Life Goes On–Part 10
By Nancy F. Thysell (The Nifty Lady)
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New Year’s Eve, 1977.
Chris busied herself with last minute touches as Johnny finished getting ready for their party. She carried a tray out to the living room and placed it on the coffee table. The doorbell rang a few minutes before nine as their first guests arrived. Chris crossed to the door and opened it to Chet Kelly and his date, Lydia Drummond. Chet pushed past Chris as he threw introductions to the two women.
"It’s almost nine," he announced excitedly. "Where’s the t.v.? We can ring in the new year in each time zone!"
Johnny overheard his colleague as he made his way down the stairs with the help of his crutch and the hand rail. Chris had surprised him with a new pair of sweat pants made out of black velvet. He felt a bit self conscious about them but they definitely looked dressier than his old grey pair. He wore a stark white polo shirt with the pants.
"Chet! We’re not going to watch each time zone on t.v.!" Johnny informed him bluntly. Chet was about to object when he took in Johnny’s attire.
"Hey Gage! Why didn’t you tell me the dress was gonna be casual? I wouldn’t have worn a tie!" he groused. Lydia took Chet by the arm.
"You look wonderful to me, Chet," she told him sweetly. Kelly melted a bit under her gaze with a smile. The bell rang again and guests began arriving steadily. Chris thought Johnny looked like the king holding court from his recliner, where he spent most of his time with his leg elevated. Chris was nervous about playing hostess to all of Johnny’s coworkers and their dates or wives and was relieved when Roy and JoAnne arrived. JoAnne’s presence and assistance eased her nervousness. The house quickly became crowded with their friends and they began to spill out on the patio. The evening was cool but not uncomfortably so. The sky was clear and from the patio, one could see the stars in the sky. An uncommon sight for most residents of Los Angeles but Johnny’s house was far enough away from city lights to permit a wonderful view. The patio rapidly became the hot spot for couples sneaking off for some private moments.
Van Kessler arrived with Pamela Forester on his arm around ten-thirty. They waltzed in, making a grand entrance. Pam had her hair swept up elegantly, revealing her slender neck and the pearl choker she wore. She was a knockout in a black velvet, micromini-dress. A pair of five inch black stilettos and stockings accentuated her long, curvaceous legs. More than one man in the room took a second look as they entered. As Van removed her wrap, she stole a glance at Johnny to see if he noticed her. He had and she quickly turned her head toward Van to hide the self-satisfying smile creeping across her lips. She’d make him regret the day he dumped her!
Chris came forward to greet the couple and take Pam’s wrap and Van’s jacket. She left them to mingle as she placed their things with the others in the guest room. When she returned to the top of the stairs, she could see that a number of the men seemed to be drawn to Pam’s beauty. Like a fly to honey. She wondered if Johnny was likewise attracted. She had to skirt the crowd surrounding Pam to reach Johnny. She perched on the arm of his chair. Johnny took her hand in his and beamed up at her.
"You are the ultimate hostess, Sweetie," he complimented her. Chris smiled and leaned down and kissed him on the lips. Johnny pulled her into his lap and kissed her passionately.
"Oh! My!" she whispered when he released her lips. For her, the room of people disappeared and all she saw was her husband. Johnny’s trademark grin smiled at her. Chet staggered by about then with Lydia on his arm and a beer in his hand.
"Hey! Get a room!" he teased as Johnny threw him a look and Lydia tried to pull him toward the patio. Chris giggled as she snuggled against Johnny’s shoulder. Her feet were tired. But she had been enjoying the party. Johnny had put Marco in charge of the stereo and they were getting an interesting mix of music from John’s collection of albums.
"Where’s Roy?" Johnny asked looking around the crowd of people. Chris glanced around.
"I think maybe he and JoAnne are doing a little star gazing," she surmised. Johnny chuckled.
"Well, remind Roy to help you with the champagne when we get close to midnight. And..." he reminded her, indicating his lap, "...make sure you’re right here one minute before midnight!"
"Don’t worry. I’ll be here," she promised as she slipped off his lap. Johnny lowered the footrest.
"Help me up," he asked her. Mike Stoker reached out his hand to help as Chris pulled Johnny to his feet. Johnny thanked them both, gave Chris a kiss and made his way upstairs to use the facilities. Chris returned to her hostess duties, refilling snack bowls and trays. She joined in numerous bits of small talk as she made her way back and forth from the kitchen. After a brief exchange with Dixie and Mike’s wife Beth, she noticed they were becoming short on the plastic beverage glasses and made her way to the pantry to get another bag. She pulled out the step stool and climbed up to reach the bag on the top shelf. As she leaned into grab it, she felt hands on her thighs, in a steadying gesture. The touch took her by surprise and she almost toppled but the strong hands held her and eased her down. She turned into Van’s arms.
"Van!" was all she managed to say before he pulled her into an intimate embrace. Chris pushed her hands against his chest in an attempt to get away but his strong arms held her tightly against his body. The smell and taste of liquor was heavy in his mouth. She felt her stomach churn. She tried to turn her face away but he had her virtually pinned in his arms. She became frightened as she felt his passion increase. She tried to kick out with her legs but Van moved in and pressed his legs around hers. Fear gripped Chris as she wondered if Van’s intentions were to rape her. Here in the pantry with all their friends in the next room! Van released her lips.
"Oh, Chris!" he murmured hotly into her ear. "I’ve wondered for so long what it would be like to be with you!" His hands ran down her body and slid under her dress.
"Let me go! Van! Stop it!" Chris choked out through her tears. "Stop!"
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Johnny made his way back down the stairs and smiled at the group of friends sharing this time in his home. They had invited a number of the other firefighters and paramedics that were off duty this night. He saw Tom Dwyer with a date over near Dixie and Kel Brackett. Joe Early was perusing Johnny’s collection of albums, obviously looking for something he’d rather hear than what Marco had selected. Johnny counted numerous medical personnel from Rampart that he had worked with or had been attended to while hospitalized. Johnny smiled and was pleased that their first party was such a success. The house almost creaked from the weight of so many guests. It was good that so many of them had the night off and had accepted their invitation to the party. He was searching the room for Chris when Pam pressed up against him in the crowded room.
"Nice party," she said loudly to be heard over the din. Johnny smiled at her and stepped away from her.
"I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Where’s Van?"
Pam shrugged her shoulders, "He’s here somewhere. So, how’s married life?"
Johnny gave her his trademark grin. "Fantastic! I highly recommend it! You haven’t seen my wife around here lately?" He continued to scan the room.
"No," she responded disappointedly. Obviously her feminine wiles were not going to distract John Gage.
"Excuse me," he apologized as he moved away from Pam, wondering where Chris had gotten to.
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"Oh what’s your hurry, little girl?" Van slurred drunkenly. Chris struggled against his grasp which only seemed to make him tighten it.
"Stop it!" she screamed before his mouth enclosed hers again. "Johnny!" her mind screamed out. She hated the feel of his mouth, his hands, and his body but she couldn’t get away from him.
Roy and JoAnne entered the kitchen about the same time as Johnny did and they all looked curiously at one another. Had they just heard a shout from the pantry? Johnny crossed to the door with Roy on his heels and flung open the door. He couldn’t believe what he saw! Van was all over Chris and he could see her struggling. Anger boiled over as Johnny grabbed Van by the shoulders and pulled him off his wife.
"You bastard!" he growled, his eyes turning black with anger. He would have decked Van if Roy hadn’t grabbed his fist. Van swayed unsteadily before him. The recent hours of celebrating had put Van into the legally intoxicated category. As Roy held Johnny’s arm, they were both assaulted by the strength of liquor on his breath.
"He’s drunk, Johnny! He’s not worth it. Go take care of Chris," Roy directed his partner, his disgust for Van apparent. Van giggled with a stupid smile on his face as Johnny pushed him aside to reach Chris. She had slid onto the step stool and was sobbing uncontrollably. Johnny pulled her into his arms and she buried her face into his chest. Johnny stroked her hair and whispered soothing words to her as she trembled and continued to sob. Roy escorted Van somewhat roughly from the pantry and led him outside onto the patio. JoAnne peered into the room to see what she could do to help. She’d never seen such anger in Johnny before but admired the way he held it in check to comfort Chris. Her heart broke for the young woman and her distress.
"What can I do?" she asked Johnny softly. He shook his head. She knew Johnny need to sit down, so JoAnne grabbed a chair from the kitchen table and brought it over to him. Johnny gave her a grateful nod as he lowered himself and Chris onto the chair. He pulled her into his lap and held her tightly. He was struggling with his control over his anger. He couldn’t remember ever feeling like this. Not even during the Jimmy Chandler days. He couldn’t imagine what could possess Van to assault Chris like this! He had to be drunk but that was no excuse. He had thought of Van as a friend. But for now, he had to push the thought of Van Kessler out of his head. He had to concentrate on Chris. He kissed the top of her head and tried to let her know that he was there and that he loved her.
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JoAnne went in search of her husband. She found him with Van on the patio, trying to keep Van seated. Roy looked up as JoAnne approached.
"Jo, I think we need to ply him with some coffee. Would you go get some? We’ll probably need a whole pot," he instructed. JoAnne stood beside her husband. Van looked up at her with a silly look on his face. He was obviously feeling no pain. JoAnne felt like she needed to say something to Roy about what had transpired before Johnny was released from the hospital but hesitated to bring it up at the moment. She could read the mixed bag of emotions in her husband’s face. He was angry but at the same time, concerned about Van and his behavior. Roy tried to rationalize that the reason Van had behaved so badly was that he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing. JoAnne slipped back into the house. As she went to start the pot of coffee, she realized she’d have to go into the pantry.
She rapped gently on the door and opened it quietly. Johnny looked up at her with unshed tears in his eyes.
"Is Chris all right?" she asked quietly. Johnny nodded.
"She will be," he responded as he rocked her gently. Chris had stopped crying and just clung to him silently.
"I’m going to make some coffee. Roy wants to try and sober him up," she informed Johnny. Johnny nodded and tilted his head toward the coffee can on the shelf.
"Help yourself," he responded.
"Thanks. Maybe you should take Chris upstairs?" JoAnne suggested. Johnny shook his head.
"I don’t want to take her through that crowd out there." The sounds of their friends enjoying themselves wafted through the door. It hurt to think that they were unaffected by what had just happened but Johnny had to keep reminding himself that they were unaware. And that was probably for the best.
"Well, if you don’t do anything to draw attention to yourself; I doubt that anyone would notice. They’re all having such a good time. And it’s going to be midnight soon, you could slip through almost sight unseen," JoAnne encouraged him. She picked up the coffee can. "Go on, Johnny. I think she’d feel a lot better in her own bed, away from the party."
"You’re right, as usual," he agreed as JoAnne returned to the kitchen and began the pot of coffee. He tilted Chris’ chin up and looked into her eyes. "Come on sweetie. Let’s go upstairs." Chris nodded slightly and allowed Johnny to lead her out of the pantry.
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The party guests were trying to toast one another. Marco, Chet and Hank were offering nonsensical toasts to their coworkers. Even the quiet engineer, Mike offered a toast to the new year, surprising everyone. The wives and dates looked on, indulgently. Apparently, the women had become the designated drivers, letting the men drink their fill. The television set had been tuned to a station that was carrying a live program, that was counting down the minutes midnight. The only one to notice Johnny surreptitiously guide Chris through the crowd and up the stairs was Pam Forester. She thought it curious and began to wonder where Van had gotten to. Some date he’d turned out to be! He drank too much, had left her by herself most of the evening, and now he was nowhere to be seen! Pam was beginning to feel that dating paramedics wasn’t worth the effort. She leaned against the wall near the kitchen and noticed a woman carrying a pot of coffee and a couple of mugs, out to the patio. She tried to remember who the woman was. She’d met so many new people that evening they all kind of ran together. Curious, Pam followed her outside.
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Johnny helped Chris into the darkened bedroom and ushered her to the bed. She had stopped crying but she still trembled in his arms. He helped ease her down. As he pulled away to place his crutch on the floor, Chris clung to him, hindering his action.
"It’s okay sweetie. You’re safe now," he comforted her.
"Don’t leave me!" she begged.
"I’m staying right here," he reassured her. He rubbed her back as he pulled her close.
"Are you okay, baby? He didn’t..." Johnny swallowed hard. "He didn’t hurt you, did he?"
Chris looked up at him blankly. Somehow the word sounded foreign to her. She shook her head. Physically she was fine. A wave of vulnerability washed over her and she shook uncontrollably. Johnny whispered reassuring words as he slowly began to remove her accessories. Chris sat stiffly and let him proceed. First he removed her earrings and then her necklace and placed them on the night stand. He gently slid the zipper down on her dress and pulled both the dress and her slip over her head, piling the garments on the foot of the bed. She was wearing a strapless bra which Johnny removed with expertise. He kissed the hollow of her neck tenderly as he caressed her body. Chris closed her eyes and tried to focus on Johnny’s touch, concentrating hard to erase the memory of Van’s hands and mouth on her. Johnny lowered her on the bed and removed her pumps and pushed them under the bed. Then he slipped the panty hose from her legs and tossed them aside. Left wearing only her panties and her silver bracelet, Chris shivered against the cool air on her body. Johnny twisted around and pulled back the bedspread. He lifted Chris over the spread so that he could cover her with it. He tucked her in and lovingly touched her cheek. Chris’ eyes were wide as she watched him in the subdued lighting.
"Better?" he asked softly. Chris nodded stiffly.
"Hold me!" she pleaded, fear still evident. Johnny lay down beside her, atop the spread and wrapped his arm over her. Chris turned her body toward him. "Tighter!" All she wanted to do was to feel safe. And she felt safe in Johnny’s arms. Now she felt his arms tighten but it wasn’t enough! "Closer!" she whispered. Johnny pulled the polo shirt off over his head and worked himself under the covers. Now he pulled Chris against his naked chest. The feel of his skin against hers allowed for Chris to begin to relax. Johnny began to kiss her face tenderly and as he felt her relaxing, his kisses expanded to the rest of her body. Gradually, Chris began reciprocating, tentatively at first, then with intensity as if driven to feel normal. Johnny made love to her. He hadn’t planned for that to happen then but it made both of them feel at once...together, safe and secure. Chris snuggled against his shoulder and fell into an exhausted sleep. Johnny lay there, listening to her breath, inhaling her essence in a contented afterglow. Suddenly he was reminded that they were hosting a party downstairs as the crowd sent up a cheer. He glanced at the alarm clock. It was quarter to midnight. He needed to see to the guests. Chris was sleeping soundly. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
"Happy New Year Sweetie!" he whispered before redressing. As he left the room, he fleetingly wondered what Roy had done to Van.
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Pam had followed JoAnne out onto the patio where she recognized Roy before she noticed Van. Roy had turned to take the coffee from JoAnne when he realized Pam was behind her. JoAnne turned to follow Roy’s gaze. Pam smiled awkwardly at them.
"Pam!" Roy exclaimed, uncertain what to say or do.
"Hi Roy. Did he pass out?" she asked pointing to Van who was sprawled in one of the deck chairs.
Roy looked down at Van and then back at Pam. "I’m afraid so. Uh, Pam, have you met my wife JoAnne?"
"No, I don’t believe I have. JoAnne? Is it? It’s nice to meet you," Pam responded in a friendly manner.
"It’s nice to meet you, too. I’m just sorry we had to meet under these circumstances," JoAnne responded with a wave of her hand at Van. Pam frowned down at her date.
"Tell me about it! Now I don’t have a ride home. I guess I don’t have very good luck with paramedics," Pam opined. JoAnne looked at her in confusion. Pam saw the look.
"I went out with Johnny a few times before he met Chris," she explained.
"I see," JoAnne replied. She felt sorry for the young woman. She was such a striking young woman that JoAnne was surprised that she was unattached. She checked her wristwatch and saw it was nearly midnight. "Roy, it’s time to get out the champagne. Why don’t we just leave Van here and go in and celebrate with our friends?"
Roy placed his hands on his hips and stared down at the drunken paramedic.
"Sounds good to me! Come on, let’s go inside," he directed and escorted the ladies indoors. They were handing out the plastic champagne glasses and pouring the bubbly when Johnny made his way to the bottom of the stairs. Chet had turned up the volume on the t.v. and the group began shouting out the countdown.
"Ten...nine...eight...seven...six...five...four...three...two...one...HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Music blared through the t.v. Couples were kissing, hugging and singing. Roy put JoAnne in a particularly intense lip lock. So Pam found herself handing a glass of the bubbly to Johnny and wishing him a "Happy New Year." She felt the electricity race through her fingers as she brushed against his as he took the glass. She smiled at him but felt sad that he was married. Then on an impulse, she threw her arms around him and kissed him. Johnny was taken aback and stepped away from her. Embarrassed, Pam quickly turned to hide her hurt and the tears that stung her eyes from Johnny and walked away, leaving him feeling confused and uncertain.
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As the hours dwindled down, the guests gradually began leaving. Chet had to almost be carried out to his car. Lydia seemed to be taking it in stride and promised to make sure he got home safely. Roy gave up on trying to pour coffee into Van and solicited the help of a couple of the guys that were somewhat sober to help him put Van in his car. He and JoAnne had decided that Roy would drive Van home in Van’s car with JoAnne and Pam following in the DeSoto’s. After they dropped him off, then Roy and JoAnne would see Pam home.
As they followed Roy, JoAnne tried to make small talk with Pam. Pam talked about being a stewardess and how much she enjoyed her profession. JoAnne was trying to find a way to tell Pam what Van had done but she felt awkward.
"So, Pam. Do you think you’ll ever go out with Van again?" she asked casually. Pam snorted.
"Not a chance! What a jerk!"
JoAnne felt relieved and sighed accordingly. "Oh! You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say that!"
"Why is that?" Pam wanted to know.
"Because he is a jerk! He’s been making improper advances on Chris," JoAnne replied. She hoped she didn’t have to be more explicit. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Pam nod knowingly.
"Well, that explains a lot," she laughed ruefully. She felt JoAnne’s hesitation in the dark of the car. "I kept wondering why he talked about her so much. Tell me something JoAnne."
"If I can?"
"Just what does Chris have that attracts men so?" Pam’s words were edged with envy.
JoAnne laughed. "If I knew the answer to that, I’d bottle it and become rich!"
"I suppose you’re right. By the way, I didn’t see her at midnight. What happened to her?"
"She wasn’t feeling well. Van upset her pretty bad!" JoAnne explained.
"I see." Pam fell silent as she stared out the window at the scenery as it flashed by in the night. "I wonder if tonight is indicative of the coming year," she thought to herself. "Well, at least I didn’t have to go home with him."
Roy pulled the car over to the curb in front of Van’s apartment building. He checked on Van once more before tucking the keys into Van’s pocket and cracking the windows open an inch for ventilation. He walked back and joined the ladies in the other vehicle. Roy got into the back seat of the station wagon.
"Oh, Roy. Please, let me sit back there," Pam protested.
"Nah, it’s okay Pam. This way I can stretch out a bit," Roy assured her as he made himself comfortable.
"You’re not just going to leave him in his car like that are you?" JoAnne asked, incredulously.
"Yeah. He’s lucky that I did that much!" Roy responded bitterly. Pam glanced at the couple and wondered what really had happened tonight. But then she decided that maybe she really didn’t want to know.
"Okay, then. Which way Pam?" JoAnne asked as she put the car back in gear. Pam gave her directions to drive her home. When Pam was finally dropped off, Roy took over the driving from JoAnne. She snuggled against him for the drive home. What a way to start the New Year!
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END PART 10--TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 11
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