Treading Water–Part 7
By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, at the nearby Ralph’s, Roy and Johnny had their hands full. While the guys were trying to determine which ice cream flavor to choose, an elderly woman ahead of them in the aisle suddenly collapsed. The two paramedics ran to her aide. She was in cardiac arrest. Roy yelled for someone to call the fire department and get the paramedics and an ambulance. Johnny began CPR with Roy performed the rescue breathing. The store manager hurried to see what he could do and they asked him to move back the spectators. It was a long ten minutes before the paramedics from station 51's C-shift arrived.
Tom Dwyer led the way.
"Hey Roy. Johnny. What have we got?" he asked as he placed the equipment on the floor.
"Cardiac arrest. We’ve been doing CPR since she collapsed," Roy informed him. Dwyer’s partner, Ben Watson, set up the biophone and contacted Rampart. In moments they had the woman hooked up to the monitor and sent Rampart a strip. Dr. Brackett ordered her to be defribulated. They tried valiantly to get a heartbeat but she was gone.
Johnny set back on his heels, exhausted from the compressions. Roy sat on the vinyl flooring and caught his breath as well. They took a back seat as the on-duty paramedics took control of the call. It was sad to realize that she didn’t make it but both Roy and Johnny knew that she had had immediate care. It was just her time to go. What a way to end the day. First a funeral and now a death. Both men were somber as they stood as the paramedic left.
"We’d better get back to the house," Roy suggested. "JoAnne will be worried."
"So will Chris," Johnny agreed. They quickly grabbed a half-gallon of Neapolitan and headed for the checkout stand.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
JoAnne heard the car in the driveway.
"There they are! Finally!" she commented and rose to her feet. Roy and Johnny came around the house carrying several paper bags and a bag of charcoal. They both looked tired.
"Sorry hon," Roy apologized. "There was an emergency at the store."
"Oh dear! What happened?" JoAnne asked in concern. Chris stood, worried as well.
"One of the customers, an elderly woman had a heart attack. We did CPR until Dwyer and Watson got there," Roy explained.
"How terrible," Chris commented. "How is she doing?"
Both men looked somber.
"She didn’t make it. She was gone before she hit the floor," Johnny said softly.
"Oh, I’m sorry," Chris said as she placed her hand on Johnny’s arm. She knew both of the paramedics would feel the woman’s death deeply.
"Here, let me take these bags," JoAnne offered. "Are you still up to barbecuing? We don’t have to eat the steaks. Everything else is ready."
"No, I’ll get the grill ready," Roy told her and turned to walk over to the grill with the new bag of charcoal. Johnny followed him. As Roy prepared to put the new coals in the grill, they both noticed that the stubborn charcoal he had worked so hard on earlier, now offered a hot bed of ash.
"Looks like we made the trip for nothing," he said sadly. Johnny put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"No, not for nothing. She wasn’t alone," Johnny said quietly. Roy turned to his partner and nodded. Yeah, that was at least something.
"Go get those steaks, partner. I think we’re ready to cook," he finally announced. Johnny grinned and headed back to the house.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
A week later on a Friday night, Johnny had arranged for them to double-date again with Shelly Porter and Van Kessler. They went to see "Star Wars" in one of the new multiplex theaters. The guys had both seen the movie previously at a larger theater and decided that it lost some of the punch on the smaller screen. After the movie they went to a quaint little café in Westwood for dinner. After stuffing themselves on a sumptuous meal, the ladies excused themselves to go to powder room.
Chris was brushing her hair when she heard the familiar sound of Shelly regurgitating her meal. After having been out several times with the other couple, she tried not to be bothered by Shelly’s "diet." Still, it was a bit disconcerting to hear her. Shelly opened the stall and slowly made her way to the sink and rinsed out her mouth. Chris was startled to see the reddish tint to the water as it swirled around and down the drain.
"Shelly, are you bleeding?" she asked in alarm. The other girl looked up at her in the mirror and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Maybe. It happens sometimes," she replied nonchalantly, staring at Chris defiantly.
"Shelly. Get real. Bleeding is not normal. Your body is trying to tell you something is wrong!" Chris insisted. Shelly put her hands on her hips and stared hard at Chris.
"Listen. I know what I’m doing. Not you, not my mother! Nobody is going to tell me what to do!" she spat angrily. Chris stepped back.
"Hey! I’m not the enemy here! I was just concerned about you. Sorry," she apologized. Shelly softened her position.
"I’m sorry, Chris. It’s just a lot of people have been on my back lately. Let’s just forget it, okay?" Shelly asked. She quickly reapplied her lipstick. "Come on, the guys are probably wondering what happened to us."
Chris followed Shelly from the room. If the guys only knew. She wondered if she should say anything to Johnny. Then she thought it wasn’t her place. She felt relieved when they rejoined the guys at the table. She slipped her hand into Johnny’s. He looked at her in surprise when he noticed she trembled slightly. Van and Shelly were sharing a desert, so Johnny leaned over and whispered in her ear.
"You okay?"
She turned slightly to look at him in askance and nodded.
"You ready to get out of here?" he asked with a sly smile. She smiled back.
"Yeah."
"Hey guys, Chris and I need to go. I’m working in the morning," Johnny announced.
"Oh, you poor thing," Shelly sympathized.
"Yeah, the curse of the working class," Van chimed in. He snuggled against Shelly’s thin frame. "How about you babe? You have to work tomorrow?"
"No, and my mother said I could stay out as late as I wanted to," she answered suggestively.
"Hmm. I like the sound of that. Okay Johnny boy, let’s get out of here," Van said eagerly.
The foursome parted at the door of the café and made their ways separately to their cars. When Johnny slid behind the wheel, Chris scooted over and wrapped her arms around Johnny’s and laid her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her.
"Are you okay sweetie?" he asked with some concern.
"Can I ask you something?" she asked in a small voice.
"Sure. You can ask me anything. What is it?" he asked curiously.
"What would you think if someone you knew...uh...used vomiting as a way not to gain weight?" Chris felt awkward asking that question.
"That sounds kinda sick to me. Why would you ask that?" Johnny paused, putting two and two together. "Shelly?"
Chris nodded. "Johnny she scares me. I mean, I’m scared for her."
"Well, it sounds scary. I wondered how someone as thin as she is could eat like that," he mused. Chris placed her right hand on Johnny’s leg.
"Johnny. I think she’s bringing up blood," Chris told him quietly. Johnny looked at her sharply.
"That’s definitely not a good sign."
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"Me? I don’t know if I can do anything."
"Can you talk to Van? Tell him so he can help her?" Chris urged him.
"Yeah. I’ll talk to him. I don’t know if it’ll do any good. But I’ll try," he promised.
"Thanks, honey." Chris sighed with relief against the warmth of Johnny’s side. He turned the key in the ignition and drove Chris home in a pensive mood. He hated interfering in other people’s lives but Chris was right. He couldn’t stand by and say nothing.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
There was a chill in the morning air. That’s what November mornings in Southern California could be like. But by the time the sun rose in the sky, it could be down right hot. Johnny steered the Land Rover into the drive beside the station and pulled into his parking space in the rear. He was actually early. He grinned as he noted that his partner hadn’t arrived yet. He had a self-satisfying smirk on his face knowing that he had beaten Roy in this morning. He quickly changed into his uniform and headed for the kitchen and a hot cup of coffee. He was surprised when he found Van in the day room.
"Van! What are you doing here?" he asked his friend. He hadn’t talked to him since their double-date.
"Still bouncing around until they find me a permanent home," he retorted. "Filling in for Dwyer."
Johnny grabbed a cup and poured himself a hot cup of the brew. He held up the pot to Van with an unspoken question in the gesture for more. Van shook his head. Johnny moved over to the table and sat down across from his friend. He took a cautious sip. It was a bit too hot to drink. He set it on the table and considered how to broach the subject of Shelly with Van.
"Van?" he finally ventured. Kessler looked up and was surprised to see how serious Johnny appeared.
"What’s up, Gage?"
"I wanted to talk to you about Shelly," he stated. Van put down the paper he had been reading to give Johnny his undivided attention.
"What about Shelly?"
"Chris says Shelly throws up her dinners when we go out." He watched Van for a reaction but Van just stared blankly at him.
"So?"
"Don’t you think that’s...weird?" Johnny was beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable.
"So she threw up. Maybe she wasn’t feeling well," Van defended her.
"Chris said that Shelly told her she does this all the time. It’s how she stays thin," Johnny informed him. Van stared at his hands a moment.
"Geez. It is all the time. Damn!" He looked away.
"Then you knew about this?" Johnny was incredulous. How could Van know about this and not do anything?
"I didn’t know she was doing it all the time. I thought she only did once in a while," he admitted.
"Van...Chris thought she was bringing up blood."
Van’s head jerked up and he stared at Johnny.
"What?"
"She said it looked like blood."
"Damn it!" he swore softly.
"What are you going to do?" Johnny asked him. Marco Lopez entered the day room and headed for the coffeepot.
"Johnny! Van! What’s up?" he greeted cheerily.
"Hi Marco," Johnny responded. Van pushed his chair away from the table. This was a discussion he didn’t want to have in public. Johnny watched him start to leave.
"Van?"
"I dunno Johnny. I’ll try to talk to her," he shook his head. "I don’t know if it’ll do any good. But I’ll try."
"Well, let me know if I can do anything," Johnny offered. Van nodded his thanks and left the room. Johnny turned to see Marco staring at him.
"What was that about?" Marco asked, curious.
"It’s private. Let it be," Johnny requested. Marco nodded his agreement and held up the pot.
"There’s about a half cup left. You want it?" Marco offered.
"Sure. Thanks, pal," Johnny responded with a smile and held up his cup for Marco to pour in the last of the pot. Johnny picked up a section of the paper and turned and looked toward the truck bay a moment. He hoped Van could reach Shelly and get her help. He wondered what would make someone do that. He shook his head as he turned his attention to the sports section and drank his coffee.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
The phone rang and Chris lifted the handset. It was almost 11:30 a.m.
"Shadowland Productions, Miss Martin speaking. How may I direct your call?" she recited.
"Hi sweetie!"
"Johnny!" her smiled broadened. She tugged on the phone cord, twisting it with her fingers. "What’s up?"
"Oh, I just missed you. Thought I’d call and see how your day was going."
"Not bad. Not bad. How about you? You guys been busy?" she asked. Somehow just talking to Johnny lightened her senses and she felt like she was walking on air.
"It’s been fairly quiet today. Just a couple of runs. Miss me?"
"You know I do!" she responded gleefully. "I miss you all the time when I’m not with you!"
"Me too," Johnny told her. She could just picture that lopsided grin of his. In the background she heard the klaxon sound. Johnny paused and listened to the tones. "They’re playing my song, sweetie. I gotta go! Love you!"
"I love you too. Be careful!" she admonished as Johnny hung up his end of the line. Her heart raced a bit with worry as Johnny’s heart raced with excitement in answer to the call.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
Finally, Saturday morning arrived and Chris woke up early. She hurried to get ready so she could be at the DeSoto’s shortly after nine. Hopefully, Roy would be home by then and she and JoAnne would hit the mall and find an outfit for her wedding trousseau.
It was just after nine as Chris steered her pickup truck unto the street where Roy and JoAnne lived. She smiled as she saw a familiar Land Rover parked in front of their house. That could only mean Johnny was there too! She parked behind the Rover and made her way to the house. Her right leg was so much stronger now but she still walked with a slight limp. She rang the bell.
Jennifer DeSoto opened the door and beamed when she saw her "Aunt Chris."
"Auntie Chris!" she squealed. "Come in!"
"Hi cutie!" Chris responded with a smile to the young girl.
"Will you come play Barbies with me?" Jennifer begged.
"I thought you were going to a birthday party," Chris replied.
"Yeah, but that’s not for an hour or so. Come on. I’ve got them all in my bedroom," Jennifer informed her and began to tug on her arm.
"Whoa there young lady," JoAnne admonished. "Your ‘Aunt’ Chris and I are going shopping. She’ll have to play Barbies later."
Jennifer was definitely disappointed. "Oh pooh!"
Both women laughed. Jennifer turned defiantly to them. "Don’t laugh at me!"
"Oh, honey. We’re aren’t laughing at you," JoAnne tried to placate her daughter. Jennifer stomped off to her room and slammed the door.
"Oh dear. I’m afraid we offended her," Chris chuckled. JoAnne turned and headed for the kitchen.
"She’ll get over it," JoAnne assured her. Roy and Johnny were enjoying some breakfast. Johnny beamed as he saw Chris.
"Hi sweetie!" he called through a mouthful of eggs. Chris made a face at him.
"Really Johnny! Where are your manners?" she scolded. Johnny’s grin faded as he closed his mouth and swallowed. Roy about fell off his chair laughing. JoAnne turned her back to stifle a laugh. Chris looked confused as Johnny shot Roy a murderous look. In all the time they had been dating, Chris hadn’t been privy to Johnny’s penchant for talking with a mouthful of food.
"Sorry," he mumbled as he sipped some coffee. Roy was regaining his composure but grinned at his partner. He handed Johnny a napkin to wipe a speck of egg from his chin. He took it begrudgingly and wiped his chin. Chris sat down beside him, a little uncertain but gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Good morning," she said sweetly. Johnny wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the lips.
"Good morning yourself," he responded and then inquired, "What are you and JoAnne up to today?"
"Oh, shopping...for the wedding," she replied.
"Oh! You plan on anything special?" he asked innocently.
"Well, since you aren’t telling me where we’re going for the honeymoon, I think I’ll keep my purchases a secret," she teased. Johnny grinned at her.
"I guess that’s fair. We’ll both find out eventually, right?"
"Right!"
"Well, if you guys have everything under control here, Chris and I are off to the Galleria," JoAnne announced.
"Which one are you going to?" Roy wanted to know, just in case.
"I thought we might go to the new one over in Long Beach. There are supposed to be a lot of sales today," JoAnne said.
"Sounds good. You two be careful. What time do you think you’ll be back?" Roy asked.
JoAnne looked at her watch and then wrapped her arm around Roy’s neck and kissed him.
"Before dark, I promise!"
Roy rolled his eyes. "Just don’t break the bank!"
"Hey! We’re shopping for Chris. Not me!" she giggled. He gave her a quick kiss back.
"Just remember that," he admonished.
"I will. Come on Chris, let’s hit the mall!"
"I’m right behind you. See ya later honey," Chris replied as she kissed Johnny goodbye.
"Bye sweetie. I’ll see you for dinner," he reminded her.
"Okay. Bye guys!"
With that Chris and JoAnne made their way to her pickup and headed for the mall.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
The Galleria Mall of Long Beach was four stories high and still had that "new" smell to it. Chris found a parking space near the center of the structure and her and JoAnne headed for the stores. They went to several stores to find a tasteful suit for Chris to wear after the ceremony. They finally found a cute two-piece suit in pink. Then they were off to find shoes to go with it.
Three shoe stores later, and they had a nice pair of pink pumps and a matching handbag.
"Why don’t we go unload these in the truck and get some lunch?" JoAnne suggested.
"Sounds like a great idea," Chris agreed. As they made their way to the truck, they passed "Victoria’s Secret." They both peered into the store.
"So, Chris. Are you all set in this...department?" JoAnne teased. Chris blushed.
"No. Not really."
"You want to look?" JoAnne asked her.
"Okay," Chris said shyly. They walked into the store. A tall black woman who looked like she could have been one of the catalog’s models came over to them.
"May I show you something?" she asked with a flourish of long burgundy nails that perfectly matched her lipstick.
"My friend here is getting married in a few weeks and we were looking for something...uh...appropriate for the honeymoon," JoAnne explained, pulling Chris forward.
"Of course," the saleswoman responded. She looked Chris over, top to bottom. "Follow me. We have some lovely peignoirs over here."
A few minutes later, Chris was trying on all sorts of silky, lacy, and sexy outfits. Some made her blush to even try on. They finally decided on a black satin teddy with ribbon straps.
"I think that one will definitely get Johnny’s attention," JoAnne commented as she held up the garment at the checkout stand. Something else had taken Chris’ attention.
"Oh JoAnne! Look at these!" Chris exclaimed as she held up the item.
"Oh! Chris! They’re adorable! They’d be perfect for the wedding," JoAnne exclaimed. Chris handed the item to the sales clerk.
"I’ll take these too," Chris told her. The woman rang up and bagged the items as Chris wrote out a check.
"Maybe we should stop after lunch," Chris commented to JoAnne. Her friend tilted her eyebrow at her.
"Why?" she asked. Chris gazed into her check register.
"I think I just hit rock bottom!" she admitted sadly as she closed and returned the checkbook to her purse. She picked up her package and smiled at her friend. JoAnne gave her a knowing smile.
"Tell you what. After we unload these packages, I’ll buy you lunch!" JoAnne offered.
"Oh, JoAnne, I didn’t mean to imply I couldn’t afford lunch," Chris began to apologize but JoAnne cut her off.
"I know you didn’t but I’m feeling generous so let me treat!"
Chris hesitated a second but JoAnne gave her a pleading look and she gave in. "Okay. You can treat but only this once!"
"Fine! Come on, I’m starving!" JoAnne urged with a grin as they carried the packages to the pickup truck.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
After a leisurely lunch and a quick peek in a couple more of the stores, JoAnne and Chris headed home. It was almost four o’clock when they pulled up in front of the DeSoto home. They were in a very good mood as they got out of the truck and headed for the house. Johnny’s Rover was still parked in front of the house but Roy’s car was gone.
"I guess they’re still at the soccer game," JoAnne commented as she unlocked the front door.
"Yeah. You and Roy have any plans for tonight?" Chris asked as she flopped down on the sofa and kicked off her shoes. JoAnne eased herself into Roy’s recliner and raised the foot rest.
"Nope. You have any ideas?"
"Well, this is the last Saturday the guys have off until the wedding. I thought maybe the four of us could go out, see a movie or something. What do you think?" Chris asked as she stifled a yawn. JoAnne laughed.
"You think we have the energy to do anything?"
"Well, if we take a quick nap, I think so."
"You’re on. You want the sofa or Jennifer’s bed?"
"I don’t have the energy to climb the stairs. I think I’ll just stretch out here."
JoAnne sighed. "I agree. You need a blanket or anything?"
"Hmm? No. I’m fine."
"Great ‘cause I don’t have the strength to get you one," JoAnne giggled. She yawned broadly and snuggled down into the cushions of the recliner. In a few minutes both ladies had drifted off to sleep. It was a little past five when the guys returned with the kids. Roy unlocked the door and spied the two sleeping beauties and signaled to Johnny and the kids to be quiet. Jennifer tiptoed in, stopped and looked at them with a broad smile on her face. She motioned to her dad to bend down.
"I’m going up to my room," she whispered in his ear. Roy chuckled softly.
"Okay sweetheart. Play quietly," he told her and then turned to Chris. "Son, go get changed and try to be quiet. Looks like your mom and ‘Aunt’ Chris are wiped out."
"Okay, dad," Christopher responded. The two children quietly made their way to their rooms leaving the two men to contemplate what to do with the napping damsels.
Roy rubbed his chin and looked over at Johnny.
"Any suggestions?" he whispered. Johnny folded his arms over his chest as he pondered the situation.
"Well, if I remember my fairy tales, only a kiss from her true love will awaken the sleeping princess," he said thoughtfully.
"True. True. But the trouble is..." Roy grinned wickedly. "What if I kiss the wrong damsel?"
Johnny grinned back. "Then she’ll sleep for a thousand years."
"Well, if one of you doesn’t kiss me, then you might as well shut up and let me sleep!" JoAnne complained, half opening her eyes. Roy complied by crossing to the recliner and kneeling down to kiss his wife. Johnny, likewise, moved to Chris and kissed her awake.
"Now that’s something I could definitely get used to," Chris murmured as she awakened. "Hi there!"
"Hi yourself. You have fun shopping?" Johnny asked. She smiled and nodded.
"Oh yes. I spent all my money!"
"And what about you? What did you buy?" Roy asked JoAnne.
"Just lunch. I let Chris spend the big bucks," she answered as she lowered the footrest. She hugged Roy’s neck. "And we decided that you guys should take us out tonight."
"Oh, you did, did you? And who’s going to watch the kids?" Roy wanted to know.
"I’ll get a sitter. So where are you taking us?" JoAnne asked with a grin. Roy held his head back and looked at her.
"I dunno. I guess it’s a surprise," he said as he turned to Johnny. "Right partner?"
Johnny grinned back. "Yep!"
"So, what should we wear?" Chris asked. "Because if I have to dress up, I’m going to have to go home to change."
"Roy?" Johnny asked.
"Casual’s good." He turned his attention back to JoAnne. "So, I guess you’d better get busy and line up a sitter."
"Okay. Okay. I’m going already!" she laughed as she went to the kitchen to get her phone list. She poked her head back through the door. "Oh, Chris! Are you going to tell Johnny what you bought today and where?" she teased.
Johnny turned and watched as the blush rose in Chris’ cheeks and she averted her eyes from his. He started tickling her. "What did you buy?" he insisted.
Chris squirmed from his fingertips, laughing. "Stop!"
"No. Tell me!" he demanded as relentlessly tickled her sides.
"Roy! Help!" she called breathlessly.
"No. You’re on your own," Roy announced as he made his way to the kitchen. Johnny continued his assault until he was straddling Chris on the sofa, holding both of her wrists above her head.
"Give?" he asked once she stopped wriggling. She batted her eyelashes at him and giggled.
"Tell me!" he growled playfully.
"No! Maybe later!" she half promised. Johnny growled at her and then leaned in and kissed her.
"Oh yuck!" Chris DeSoto pronounced from the stairs. Johnny peered over Chris’ head and looked at the younger DeSoto.
"Oh hi Chris," he grinned sheepishly as he moved off the couch and stood up. Chris, embarrassed, sat up and fussed with her hair.
"Hi Chris," she said lightly, trying to appear casual. Christopher crossed the room with a look of disdain on his face.
"Hi," he mumbled as he passed. Johnny flopped down on the sofa next to Chris. He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders and they both smiled.
* * * * * * * * E! * * * * * * * * *
END OF PART 7–CONTINUED IN PART 8
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