Treading Water–Part 3
By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)
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The next morning found John Gage driving his future mother-in-law, Annie Martin, to Rampart Emergency Hospital to collect Chris and bring her home. She still had a number of weeks of physical therapy to endure but as long as there was someone around to assist her, she was being allowed to go home. Johnny had built a wheelchair ramp for her off the back door to ease access in and out of her small bungalow in Venice, California. Now her mother had traveled from Kansas to be with her until Chris was back on her feet, literally.
Johnny had to restrain himself from walking too fast for Annie, he was just so eager for Chris to go home. They reached her room just a little after nine a.m.
"Good morning beautiful!" Johnny called out as he entered the room. Chris smiled up happily at his entrance.
"Well, hello handsome! Hi Mom," she responded. Annie carried some clothing for Chris to change into for the ride home. "Thanks Mom! I almost forgot what normal clothes felt like."
They all chuckled. "Have you gotten your release papers yet?" Annie wanted to know. Chris nodded.
"Yeah, Dr. Brackett was here a few minutes ago. You just missed him. By the time I get changed we should be able to leave."
"Then, I guess Johnny won’t mind waiting in the hall," Annie suggested. Johnny gave her a confused look and then realized what she meant.
"Not at all. Just give me a holler when you’re finished dressing," he said lightly before giving Chris a quick kiss. "I’ll be out in the hall."
"Okay. We’ll see you in a few," Chris promised as he left the room. With her mother’s help, she changed out of her hospital gown and into a simple cotton dress. Her mother felt that she could handle a skirt over the injured leg easier than pants. Chris sat in the wheelchair while her mother brushed her hair.
"Can’t we let Johnny back in?" Chris asked as her mother pulled on a tangle.
"Of course, I’ll go tell him." Annie crossed to the door and opened it. Johnny nearly fell through the threshold.
"Uh, hi!" he said as he tried to recover his composure. He beamed as he looked at Chris. "Ready to go?"
"Am I? I can’t wait! I am SO sick of hospitals!" she responded with a grin. At that moment the floor nurse Debra Jenkins entered the room with her discharge papers and a wheelchair.
"Oh! I’m crushed. I thought you liked it here!" she said with feigned hurt feelings. Chris and Johnny both laughed. Annie stood by awkwardly, not feeling a part of this camaraderie.
"Oh, Debra! You know I’ll miss you!" Chris giggled. Debra laughed in response.
"I know. I know. Now, I just need you to sign these papers and this tall handsome guy can take you out of here," she directed.
"Sounds good to me," Johnny agreed.
Soon Chris was signed, sealed and delivered and headed home. It was a tight squeeze for the three adults in Chris’ small pickup truck but they managed for the short drive to Chris’ bungalow.
Chris was pleasantly surprised at the ramp Johnny had built. Once inside the house, the trio quickly realized that furniture was going to have to be moved in order for Chris to maneuver about in the chair. Once that was arranged Annie excused herself to the kitchen to prepare a lunch. Johnny helped Chris get settled in her bedroom. Then he climbed up on the bed and snuggled up beside her.
"Miss Martin? I sure have missed you like this," he murmured. Chris giggled.
"Me too!" Johnny placed his hand behind her neck and pulled her into a passionate embrace. They lost themselves in the moment until they heard Annie clear her throat at the door.
"Lunch is ready," she called, staying discreetly out of sight. Chris smiled with embarrassment as Johnny sat up, sheepishly.
"Coming!" Chris finally responded with a giggle. Johnny helped her back out to the dining area of the bungalow. The meal was basic–tuna fish sandwiches with tomato soup. After lunch Johnny checked on the progress of the Rover and was told it wouldn’t be ready for a couple more days. He sighed heavily as he hung up the phone.
"Well, Johnny, why don’t you just use Chris’ pickup truck until your car is ready?" Annie wondered.
"Well, if I do that, you won’t have anyway to get around," Johnny countered.
"Johnny, take the pickup tonight and come by here in the morning on your way to the station. Mom can go with you to the station and bring the truck back here. Then mom can pick you up after your shift. Think that’ll work?" Chris suggested to him.
"I don’t see why not?" Johnny replied with his infamous grin. That settled, they spent the remainder of the afternoon just visiting. Johnny listened mainly while Chris and her mother caught up on all the news from home. He enjoyed learning more about Chris’ family this way. He took off right after dinner so he could get ready for his next shift. His only concern with that would be who he would get stuck with as a temporary partner. He sure hoped it wasn’t Craig Brice, the "Walking Rule Book."
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Johnny was early for work the next day as he had to pick up his future mother-in-law on the way. Considering that he had to take care of the horses before his left home, he had made really good time. He waved goodbye to Annie from the station’s parking lot around 7:30. Chet Kelly had arrived about the same time.
"What’s the matter Gage? Lose your Rover again," Chet sniped. Johnny rolled his eyes at his co-worker.
"No, Chet. My car is still in the shop. Chris’ mother is here to help out so we’re sharing Chris’ pickup for the next couple of days, if you must know," Johnny retorted. The two men walked into the locker room together.
"Well, Roy’s sure gonna be surprised to see you here early," Chet pointed out with a smirk.
"A lot you know, Roy’s out on sick leave," he replied as he opened his locker and began to undress. Chet stopped in front of his own locker, surprised.
"Sick leave? What’s wrong with Roy?" he asked with genuine concern for the other paramedic.
"He’s got a touch of pneumonia. He’ll probably miss a couple of shifts," Johnny answered. Chet shook his head.
"Pneumonia. That’s rough. Any idea who his replacement will be?" he asked, secretly hoping for Brice. Nothing he loved more than seeing someone get under his favorite pigeon’s skin. Johnny shook his head as he put on his uniform.
"Nope. But I guess I’ll find out soon enough." Johnny checked his watch. He had time to not only get a cup of coffee but he might even find something to munch on. He gave Smokey his ritual raps and headed out of the locker room for the kitchen.
When Captain Hank Stanley ordered roll call, all the men assembled in the truck bay. Roy’s replacement fell in line beside Johnny with a smile and a quick nod. Johnny’s glance at the man gave him a lot of information. He appeared to be around Johnny’s age. He had soft brown hair and wore it a little longer than department policy usually allowed. He sported a finely trimmed mustache, which he thought made him look older. He topped Johnny’s height by three inches and wasn’t quite as skinny but nevertheless was quite lean. His name was Van Kessler and single. After formal introductions, announcements, and assignments were made, Van and Johnny got busy checking out the squad.
Kessler proved to be a well-trained paramedic and he and Johnny worked well together. It was a relief to Johnny after having to put up with Brice as a partner. They were getting along so well, that Van suggested that they double date on their next day off. Johnny thought that might do Chris a world of good so after a few phone calls to their respective girls, a date was set for Monday evening.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
"Are you sure you won’t come with us?" Johnny asked Annie again as he and Chris prepared to leave to meet Van Kessler and his date.
"Don’t be silly. I don’t want to intrude on your date. I’ll be fine. Besides, I’m sure that Chris could use a break from me," Annie stated.
"Oh Mom!" Chris groaned and rolled her eyes.
"Now Chris. You’ve been cooped up for weeks. You and Johnny deserve to have some time out without me. Go on and have some fun," Annie continued to urge.
"Well, if you’re sure," Johnny finally conceded. "We won’t be too late."
He pushed Chris outside to his recently repair Rover and lifted her into the passenger’s seat. Then he got in behind the wheel after placing her wheelchair in the back. Chris slid across the seat and wrapped her arm around Johnny’s as she laid her head on his shoulder. She felt content as a sigh escaped her lips. Johnny glanced down at her and smiled. He reached over with his left hand and tilted her head up to his and kissed her gently. Then he put the Rover in gear and backed out of the yard.
"So, where are we going?" Chris finally asked as Johnny steered through the early evening traffic.
"Van suggested a place over on Pico. Dupree’s. Van said they served family fare so I guess it’s safe," he chuckled at the thought. Van and his date Shelly Porter were waiting for them when they arrived. The restaurant wasn’t equipped to handle Chris’ wheelchair, so they chose a booth that Chris could slide into. The waitress folded and parked her wheelchair in a nearby utility closet.
"Man, that must be a drag," Shelly commented about the wheelchair. Chris shrugged her shoulders.
"Yeah. At least I have the opportunity to get out of it. Not like some people. I tell you one thing, since I first injured my leg, it sure made me aware of how difficult things are for the disabled. It’s amazing how many places aren’t handicap friendly."
"Do tell. I would never have guessed," the tall blond responded. They ordered their meals. The dinner table talk was light. Every time the guys started talking shop, Shelly would gently steer it in another direction. Chris was astounded at the amount of food that Shelly consumed. She ate as much as Van and Johnny did. Chris had been eating lightly. Johnny finished half of her portions. Since she had dropped a lot of weight while she was in the hospital and she wasn’t eager to gain it back. Now she was determined to be thin for her wedding. Still, she wondered how someone as thin as Shelly could stay that way and still eat all she wanted.
The group was waiting on desert when Shelly excused herself to go to the powder room. Chris asked if she might accompany her. The wheelchair was retrieved and the two ladies left the two paramedics alone at their table.
"Chris is quite a girl. You’re lucky Gage," Van commented once they were alone.
"Thanks. Shelly seems very special. You been dating her long?" Johnny inquired.
Van shook his head. "Nah, we’ve only been going out a few weeks. So, you and Chris? You set a date yet?"
"No, not yet. But I hope it’s not too much longer," Johnny grinned. Van raised his eyebrow at his temporary partner.
"Really? Saving yourself for marriage, Gage?"
Johnny laughed. "Not me. But Chris is."
Van nodded with understanding. "Glad I’m not in your shoes."
Johnny leaned back in his chair. "It’s not so bad. And Chris is worth waiting for, if you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I think I do," Van replied. The waitress brought their deserts and the check. They decided that after dinner maybe they’d hit the bowling alley to see if they could get a lane. Johnny figured Chris wouldn’t mind watching them play.
Meanwhile, in the ladies room, Chris was struggling with the inadequacies of the stalls. Shelly had helped her into the larger of the two. It was still awkward. Chris was sitting on the toilet when she heard Shelly vomiting in the neighboring stall.
"Shelly? Are you okay?" she asked, feeling rather helpless. When the retching stopped, she heard Shelly flush and step out into the room.
"I’m fine. Are you ready for me to help you?" Shelly responded. Chris heard her run the faucet. It sounded like she was rinsing her mouth out.
"Yeah. You’re not sick, are you?" she asked again with concern as she opened the door to the stall. Shelly appeared with a smile and helped Chris to her feet and into the chair.
"I’m fine. Don’t worry about it," Shelly assured her. She looked into Chris’ concerned eyes and smiled. "It’s just what I do to keep my weight down."
"What? What do you mean?"
Shelly laughed. "You don’t think I can eat like that and not gain weight do you? I’d be a blimp! I discovered that if I don’t want to gain the weight, well, I just get rid of the calories! It’s simple."
Chris shuddered. "I don’t think I could do that. I hate to throw up."
"You get used to it. I’ve been doing it a while," Shelly said with a shrug. "It’s no big deal. But do me a favor, and don’t mention it to Van. He’d probably freak out."
Chris nodded her agreement but it did make her wonder. She watched as Shelly stood in front of the mirror and replaced her lipstick. Chris fished her own lipstick out of her purse as well. She pondered what Shelly had just told her. It seemed incredible that someone could do that. Eat all that food and then just throw it up. But in a way it made sense. If you got rid of it, you wouldn’t gain any weight. Still, the method bothered her.
A few minutes later, they were back at the table. Johnny helped Chris back onto the bench and then set the chair aside. The foursome enjoyed their desert and coffee. Chris still felt unsettled by Shelly’s "diet" but she didn’t say anything. Then Van announced their plans to go bowling. So they paid their check and headed for the bowling alley. This had Chris intrigued. She was wondering if she’d be able to play.
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The parking lot at the bowling alley was crowded, evident of league play in progress. Van went in first to see if a lane might be available. He returned a few minutes later with a grin on his face. He leaned against Johnny’s car door.
"We get the next available lane," he announced. "The guy said it shouldn’t be more than a fifteen minute wait."
Johnny grinned in response. "That’s great. That should give you guys time to find yourselves a good ball."
"Us? What about you?" Van chided.
"Hey! I’ve got my own. It’s in the back," Johnny retorted with a jerk of his thumb to the rear of the Rover. Van shook his head.
"Geez, Gage. You drive around with your bowling ball?"
"Look Kessler, you never know when a game might break out, right?" Johnny responded with a laugh.
"Only you, Gage. Only you!" Van laughed.
"We’ll lets go find some bowling balls!" Shelly urged.
"We’ll meet you inside," Johnny informed them as he opened his door. Van and Shelly headed for the building as Johnny got Chris’ wheelchair from the back and retrieved his bowling bag. As soon as Chris was secured in the chair he handed her the bag.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Sure thing! You’re going to let me bowl, too, right?" she finally asked bending her head back to look at him. He gave her that lopsided grin.
"You wanna?"
"I thought it might be fun to try. I’ll need your help of course. I haven’t bowled in years!"
"Then I guess we’ll have to find you a bowling ball."
"Sounds good to me," Chris answered as Johnny pushed her into the alcove of the establishment. They met up with Van and Shelly at the customer service desk. They were both renting shoes as Johnny stepped up.
"What? You forget your shoes in that bag?" Van teased. Johnny gave him a look of disdain.
"No. The shoes are for Chris."
Both Van and Shelly looked surprised. Van responded, "I didn’t know she was bowling."
"Well, I’m going to give it a try," Chris piped up. She could see the doubt in the other couple’s eyes but she was determined to try.
About ten minutes later, they finally had their lane. Johnny removed his ball from it’s bag and wiped it down with a towel he carried and placed it on the ball return. Then he and Chris searched the six-pound balls to find one that she could handle. Considering the number of adults playing that night, they had more than an amble selection of the lighter weight balls. Van and Shelly returned with their balls in short order. Chris offered to keep score since she would only be getting up when it was her turn to bowl.
The game went well. Johnny would support Chris on her turn and help her guide the ball down the lane. She laughed and hugged Johnny as her first attempt made it to the pins and actually knocked down three. Her score would turn out to be desperately low but she had fun. Johnny rather enjoyed it himself.
On the fourth frame, Johnny, Van, and Shelly all bowled a strike. Now Chris was up.
"Beer frame!" Shelly called. Chris turned to Johnny, unsure what that meant.
"It means you have to bowl a strike or a spare or you buy a round of beers for everyone else," he explained. A look of concern crossed Chris’ face.
"Oh dear. Well, I’ll try to do my best," she resolved as she and Johnny took their position in front of the lane. Chris lined up the pins and swung the ball back. She let it go and it slowly headed down the center of the lane. It hit the head pin just off center! As if in slow motion the pins began to fall, knocking into the pin behind it. When it was all over, one pin remained standing–the ten pin. Chris was just so excited to have knocked the other nine down, she didn’t even care about the remaining one. Johnny picked her up and swung her around, gleefully.
"Way to go, sweetie! Now all you have to do is knock down the ten pin!" he cheered.
Chris looked up into his bright brown eyes with disbelief. She looked down at the lonely pin.
"You’re kidding? Right?"
Johnny shook his head. "You can do it!"
Chris looked at the pin again. She had her doubts but Johnny helped her line up for the shot. He continued to give her suggestions of what to do to make the shot. Soon she was ready. She braced herself against Johnny’s body and then stepped forward and released the ball. It followed a smooth arch as it hit the oiled wood of the alley and headed directly for the pin. Chris held her breath as she watched, crossing the fingers on both hands. Ball and pin connected and it toppled over! Chris jumped up on her good leg in excitement. A spare! She made a spare! Johnny swept her into his arms and gave her a kiss.
"See! You did it!" he told her happily.
"Congrats!" Shelly and Van offered. Chris took her seat behind the score table.
"I can’t believe I did that! Oh! Did that ruin the ‘beer’ frame?" she wanted to know.
"Yeah, but I think we need a celebratory frame instead," Johnny offered. "I’ll buy the round of drinks." He pushed the call button for the waitress and the game resumed. Chris felt so thrilled that she had been able to participate in the game. She knew she couldn’t have done it without Johnny. This was a night out she would treasure for a long time.
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END PART 3–CONTINUED IN PART 4
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