, pulling it off and over his head, and then laid it on the bed with his hand resting on it. He didn't plan on leaving it off but for a minute. The small movement seemed to exhaust him. His eyes closed and he soon fell asleep.
Cody tossed and turned in his bed, but couldn't find a comfortable spot. He reached for the TV controller and flipped it on. He glanced over at Johnny who still had his back to him. He noticed the slow rise and fall of his shoulder and thought he must be sleeping. Since Johnny appeared to be asleep, Cody decided to keep the volume down. He flipped channels looking for something to watch.
At McGill's the rest of the crew watched as Jim left in a huff. Captain Jones turned back to Scotty. "You want to tell me what that was all about."
Scotty had the good sense not to deny that there was something going on, but he didn't want to go into the details about the suspicions involving Cody and the nail in Johnny's tire. At least not yet. "Just a difference of opinion, Cap. Nothing to worry about."
"Difference of opinion?" Cap raised his eyebrow and looked at Scotty who knew he would have to give a little more information.
"Well, we didn't see eye to eye on how he babies his little brother…that's all." Scotty shrugged and turned back to the table hoping to change the subject. "What do ya say guys…anybody need another beer?" He grabbed his beer and finished it off.
Captain Jones grabbed Scotty's arm. "Hey, I'm a friend here."
"I know that, it's just that things are kind of complicated. Until I have more time to talk to Jim, I'd rather not go into it." Scotty looked across the table at the others telling them with his look that they needed to keep quiet as well. They all started to settle back into their chairs.
Looking at his men Captain Jones knew he wouldn't get any more information from the group right now. "Fair enough, but remember I am not the enemy." He dropped his hand to his side. "Let me know if I can help. I'm a good listener too." He trusted Scotty's ability to handle the men. He knew he would have to be patient and let them work it out. He also knew if things didn't get better quickly or if they started to hinder their performance on the job, he could pull rank on them and make them talk.
"I know…thanks." Scotty stepped toward the bar. "How 'bout a beer, Cap?"
"No thanks. I need to get home. I have to fill the Chief in about our two boots. I don't think we have to worry about replacements since they're still in training. We have enough men on our shift to get the job done until they return, but there's still paperwork to fill out."
Scotty chuckled, "A Captain's work is never done."
"You've got that right." Captain Jones smiled. "See you guys later." He waved as he turned to leave, but stopped and turned back to Scotty. "Oh yeah, here's your keys."
Scotty reached out and took the keys. "How are you getting home?"
"My wife is picking me up. She's probably waiting out there now. Thanks for letting me use your truck." He waved and headed toward the exit.
Scotty slipped his keys into his pocket and dropped into his chair. "Man that almost got completely out of hand." He ran his hand through his hair.
Cody didn't know when he fell asleep or for how long. He still had the TV controller in his hand. The volume was still turned down low. He vaguely remembered a noise waking him up. Then he heard it again. Johnny was coughing harshly. It sounded like he might be gasping for air. Cody sat up in his bed looking over at Johnny who still had his back to him. He swung his legs over the side and grabbed the IV pole. Moving quickly he crossed the room.
Johnny couldn't get his breath. The coughing hurt his chest and the lack of air was making him dizzy.
Cody reached across and picked up the oxygen mask. "Hey…calm down." Johnny looked over at Cody with red watery eyes. A new round of hacking coughs gripped him as he turned. Cody helped him onto his back. "I think you need this back on." He pulled the rubber band over Johnny's head and slipped the oxygen mask back in place. "It'll help you breathe." Johnny's eyes closed. He tried to calm down and breathe normally.
Jim rushed into the emergency room corridor and turned left and right trying to figure out where to go to find his brother.
"Can I help you?"
"My brother…I need to find my brother." He said breathlessly.
"Okay, but first you need to calm down. My name is Dixie." She patted his arm. "I'll help you find him. What's his name?"
"Cody..." He looked into Dixie's beautiful blue eyes. She smiled at him and somehow that helped him relax a little. She seemed so calm. "Cody Graves."
"Okay, let's just go over here to admitting and find out where he is." Dixie hooked her hand in his arm and ushered him over to the desk. "Can you please tell us where we can find Cody Graves?" She asked the admissions clerk.
Once they knew what room and knowing that it was the same room she had taken Johnny to, Dixie decided to accompany the man up to check on his brother. "I know the other man in that room. If you don't mind I'll ride up with you. I'd like to check on him."
Jim smiled at her and offered his arm again.
"I don't believe I got your name." Dixie smiled and took his arm.
"Jim…Jim Graves."
"I've seen you around here before haven't I."
"I've been here before. I'm a fireman with LA County. I've had some crewmates here." He explained.
"Oh…I see. The man in your brother's room is a fireman too. Maybe you know him."
"Yeah? What's his name?" Jim asked as they stopped in front of the elevator, and he pressed the up button.
"John Gage." She innocently responded. "I think he's new to the department."
Jim dropped her arm and stepped back with his eyes wide and his mouth open. "Did you say John Gage?"
Dixie didn't understand the sudden upset. "Yes, John Gage. Is there something wrong?"
Jim couldn't help the worry he now felt. He began punching the up button. "Come on…come on."
"Mr. Graves?" Dixie took his hand off the button. "Calm down…why does John Gage being in your brother's room bother you?"
"They…well…they aren't the best of friends." Jim turned his head from side to side. "As a matter of fact I don't think they like each other at all."
Dixie couldn't understand anyone not liking the nice young man she had met. Johnny was polite, considerate and handsome. "Why wouldn't they like each other?" She wanted to understand what was going on between the two men. If it was serious one of them might need to be moved to another room.
"I guess my brother is jealous of Gage. The guy seems to be good at everything. You see Cody is a boot too. I mean he's a new member of our crew. Cody's been playing practical jokes on Gage and making fun of his being an Indian." He explained the situation to Dixie as they rode up the elevator.
They stopped at the nurse's desk on the way down the hall. Dixie introduced Jim to Darcy.
The she ushered him to Cody's room.
When Jim pushed open the door to his brother's room he saw Cody hovering over Johnny with his handon Johnny's chest.
"Cody, what the hell are you doing?" He rushed over and grabbed for Cody's arm.
Cody turned around with alarm mixed with anger on his face. "Jim?" He jerked his arm away from hisbrother. "What do you think I'm doing? I'm trying to get him to calm down. He took his oxygen mask offand fell asleep without it. He woke up coughing his head off. I thought it would help if he put it back on."
He suddenly realized that Jim had thought he was doing something wrong. "What the hell did you think Iwas doing?"
Jim didn't know what he was thinking. All of the accusations from his friends about Cody and that nailhad clouded his mind about his brother. He looked at Johnny lying in the hospital bed still having a little trouble getting his breath. Then he looked at his brother who had obviously been trying to help. He rubbed his hand over his face and backed up a few steps. "I don't know, man. I don't know what I was thinking. I just."
Cody just glared at him. "You what? You thought I would hurt him didn't you Jim." He turned and stalked back to his bed. "I don't believe this." He plopped down on the side of the bed and hung his head. "I would never intentionally cause bodily harm to anyone. You should know that."
Jim walked over to his brother and sat down beside him. "I do know that."
"Then why would you come in here like that?" Cody looked at his brother searching for some explanation.
"I don't know. I guess with all the stuff that's been going on. I just thought…"
"You thought I would hurt him." Cody said quietly.
"No…not really. I guess I panicked. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm sorry little bro." He wrapped his arm around Cody's shoulder and pulled him close. "I know better."
Dixie watched the drama unfold in the room in a matter of minutes. She could see that Johnny had calmed down and the oxygen seemed to be helping him breathe better, but she was still unsure of whether leaving the two men in the same room was a good idea or not. She moved over beside Johnny and reached for his wrist and calmly spoke to him. "Hey there handsome. You look like you're having a little trouble there."
Johnny looked into her eyes and nodded. "I just took it off for a minute. It was making me hot." He wheezed as he tried to talk. "Fell asleep."
Dixie smiled down at him. "That wasn't a good idea you know." She patted his hand after she finished checking his pulse. "You need it."
The corner of Johnny's mouth turned up in a slight grin.
"I'm going to have to let Darcy know about this. Dr. Early will probably be up to check on you." She brushed the hair from his forehead.
He closed his eyes. He was too tired to care who came to check on him or if they came. He was breathing better now thanks to Cody.
Dixie looked over at the two men sitting on the bed across the room. "I don't know what that was all about, but this is not the place for confrontations. You young man need to get back in that bed and stay there if you hope to get better and get out of here." She walked over and pulled the covers back so Cody could get under them. "I think you know how sick Johnny is. I don't think you want to get that sick yourself now do you?"
"No ma'am." Cody said quietly.
Jim had backed against the wall out of the way. He was still having trouble believing that he had thought his brother would do something to hurt Johnny. He wondered how things had gotten so out of control.
Cody watched Johnny for a few minutes. 'I guess everyone is right about you saving my life. I just didn't want to admit it. Just one more thing that makes you look good…makes you the best.' He turned over on his side facing away from Johnny. 'I don't know why it bothers me so much that you're so good. I guess it's because I wanted to be the best fireman there ever was to make my dad proud.' He pulled the blanket up close to his chin. 'I know he would be proud of me anyway.' He sighed. 'Maybe not with the way I've treated you.'
Johnny felt hot and smothered with the oxygen mask over his face. He tugged at it, pulling it off and over his head, and then laid it on the bed with his hand resting on it. He didn't plan on leaving it off but for a minute. The small movement seemed to exhaust him. His eyes closed and he soon fell asleep.
Cody tossed and turned in his bed, but couldn't find a comfortable spot. He reached for the TV controller and flipped it on. He glanced over at Johnny who still had his back to him. He noticed the slow rise and fall of his shoulder and thought he must be sleeping. Since Johnny appeared to be asleep, Cody decided to keep the volume down. He flipped channels looking for something to watch.
At McGill's the rest of the crew watched as Jim left in a huff. Captain Jones turned back to Scotty. "You want to tell me what that was all about."
Scotty had the good sense not to deny that there was something going on, but he didn't want to go into the details about the suspicions involving Cody and the nail in Johnny's tire. At least not yet. "Just a difference of opinion, Cap. Nothing to worry about."
"Difference of opinion?" Cap raised his eyebrow and looked at Scotty who knew he would have to give a little more information.
"Well, we didn't see eye to eye on how he babies his little brother…that's all." Scotty shrugged and turned back to the table hoping to change the subject. "What do ya say guys…anybody need another beer?" He grabbed his beer and finished it off.
Captain Jones grabbed Scotty's arm. "Hey, I'm a friend here."
"I know that, it's just that things are kind of complicated. Until I have more time to talk to Jim, I'd rather not go into it." Scotty looked across the table at the others telling them with his look that they needed to keep quiet as well. They all started to settle back into their chairs.
Looking at his men Captain Jones knew he wouldn't get any more information from the group right now. "Fair enough, but remember I am not the enemy." He dropped his hand to his side. "Let me know if I can help. I'm a good listener too." He trusted Scotty's ability to handle the men. He knew he would have to be patient and let them work it out. He also knew if things didn't get better quickly or if they started to hinder their performance on the job, he could pull rank on them and make them talk.
"I know…thanks." Scotty stepped toward the bar. "How 'bout a beer, Cap?"
"No thanks. I need to get home. I have to fill the Chief in about our two boots. I don't think we have to worry about replacements since they're still in training. We have enough men on our shift to get the job done until they return, but there's still paperwork to fill out."
Scotty chuckled, "A Captain's work is never done."
"You've got that right." Captain Jones smiled. "See you guys later." He waved as he turned to leave, but stopped and turned back to Scotty. "Oh yeah, here's your keys."
Scotty reached out and took the keys. "How are you getting home?"
"My wife is picking me up. She's probably waiting out there now. Thanks for letting me use your truck." He waved and headed toward the exit.
Scotty slipped his keys into his pocket and dropped into his chair. "Man that almost got completely out of hand." He ran his hand through his hair.
Cody didn't know when he fell asleep or for how long. He still had the TV controller in his hand. The volume was still turned down low. He vaguely remembered a noise waking him up. Then he heard it again. Johnny was coughing harshly. It sounded like he might be gasping for air. Cody sat up in his bed looking over at Johnny who still had his back to him. He swung his legs over the side and grabbed the IV pole. Moving quickly he crossed the room.
Johnny couldn't get his breath. The coughing hurt his chest and the lack of air was making him dizzy.
Cody reached across and picked up the oxygen mask. "Hey…calm down." Johnny looked over at Cody with red watery eyes. A new round of hacking coughs gripped him as he turned. Cody helped him onto his back. "I think you need this back on." He pulled the rubber band over Johnny's head and slipped the oxygen mask back in place. "It'll help you breathe." Johnny's eyes closed. He tried to calm down and breathe normally.
Jim rushed into the emergency room corridor and turned left and right trying to figure out where to go to find his brother.
"Can I help you?"
"My brother…I need to find my brother." He said breathlessly.
"Okay, but first you need to calm down. My name is Dixie." She patted his arm. "I'll help you find him. What's his name?"
"Cody..." He looked into Dixie's beautiful blue eyes. She smiled at him and somehow that helped him relax a little. She seemed so calm. "Cody Graves."
"Okay, let's just go over here to admitting and find out where he is." Dixie hooked her hand in his arm and ushered him over to the desk. "Can you please tell us where we can find Cody Graves?" She asked the admissions clerk.
Once they knew what room and knowing that it was the same room she had taken Johnny to, Dixie decided to accompany the man up to check on his brother. "I know the other man in that room. If you don't mind I'll ride up with you. I'd like to check on him."
Jim smiled at her and offered his arm again.
"I don't believe I got your name." Dixie smiled and took his arm.
"Jim…Jim Graves."
"I've seen you around here before haven't I."
"I've been here before. I'm a fireman with LA County. I've had some crewmates here." He explained.
"Oh…I see. The man in your brother's room is a fireman too. Maybe you know him."
"Yeah? What's his name?" Jim asked as they stopped in front of the elevator, and he pressed the up button.
"John Gage." She innocently responded. "I think he's new to the department."
Jim dropped her arm and stepped back with his eyes wide and his mouth open. "Did you say John Gage?"
Dixie didn't understand the sudden upset. "Yes, John Gage. Is there something wrong?"
Jim couldn't help the worry he now felt. He began punching the up button. "Come on…come on."
"Mr. Graves?" Dixie took his hand off the button. "Calm down…why does John Gage being in your brother's room bother you?"
"They…well…they aren't the best of friends." Jim turned his head from side to side. "As a matter of fact I don't think they like each other at all."
Dixie couldn't understand anyone not liking the nice young man she had met. Johnny was polite, considerate and handsome. "Why wouldn't they like each other?" She wanted to understand what was going on between the two men. If it was serious one of them might need to be moved to another room.
"I guess my brother is jealous of Gage. The guy seems to be good at everything. You see Cody is a boot too. I mean he's a new member of our crew. Cody's been playing practical jokes on Gage and making fun of his being an Indian." He explained the situation to Dixie as they rode up the elevator.
They stopped at the nurse's desk on the way down the hall. Dixie introduced Jim to Darcy.
The she ushered him to Cody's room.
When Jim pushed open the door to his brother's room he saw Cody hovering over Johnny with his handon Johnny's chest.
"Cody, what the hell are you doing?" He rushed over and grabbed for Cody's arm.
Cody turned around with alarm mixed with anger on his face. "Jim?" He jerked his arm away from hisbrother. "What do you think I'm doing? I'm trying to get him to calm down. He took his oxygen mask offand fell asleep without it. He woke up coughing his head off. I thought it would help if he put it back on."
He suddenly realized that Jim had thought he was doing something wrong. "What the hell did you think Iwas doing?"
Jim didn't know what he was thinking. All of the accusations from his friends about Cody and that nailhad clouded his mind about his brother. He looked at Johnny lying in the hospital bed still having a little trouble getting his breath. Then he looked at his brother who had obviously been trying to help. He rubbed his hand over his face and backed up a few steps. "I don't know, man. I don't know what I was thinking. I just."
Cody just glared at him. "You what? You thought I would hurt him didn't you Jim." He turned and stalked back to his bed. "I don't believe this." He plopped down on the side of the bed and hung his head. "I would never intentionally cause bodily harm to anyone. You should know that."
Jim walked over to his brother and sat down beside him. "I do know that."
"Then why would you come in here like that?" Cody looked at his brother searching for some explanation.
"I don't know. I guess with all the stuff that's been going on. I just thought…"
"You thought I would hurt him." Cody said quietly.
"No…not really. I guess I panicked. I don't know what to think anymore. I'm sorry little bro." He wrapped his arm around Cody's shoulder and pulled him close. "I know better."
Dixie watched the drama unfold in the room in a matter of minutes. She could see that Johnny had calmed down and the oxygen seemed to be helping him breathe better, but she was still unsure of whether leaving the two men in the same room was a good idea or not. She moved over beside Johnny and reached for his wrist and calmly spoke to him. "Hey there handsome. You look like you're having a little trouble there."
Johnny looked into her eyes and nodded. "I just took it off for a minute. It was making me hot." He wheezed as he tried to talk. "Fell asleep."
Dixie smiled down at him. "That wasn't a good idea you know." She patted his hand after she finished checking his pulse. "You need it."
The corner of Johnny's mouth turned up in a slight grin.
"I'm going to have to let Darcy know about this. Dr. Early will probably be up to check on you." She brushed the hair from his forehead.
He closed his eyes. He was too tired to care who came to check on him or if they came. He was breathing better now thanks to Cody.
Dixie looked over at the two men sitting on the bed across the room. "I don't know what that was all about, but this is not the place for confrontations. You young man need to get back in that bed and stay there if you hope to get better and get out of here." She walked over and pulled the covers back so Cody could get under them. "I think you know how sick Johnny is. I don't think you want to get that sick yourself now do you?"
"No ma'am." Cody said quietly.
Jim had backed against the wall out of the way. He was still having trouble believing that he had thought his brother would do something to hurt Johnny. He wondered how things had gotten so out of control.
Chapter Twenty One
Dixie helped Cody get settled back in his bed. She smoothed the covers over him and then took his pulse and respirations. Next she felt his forehead with the back of her hand to test for temperature. He felt a little warm and his skin felt clammy, but not hot enough to cause any concern. "How do you feel?"
"My chest feels achy." Cody leaned back against the pillow and turned off the TV. "I'm tired." He turned away from the nurse.
"Does your chest feel worse than before?"
Cody nodded, but didn't turn to look at her. Jim remained out of the way, but noticed the way his brother avoided looking at the nurse. 'Are you embarrassed or are you feeling that bad?' He wondered to himself. "Is he going to be okay?"
Dixie looked up at Jim and smiled. "Yes, he is going to be just fine, but no more excitement for either of them. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am." Jim returned her smile. "Sorry, I guess that was my fault." He shrugged.
Dixie adjusted the head of Cody's bed to a semi sitting position like Johnny's. "I'm going to step out for a moment. I want you to relax." She patted Cody's shoulder. She turned to Jim, "Can I see you in the hall for a moment?"
Jim followed Dixie into the hall without a word leaving the room very quiet.
"Thanks," Johnny said softly.
Cody rolled over and looked across the room. For a second he thought he was hearing things, but Johnny was looking at him with the mask in his hand. "No problem, Gage."
Johnny slid the mask back into place. Lifted it again, "Well thanks anyway."
The room became quiet once more.
In the hall Dixie turned to Jim placing her hands on her hips, "Spill."
Jim was startled by the one word demand. "What?"
"Tell me what that was all about."
"What, what was about?" Jim tried to act like he didn't know what she was talking about. 'Who do you think you are anyway? I don't have to tell you anything.' He averted his eyes from looking at her.
"That." Dixie calmly waved at the door to the room where Cody and Johnny were. "What did you think your brother was doing to John Gage? And don't try to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about Mr. Graves. I need to know if it's safe to keep them in a room together." Her hands moved to her hips poised in a no nonsense stance, and she glared at him with a look that prompted him to open up.
"It's safe. Cody wouldn't do anything to him. You heard him just like I did. He was only trying to help him."
"Why did you think he was hurting him then?" Normally a patient woman, Dixie was quickly becoming aggravated.
"It's just that…" Jim paused. He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "Cody has been playing some pranks on Gage. He's an Indian; Cody's been leaving things in his locker. You know to be funny."
"Things?" Dixie waited for more of an explanation.
Jim fidgeted. This woman was making him very uncomfortable, but at the same time he felt that he should tell her everything. How could she get so much out of him with one word? He wondered. "Tomahawks, bow and arrow, you know that kind of stuff."
"Why on earth would he do that?" Dixie couldn't believe the cruelty in that. "Did anyone think that was funny?"
Jim started to answer her defensively, "Firemen are well known for playing pranks on each other to lighten things up around the station." Dixie continued glaring at him through her amazingly long eyelashes. Jim's defenses faded quickly, and he thought at that moment he would tell that beautiful woman, with the gorgeous blue eyes, anything she wanted to know; even without her one word questions. "Well, he's really good." He shrugged. "I mean he seems to have a natural ability for firefighting. He finished at the top of his class. He beat Scotty's hydrant time. He can handle a hose, and he sensed a flash over before he even started at the station. Cody…he uh…after my dad died. My dad was a fireman too. He…uh, Cody wanted to be the best you know?" He looked at her for understanding. "So dad would be proud of him. He just isn't as good as Gage." He paused again realizing he understood his brother better than he thought. "He got angry. Things have just gotten a little out of hand." Jim leaned heavily against the wall. He felt drained.
"Okay." Dixie seemed satisfied with his answer and summed it up with a one word response again.
"Okay?" Jim looked at her with his mouth gaping and his eyebrows raised, trying to understand this confusing woman.
"Yes, okay." Dixie smiled. 'I think those two have some issues they need to work out. Maybe this time together will be good for them.' Her hands slid down to her sides. In the blink of an eye she had returned to the calm friendly nurse that had accompanied Jim in the elevator. "I'll just check on their breathing treatments. Your brother said his chest was achy. It sounds like his lungs need opening up a little. I know Johnny needs his treatment. I'll be back." With that she turned and walked away.
Jim stood there for a few minutes watching the nurse move down the hall; undecided as to what he needed to do next. Then he pushed off the wall and went back in the room. He walked over and sat on the side of Cody's bed. "Hey Bro." Cody cracked his eyes open. "I'm going to call Mom and let her know what's going on."
Cody sat up abruptly. "No Jim, you can't! She'll freak out! You know how she's been since dad died. Every little cold we get throws here into panic mode. I don't want to do that to her. Wait and see what happens. Dr. Early might let me out of here tomorrow. He said I needed some IV antibiotics, but he also said I might just be here for tonight." He ended with a strangled cough.
"Cody, she needs to know."
"Jim, please, just wait until tomorrow. If you call her now you'll have to explain about the dock fire. You'll have to tell her I almost drowned. You can't do that to her. You just can't." He fell back against the pillow totally spent. In a much softer voice he almost begged his brother. "Please don't do that to her."
"Okay bro, I'll wait until tomorrow, but when she finds out, you can tell her it was your idea not to call. I think she's going to have her feelings hurt. She's going to be angry at us for not calling her."
"Yeah, but at least she won't see me like this. I'll already be better by then. She won't be afraid that I'm going to die like dad." He rubbed his hand on his chest. "Oh man."
"What's wrong, Cody?"
"My chest is really tight. I don't feel so good. Jim, can we talk about this later?" Cody looked over at his brother with a pleading look.
"Sure kid." Jim stood up. "I'm going to find some coffee. I'll be back in a little while."
"Jim?" Jim stopped and turned back to his little brother. "Don't stay gone long, okay?" Cody looked like he had when their parents had started leaving him alone in his bedroom for the first time after they moved him to a "big" bed. He looked small and slightly afraid to be alone. Jim remembered sneaking into Cody's room and staying with him until he fell asleep. "I'll be right back."
Cody relaxed a little. He pulled the covers closer to his chin and closed his eyes. Jim glanced over at the other bed and noticed that Johnny had been watching and listening to them. That realization made him a little uneasy. He and Cody didn't usually talk about their parents in front of anyone. Men were supposed to be strong and not get all emotional. Their mom had a hard time dealing with their father's death and their subsequent career choices. She had become very obsessive and her emotions were constantly on an unstable roller coaster. John Gage had just witnessed their personal vulnerabilities where their mother was concerned, and that left Jim feeling very exposed. He quickly left the room.
Not wanting to make Cody and Jim any more uncomfortable, Johnny turned over on his back and threw his arm over his eyes hoping to let sleep claim him.
He knew what it was like to lose a parent. That hurt went very deep. It must have been really hard for their mother, left to raise two boys by herself. Even though he was still bothered by the way Cody treated him, he had a little more understanding about why Cody lashed out at him. A person could choose to take their anger at their loss out on others or channel it into something more productive. At least Cody still had his mother and his brother. Losing both of his parents had left Johnny alone. Needing people in his life; wanting to fit in, had made Johnny work even harder to be liked and accepted. He didn't have the luxury of staying angry or taking his feelings out on others. Instead his loss had made him much more forgiving and openly social. He had to work harder and be the best he could at everything he attempted, because he had no one to fall back on, no one to catch him if he fell. So he understood why Jim had looked uncomfortable with his hearing their conversation. He never told anyone about his parents. He didn't want their pity.
"Well that went well." Tony sat down next to Scotty and remarked sarcastically.
Most of the other guys had made their excuses and already left. Only Tony remained at the table with Scotty. Bill had moved to the bar to talk to some linemen from other stations. He wanted to stay close to keep an eye on his engineer. He would offer to drive him home if need be. He hadn't had as much to drink.
"Humph." Scotty turned and rested his elbows on the table. Tony slid another beer his direction. He nodded his thanks and raised it to his lips.
"What do we do now?"
"We don't do anything. I will go talk to Jim. He's too good of a friend to let this go any further."
Tony turned and rested his elbows on the table too; his chin in his hands. "Okay, but let me know how that goes. He's my friend too."
"Okay." Scotty downed the rest of his beer and pushed back from the table.
"You okay to drive?" Tony asked knowing Scotty had finished off several beers. He hadn't expected him to leave so soon. If he had he would never have given him another beer.
"I'm okay." Taking Tony's hint, he sat back down. "But maybe some coffee and a burger would be a good idea."
Tony relaxed. "I'll go order it. Want a soda while we wait for a fresh pot of coffee?"
"Yeah that sounds good." Scotty resumed his earlier position and lost himself in thought. 'Man this is such a mess. I've got to figure out a way to get things back to normal before our whole shift goes up in flames. This kind of upset can lead to complications among the crew and that leads to injuries. Whether Cody put that nail in that tire or not, it's time for this to end.'
Officer Vince Howard of the Los Angeles Police Department made his way into the open bay door at Station 10. He moved past the engine parked at the front and found his way to the office. He'd been there before, so he knew where it was. He knocked and pulled the door open after hearing "Come" from the Captain on duty.
"Excuse me for the interruption." The tall black officer reached a hand of greeting to the seated man.
"Hey Vince, what brings you down here?"
"I'm investigating a recent rash of gang vandalism in the area." He pulled a small black notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. "I had a report from one of the nearby stations that you had an incident here."
Captain Hayes shifted in his chair. "An incident…here? I don't know about any vandalism to the station. I can check with the other shift captains and let you know."
Vince cleared his throat. "I don't believe it was to the station. One of the men said one of your men had some damage done to his motorcycle."
"Oh…I did hear something about that, but rumor has it that it may have been done by one of our own. We'd rather not have the police involved. Thank you for checking on us Vince." Captain Hayes stood up and extended his hand. Firemen were a close knit group. They would handle their own without police intervention.
Vince was not ready to be "dismissed" and didn't take the outstretched hand. Instead the stoic officer continued in his pursuit of information. "We have had other situations at some of the nearby stations. We believe the damage to that motorcycle may be connected to some gang initiation. I would like to speak with the owner of the bike."
"You really think gangs are hitting on fire stations?"
"And police stations. We've had some damage to some of the CHIPS unit vehicles."
"Man, that's not good." Captain Hayes resumed his seat. Thinking maybe this was not an inside act, he decided to help the officer. "Well the man you want to speak with is John Gage. He's a new boot on Ben's shift. They are back on day after tomorrow." He reached for a pen and paper jotting down a number. "Here is Ben's number. He can tell you where you can find Gage."
Vince took the paper, thanked Captain Hayes for the information and left to find John Gage.
Dixie helped Cody get settled back in his bed. She smoothed the covers over him and then took his pulse and respirations. Next she felt his forehead with the back of her hand to test for temperature. He felt a little warm and his skin felt clammy, but not hot enough to cause any concern. "How do you feel?"
"My chest feels achy." Cody leaned back against the pillow and turned off the TV. "I'm tired." He turned away from the nurse.
"Does your chest feel worse than before?"
Cody nodded, but didn't turn to look at her. Jim remained out of the way, but noticed the way his brother avoided looking at the nurse. 'Are you embarrassed or are you feeling that bad?' He wondered to himself. "Is he going to be okay?"
Dixie looked up at Jim and smiled. "Yes, he is going to be just fine, but no more excitement for either of them. Got it?"
"Yes ma'am." Jim returned her smile. "Sorry, I guess that was my fault." He shrugged.
Dixie adjusted the head of Cody's bed to a semi sitting position like Johnny's. "I'm going to step out for a moment. I want you to relax." She patted Cody's shoulder. She turned to Jim, "Can I see you in the hall for a moment?"
Jim followed Dixie into the hall without a word leaving the room very quiet.
"Thanks," Johnny said softly.
Cody rolled over and looked across the room. For a second he thought he was hearing things, but Johnny was looking at him with the mask in his hand. "No problem, Gage."
Johnny slid the mask back into place. Lifted it again, "Well thanks anyway."
The room became quiet once more.
In the hall Dixie turned to Jim placing her hands on her hips, "Spill."
Jim was startled by the one word demand. "What?"
"Tell me what that was all about."
"What, what was about?" Jim tried to act like he didn't know what she was talking about. 'Who do you think you are anyway? I don't have to tell you anything.' He averted his eyes from looking at her.
"That." Dixie calmly waved at the door to the room where Cody and Johnny were. "What did you think your brother was doing to John Gage? And don't try to pretend you don't know what I'm talking about Mr. Graves. I need to know if it's safe to keep them in a room together." Her hands moved to her hips poised in a no nonsense stance, and she glared at him with a look that prompted him to open up.
"It's safe. Cody wouldn't do anything to him. You heard him just like I did. He was only trying to help him."
"Why did you think he was hurting him then?" Normally a patient woman, Dixie was quickly becoming aggravated.
"It's just that…" Jim paused. He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "Cody has been playing some pranks on Gage. He's an Indian; Cody's been leaving things in his locker. You know to be funny."
"Things?" Dixie waited for more of an explanation.
Jim fidgeted. This woman was making him very uncomfortable, but at the same time he felt that he should tell her everything. How could she get so much out of him with one word? He wondered. "Tomahawks, bow and arrow, you know that kind of stuff."
"Why on earth would he do that?" Dixie couldn't believe the cruelty in that. "Did anyone think that was funny?"
Jim started to answer her defensively, "Firemen are well known for playing pranks on each other to lighten things up around the station." Dixie continued glaring at him through her amazingly long eyelashes. Jim's defenses faded quickly, and he thought at that moment he would tell that beautiful woman, with the gorgeous blue eyes, anything she wanted to know; even without her one word questions. "Well, he's really good." He shrugged. "I mean he seems to have a natural ability for firefighting. He finished at the top of his class. He beat Scotty's hydrant time. He can handle a hose, and he sensed a flash over before he even started at the station. Cody…he uh…after my dad died. My dad was a fireman too. He…uh, Cody wanted to be the best you know?" He looked at her for understanding. "So dad would be proud of him. He just isn't as good as Gage." He paused again realizing he understood his brother better than he thought. "He got angry. Things have just gotten a little out of hand." Jim leaned heavily against the wall. He felt drained.
"Okay." Dixie seemed satisfied with his answer and summed it up with a one word response again.
"Okay?" Jim looked at her with his mouth gaping and his eyebrows raised, trying to understand this confusing woman.
"Yes, okay." Dixie smiled. 'I think those two have some issues they need to work out. Maybe this time together will be good for them.' Her hands slid down to her sides. In the blink of an eye she had returned to the calm friendly nurse that had accompanied Jim in the elevator. "I'll just check on their breathing treatments. Your brother said his chest was achy. It sounds like his lungs need opening up a little. I know Johnny needs his treatment. I'll be back." With that she turned and walked away.
Jim stood there for a few minutes watching the nurse move down the hall; undecided as to what he needed to do next. Then he pushed off the wall and went back in the room. He walked over and sat on the side of Cody's bed. "Hey Bro." Cody cracked his eyes open. "I'm going to call Mom and let her know what's going on."
Cody sat up abruptly. "No Jim, you can't! She'll freak out! You know how she's been since dad died. Every little cold we get throws here into panic mode. I don't want to do that to her. Wait and see what happens. Dr. Early might let me out of here tomorrow. He said I needed some IV antibiotics, but he also said I might just be here for tonight." He ended with a strangled cough.
"Cody, she needs to know."
"Jim, please, just wait until tomorrow. If you call her now you'll have to explain about the dock fire. You'll have to tell her I almost drowned. You can't do that to her. You just can't." He fell back against the pillow totally spent. In a much softer voice he almost begged his brother. "Please don't do that to her."
"Okay bro, I'll wait until tomorrow, but when she finds out, you can tell her it was your idea not to call. I think she's going to have her feelings hurt. She's going to be angry at us for not calling her."
"Yeah, but at least she won't see me like this. I'll already be better by then. She won't be afraid that I'm going to die like dad." He rubbed his hand on his chest. "Oh man."
"What's wrong, Cody?"
"My chest is really tight. I don't feel so good. Jim, can we talk about this later?" Cody looked over at his brother with a pleading look.
"Sure kid." Jim stood up. "I'm going to find some coffee. I'll be back in a little while."
"Jim?" Jim stopped and turned back to his little brother. "Don't stay gone long, okay?" Cody looked like he had when their parents had started leaving him alone in his bedroom for the first time after they moved him to a "big" bed. He looked small and slightly afraid to be alone. Jim remembered sneaking into Cody's room and staying with him until he fell asleep. "I'll be right back."
Cody relaxed a little. He pulled the covers closer to his chin and closed his eyes. Jim glanced over at the other bed and noticed that Johnny had been watching and listening to them. That realization made him a little uneasy. He and Cody didn't usually talk about their parents in front of anyone. Men were supposed to be strong and not get all emotional. Their mom had a hard time dealing with their father's death and their subsequent career choices. She had become very obsessive and her emotions were constantly on an unstable roller coaster. John Gage had just witnessed their personal vulnerabilities where their mother was concerned, and that left Jim feeling very exposed. He quickly left the room.
Not wanting to make Cody and Jim any more uncomfortable, Johnny turned over on his back and threw his arm over his eyes hoping to let sleep claim him.
He knew what it was like to lose a parent. That hurt went very deep. It must have been really hard for their mother, left to raise two boys by herself. Even though he was still bothered by the way Cody treated him, he had a little more understanding about why Cody lashed out at him. A person could choose to take their anger at their loss out on others or channel it into something more productive. At least Cody still had his mother and his brother. Losing both of his parents had left Johnny alone. Needing people in his life; wanting to fit in, had made Johnny work even harder to be liked and accepted. He didn't have the luxury of staying angry or taking his feelings out on others. Instead his loss had made him much more forgiving and openly social. He had to work harder and be the best he could at everything he attempted, because he had no one to fall back on, no one to catch him if he fell. So he understood why Jim had looked uncomfortable with his hearing their conversation. He never told anyone about his parents. He didn't want their pity.
"Well that went well." Tony sat down next to Scotty and remarked sarcastically.
Most of the other guys had made their excuses and already left. Only Tony remained at the table with Scotty. Bill had moved to the bar to talk to some linemen from other stations. He wanted to stay close to keep an eye on his engineer. He would offer to drive him home if need be. He hadn't had as much to drink.
"Humph." Scotty turned and rested his elbows on the table. Tony slid another beer his direction. He nodded his thanks and raised it to his lips.
"What do we do now?"
"We don't do anything. I will go talk to Jim. He's too good of a friend to let this go any further."
Tony turned and rested his elbows on the table too; his chin in his hands. "Okay, but let me know how that goes. He's my friend too."
"Okay." Scotty downed the rest of his beer and pushed back from the table.
"You okay to drive?" Tony asked knowing Scotty had finished off several beers. He hadn't expected him to leave so soon. If he had he would never have given him another beer.
"I'm okay." Taking Tony's hint, he sat back down. "But maybe some coffee and a burger would be a good idea."
Tony relaxed. "I'll go order it. Want a soda while we wait for a fresh pot of coffee?"
"Yeah that sounds good." Scotty resumed his earlier position and lost himself in thought. 'Man this is such a mess. I've got to figure out a way to get things back to normal before our whole shift goes up in flames. This kind of upset can lead to complications among the crew and that leads to injuries. Whether Cody put that nail in that tire or not, it's time for this to end.'
Officer Vince Howard of the Los Angeles Police Department made his way into the open bay door at Station 10. He moved past the engine parked at the front and found his way to the office. He'd been there before, so he knew where it was. He knocked and pulled the door open after hearing "Come" from the Captain on duty.
"Excuse me for the interruption." The tall black officer reached a hand of greeting to the seated man.
"Hey Vince, what brings you down here?"
"I'm investigating a recent rash of gang vandalism in the area." He pulled a small black notepad and pen from his shirt pocket. "I had a report from one of the nearby stations that you had an incident here."
Captain Hayes shifted in his chair. "An incident…here? I don't know about any vandalism to the station. I can check with the other shift captains and let you know."
Vince cleared his throat. "I don't believe it was to the station. One of the men said one of your men had some damage done to his motorcycle."
"Oh…I did hear something about that, but rumor has it that it may have been done by one of our own. We'd rather not have the police involved. Thank you for checking on us Vince." Captain Hayes stood up and extended his hand. Firemen were a close knit group. They would handle their own without police intervention.
Vince was not ready to be "dismissed" and didn't take the outstretched hand. Instead the stoic officer continued in his pursuit of information. "We have had other situations at some of the nearby stations. We believe the damage to that motorcycle may be connected to some gang initiation. I would like to speak with the owner of the bike."
"You really think gangs are hitting on fire stations?"
"And police stations. We've had some damage to some of the CHIPS unit vehicles."
"Man, that's not good." Captain Hayes resumed his seat. Thinking maybe this was not an inside act, he decided to help the officer. "Well the man you want to speak with is John Gage. He's a new boot on Ben's shift. They are back on day after tomorrow." He reached for a pen and paper jotting down a number. "Here is Ben's number. He can tell you where you can find Gage."
Vince took the paper, thanked Captain Hayes for the information and left to find John Gage.