The Right Choices
by GCS
Chapter Seven
Johnny and Roy watched from the window making sure both Marco and Chet reached level ground safely; then they returned to the hall where a mound of rubble separated them from their Captain. Without a word the two men began the arduous task of moving sheetrock, timbers and insulation. The same movements were mimicked on the other side by the crews from Station 110 and Station 16.
With each larger piece came renewed hope of finding Hank Stanley.
Johnny leaned toward the crack near the top. Slipping his SCBA mask off he yelled to the other teams, "Stoney, any luck?"
"No Johnny, nothing yet." Captain Stone nodded his head in disappointment. Hank Stanley was a colleague, a friend and a darn good Captain to his men. If things did not go well with this rescue…'No I can't even think about that.' He shook off the doubts that tried to sneak into his mind and continued digging.
Replacing his mask, Johnny glanced at his partner. He and Roy both knew they needed to get the pile of debris off their Captain quickly. The pressure alone could smother him. Nodded to each other they made a silent agreement to work harder and faster. Failure to find him alive was not an option.
Outside Marco and Chet received treatment from Brice and Bellingham. "Kelly you need to lay back and let me examine you."
Chet shot a glance at his buddy. Marco smiled slightly. He knew Chet worried as much about Cap as he did. He also knew that under ordinary circumstances Chet would be giving Brice a hard time. Instead he just sat staring at the window from which they escaped the damaged mansion. "They didn't even have smoke detectors. I mean I know they're too expensive for most people, but this guy is a big Hollywood actor. He can afford them. A smoke detector would have let him know his house was burning in time to get his kid out, and we wouldn't even be here right now looking for Cap."
In a compassionate manner not usually seen from the Perfect Paramedic Craig joined the conversation. He had worked with the A-shift of Station 51 many times when one of their Paramedics recuperated from injury, mostly Johnny. He had a great deal of respect for their Captain. "I read that there is a smaller, battery operated version being made available to the average individual. If the department can get awareness for the protection and early warning they can give a family, then we might not have so many people suffering from smoke and burns."
Chet looked at Craig with his eyes wide and his mouth open. He couldn't believe he actually contributed to his and Marco's conversation, and he wasn't curt about it. He met Marco's gaze and then lay back as Craig had requested. "So, when will those detectors be available?"
"They're in the final testing stages." Craig wrapped the BP cuff around his now willing patient.
"Will they be easy to install?" Marco asked. "Or will people have to hire someone specially trained to put them in?"
Craig looked at Marco and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "They will be easy to install. I read that it will take less than fifteen minutes to put them up. A couple of screws and putting in the battery; anyone can do it. They hope to sell them in hardware stores. I also heard there is a proposal with the department to offer them for free to underprivileged families. The department may even have off duty firemen volunteer to help install them for elderly people." He flashed his penlight in Chet's eyes. Chet squinted and blinked. "Does that hurt your eyes?"
"Yeah, a little."
"You have a definite concussion. I'm sure Rampart will request an IV and transport. Put this on." He handed Chet the oxygen mask. "You're wheezing from the smoke."
Bob had immobilized Marco's shoulder and started the requested IV and had him ready to go. "Craig and I have already decided that we will volunteer when they start the program. I'm getting a little tired of bringing out bodies." He immediately knew he'd said the wrong thing. "Sorry guys. They'll find him. Johnny and Roy won't give up until they do." He ducked his head and repacked the trauma box.
Meanwhile inside the ruined home the digging continued. "Johnny, we found him." Stoney called to the Paramedics. Having been a Paramedic himself before his promotion he immediately dropped to his knees and reached to find a pulse on the exposed ankle. "He's alive!"
Johnny and Roy locked eyes. They held their breaths waiting. They knew Stoney would be checking for a pulse. As soon as they heard his announcement they flew into motion. "I'll get things set up outside," Roy said running to the window. Johnny scrambled up the mound and over the top. Sliding down the other side he unceremoniously landed next to the rescuers on the other side.
A hand rested on his shoulder and understanding eyes met his. "He has a pulse. It's weak and thready, but it's there. Hang on 'til we get the rest of this stuff off him." Stoney calmed his friend. "Then you can get Hank ready for us to transport him out." Stoney could see Johnny bite the inside of his lip. He knew he was worried. He knew Captain Stanley was more like a father to Johnny than his Captain. If Hank didn't make it Johnny would likely be the most affected of his crew. Stoney squeezed Johnny's shoulder. "Just hang on."
Finally, they had him out. Immediately Johnny dropped to his knees and began checking over Hank's arms, legs and neck. Trained hands probed his head for any deformities. Captain Stanley had lost his helmet. Through his worry Johnny found a reason to smile briefly. 'When you wake up I'm gonna have to tell you about keeping that on.' Turning to Captain Stone he requested a C-collar and backboard. He didn't find any evidence of back or neck injury, but he wasn't taking chances.
Together he and Stoney got Hank packaged and ready. In short order they were down the stairs and headed out of the front door of the house. Johnny ran ahead to make sure Roy had everything ready to treat their friend. "His pulse is 120, respirations 16." Roy wrote the vitals in his pad. "I didn't find any injury to his neck or back. He lost his helmet and has a good sized knot here." Johnny pointed to the back of his own head demonstrating the location of the knot.
The firemen sat the stokes on the yellow blanket. Johnny immediately began cutting away his Captain's turnout coat to get a BP. Mike Stoker materialized beside him and reached for Roy's scissors. Roy had the bio-phone set up and was in the process of calling in. In a flurry of controlled activity they quickly had Hank accessed. Oxygen applied, IV's started, and transferred to the waiting gurney, they were ready to transport. He had not made any signs of regaining consciousness.
"Chet and Marco are already at Rampart," Mike informed his crewmates. I'm on my way there with the engine. The three friends nodded understanding.
"I'll meet you at Rampart," Roy said raising the bio-phone to Johnny's hand.
"I…I can't Roy." Johnny looked into the blue eyes that always offered him comfort. He raised his trembling hands so Roy would understand. "You go." Roy nodded and climbed into the ambulance. "I'll meet you there." Johnny closed the ambulance doors, gave them a tap and watched as it drove away. He was still standing in the middle of the street when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"He'll be okay Johnny." Stoney offered one more word of support before he had to get back to the laborious task of cleanup. The home was a total loss.
Johnny stood staring in the direction the ambulance had disappeared in. Stoney squeezed his shoulder, patted him on the back and walked slowly away leaving Johnny to gather himself. He squeezed his eyes tightly; ran shaky fingers through his hair. Taking several deep breaths he turned to collect the other equipment and trash.
When he stood to put the cases back in the squad he was joined by Mike. "You okay to drive?"
Johnny looked at him, "Are you?"
Mike smiled at him. "It's in my blood."
"Yeah, it is." He could feel the tension lessen in his shoulders. "I'm okay."
"I'll be right behind you. The other crews helped me with the hoses." Johnny had forgotten that Mike was the only member of the engine crew left. Getting the hoses reloaded was not a one man job.
"That's good Mike. I forgot."
"Yeah, well you had your hands full." Mike closed the compartments. "Meet ya there."
Johnny pulled off his turnout coat and slipped it into the compartment. Walking around the front of the Squad he stopped, turned toward the burnt out shell of the home, and drummed his fingers on the hood. 'People just don't get it. Here they think they have everything, big house, fancy cars, and servants. They forget it's not the things that are important.'
Sliding into the driver's seat he pulled the Squad away from the curb, flipped on the lights and turned in the direction of Rampart. Mike pulled behind him, and together the two vehicles raced through the streets of Carson, California.
With each larger piece came renewed hope of finding Hank Stanley.
Johnny leaned toward the crack near the top. Slipping his SCBA mask off he yelled to the other teams, "Stoney, any luck?"
"No Johnny, nothing yet." Captain Stone nodded his head in disappointment. Hank Stanley was a colleague, a friend and a darn good Captain to his men. If things did not go well with this rescue…'No I can't even think about that.' He shook off the doubts that tried to sneak into his mind and continued digging.
Replacing his mask, Johnny glanced at his partner. He and Roy both knew they needed to get the pile of debris off their Captain quickly. The pressure alone could smother him. Nodded to each other they made a silent agreement to work harder and faster. Failure to find him alive was not an option.
Outside Marco and Chet received treatment from Brice and Bellingham. "Kelly you need to lay back and let me examine you."
Chet shot a glance at his buddy. Marco smiled slightly. He knew Chet worried as much about Cap as he did. He also knew that under ordinary circumstances Chet would be giving Brice a hard time. Instead he just sat staring at the window from which they escaped the damaged mansion. "They didn't even have smoke detectors. I mean I know they're too expensive for most people, but this guy is a big Hollywood actor. He can afford them. A smoke detector would have let him know his house was burning in time to get his kid out, and we wouldn't even be here right now looking for Cap."
In a compassionate manner not usually seen from the Perfect Paramedic Craig joined the conversation. He had worked with the A-shift of Station 51 many times when one of their Paramedics recuperated from injury, mostly Johnny. He had a great deal of respect for their Captain. "I read that there is a smaller, battery operated version being made available to the average individual. If the department can get awareness for the protection and early warning they can give a family, then we might not have so many people suffering from smoke and burns."
Chet looked at Craig with his eyes wide and his mouth open. He couldn't believe he actually contributed to his and Marco's conversation, and he wasn't curt about it. He met Marco's gaze and then lay back as Craig had requested. "So, when will those detectors be available?"
"They're in the final testing stages." Craig wrapped the BP cuff around his now willing patient.
"Will they be easy to install?" Marco asked. "Or will people have to hire someone specially trained to put them in?"
Craig looked at Marco and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "They will be easy to install. I read that it will take less than fifteen minutes to put them up. A couple of screws and putting in the battery; anyone can do it. They hope to sell them in hardware stores. I also heard there is a proposal with the department to offer them for free to underprivileged families. The department may even have off duty firemen volunteer to help install them for elderly people." He flashed his penlight in Chet's eyes. Chet squinted and blinked. "Does that hurt your eyes?"
"Yeah, a little."
"You have a definite concussion. I'm sure Rampart will request an IV and transport. Put this on." He handed Chet the oxygen mask. "You're wheezing from the smoke."
Bob had immobilized Marco's shoulder and started the requested IV and had him ready to go. "Craig and I have already decided that we will volunteer when they start the program. I'm getting a little tired of bringing out bodies." He immediately knew he'd said the wrong thing. "Sorry guys. They'll find him. Johnny and Roy won't give up until they do." He ducked his head and repacked the trauma box.
Meanwhile inside the ruined home the digging continued. "Johnny, we found him." Stoney called to the Paramedics. Having been a Paramedic himself before his promotion he immediately dropped to his knees and reached to find a pulse on the exposed ankle. "He's alive!"
Johnny and Roy locked eyes. They held their breaths waiting. They knew Stoney would be checking for a pulse. As soon as they heard his announcement they flew into motion. "I'll get things set up outside," Roy said running to the window. Johnny scrambled up the mound and over the top. Sliding down the other side he unceremoniously landed next to the rescuers on the other side.
A hand rested on his shoulder and understanding eyes met his. "He has a pulse. It's weak and thready, but it's there. Hang on 'til we get the rest of this stuff off him." Stoney calmed his friend. "Then you can get Hank ready for us to transport him out." Stoney could see Johnny bite the inside of his lip. He knew he was worried. He knew Captain Stanley was more like a father to Johnny than his Captain. If Hank didn't make it Johnny would likely be the most affected of his crew. Stoney squeezed Johnny's shoulder. "Just hang on."
Finally, they had him out. Immediately Johnny dropped to his knees and began checking over Hank's arms, legs and neck. Trained hands probed his head for any deformities. Captain Stanley had lost his helmet. Through his worry Johnny found a reason to smile briefly. 'When you wake up I'm gonna have to tell you about keeping that on.' Turning to Captain Stone he requested a C-collar and backboard. He didn't find any evidence of back or neck injury, but he wasn't taking chances.
Together he and Stoney got Hank packaged and ready. In short order they were down the stairs and headed out of the front door of the house. Johnny ran ahead to make sure Roy had everything ready to treat their friend. "His pulse is 120, respirations 16." Roy wrote the vitals in his pad. "I didn't find any injury to his neck or back. He lost his helmet and has a good sized knot here." Johnny pointed to the back of his own head demonstrating the location of the knot.
The firemen sat the stokes on the yellow blanket. Johnny immediately began cutting away his Captain's turnout coat to get a BP. Mike Stoker materialized beside him and reached for Roy's scissors. Roy had the bio-phone set up and was in the process of calling in. In a flurry of controlled activity they quickly had Hank accessed. Oxygen applied, IV's started, and transferred to the waiting gurney, they were ready to transport. He had not made any signs of regaining consciousness.
"Chet and Marco are already at Rampart," Mike informed his crewmates. I'm on my way there with the engine. The three friends nodded understanding.
"I'll meet you at Rampart," Roy said raising the bio-phone to Johnny's hand.
"I…I can't Roy." Johnny looked into the blue eyes that always offered him comfort. He raised his trembling hands so Roy would understand. "You go." Roy nodded and climbed into the ambulance. "I'll meet you there." Johnny closed the ambulance doors, gave them a tap and watched as it drove away. He was still standing in the middle of the street when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"He'll be okay Johnny." Stoney offered one more word of support before he had to get back to the laborious task of cleanup. The home was a total loss.
Johnny stood staring in the direction the ambulance had disappeared in. Stoney squeezed his shoulder, patted him on the back and walked slowly away leaving Johnny to gather himself. He squeezed his eyes tightly; ran shaky fingers through his hair. Taking several deep breaths he turned to collect the other equipment and trash.
When he stood to put the cases back in the squad he was joined by Mike. "You okay to drive?"
Johnny looked at him, "Are you?"
Mike smiled at him. "It's in my blood."
"Yeah, it is." He could feel the tension lessen in his shoulders. "I'm okay."
"I'll be right behind you. The other crews helped me with the hoses." Johnny had forgotten that Mike was the only member of the engine crew left. Getting the hoses reloaded was not a one man job.
"That's good Mike. I forgot."
"Yeah, well you had your hands full." Mike closed the compartments. "Meet ya there."
Johnny pulled off his turnout coat and slipped it into the compartment. Walking around the front of the Squad he stopped, turned toward the burnt out shell of the home, and drummed his fingers on the hood. 'People just don't get it. Here they think they have everything, big house, fancy cars, and servants. They forget it's not the things that are important.'
Sliding into the driver's seat he pulled the Squad away from the curb, flipped on the lights and turned in the direction of Rampart. Mike pulled behind him, and together the two vehicles raced through the streets of Carson, California.
Chapter Eight
Johnny drove to Rampart without really thinking about where he was going. He had driven there so many times he could make the necessary turns as though the Squad knew the way. Mike followed closely behind in the Engine.
Once when Johnny hesitated at a green light Mike revved the Engine to break him from his thoughts and get him going again. Johnny smiled to himself when he realized what Mike had done. 'I'm going', I'm going'
Finally, they arrived at Rampart. Johnny laid his arm across the steering wheel and rested his head on it. Wearily he turned to get out of the vehicle when Mike opened the door. "Man I'm tired."
"Yeah, let's see how everyone is and find some coffee."
When Johnny and Mike entered the ER doors, they immediately saw Roy at the Base Station. "Any word?" Mike asked.
"No he's in room 3. He hasn't regained consciousness. He does respond to pain stimuli though." Roy sipped his coffee. "You guys want some coffee?" Mike nodded, but Johnny just stared at the closed door to treatment room 3. "Johnny?"
"Uh no…no coffee." Johnny turned and walked away from the two men.
"Is he okay?" Roy asked Mike.
"I think so. He seems a little shaky. It's been a long day for all of us."
Roy handed Mike his coffee and refilled his own cup. "We should wait in the lounge."
"What about Johnny?" Mike watched as Johnny disappeared into the men's room.
"He'll find us." Roy headed down the ER hall toward the doctor's lounge.
"Will they know where to find us?" Mike pointed to the closed treatment room door.
"Yeah, they'll know."
Before long Johnny joined them, "Chet and Marco have been moved to room 245. Mama Lopez is there with them. They're gonna be here overnight. Marco's shoulder was just badly bruised. Chet's getting another breathing treatment." He slowly lowered himself to the sofa.
Roy noticed how shaky Johnny was. "I think I'll go to the cafeteria for something cold to drink. I'll be right back."
When Roy came back to the lounge, he found it full of firefighters waiting for word on his Captain. The crews from the stations that had been at the fire with them had finished the clean up and converged at Rampart. They would stay available from there until they were called out or until they got an update on their injured brother.
Roy weaved his way through the group to where Johnny still sat on the sofa. "Here Junior, you need to drink this."
Johnny looked up at him and took the cup. Tilting it up he looked inside at the orange juice. He looked at Roy with one eyebrow raised. Then he sipped the juice. Roy was mothering him again, but it was okay the juice tasted good.
Captain Stone sat next to Johnny on the sofa. He made eye contact with Roy, tilted his head in Johnny's direction, and raised his eyebrows in question. Roy understood his concern. They both knew that Johnny was beyond tired. Stoney wanted to know if Johnny was all right. Roy shrugged his shoulders. Truthfully, he wasn't sure himself. Johnny looked a little pale.
Before they had a chance to ask Johnny how he felt Dr. Brackett came into the lounge looking for them. The room fell totally silent. "Well guys, your Captain has suffered a severe concussion. Fortunately, he does not have a skull fracture. He inhaled a lot of dust and smoke. We're giving him some breathing treatments for that. He hasn't shown any sign of regaining consciousness, but that is understandable with this kind of head injury. We're going to move him upstairs. Once he is settled the three of you can see him for a few minutes."
"Has Mrs. Stanley arrived?" Mike asked.
"Yes, she is in with him now." Dr. Brackett informed them. "I'll have a nurse come get you when you can see him." With that, Dr. Brackett left the crowded room.
Johnny reached up with his shaking hand and ran it through his hair. "Man."
About thirty minutes later Johnny, Roy, and Mike were ushered out of the room and up to see their Captain. The group of firefighters waiting with them followed them up to the waiting room on Hank's floor.
Mrs. Stanley sat by Hank's bed holding his hand. She stood, kissed her husband on the forehead, and turned to his men, "I'll give you a few minutes with him."
"You don't have to leave. We just wanted to see him for ourselves." Mike smiled at Emily Stanley. "Dr. Brackett only allowed us five minutes."
Emily walked over to Johnny and took him in a hug. "He'll be okay John." Johnny gave her a small smile and nod she stepped back and held his shoulders. "You look tired. Are you okay?" He pressed his lips together and nodded again but didn't say anything.
"Emily, please call us if you need anything. We have to get the Squad and Engine back to the station. We'll check on Cap tomorrow." Roy gave her a hug. The three-crew mates left their Captain's room and went down to the waiting room to give the other men an update.
Dr. Brackett followed them into the room and listened as they talked to their friends. He also watched as Johnny slipped from the room. "Okay fellows it's been a very long day. It is 2 am, and it's time you all headed back to your stations and let Hank get some rest. He's in good hands. He, Chet and Marco will all be fine."
The Battalion Chief had called Station 51's B shift in early. With half of the A shift in the hospital including their Captain, they couldn't continue their shift. The B shift Engineer and Paramedics had come to Rampart for the vehicles. Mike rode back to the station with them to get his car. Roy had called Joanne earlier. She was waiting on him to go home. Slowly the room emptied.
Some hours later Dixie started her shift. Looking over her nurse's reports from the night before she saw where Chet, Marco, and Captain Stanley were brought in. She first checked on the two Linemen, and then went to see about their Captain.
"Good morning Ms. McCall." The night nurse greeted Dixie.
"Good morning Kathy. Did Captain Stanley have a good night?"
"Well after we got all those Firemen to clear out of the waiting room about 2 o'clock this morning it was quiet. Captain Stanley still has not regained consciousness. His wife is in with him this morning."
"How were his vitals on your last check?" Dixie asked.
"He's stable, just not awake." Kathy sighed and continued speaking. "Ms. McCall do you remember that patient that snuck out of his room in the middle of the night and hid in the laundry closet to sleep and avoid his hourly nuero checks?"
Dixie smiled at the memory. "Yes, why?"
"Well he's not a patient this time, but he must really like sleeping in there." Kathy smiled. "I found him in there around 4 this morning."
Dixie's smile faded. "He didn't leave with the others?"
"I'm not sure. He wasn't in the waiting room when the last of them left. I didn't know he was still here until I found him sleeping. I told the other nurses not to bother him. He looked so tired last night, like he was dead on his feet. I covered him with a blanket and just let him sleep."
"Thank you Kathy. I'll check on him."
Once when Johnny hesitated at a green light Mike revved the Engine to break him from his thoughts and get him going again. Johnny smiled to himself when he realized what Mike had done. 'I'm going', I'm going'
Finally, they arrived at Rampart. Johnny laid his arm across the steering wheel and rested his head on it. Wearily he turned to get out of the vehicle when Mike opened the door. "Man I'm tired."
"Yeah, let's see how everyone is and find some coffee."
When Johnny and Mike entered the ER doors, they immediately saw Roy at the Base Station. "Any word?" Mike asked.
"No he's in room 3. He hasn't regained consciousness. He does respond to pain stimuli though." Roy sipped his coffee. "You guys want some coffee?" Mike nodded, but Johnny just stared at the closed door to treatment room 3. "Johnny?"
"Uh no…no coffee." Johnny turned and walked away from the two men.
"Is he okay?" Roy asked Mike.
"I think so. He seems a little shaky. It's been a long day for all of us."
Roy handed Mike his coffee and refilled his own cup. "We should wait in the lounge."
"What about Johnny?" Mike watched as Johnny disappeared into the men's room.
"He'll find us." Roy headed down the ER hall toward the doctor's lounge.
"Will they know where to find us?" Mike pointed to the closed treatment room door.
"Yeah, they'll know."
Before long Johnny joined them, "Chet and Marco have been moved to room 245. Mama Lopez is there with them. They're gonna be here overnight. Marco's shoulder was just badly bruised. Chet's getting another breathing treatment." He slowly lowered himself to the sofa.
Roy noticed how shaky Johnny was. "I think I'll go to the cafeteria for something cold to drink. I'll be right back."
When Roy came back to the lounge, he found it full of firefighters waiting for word on his Captain. The crews from the stations that had been at the fire with them had finished the clean up and converged at Rampart. They would stay available from there until they were called out or until they got an update on their injured brother.
Roy weaved his way through the group to where Johnny still sat on the sofa. "Here Junior, you need to drink this."
Johnny looked up at him and took the cup. Tilting it up he looked inside at the orange juice. He looked at Roy with one eyebrow raised. Then he sipped the juice. Roy was mothering him again, but it was okay the juice tasted good.
Captain Stone sat next to Johnny on the sofa. He made eye contact with Roy, tilted his head in Johnny's direction, and raised his eyebrows in question. Roy understood his concern. They both knew that Johnny was beyond tired. Stoney wanted to know if Johnny was all right. Roy shrugged his shoulders. Truthfully, he wasn't sure himself. Johnny looked a little pale.
Before they had a chance to ask Johnny how he felt Dr. Brackett came into the lounge looking for them. The room fell totally silent. "Well guys, your Captain has suffered a severe concussion. Fortunately, he does not have a skull fracture. He inhaled a lot of dust and smoke. We're giving him some breathing treatments for that. He hasn't shown any sign of regaining consciousness, but that is understandable with this kind of head injury. We're going to move him upstairs. Once he is settled the three of you can see him for a few minutes."
"Has Mrs. Stanley arrived?" Mike asked.
"Yes, she is in with him now." Dr. Brackett informed them. "I'll have a nurse come get you when you can see him." With that, Dr. Brackett left the crowded room.
Johnny reached up with his shaking hand and ran it through his hair. "Man."
About thirty minutes later Johnny, Roy, and Mike were ushered out of the room and up to see their Captain. The group of firefighters waiting with them followed them up to the waiting room on Hank's floor.
Mrs. Stanley sat by Hank's bed holding his hand. She stood, kissed her husband on the forehead, and turned to his men, "I'll give you a few minutes with him."
"You don't have to leave. We just wanted to see him for ourselves." Mike smiled at Emily Stanley. "Dr. Brackett only allowed us five minutes."
Emily walked over to Johnny and took him in a hug. "He'll be okay John." Johnny gave her a small smile and nod she stepped back and held his shoulders. "You look tired. Are you okay?" He pressed his lips together and nodded again but didn't say anything.
"Emily, please call us if you need anything. We have to get the Squad and Engine back to the station. We'll check on Cap tomorrow." Roy gave her a hug. The three-crew mates left their Captain's room and went down to the waiting room to give the other men an update.
Dr. Brackett followed them into the room and listened as they talked to their friends. He also watched as Johnny slipped from the room. "Okay fellows it's been a very long day. It is 2 am, and it's time you all headed back to your stations and let Hank get some rest. He's in good hands. He, Chet and Marco will all be fine."
The Battalion Chief had called Station 51's B shift in early. With half of the A shift in the hospital including their Captain, they couldn't continue their shift. The B shift Engineer and Paramedics had come to Rampart for the vehicles. Mike rode back to the station with them to get his car. Roy had called Joanne earlier. She was waiting on him to go home. Slowly the room emptied.
Some hours later Dixie started her shift. Looking over her nurse's reports from the night before she saw where Chet, Marco, and Captain Stanley were brought in. She first checked on the two Linemen, and then went to see about their Captain.
"Good morning Ms. McCall." The night nurse greeted Dixie.
"Good morning Kathy. Did Captain Stanley have a good night?"
"Well after we got all those Firemen to clear out of the waiting room about 2 o'clock this morning it was quiet. Captain Stanley still has not regained consciousness. His wife is in with him this morning."
"How were his vitals on your last check?" Dixie asked.
"He's stable, just not awake." Kathy sighed and continued speaking. "Ms. McCall do you remember that patient that snuck out of his room in the middle of the night and hid in the laundry closet to sleep and avoid his hourly nuero checks?"
Dixie smiled at the memory. "Yes, why?"
"Well he's not a patient this time, but he must really like sleeping in there." Kathy smiled. "I found him in there around 4 this morning."
Dixie's smile faded. "He didn't leave with the others?"
"I'm not sure. He wasn't in the waiting room when the last of them left. I didn't know he was still here until I found him sleeping. I told the other nurses not to bother him. He looked so tired last night, like he was dead on his feet. I covered him with a blanket and just let him sleep."
"Thank you Kathy. I'll check on him."
Chapter Nine
Dixie opened the door to the linen closet and peeked inside.
Across on the far side of the spacious closet, against the far wall, beneath a white hospital blanket she could see Johnny, sound asleep with his arm slung over his eyes. She quietly walked over and knelt down beside him. He looked a little pale. She reached over and gently took his wrist, counting. 'It's a little fast.'
Johnny raised his arm slightly and squinted up at her.
"What are you doing in here Johnny?"
He hoarsely whispered. "Too noisy in there." Then he closed his eyes again.
"In where sweetheart?" Dixie was beginning to get a little concerned. He didn't seem to know how much time had gone by.
"Waiting room. It's too noisy, made my head hurt." He turned away from her toward the wall. "Le' me alone Dix, I'm tired."
"No Johnny. You need to wake up for me. Do you know where you are?" She laid her hand on his chest and counted again. The only response she got was a grumble. "Johnny?"
"I'm waitin' Dix." He was clearly confused.
"What for?" She felt his forehead. 'You're a bit warm my friend.'
"Cap's hurt. He didn't wake up. Where's Roy?" He rose up slightly and looked behind her. His forehead wrinkled as his eyes traveled around the room. "I need to talk to Roy." He lay back down. "He'll know."
"I'll be right back Johnny. Okay? I'll go look for him."
"Dixie?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"I'm really thirsty. My head hurts." He whispered. "Tell Roy for me. Tell him to bring me some more juice."
"Okay sweetie. I'll be right back." Leaving the closet Dixie moved quickly to the nurse's desk. She picked up the phone and called Dr. Brackett's office.
"Hello, this is Dr. Brackett."
"Kel, I need you at the nurse's desk on the fourth floor, outside Hank Stanley's room."
"What's wrong Dixie? Did something happen with Hank?" Kel's eyebrows raised in concern.
"No Kel, I just found Johnny sleeping in the linen closet."
"Again?" he chuckled.
"Kel this is serious. He's disoriented. He's complaining of a headache. He has a rapid pulse and a possible fever. He's complaining of thirst. I think he is suffering from exhaustion and dehydration. Yesterday was his first shift back, and it was non-stop."
"Where's Roy?"
"I don't know." She glanced around the hallway.
"He wouldn't just leave Johnny. Wait a minute, I saw Johnny slip out of the waiting room at around 2 o'clock this morning after they saw Hank. Roy probably thought he got a ride. Call him. I'll be right up." He slammed down the phone and headed straight for the elevator.
Dixie immediately dialed Roy's number.
"Hello, Desoto residence," Jennifer answered the phone.
"May I speak to your daddy please?" Dixie drummed her long fingernails impatiently on the counter.
"May I say who is calling?" Jennifer had obviously been taught to ask who it is before disturbing Roy.
"Yes Jennifer, this is Ms. McCall. Could you please tell your dad I need to speak with him?"
"Hi Miss Dixie."
"Hello sweetie, can I talk to Roy?" Dixie's patience was running out fast. She needed Roy.
"Yes ma'am. I'll go and get him for you." Jennifer clanked the phone receiver on the kitchen cabinet and ran off to find her dad. "Daddy!"
"Jennifer! Don't yell. Your dad is trying to sleep." Joanne stepped out of the sewing room. "What is it you need?"
"Ms. McCall is on the phone. She said she needs daddy."
"Oh!" Joanne's hand went to her mouth. "Go and tell daddy to come to the phone. I'll talk to Ms. McCall until he gets there." She ran down the hallway. Jennifer went upstairs to find Roy.
"Hello Dixie, this is Joanne. Jennifer went to wake Roy. Has something happened to Hank?" Joanne rushed through the question.
"Hello," Roy spoke into the bedroom phone.
"Roy, this is Dixie."
"What's wrong, is it Cap?" He rubbed his eyes trying to get the sleep out of them.
"No Roy. Hank is stable. It's Johnny."
"Johnny?" He bolted up in the bed. "What's wrong with Johnny? Where is he? What happened? Is he hurt?" The questions fired off faster than Dixie could respond.
"He's here. I found him sleeping in the linen closet again. Roy he's disoriented, groggy. I think it's dehydration. Why on earth didn't you take him home?"
"What do you mean? Didn't he ride with Mike? I thought he went with B-shift back to the station for the Rover."
"Well Roy Desoto he didn't. He's here and lucky we found him when we did. I think you had better get down here. Kel said you need to get down here. You're his next of kin." She was obviously upset with Roy.
"Is he that bad Dix?" Apprehension could be heard in his voice.
"I don't know. He's really out of it. Here's Kel, I have to go. Hurry Roy." She hung up the receiver before he had time to respond.
Roy got up and grabbed his jeans.
Joanne hung up the extension in the kitchen. They met at the bottom of the stairs. "He'll be okay Roy. It's not your fault."
"I knew he was tired. I knew he needed more fluids Jo. I knew." He lowered his gaze to his shoes. "He's my best friend and I left him. I just left him to fend for himself."
"Roy Desoto! John Gage is a grown man."
"I know that Joanne, but he's been so sick. Yesterday was his first day back. It was very hectic. He was so tired he took a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Have you ever known Johnny to take a nap while on shift? That's not something he would normally do. I should have made sure he got home or brought him here." Roy grabbed his keys from the bowl he kept on the table by the door. "I have to go. I'll call you."
"He'll be okay Roy." Joanne kissed her husband.
At the hospital Dr. Brackett and Dixie went into the room where Johnny was.
"Johnny?" Kel bent down on one knee. "Wake up Johnny." He shook him lightly.
Johnny turned and squinted up at Dr. Brackett. "What are you doing here Doc?"
"Where Johnny?"
"What? Here in my bedroom." He yawned and closed his eyes again.
"Dixie get me a gurney."
Dixie turned and disappeared out the door.
Across on the far side of the spacious closet, against the far wall, beneath a white hospital blanket she could see Johnny, sound asleep with his arm slung over his eyes. She quietly walked over and knelt down beside him. He looked a little pale. She reached over and gently took his wrist, counting. 'It's a little fast.'
Johnny raised his arm slightly and squinted up at her.
"What are you doing in here Johnny?"
He hoarsely whispered. "Too noisy in there." Then he closed his eyes again.
"In where sweetheart?" Dixie was beginning to get a little concerned. He didn't seem to know how much time had gone by.
"Waiting room. It's too noisy, made my head hurt." He turned away from her toward the wall. "Le' me alone Dix, I'm tired."
"No Johnny. You need to wake up for me. Do you know where you are?" She laid her hand on his chest and counted again. The only response she got was a grumble. "Johnny?"
"I'm waitin' Dix." He was clearly confused.
"What for?" She felt his forehead. 'You're a bit warm my friend.'
"Cap's hurt. He didn't wake up. Where's Roy?" He rose up slightly and looked behind her. His forehead wrinkled as his eyes traveled around the room. "I need to talk to Roy." He lay back down. "He'll know."
"I'll be right back Johnny. Okay? I'll go look for him."
"Dixie?"
"Yes sweetie?"
"I'm really thirsty. My head hurts." He whispered. "Tell Roy for me. Tell him to bring me some more juice."
"Okay sweetie. I'll be right back." Leaving the closet Dixie moved quickly to the nurse's desk. She picked up the phone and called Dr. Brackett's office.
"Hello, this is Dr. Brackett."
"Kel, I need you at the nurse's desk on the fourth floor, outside Hank Stanley's room."
"What's wrong Dixie? Did something happen with Hank?" Kel's eyebrows raised in concern.
"No Kel, I just found Johnny sleeping in the linen closet."
"Again?" he chuckled.
"Kel this is serious. He's disoriented. He's complaining of a headache. He has a rapid pulse and a possible fever. He's complaining of thirst. I think he is suffering from exhaustion and dehydration. Yesterday was his first shift back, and it was non-stop."
"Where's Roy?"
"I don't know." She glanced around the hallway.
"He wouldn't just leave Johnny. Wait a minute, I saw Johnny slip out of the waiting room at around 2 o'clock this morning after they saw Hank. Roy probably thought he got a ride. Call him. I'll be right up." He slammed down the phone and headed straight for the elevator.
Dixie immediately dialed Roy's number.
"Hello, Desoto residence," Jennifer answered the phone.
"May I speak to your daddy please?" Dixie drummed her long fingernails impatiently on the counter.
"May I say who is calling?" Jennifer had obviously been taught to ask who it is before disturbing Roy.
"Yes Jennifer, this is Ms. McCall. Could you please tell your dad I need to speak with him?"
"Hi Miss Dixie."
"Hello sweetie, can I talk to Roy?" Dixie's patience was running out fast. She needed Roy.
"Yes ma'am. I'll go and get him for you." Jennifer clanked the phone receiver on the kitchen cabinet and ran off to find her dad. "Daddy!"
"Jennifer! Don't yell. Your dad is trying to sleep." Joanne stepped out of the sewing room. "What is it you need?"
"Ms. McCall is on the phone. She said she needs daddy."
"Oh!" Joanne's hand went to her mouth. "Go and tell daddy to come to the phone. I'll talk to Ms. McCall until he gets there." She ran down the hallway. Jennifer went upstairs to find Roy.
"Hello Dixie, this is Joanne. Jennifer went to wake Roy. Has something happened to Hank?" Joanne rushed through the question.
"Hello," Roy spoke into the bedroom phone.
"Roy, this is Dixie."
"What's wrong, is it Cap?" He rubbed his eyes trying to get the sleep out of them.
"No Roy. Hank is stable. It's Johnny."
"Johnny?" He bolted up in the bed. "What's wrong with Johnny? Where is he? What happened? Is he hurt?" The questions fired off faster than Dixie could respond.
"He's here. I found him sleeping in the linen closet again. Roy he's disoriented, groggy. I think it's dehydration. Why on earth didn't you take him home?"
"What do you mean? Didn't he ride with Mike? I thought he went with B-shift back to the station for the Rover."
"Well Roy Desoto he didn't. He's here and lucky we found him when we did. I think you had better get down here. Kel said you need to get down here. You're his next of kin." She was obviously upset with Roy.
"Is he that bad Dix?" Apprehension could be heard in his voice.
"I don't know. He's really out of it. Here's Kel, I have to go. Hurry Roy." She hung up the receiver before he had time to respond.
Roy got up and grabbed his jeans.
Joanne hung up the extension in the kitchen. They met at the bottom of the stairs. "He'll be okay Roy. It's not your fault."
"I knew he was tired. I knew he needed more fluids Jo. I knew." He lowered his gaze to his shoes. "He's my best friend and I left him. I just left him to fend for himself."
"Roy Desoto! John Gage is a grown man."
"I know that Joanne, but he's been so sick. Yesterday was his first day back. It was very hectic. He was so tired he took a nap in the middle of the afternoon. Have you ever known Johnny to take a nap while on shift? That's not something he would normally do. I should have made sure he got home or brought him here." Roy grabbed his keys from the bowl he kept on the table by the door. "I have to go. I'll call you."
"He'll be okay Roy." Joanne kissed her husband.
At the hospital Dr. Brackett and Dixie went into the room where Johnny was.
"Johnny?" Kel bent down on one knee. "Wake up Johnny." He shook him lightly.
Johnny turned and squinted up at Dr. Brackett. "What are you doing here Doc?"
"Where Johnny?"
"What? Here in my bedroom." He yawned and closed his eyes again.
"Dixie get me a gurney."
Dixie turned and disappeared out the door.