“So, Roy,” asked John Gage, “what are you and Joanne going to do for your anniversary?”
“Well, the kids are gonna stay with the Stokers for the weekend,” Roy explained, “and we have reservations at Joanne’s favorite restaurant on the beach. And there is a really nice little bed & breakfast near the restaurant that she’s always wanted to stay at, so we’re going to stay there for a couple of nights.”
“Sounds nice. Joanne’s gonna love it,” John remarked.
“Yeah. You know, we haven’t been able to really afford a nice vacation for the last couple of years, since we’ve been saving for the house. So it’ll be a nice little mini-vacation for us.”
“So, what did you decide about the hot tub?” John asked with a smile, teasing Roy about getting the addition to his house.
Roy smiled at his partner, used to the ribbing. “We’ve decided to go ahead and get it. It’s really a good deal, and Joanne has been wanting to get one for years. And now with the new deck, we have some place to put it. That little rounded corner would be perfect for it.”
“Party time, Roy, party time!” Gage joked.
In an effort to change the subject, Roy asked Johnny about his upcoming vacation plans. Roy was taking their next duty day off to celebrate his anniversary and Johnny would be leaving in a few days to start his two week vacation. This would be the last shift they’d be working together until Gage returned.
“So, are your folks excited about you finally making it for a visit?” asked Roy.
“Yeah, except Mom is already making plans to fix me up with some woman she thinks would make me the perfect wife,” Johnny frowned.
Roy laughed, knowing how much his partner hated being fixed up by his match-making mother.
“You know, Roy,” Gage continued, “I just don’t understand why she won’t leave me alone. I’ll get married someday, why is she always pushing it?”
“Maybe she wants grandchildren, John.”
“She has grandchildren! My sister has three kids.”
“But you’re her first born, Johnny. It’s different with your first born. You’ve been out with a lot of women in the years I’ve know you. You even got serious about a few. What are you waiting for?”
Gage looked over at his partner, thoughtful.
“You really want to know?” he asked.
Roy nodded, encouraging Johnny to continue.
“You’re going to think I’m weird. Or worse, you’ll get mad at me.”
“Mad at you? For what, telling me what kind of woman you want to marry?”
“I’m looking for someone...”
“Someone..” Roy prompted, waiting for Johnny to elaborate.
“Someone like Joanne,” Johnny said quickly, afraid that Roy would think he was being silly.
“Like Joanne?” Roy was shocked, expecting anything but that.
“Yeah. I see what you and Joanne have, and that’s what I want.”
“Sorry, partner, Joanne is one-of-a-kind. And she’s taken.”
“Yeah. You see my problem?”
Roy just shook his head, chuckling. Can’t wait to tell this to Joanne, he thought. She’ll get a kick out of it.
*****
Roy and Joanne DeSoto were spending the weekend at the beach. It was their 10th anniversary and they planned to spend every waking minute together (and sleeping minutes, too). Since the kids had been born, they didn’t get many weekends alone together, especially with Roy’s schedule. So they were going to make the most of these two days.
As they sat down to dinner on the outside patio of the beach front restaurant, the orange glow of the setting sun was just going below the horizon. The talked quietly at their table, remembering the last ten years and the many years they hoped to have in the future.
Roy had made sure that the waiter knew it was their anniversary, so after serving the meal, he discreetly kept away from their table. He returned only to deliver the champagne and roses that Roy had earlier asked him to arrange.
“Oh, Roy,” Joanne said with a smile, sniffing the roses, “the flowers are beautiful!”
“Not as beautiful as you,” Roy declared.
Joanne looked into Roy’s eyes as he picked up two filled champagne glasses, handing one to his wife. “I love you, Joanne,” he told her. “Every day, I fall in love with you all over again. You are more beautiful now than the day I married you.”
She reached up and placed a hand on the side of his face, a strong face, one she hoped to see for many, many years to come. She was still amazed that this man loved her.
“Sweetheart, do have any idea how wonderful you are?” she asked him. “I fell in love with you the first day we met. I remember running home from school that day, telling my mother that I had found the man I wanted to marry. It didn’t matter that we were only 10 years old. I knew then that we would be together someday.”
They toasted each other with champagne and a kiss, then left the table for a walk on the beach. Hand-in-hand they strolled on the sand. The moon was full and bright. As they walked, lost in thoughts of each other, they would occasionally stop and embrace, wanting the night to last just a little longer. They knew they would be heading home the next morning, and wanted to relish this time alone.
******
The next morning, John Gage walked into the station to begin his final shift before he left for vacation. He had a flight out the next afternoon, and would be spending two weeks with his family. He was looking forward to getting out of the city for awhile, even willing to put up with his mother’s attempts to marry him off. Just the thought of being in the wide open spaces again put him in a great mood.
As he greeted his partner for the day, David Manning, he briefly wondered how Roy & Joanne were enjoying the beach. Roy had been so excited about the trip. He really envied his partner when it came to his family, and hoped they were having a fantastic time.
The morning was uneventful, a couple of minor traffic accidents and a broken arm suffered during a touch football game at a local park. Just before noon, the tones came in, alerting the station to respond to a motor vehicle accident. They jumped up from their seats and made their way to the engine or squad, then drove out of the station with lights and sirens going.
*****
As they pulled up to the scene, they could see three vehicles were involved. One was a pickup truck, another a station wagon. They couldn’t tell what the third vehicle was, since it was partially under the pickup truck.
“Dave, you check the station wagon,” said Gage to his paramedic partner, “I’ll take the car under the pickup.” Johnny then looked over at Captain Stanley. “Cap, can you check on the truck driver?”
“You got it, Johnny,” Cap said, before instructing Marco Lopez and Chet Kelly to pull an 1½ hose and wash down the gas that was leaking from the station wagon.
Gage walked over to the little vehicle that was jammed under the truck. Reaching the passenger side door, he looked in to see a female moaning in pain. He managed to get the door open and reached for her wrist to take her pulse. As he touched her, she turned to face him.
He gasped. “Joanne?” She blinked, trying to focus on his face, but not having much luck. “Joanne, can you hear me?” he managed to asked again, his voice cracking with the shock. He looked at Roy in the driver’s seat, saw that he wasn’t moving. He reached over and placed a finger against the side of Roy’s neck, almost afraid to touch him, for fear of what he’d find. Or not find.
When he felt the movement against his fingertips, he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Hank Stanley walked up then, and told him “The truck driver is fine, Gage, just some minor cuts. What do you have here?”
Johnny hesitated just a moment. “It’s Roy and Joanne, Cap,” he said, close to tears.
“WHAT!” cried Stanley, leaning down to look into the vehicle. Johnny took a deep breath, trying to stop the trembling in his hands, trying to steady himself enough to be able to do his job. His friends needed him now and he couldn’t afford to fall apart.
“Cap, they’re both alive, but I haven’t been able to check Roy out very well. Can you take a look at him?”
“Right,” Cap said, curtly, running around to the other side of the car.
Kelly ran up than to see if Gage needed help. The gasoline leak had been washed down and Marco was at the station wagon assisting Manning. “What can I do, Johnny?”
Gage looked up at Chet, a frightened expression on his face. “Chet, get me a backboard and cervical collar. And bring the drug box and bio-phone,” he instructed.
Chet was a little confused by Gage’s demeanor, but trotted over to the squad to retrieve the equipment.
When Kelly returned with the gear, he was followed by Manning and Lopez. “John, the other driver is DOA,” said Manning. “What do you need me to do here?” Gage looked at him for a moment, confused, then remembered the station wagon. In his concern for his friends, he had forgotten another vehicle was involved.
“Dave, it’s Roy and Joanne DeSoto,” Johnny informed him. “Can you go around to the other side and help the Cap, get some vitals on Roy?” Gage’s voice was quiet, fighting to keep control. Manning just nodded and walked around the back of the car.
Marco and Chet had heard what Johnny said and moved in closer, exchanging worried glances.
“Marco,” John began, “get the bio-phone set up and contact Rampart. Chet, I think we may need the jaws. The steering wheel has Roy pretty well pinned in.” The two firemen jumped to do what they could to help. Now, at least, Chet understood the look he’d seen on Johnny’s face. It was mirrored on his own.
Both of the victims were bleeding from cuts on their faces and heads, and Roy had a large laceration on his right arm. Vital signs on both were unstable, and Joanne was having some difficulty breathing. Johnny suspected a punctured lung. And she seemed to be having some pain in her right leg. Manning reported that Roy was having some trouble breathing as well, but that could have been caused by the steering column that was pressed against his chest.
It took thirty minutes to extricate both of them from the vehicle and another five to get them ready to transport. Both of Roy’s legs had been pinned under the dashboard, and they had needed the jaws to pull the steering column away before they could free him. It looked like his left leg was broken, as well as his left arm. And he hadn’t regained consciousness.
Joanne was still semi-conscious when they loaded her into the ambulance for the trip to the hospital. Luckily Rampart was only two minutes away. Gage kept up a steady litany of comforting words, hoping Joanne would hear him. As he continued to tell her that everything would be okay, he realized that he was talking as much to himself as to Joanne.
He was scared.. more scared than he had ever been in his life. Both of his friends had serious injuries, probably were bleeding internally. And he had done everything he could, but it still felt woefully inadequate.
Johnny and Manning were both riding in with the ambulance, Kelly following in the squad. As they pulled up to the Emergency Room entrance, Joanne’s eyes closed and she stopped breathing.
“Respiratory arrest!” yelled Johnny, as the ambulance doors opened.
Doctors Kel Brackett and Joe Early reached up to pull the stretcher carrying Joanne from the ambulance, while Gage began to bag her. Johnny kept calling to her. “Breathe, Joanne, breathe!” he commanded.
It was only then that Kel and Joe realized who their patient was. A quick look back into the ambulance confirmed that Roy was the second patient. They rushed Joanne into exam room 2, while Dr Morton and Manning took Roy into room 4.
Joe Early inserted a tube to help Joanne breath, while Dixie began taking her blood pressure and Dr Brackett checked her heart with his stethoscope. Johnny quietly backed away, until he was standing against the wall. He stared at Joanne, praying for her to be alright.
He was torn between staying here with Joanne and racing across the hall to check on Roy. He thought about what Roy would want him to do, and decided to stay right where he was. He knew Roy was in good hands with Morton and Dave, and was sure Manning would come and get him if things turned sour.
The doctors and Dixie were ignoring him for the moment, concentrating on stabilizing Joanne’s condition. It took a minute for her breathing to normalize, with the help of the respirator. Then they started checking her other injuries.
Johnny didn’t know how long he’d been standing there. He slowly became aware that someone was talking to him. He pulled his eyes from Joanne to see Dixie standing next to him, her hand on his arm, calling his name.
He looked at her and she gave him a small smile, as the others started wheeling Joanne from the room.
“How is she?” he asked, so quietly that Dixie barely heard him.
“She’s on her way to surgery. We stabilized her breathing, but she’s bleeding internally and we have to get it stopped quickly. It looks like her lung collapsed, and they’ll repair that while they have her in the OR as well. And her right knee is damaged, but we’ll wait to deal with that later.”
Johnny just nodded, walking into the hall with Dixie, and watching as Joanne was taken into the elevator for the short ride to the operating room.
“Johnny, why don’t you go wait in Kel’s office?” she said, more an order than a request.
“I want to check on Roy,” Johnny replied.
“I’ll do that,” she told him, turning to Chet, who had been pacing the hallway outside both exam rooms. “Chet, take Johnny into Dr Brackett’s office. I’ll look in on Roy, and be right back to give you an update.”
Kelly nodded, put a hand on Gage’s shoulder. “C’mon, Johnny, let’s go into the office.”
Johnny allowed himself to be led away. As he sat down on the sofa in the doctor’s office, he stared at his hands. They were covered in blood. Joanne’s blood. The blood of his best friend’s wife. He closed his eyes and began to shake, suddenly very cold.
The events of the last hour were beginning to catch up with him. Chet saw his friend’s reaction and grew concerned. Gage had been the epitome of a professional during the extrication at the accident scene, had done everything just right. But now, with his two patients in the hands of someone else, he finally was able to let out his emotions. Tears began to fall.
Chet wasn’t sure what to do. He wanted to console Johnny, but knew that anything he said would sound feeble. So he just walked over and knelt down in front of him and placed his hand over Johnny’s two clenched hands.
“Did you see her, Chet?” Johnny asked, with a ragged breath. “Did you see her? She’s hurt so bad. She stopped breathing when we pulled up outside.”
“I know, Johnny, I know. But you brought her back..you and the doctors. She’s still alive.”
“What if she dies, Chet? How do I tell Roy I let her die?”
“Johnny, you’re the one who kept her alive!”
Dixie had walked in while they were talking. She sat down next to Johnny and placed an arm over his shoulders. He looked at her questioningly, afraid of what she would tell him.
“He’s critical. He’s lost a lot of blood and may still be bleeding internally. His heart stopped at one point and they had to defibrillate.”
Johnny closed his eyes, muttering “oh, god” under his breath. Dixie placed her other hand on Johnny’s arm. “They got his heart beating again, and are taking him to surgery, too. They think he may have damaged his spleen, so they’re going to remove it. He broke several ribs, apparently when he hit the steering wheel. And his left leg and arm are broken, as well.”
Chet got up and went to the phone, to call the station and let Captain Stanley know how the couple was doing.
“Johnny,” Dixie continued, “it’s going to be several hours before they’re out of surgery. You should let Chet take you back to the station. Get cleaned up. By the time you get back, we might know a little more.”
“I’m not leaving, Dixie. I know what kind of condition they’re in. Either one, or both of them, could die during surgery. I want to be here.”
Chet walked back over to the pair. “Johnny, Cap says to tell you that he’s already called in a replacement to take over for you. I’ll go back with Manning, and grab your civvies. Manning and Bellingham can bring them back by when they can.”
Johnny looked up at Chet, seeing the concern on face. Concern for Roy and Joanne, but also for John Gage. He smiled to show him that he had pulled himself together. “Thanks, Chet. And tell Cap thanks too. I really don’t think I could concentrate on work right now. I’ll call when I hear anything.”
Chet patted him on the knee, and walked out to meet up with Manning.
“Well, John Gage,” Dixie said, “if you insist on staying here, let’s at least get you cleaned up and get some fresh clothes for you. I’ll go get a set of scrubs for you to wear and you can take a shower in the doctor’s locker room.”
“Thanks, Dixie,” Johnny told her, a look of gratitude on his face. “I didn’t mean to give you a hard time, it just that..”
“I know, Johnny,” she interrupted. “Don’t worry about it. I would have been surprised if you had reacted any other way.”
******
Both Roy and Joanne survived surgery, and were moved into ICU. Johnny had spoken to Joanne’s mother and would keep her informed of any changes. Her father had recently had heart surgery and wasn’t able to travel, and Joanne’s mom couldn’t leave him. Roy’s parents had been dead for several years. His brother, Tom, was on his way, but wouldn’t arrive until later that night. Joanne’s sister, Beth, would be driving down the next morning from Sacramento. But for now, Johnny was waiting alone. Dixie came by frequently to see how he was doing, and give him updates. At about 8 o’clock he left for the airport, to pick up Roy’s brother.
After taking Tom by the hospital for a quick visit, Johnny drove him to Roy’s house, where he would stay while in town. The kids would spend another night at the Stoker’s house. Linda Stoker planned on bringing them home in the morning so that their uncle could break the news to them. Tom and Johnny stayed up so late talking, that Gage decided to just spend the night in Chris’ room, rather than drive all the way home. He wanted to be there when Tom talked to the kids, anyway. He knew they would have questions, especially Chris, and wanted to help Tom explain the situation if he could.
*****
Johnny hadn’t slept well, since everytime he closed his eyes he saw the bloody faces of Roy and Joanne. He walked into the kitchen just as it was starting to get light. Figuring it would be pointless to try to sleep anymore, he started a pot of coffee. A few minutes later Tom joined him, looking just as bad as Johnny felt. Gage was on the phone, checking up on Roy and Joanne.
“.. should be there later this morning Stacy. We’re at Roy’s house if you need to get a hold of us. The number should be on the charts. Talk to you then.”
“Morning, John,” said Tom. “Any change?” indicating the phone call.
Tom took a couple of mugs from the cabinet and poured them both a cup of coffee, while Johnny gave him an update.
“That was the ICU nurse. Both of them are still critical, but they didn’t have any problems during the night.”
“That’s good, right?”
“It means that they didn’t get any worse. But they’re not out of the woods, yet.. not by a long shot. Hopefully, they’ll continue to stabilize and improve. But they had internal injuries and breathing difficulties. The doctors will be keeping a close eye on them to be sure pneumonia doesn’t set in, and that no other complications arise.”
“So.. they could both still die?” Tom asked, tentatively.
Johnny wanted, badly, to tell Tom ‘no’, but knew he couldn’t lie to the man. Roy was his only brother, the only immediate family that Tom had. “Yes, they could. But, Rampart is the best we have here. Those people are top-notch and will do everything they can, and then some, to help Roy and Joanne.”
“I know, John. It’s just that seeing them like that.. “
“Yeah, I know,” John said, understanding fully what Tom was thinking.
Tom looked at Johnny, remembering that he had been on the scene of the accident, and wondering if the distant look in Johnny’s eyes meant he was remembering them still in the car.
“John,” he asked, hesitantly, “how did you handle being there? Having to treat them? I don’t think I could have done that.”
“I didn’t have a choice, Tom. It was me or nobody. And I am trained for it. But..” he stopped, taking a deep breath, “.. it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
They spoke some more, while Tom made breakfast, which neither ate much of. John told Tom all the stories that Roy had told him about the cases Tom had work. Tom was a lawyer in New York city, working with the underprivileged and homeless. Tom was surprised that Johnny knew so much about him.
“I can’t believe Roy told you about that case,” Tom said, incredulous. The case that Johnny mentioned had been one from early in Tom’s career, one of the first cases he had won. And he had beaten a team of lawyers from a very big, very prestigious corporation in the city.
“Roy was really excited that you won. He talked about that for days. He thought is was great that his little brother had won such a big trial. He talks about you all the time. He’s really proud of you.”
Tom was pleasantly surprised. He told his brother about his cases, but always thought Roy was just being polite when he asked for more details. He had no idea Roy talked to his partner about it.
They were putting the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, when they heard the door open. Chris and Jennifer DeSoto ran into the house, followed by Linda Stoker. They stopped when they got to the kitchen and saw the two men.
“Uncle Tommy, Uncle Johnny!” cried 6-year old Jennifer. “Did you come to welcome mommy and daddy home too?” she asked jumping into Johnny’s arms. He hugged her, forcing himself to smile, for her sake. The little girl was oblivious to the tension in the room. Her 10 year old brother, however, sensed that something was wrong.
“Uncle Tom, what are you doing here? Where are Mom and Dad?”
Johnny and Tom exchanged looks, then took the kids into the living room, while Linda Stoker quietly left the house. Johnny sat down on the sofa, Jennifer still hugging his neck. Tom and Chris sat next to him, Tom placing his arm across the boy’s shoulder.
“Chris, your mom and dad had an accident. They were hurt and are in the hospital..” Tom began.
“Are they gonna die?” Chris blurted out, interrupting. Neither Johnny nor Tom answered, not sure what to say.
Jennifer, more aware than they realized, looked up and quietly asked, “Uncle Johnny, are mommy and daddy coming home?”
He hugged her, fighting back his own tears. How do you tell a 6 year old that her parents may never come home again, he thought.
He decided to be as honest with them as he could. “Chris, Jen, your mom and dad are hurt pretty bad. They’re at Rampart Hospital, and Dixie and Dr Brackett are taking really good care of them.” He stopped when Jennifer started to cry. Chris buried his face in Tom’s chest, his tears soaking his uncle’s shirt. Tom and Johnny didn’t speak, allowing the kids time to cry.
Finally, Chris pulled away from his uncle, stood up and put his hands on his hips. “I want to see them,” he demanded.
Tom reached out and touched his arm. “Chris, they’re still unconscious..”
“I don’t care, I want to see them,” he repeated.
Tom glanced at Johnny, desperation in his eyes.
“I’ll check with Brackett, and see what he thinks,” Johnny said. “But, Chris, if the doctor thinks we should wait, then you have to listen to him. He’s trying to help your folks, and he knows what’s best, okay?”
Chris seemed ready to argue, then just nodded his head and mumbled, “Okay.”
Johnny stood up and went to the phone, Jennifer still clutching his neck, crying softly into his shoulder.
*****
Before they entered the ICU, Johnny explained to Chris what he would see. He didn’t want the boy to be frightened by all the tubes and wires, telling him that they were to help make his parents better. Dr Brackett had given permission for Chris to visit, but felt that Jennifer was too young. Tom would accompany Chris in to the ICU, while Johnny stayed in the waiting room with Jennifer. As Johnny walked into the room to wait, he saw that the A shift crew was there. Stanley’s wife and Linda Stoker were also there with their husbands. Although none but Stanley had been allowed in the ICU, they all stayed, wanting to be close by.
Johnny sat Jennifer down in front of the television and turned it on her favorite cartoons, to keep her occupied while he talked to his co-workers.
“Hey, John,” said Stanley. “We talked to Brackett and Early a few minutes ago. They said the Roy and Joanne seem to be holding their own.”
“Yeah, at least they’re starting to stabilize. I just wish they’d wake up. Roy’s in a coma and the doctors can’t say how long he’ll be that way.”
“Are you still leaving for your parent’s house today?”
“No, I can’t leave now, not with them both still critical. I called my folks last night and explained what happened. They understood. I’ll visit them later.”
“Hell of a way to spend your vacation. You know, I can always cancel it, and try and get you two weeks later on, when Roy and Joanne are better.”
“That’s okay, Cap. I’ll keep the days, that’ll give me more time to spend here.” Stanley nodded, understanding. Johnny walked over to the sofa and sat down next to Jennifer. She crawled up into his lap, while the others found chairs to sit in during their vigil.
*****
For the next three days, Tom and Johnny spent as much time as they could at the ICU, keeping close tabs on any changes in Roy’s and Joanne’s conditions. One of them was always there. And Beth Jamison, Joanne’s sister, was with them.
Johnny had planned to go back to his own home, but Chris and Jennifer asked if he would stay with them and their Uncle Tom. After discussing it with Tom & Beth, they decided it probably would be best for the kids if he stayed with them for a few days. Since Tom lived in New York, and only saw the kids once or twice a year, he felt they would be more comfortable with Johnny there, since he knew them better. And Beth wanted to spend as much time as she could with her sister, so she had taken a hotel room close to the hospital.
When Johnny woke the next morning, he discovered Jennifer nestled under his arm. During the night, she had crawled up onto the sofa with him and had fallen asleep. He pulled the blanket up over her and wrap his arm tighter around her. Tom walked out into the living room, smiling when he saw the little girl sound asleep on Johnny’s chest.
Whispering, he told Johnny he was going out for a run, and would be back in about an hour. Johnny just raised his hand in acknowledgment and Tom quietly walked out the door.
Twenty minutes later, the phone rang. John reached for it, hoping to grab it before it woke up Jennifer. “Hello,” he said softly.
“Tom?”
“No, this is John Gage, Tom’s not here right now.”
“John, hi. This is Stacy in ICU. I just wanted to let you know that Joanne is starting to come around. She’s responding to us!”
“Thank God. What about Roy?”
“Sorry, John, no change there.”
“Okay,” John said, elation over the news about Joanne mixed with disappointment over Roy’s condition. “We’ll be there in an hour or so.”
Johnny woke up Jennifer, and told her get her brother up. He headed into the kitchen to start breakfast.
******
The kids had been excited to hear that Joanne seemed to be getting better, happier than they had been the last few days. Dr Brackett informed them that Joanne was breathing on her own, the tube having been removed. She was fully awake, but still groggy. She didn’t remember the accident, but had been told what happened. But the doctors had decided against telling her about Roy, just yet. Brackett told Tom that he would allow Jennifer to see her mother this time, but only for a short visit.
Before the kids were allowed in, Tom and Johnny decided it would be best if Joanne heard about Roy. They knew the kids would bring it up, and wanted to prepare Joanne. She was upset, of course, but everyone assured her that Roy was getting the best of care, so she pulled herself together to be strong for her children.
Although Joanne’s voice was still raspy, she was able to talk to the children, which made them, and her, feel better. Johnny wanted to give them time together, so he quietly slipped out of the room and went to see Roy.
His friend was pale and still connected to a respirator, tape across his mouth holding the tube in place. Johnny pulled up a chair next to the bed and laid a hand on Roy’s arm, careful not to dislodged the IV’s.
“How are you doing today, Roy?” he asked, praying that one of these times he came in here, Roy would answer him back. “Well, Joanne is finally awake. The kids are in with her now, so is your brother. She’s still pretty weak, but seeing the kids will help a lot, I think.” Johnny hesitated a moment, closing his eyes, trying to stop the tears he felt forming. After a moment, he spoke again. “So, partner, what are you waiting for? These kids need both their parents.. and I need my best friend back,” he added quietly, finally unable to hold the tears any longer.
Wiping his eyes, he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Your brother, Tom, is still here. So is Joanne’s sister, Beth. Haven’t seen much of Beth, except here in the ICU. She’s staying at a hotel to be closer to the hospital.” He continued, watching Roy’s face for any indication that he was being heard. Tom quietly walked into the room behind him.
“I like your brother, Roy. And he really cares about Chris and Jen. He and Chris have been spending a lot of time together. Your son is really trying to be brave and be the man of the house, but I think it’s beginning to wear on him. Ten year olds shouldn’t have to deal with this kind of pain. Hell, it’s beginning to wear on me, and I see it everyday.
“I can see now what you mean about Tom, though. He really is a compassionate guy. The way he treats the kids is fantastic. He doesn’t talk down to them and treats them like they have brains, ya know? He is a good man. I can see why you’re so proud of him. He must be one hell of a lawyer.”
Johnny heard a noise, and turned to see Tom standing in the doorway. Tom was embarrassed to have interuptted and turned to go, but Johnny called him back.
“I’m sorry, John, I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“No problem. I’m not telling him anything he doesn’t already know. Or hasn’t told me. Here,” he said, getting up, “why don’t you sit and talk to him awhile. I want to go see Joanne.”
Tom sat down as Johnny left, still frightened at seeing his brother like this. He didn’t know if he could talk to Roy the way Johnny had been. It seemed so unnatural, holding a one-sided conversation. Johnny had told him that some doctors thought that people who were in comas could hear what went on around them. On the off-chance that those doctors were right, Tom was willing to try anything get his brother to hear him.
“Well, Roy, ah..” he began. “You kept bugging me to come for a visit. Here I am. Ah..I ah.. I didn’t think you’d go to this much trouble just to get me out here.” He reached out for Roy’s hand, tentatively, not wanting to hurt him more. Finally, he just laid his hand over Roy’s and squeezed it lightly. “Please wake up, Roy,” he pleaded. “You’re scaring the hell out of me.” He watched the heart monitor pulsing with the beating of Roy’s heart, and heard the beeps that were keeping the rhythm. Just keep beeping, he thought. C’mon, Roy, open your eyes, damnit!
*****
The next day, Joanne continued to improve and Dr Brackett told them she might be moved out of ICU by the end of the week. She wanted to see Roy, but wasn’t yet strong enough. So she had to rely on Tom, Beth, and Johnny for updates. And of course Brackett and Dixie visited her frequently, and kept her informed.
Beth had decided to leave the next day, since Joanne was doing so much better. She wanted to be with her family, and Joanne insisted she was well enough for Beth to go.
After lunch, Johnny came by to visit. The kids were in school, and Tom was in the cafeteria, having lunch with Beth. He talked to Roy some more, telling him about what was going on with the kids. He had been sitting there for a while when Tom and Beth came back. Beth stayed for a short while, then headed down to her sister’s room. Tom and Johnny were talking quietly, when Johnny turned to look at Roy and suddenly stopped in mid sentence.
“Roy?” he asked, looking closely at his friend, a smile suddenly brightening Johnny’s face. “I’ll be damned! Welcome back, buddy!” Roy’s eyes were open and he was watching his little brother and his best friend.
Tom smiled and took hold of Roy’s hand, as Johnny ran to fetch the Doc. “Hey, big brother,” Tom gushed, “it’s about time you came back to us.”
Roy squeezed his hand, weakly, a questioningly look in his eyes.
“You had an accident. But you’re going to be fine. Joanne is here, too, but she’s doing great! You two gave us quite a scare though, I gotta tell ya.”
Dr Brackett and two nurses rushed into the room, followed by John Gage.
“Well, well, my prized patient is finally with us again,’ remarked Brackett, a relieved smile on his face. He turned to Johnny and told him that they would need to run some tests, and he and Tom would have to go to the waiting room. “I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
******
Roy and Joanne continued to improve and by the beginning of the next week, both had been moved out of ICU. They now stayed together in a room on the 3rd floor. Dr Brackett had told Joanne she might still need surgery on her knee, but for now, they would just let the rest of her body heal.
Beth and Joanne’s parents called several times a day, and Chris and Jennifer were allowed to visit more often. Joanne was able to get up and move around some, but Roy was still in too much pain to be ambulatory. The ribs hurt, and both his left leg and arm were in casts, so he wasn’t able to use crutches. Dixie did get him up and into a wheelchair at least once a day.
Tom brought the kids by that evening, just in time to go down to the cafeteria with them for dinner. It would be the first time that Dr Brackett was going to let Roy out of bed for an extended period. The kids came bounding in the room, Jennifer climbing up on the bed with her mother.
“Where’s Johnny?” asked Joanne, used to see the paramedic with Tom and the kids during their visits.
“He thought we might like an evening, just the DeSotos,” explained Tom.“And he wanted to go by and make sure he apartment hadn’t been rented out. He was afraid his landlady might think he’d moved out.”
“What do you mean?” she inquired.
“He hasn’t been staying there this week, and wanted to go by and check his mail and stuff.”
“Where has he been staying?” asked Roy.
“At the house, with us. I thought you knew that.”
Roy shook his head, surprised to hear that his friend hadn’t been staying in his own home. “Where did he sleep?” Roy asked his brother.
“On the couch.”
“Johnny hates that couch. Says it’s most uncomfortable thing he’s every sat on,” Roy related.
“Maybe, but I don’t think his own comfort was paramount in his mind at the time. We talked about it. Seeing as I don’t really know the kids that well, and Beth wanted to stay closer to the hospital, we thought that Chris and Jennifer would feel more comfortable with someone they knew at the house. And Johnny was willing to do anything he could to make this whole situation easier on the kids.”
“That sounds like Johnny,” stated Joanne, an affectionate smile on her face.
“You know, Roy,” Tom said, “you’ve got quiet a friend there. I used to be jealous of him, the way you talked about him all the time. Now, I understand why the two of you are so close.”
“Yeah, Johnny is something special. A little aggravating at times, but I would trust him with my life.” Roy looked over at his wife, sitting in the bed beside him. “We did trust him with our lives.”
“He told me that having to treat you was the hardest thing he’s ever done. And I don’t think he was exaggerating.”
“I’m just glad he was there,” Roy stated. “There’s not a better paramedic in the county, and no one I would trust more in that kind of situation.”
“Roy, now that you and Joanne are doing so well, I think I’m going to head back to New York soon. I have a big trial coming up that I still have to do some preparations for. I talked to Linda Stoker this morning, and she’s willing to take the kids in until you two get out of the hospital.. or longer if necessary.”
“No, Daddy,” cried Jennifer, looking up from the foot of Joanne’s bed where she was coloring. “I wanna stay in my own room!”
“Yeah, Dad, why can’t we just stay at home?” asked Chris.
“Honey,” Joanne explained, “Your Uncle Tom has to leave and nobody will be there to stay with you.”
“What about Uncle Johnny?” he asked.
The adults were quiet for a moment, then Joanne glanced at her husband.
“What do you think Roy?” she asked. “Should we see if Johnny wants to stay there with the kids?”
Roy looked around the room, gazing at Jennifer as she pleaded with him, “Please, daddy, please!”
And he gave in, like he so often did with his daughter. “Okay, we’ll ask him, but it’ll be up to Johnny. He may want to finish his vacation.”
*****
Johnny returned that evening to give Tom and the kids a ride home. As he walked in the door of the room, Jennifer squealed and ran to him, jumping up for him to catch her in his arms.
“Uncle Johnny, will you stay with us?” she asked.
“Jen, I am staying with you,” John told her, a little confused by the question.
“She means when Uncle Tom goes home,” Chris added.
“I thought Linda & Mike were going to keep the kids after you left,” Johnny said to Tom.
“We don’t want to stay with the Stokers for so long,” Chris said.
“But.. I don’t.. I can’t watch you guys alone..” Johnny stammered.
“You’ve been taking care of them for a week already,” Tom reminded him.
“Yeah, with your help!” he insisted.
Jennifer, her arms still around Johnny’s neck, laid her head on his shoulder and looked up at him with pouting lips. “Please, Uncle Johnny.”
John looked at Jennifer, and melted, letting out a huge sigh, helpless.
“Oh, oh, he’s gone,” Roy remarked, chuckling. “She does this to him every time. He is down for the count.” Everybody laughed with him, including John Gage.
******
The day Tom was to leave, he came back for one final visit, bringing the kids with him. Again, Johnny didn’t come with them, saying he had some errands to run. He would be by later, according to Tom, to run him to the airport. Dixie had come in for a visit, and Chet Kelly and Marco Lopez had stopped by as well.
Roy and Joanne were getting well enough that Dr Brackett was talking about sending them home soon, grousing about needing the beds, a smile on his face the whole time. He told them he figured another five days, a week at the most, and he could send them home. Considering their conditions when they had been brought in, they were recovering remarkably quickly.
“So, Tom, when are you coming back for a real visit?” asked Roy.
“I don’t know for sure, Roy, but it’ll be soon, I promise.”
“I hope so, Tommy, I’m really gonna miss not having you around.”
“Well, at least I know that when I’m not here, you have another ‘little brother’ to pick on.”
“You mean Johnny? I hoped you don’t think he’s replaced you in any way. I love John, and we are close, but he’s not you, Tom. He’s not my brother.”
“I know. You know, I was really apprehensive about meeting him actually. When you talk about him, it’s always about how cool he is during a rescue, always so calm, and such a good paramedic. After everything you’d said about him, I expected something different. But he’s pretty down-to-earth. He helped me out a lot this week, when I thought I was going to lose it, waiting for you to wake up. He stayed so calm, I just got this feeling that everything was going to be okay. I’m glad I got to know him, although I wish it had been under different circumstances. He helped me to understand you a little bit too. And he just adores your kids. He even took Chris and I fishing yesterday.”
“The three of us go fishing a lot. And Jennifer just loves him to death. Of course, I think the feeling is mutual.”
Joanne had been listening to the conversation. “Remember last summer, Roy, we spent so much time together, I threatened to adopt him!” she joked.
“Can we Mom,” Jennifer piped up. She was sitting in the chair next to Joanne’s bed, reading a story book.
“Can we ‘what’ honey?”
“Adopt Uncle Johnny?” she replied simply.
“Adopt..” Roy sputtered.
“Yeah, that would be cool. Can we Mom? Dad?” added Chris, his gaze going back and forth between his parents.
Joanne glanced a Roy, a surprised look on her face. Roy appeared in shock at first, but then began to smile, raising an eyebrow at his wife. “What do you think, Mom, can you put up with another child in the family?” He started to chuckled, which turned into laughter, everyone joining in, Roy holding his side when his ribs began to hurt.
*****
One week later, everyone was hustling around the DeSoto household. Roy and Joanne were due to be released that afternoon,and final preparations were being made for the party. Tom and Beth had returned, and even Joanne’s parents were now in town, her father’s doctor giving the okay for him to travel.
Marco and Chet had built temporary ramps at the entrances to the house, to make it easier for Roy, who would still need to use a wheelchair for a couple of weeks, at least.
The party was to be a surprise, and Johnny was amazed that Jennifer hadn’t already clued her parents in on it already. But Gage had another surprise up his sleeves for his friends as well.
Once everything was ready at the house, and everybody was there, John left with the kids to go to the hospital. The guys from the crew and their families would get the barbecue started and hang the ‘welcome home’ banner on the front of the house. Johnny had borrowed Stoker’s van to bring Roy and Joanne home, knowing it would be more comfortable than his Land Rover.
As they drove up in front of the house, they got their first look at the “Welcome Home” banner stretched across the garage doors. They noticed all the cars parked in the street, recognizing many of them. Roy looked over at his friend behind the wheel, as Johnny pulled into the driveway and turned off the ignition.
“Johnny, what’s going on?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“It’s a party, Daddy!” exclaimed Roy’s 6-year old daughter.
“Yeah, I kinda got that impression, Jennifer,” he said, staring at Gage accusingly.
Gage pushed Roy up the ramp as Chris ran ahead to open the door. Jennifer walked up the ramp with her mom, holding her hand, Joanne now using a cane. As they came in the door, everyone let out a yell. Their families were there, and all the guys from the station. Johnny had even invited some of the neighbors.
Roy was elated to see his brother, Tom, back in town. And Joanne went right to her father’s side, assuring herself that he was doing okay after his own recent hospitalization.
“Hey, Mom, Dad, come outside and see what Uncle Johnny and the guys did!” yelled Chris. Curious, Roy and Joanne went out onto the deck.There, in the corner of the deck, just where Roy had told his partner he planned to put it, was the hot tub, a big red bow stretched across the top.
Joanne and Roy exchanged shocked glances, then walked, or in Roy’s case, rolled, across the deck. The crew from station 51 was standing around the hot tub. They were glad to see the expressions on Roy’s and Joanne’s faces, since they had helped Johnny installed it.
“Roy, this is wonderful,” said Joanne, as she limped over.
“I didn’t do it, honey,” he replied, glancing at Gage. Johnny just cleared his throat, then grabbed to back of Roy’s wheelchair and pushed him the rest of the way to the end of the deck.
“Johnny, this is exactly the one we ordered,” Roy remarked. “But, I don’t understand, I hadn’t paid him yet.”
“Thank Tom for that one. When the guy from the store called to say that it was in, Tom and I got to talking. We knew that Joanne would need some rehab on her knee, and I made a comment that it was too bad the hot tub wasn’t already in, since it would be great for relieving the pain. Tom called the guy back up and made arrangements to have it delivered. Cap and the guys came over last Saturday, and we set it up.”
“Tom?” Roy asked, turning to look for his brother, who by then had walked up next to his wheelchair.
“You like it, Roy?” he asked.
“Tom, thanks, but you didn’t have to buy it, we had the money set aside already.”
“I wanted to, Roy. Use that other money for a vacation for you and kids when both of you are feeling better.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Roy.
“Well I do,” Joanne interrupted, and hobbled over to give Tom a hug. “Thanks, I can’t wait to use it!”
“Yeah, Tom, thanks,” said Roy, who reached to shake Tom’s hand, then pulled him into a hug as well.
“Well, Roy, too bad it’ll be a few weeks before you can join Joanne. Until you get that cast off your leg, you won’t be climbing in any hot tub,” remarked Dr Brackett, who was sitting on the railing.
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll get a lot of use out of it. Thanks, everybody, this is really great. And thanks for the party. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen everybody in one place. This is fantastic!”
“Daddy, can we do the other surprise now?” asked his daughter.
“Other surprise?” he asked, slightly confused. When she looked over at Johnny, who was now engaged in conversation with Joanne, he remembered. “Not right now, honey, let’s wait until after everybody eats. I want it to be really special.”
“Okay, Daddy, but let’s hurry and eat.” With that she tried to push his wheelchair over toward the table. Her brother Chris came by to give her a hand.
*******
Everyone finally had enough to eat, and were sitting or standing around in small groups, talking. Johnny and Tom were perched on the railing, each holding a beer, laughing about something Chet was saying. Marco was standing nearby, shaking his head like he didn’t believe Chet had just said what he said.
Captain Stanley and Mike Stoker were talking with Joanne’s parents, and Joanne and Roy were sitting together, holding hands, and talking to Dixie and the doctors, Brackett and Early.
Jennifer and Chris walked over to their parents and Chris whispered in his mom’s ear. She looked over to see where Johnny was and nodded her head. Jennifer and Chris went over to Johnny and Tom, and Jennifer grabbed Johnny’s hand and dragged him back to the table. Tom and Chris had gone back inside, but returned a moment later.
“Everybody, gather round please,” called Tom. “We have a presentation to make.”
Once everyone had surrounded the table, Tom turned to Chris and nodded.
Chris took hold of Jennifer’s hand and walked over to Johnny, who had taken a seat at the table.
“Uncle Johnny,” Chris began, “Jennifer and I, and Mom and Dad, and Uncle Tommy, want you to be a part of our family. So we are adopting you.”
A look of shock came over Johnny’s face, as he glanced over at Joanne and Roy, sitting across the table from him. Then Jennifer pulled on his shirt sleeve, drawing his attention back to her.
“Uncle Johnny, we adopted you. This makes it official,” she said, handing him a package. He took the package, looking around at the others, not quite sure what was going on. He removed the wrapping, and set it aside. Inside the wrapping was two separate frames. One contained an official looking document, signed by all of the DeSoto family. The document declared that John Roderick Gage, would now and forever, be considered an honorary member of the DeSoto family. Johnny felt the tears welling up in his eyes as he looked at the other frame. This one was hand-made, by Chris and Jennifer, a drawing of Roy, Joanne, Chris, Jennifer, Tom.. and Johnny. It was label “Family Portrait.”
Johnny was speechless, tears now freely flowing down his face.
Jennifer climbed up into his lap, and Chris moved to sit down next to him. “Uncle Johnny, don’t you want to be a part of our family?” asked Jennifer, confused by his tears, fearing she had done something wrong.
He hugged her to him, and wrapped an arm around Chris. “Jen, honey, I would be honored to be a part of this family. Who wouldn’t want to be a DeSoto?”
“Then why are you crying?”
“He’s crying ‘cuz he’s happy, silly,” chided Chris.
“OH! Okay,” Jennifer replied, wrapping her arms around Johnny’s neck.
“Welcome to the family, John,” said Tom, extending a hand.
Roy rolled his wheelchair over so that he was sitting opposite his friend, as Joanne walked over to Johnny and leaned down to give him a hug and kiss.
Roy lifted his beer bottle, announcing a toast.
“To John Roderick Gage-DeSoto, newest member of the DeSoto family. Welcome John. We are proud to have you as a member of our family.”
Everyone toasted John, and came over to congratulate him. Then Chet started calling for a “Speech, speech” and everyone picked up the chant.
Johnny stood up, still holding Jennifer. He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath.
“I really don’t know what to say..” he began.
“That’ll be a first,” quipped Kelly, and of course everyone laughed, agreeing with him.
“You, know, Roy,” he said to his best friend, “I have know you for six years. During that time you and Joanne and the kids have treated me like part of this family. I couldn’t feel closer to you guys. At least, that’s what I thought until today.” He paused, not sure how to continue. “I’m floored, I really didn’t expect this..”
“That because it was a surprise, Uncle Johnny,” Jennifer told him, in all seriousness, bringing a chuckle to everyone, and causing Johnny to just hug her tighter, and give her a peck on the forehead.
“It sure was, Jen, a real surprise,” he remarked. “The best surprise. I’ve been blessed with some of the best friends a man could every want. And now, to be ‘adopted’ into this family, is probably the nicest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“You got that right, Gage,” Roy commented.
“That’s Gage-DeSoto,” Johnny reminded him.
Roy raised an eyebrow, muttering something about “regretting this for the rest of my life”, then got up from the wheelchair to give his ‘new’ brother a hug.
“Things are starting to get mushy,” remarked Chet. “I think it’s time to cut the cake.” And with that everyone turned back to the table where the cake was sitting. Everyone but Roy and Johnny. Johnny was helping Roy back into the wheelchair. After he sat back down, he looked his best friend in the eye, and Johnny quietly said, “Thanks, Roy.”
Roy just smiled in return. He looked around him, trying to remember when he had ever felt this contented before, finally realizing he never had. This was the best his life had ever been. Joanne walked up behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder. He reached up, putting his own hand over hers, happy that they were both here to enjoy this day.
"Member of the Family" ©1999 Pat "Charli" Charleville. "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
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