Photographs and Memories
by
Copyright 2006-2007
Author’s notes: All E! Characters belong to MARKIIV LIMITED. All OC’s
(original characters) belong to the writers and cannot be used without our
permission. The story takes place during the early 1980's.
The poem "Remember Me" is based on dialogue from an episode of Little House
on the Prairie--author unknown. The first two lines are from the show, the
rest of the poem was written by Sherry. The song "Times of Your Life"
written by Paul Anka.
Any medical mistakes are unintentional and my own.
**A special thank you to Sherry for all of her wonderful contributions to
the story, suggestions, and most importantly, her patience. And thank you
for putting up with the endless e-mails and late night chats. It's been a
great experience and a true labor of love**
****** ****** ******
The guys of Station 51 had finished their morning chores and were now all
sitting around talking and enjoying a cup of coffee. The conversation
encompassed many subjects, and finally Chet Kelly saw an opening…and took
it.
“What is this, almost April? You know what I find amazing, is Gage is going
on five months without a scratch…not even a cough.”
Johnny smiled wanly, he knew that wasn’t really true…the last couple of
weeks he’d been feeling tired and a little run down with some headaches…but
he kept that to himself. Roy hadn’t even said anything to him, so he was in
the clear…or so he thought.
Johnny wasn’t really feeling well so he wasn’t in his usual kidding around
mood, when he replied, “Jealous Chet…that I can stay out of trouble and you
can’t?”
Being curious, Chet asked, “What are we talking about here Gage?"
“Just what I said, Chet. *I’m* not the one who broke my arm falling off the
ladder, plantin’ a water bomb…*I’m* not the one who sprained an ankle,
jumping down from the Engine… and *I’m* certainly not the one who’s had
latrine duty for the last two months.”
When Johnny mentioned latrine duty, everyone laughed at that…except Chet.
“He’s got you there Chet.”
Looking at his friend, Kelly asked, “Whose side are you on Marco?”
Before Marco could respond, the klaxons sounded, calling the Squad into
service and putting an end to the discussion.
******
Returning to the Station from yet another run, it was now 3 in the
afternoon…Roy and Johnny had been on a series of back-to-back calls since
the morning. The Engine was out, but the guys had left lunch for them in the
fridge. Johnny sat right down at the table, while Roy got out the food and
glasses for drinks. Johnny had his elbow on the table with his head
resting on his hand, and staring off into space.
“What do you want to drink Johnny?”
After receiving no answer, Roy went over to Johnny and snapped his fingers,
and said, “Wake up Junior.”
Johnny was clearly startled, as he said, “Oh, I’m sorry. Whatd’cha say?”
“Drink…what do you want to drink?”
Johnny thought for a moment, then answered, “Uh…iced tea’s fine.”
Roy grabbed the pitcher of iced tea from the fridge and joined his partner
at the table.
“What’s wrong with you Johnny? You’ve been zoning out on me all day.”
John looked wearily at his friend, as he softly answered, “I…I really don’t
know.”
Puzzled, and a little concerned, Roy asked, “You don’t know…whatd’ya mean,
you don’t know?”
Placing his arms on the table and leaning forward, Johnny said, “I mean, I
don’t really feel bad or anything. I guess I’m just tired…look, forget
it…I’ll be okay.”
Johnny wanted to drop the subject, but as they finished eating their egg
salad sandwiches, Roy was eyeing his partner suspiciously.
Realizing that Roy was watching him, Johnny said, “You can stop watching me
Roy, I told you, I’m fine.”
Getting up and going over to the sink, they quickly did their dishes and
were sitting on the couch watching TV when the Engine returned. When the
guys walked into the kitchen, they all noticed Johnny.
“Tough runs?”
Wondering what his friend was talking about, Roy asked, “What do you mean
Mike?”
“He’s talking about your partner…sleepin’ beauty over there.” Chet said,
nodding in Johnny’s direction.
Roy turned to see his partner, sleeping soundly next to him.
“Oh, I didn’t even realize that he had fallen asleep…I guess he’s just
tired. We’ve been going non-stop all day.”
Trying not to bother Johnny, the guys quietly grabbed some coffee and as
Captain Stanley came into the kitchen, he also noticed his junior paramedic,
asleep on the couch.
“Is he alright?” Hank softly asked.
Shrugging his shoulders, Roy replied, “Says he is Cap.”
“Meaning what?”
Before Roy can answer, the klaxon sounded and the Engine was called away to
a trash fire. Being startled awake, Johnny jumped up, thinking they had a
call.
Catching his partner by the arm, Roy said, “Junior…that’s not for us, just
the Engine.”
Johnny sat back down, and rubbed his eyes, but didn’t say anything.
“What’s wrong Johnny?”
John was starting to get annoyed with Roy’s nagging questions.
“You sound like a broken record, for God’s sakes. I said I was okay, I’m
just a little tired.”
“You fell asleep.”
Johnny was surprised, and said, “I did? I only closed my eyes for a
minute.”
Shaking his head no, Roy said, “Try 30 minutes partner.”
Johnny sighed and got up from the couch and headed out of the room.
“Where ya going?”
Johnny’s level of annoyance was growing, as he said, “The bathroom. Is that
alright with you?”
Roy said nothing…he just watched as his partner left the room. Johnny
went into the bathroom to splash some cold water on his face, but being gone
longer than his friend thought he should be, Roy went into the bathroom
to check on him.
Seeing Roy come in, Johnny said, “Jeez, can’t a guy have some privacy?”
“Johnny…”
Turning to look at his friend, Johnny asked, “Are you gonna follow me around
like a guard dog for the rest of the shift?”
“I’m…what’s going on with you Johnny?”
“Nothing. I told you, I’m fine.”
“But…”
Johnny was getting exasperated as he stopped his friend.
“Look, I’m not sick…I’m not nauseous or dizzy…and I don’t have any aches or
pains.”
Of course, he wasn’t telling the whole truth. He was starting to get a bad
headache as he spoke.
**Well, no pains except for the one I’m gettin’ in my head**
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I *don’t* have a problem, Roy. Apparently, *you’re* the one with the
problem.”
“You’re not making any sense, Junior, something’s obviously wrong. You’ve
been zoning out on me all day long, you’ve been lethargic, and you just fell
asleep for half an hour when you thought it was only for a minute.”
Wanting to get this conversation over with, Johnny tried to end it by
saying, “Look, the shift is over in the morning. I’ll go home and go to
sleep for a few hours and I’ll be as good as new.”
He looked at Roy and rolled his eyes, knowing what Roy was about to say.
“Don’t say a word Roy…don’t say it.”
“Johnny, I’m worried about you. There, I said it.”
John looked at his best friend and just walked out of the bathroom. Moments
later, the klaxons sounded.
“Squad 51, respond with Engine 46…man trapped, 1587 Canyon Road…1-5-8-7
Canyon Road…timeout 1650.”
Grabbing the mic, John responded, and said, “Squad 51 responding, KMG365.”
When they arrived on scene, they were met by Station 46’s Captain Marsh. He
pointed to a tower.
“He’s up there fellas. He was going to jump, but changed his mind…now, he’s
too scared to come down.”
Roy asked the Captain what the young man’s name and age was.
“It’s Steve and he’s in his early twenties. One of his buddies over there
called for help.”
Roy looked up at the tower, and asked, “How long has he been up there?”
“About an hour.”
Roy glanced at his partner and said, “Let’s go Johnny.”
They got their equipment and started the high climb up. When they got the
man down, he was taken away in a police car but while they’re putting away
their gear, Roy noticed Johnny breathing a little heavy and starting to
sweat.
“You alright Junior?”
Johnny didn’t want to have this conversation again. Because they were in
public, he kept his tone normal.
“I’m fine Roy.”
He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and paused for a moment
before he spoke again.
“Are you going to overanalyze everything I do?”
John got into the Squad and closed the door.
Captain Marsh turned to Roy, after accidentally overhearing part of their
conversation.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah…I guess. Thanks for the help Cap.”
He got into the Squad and turned to his partner, addressing Johnny in a
serious tone.
“I’m really worried about you partner.”
“Look, if you promise to stop badgering me…I’ll promise to see a Doctor if I
still feel tired.”
“When?”
“Roy…no more…please. Can we just go back to the Station?”
Roy put the key in the ignition and started the Squad, but before he put the
Squad into drive, he took another look at Johnny, who looked away. They
rode back to the Station in silence. When they arrived back to the Station,
it was 5:30, and as Johnny got out and made his way out back, Roy went into
the kitchen where Mike Stoker was preparing dinner.
“Hey Roy, dinner’ll be ready soon.”
“Thanks Mike.”
Captain Stanley came out of his office and went to the kitchen, noticing
that all of his crew was there, except for his younger paramedic.
“Where’s John?”
“Out back, I guess.”
Chet responded before Captain Stanley could say anything.
“Gage must be in one of his moods.”
“That’s not nice Chet.”
Defending his friend, Roy said, “Actually Marco, he’s not too far off the
mark, Johnny’s been in a funk all day. I tried to talk to him, but he keeps
telling me that I worry too much. I guess I’ll just give him some space…see
what happens.”
“You don’t think it’s anything serious, do you Roy?”
“I don’t know Cap. That’s the thing, he won’t talk about it.”
Meanwhile, Johnny had fallen asleep while sitting on the hood of his Rover,
his head resting on the windshield. Chet was in the process of setting the
table, when Micky McGraw, a firefighter from C-Shift stopped by the Station.
“Hey guys.”
They all greeted him, as Mike asked, “What brings you by at this hour?”
Micky smiled and said, “I left something in my locker Mike. Oh, by the way,
Roy…what’s your partner doing asleep on his car?”
Roy just looked at Micky, and said, “He’s kind of having a bad day.”
After dinner the guys played some cards…everyone but Johnny. He claimed he
was too tired and not in the mood so he spent most of the evening on the
couch, looking at the newspaper but unable to concentrate enough to actually
read it.
After a light night with runs, the guys were all in the locker room changing
to go home.
“See everyone in two days.”
Roy looked at Johnny and said, “Remember what you promised.”
Johnny looked back at Roy, annoyed and raising his voice, he said, “Will you
get off my back!”
He slammed his locker door shut and stormed out of the room…Chet was more
than a little concerned.
“Something’s going on. I don’t remember ever seeing Johnny like *that*
before.”
“What are you going to do Roy?”
“What *can* I do Marco? I’ll see you guys later.”
Heading home and going into his apartment, Johnny surveyed the disaster area
that it had become as he dropped his duffel bag on the floor and sat in the
recliner for a rest, before he started to tackle the cleaning.
As the phone started to ring, it took several times before Johnny realized
it was the phone and answered it.
“Hello?” he answered, still groggy from having been asleep.
Hearing his partner’s voice, Roy was immediately concerned.
“You alright Johnny? You sound terrible.”
“I’m fine Roy, I fell asleep. What time is it?”
“6:30 PM.”
“6:30? I blew the whole day.”
“Well, how about if I come over and pick you up…and we’ll go out for a bite
to eat?”
“Thanks Roy, but I’m not really in the mood.” He paused for a second.
“I’m...I’m sorry about exploding on you this morning in the locker room, I
don’t really know what got into me. I’ll see ya at work in a couple days.”
Roy was disappointed, but replied, “Okay Partner, I’ll see ya work.”
After getting off the phone, Roy thought to himself. **I know what got into
you…you’re sick or something’s really weighing heavily on your mind**
******
Two days later and after dinner, Captain Stanley was in his office while
Chet, Mike, and Marco were out back shooting some hoops. Back inside,
Johnny was drinking a cup of hot cocoa at the table while Roy was at the
sink washing the dishes.
“Junior, you gonna dry?”
After receiving no answer, he called his partner, again.
“Junior…hey…Johnny, you gonna dry?”
John, who was in deep thought, heard Roy’s second try at getting his
attention. “I’m sorry. Yeah.”
Getting up, he went over to the sink to dry the dishes. The rest of the
crew came back inside and started watching television. Roy eyed Johnny
suspiciously, still convinced there was something wrong with his partner.
“You alright?”
“Yeah…I’m fine.”
“What are your plans for our two days off?”
John was only half-listening to his partner as he replied, “Uh…I…I don’t
know. Why do you ask?”
“Well, it’s Joanne’s birthday and we’re having a special birthday dinner for
her on Saturday night…just me and the kids. How about joining us?”
“Uh…yeah…sure. What time?”
“5:30…at the house.”
Johnny smiled, and said, “I’ll be there partner.”
The two paramedics finished the dishes and made their way over to their
friends.
“What are you guys watching Marco?” Roy asked.
“The Lakers game…they’re playing the New York Knicks.”
“Johnny, you wanna watch the game?”
“Nah, I’m not really in a TV-watching mood. You watch Roy, I’m going to go
outside for some fresh air.”
“Okay.”
Roy acknowledged his partner and watched as he left the room. Johnny went
out back and assumed the familiar position of lounging on the hood of his
Rover. Fifteen minutes later, the klaxons went off, calling the Engine to a
fire. After the Engine left, Roy went out back to see what his partner was
up to.
“Hey Johnny.”
Johnny opened his eyes when he heard his name. “I was just resting my eyes.
What brings *you* out here?”
“You do partner. The Engine left, I figured I’d see what you were up to.”
As John sat up, he rubbed the back of his neck, and said, “Yeah, I heard
them leave. Boy, I could use a good massage…I’m getting really stiff.”
“You okay?”
Johnny looked at his best friend and rolled his eyes, and said, “Don’t start
Roy, I’m not in the mood.”
The klaxons went off, sending the Squad on a run.
“Squad 51, respond with Engine 36, man down…Harbor Road, cross street
Wainwright Avenue…Harbor Road, cross street Wainwright…timeout 1905.”
The two paramedics ran inside, Roy responded on the mic, and said, “Squad 51
10-4, KMG365.”
After they arrived on scene, they were met by Captain Stevens.
“Witnesses say a bicyclist lost control and went down the side of the cliff.
He’s about 150 yards down.”
“Come on Junior, let’s get our gear.”
While the two paramedics were getting their gear out of the Squad, Captain
Stevens continued to update them on the situation.
“I don’t think he’s conscious, we’ve tried contacting him on the
microphone…he hasn’t responded or moved.”
Roy and John repelled down to the victim and minutes later their equipment
was sent down in a stokes. After examining their victim and contacting
Rampart, they got him collared, splinted, and on a backboard. When they
arrive back to the top, Roy noticed Johnny breathing heavy, but decided not
to say anything about it…for fear of starting another argument.
“Johnny, you want to go in or drive?”
“I’ll…I’ll go in the ambulance.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you at Rampart.”
Their victim was loaded into the waiting ambulance and Johnny climbed in
with him.
After helping out in the treatment room, Johnny decided to wait for his
partner in the lounge. Getting comfortable on the couch, he started to doze
off.
“Hey Dix.”
“Well, hello there.” The nurse smiled at Roy. She always enjoyed seeing
him and his partner.
“You seen Johnny?”
“No, but I just got back to the desk. Try the lounge.”
Roy went to the lounge to find his partner. Seeing him on the couch, he
called Johnny’s name.
When he received no answer, he went over to him and gently tapped him on the
shoulder. Startled, Johnny jumped.
“Easy Junior…didn’t mean to scare ya. You alright?”
Rubbing his eyes, John replied, “Yeah…fine, I’m beat that’s all. Let’s go
back to the Station.”
They grabbed their supplies and walked back to the Squad. Once inside,
Johnny rolled down his window part way.
Roy started to think back over the last few weeks and sensed a pattern to
Johnny’s behavior.
“What’s up partner?”
Johnny shrugged his shoulders, and replied, “Nothing, I’m just tired. I
figured the air would keep me awake.”
They rode back to the Station in silence. When they got back, Johnny looked
at his watch.
“9:30…I’m gonna head to bed. I’ll see ya later Roy.”
Roy nodded at his partner, and said, “Okay Johnny.”
Johnny headed to the dorm and laid down on his bed, still in uniform, too
tired to undress.
“Roy, where’s Johnny?”
“In bed Mike.”
“Gage is in bed at 9:30?”
Chet was really surprised. Usually, he and Johnny were the last ones in for
the night…although, that hadn’t been the case for at least a month or so.
“Chet, lay off.” Marco didn’t want Chet starting on Johnny when he wasn’t
around to defend himself.
Sometime in the middle of the night, John had gotten up to get a drink of
water and while he was up, he got out of his uniform and got his turnouts
set up next to his bed.
Friday morning arrived, marking the end of another shift. The wake up alarms
sound, signaling one hour left of the shift. Everyone got up and headed to
the kitchen…Chet started the coffee brewing.
“Hey Roy, where’s Johnny?”
Roy turned around and found his partner wasn’t there.
“I don’t know Cap, I thought he was right behind me. I’ll go check.”
When Roy checked the dorm, he saw his partner sitting on his bed, his head
in his hands and massaging his temples.
“Johnny…you coming?”
“Yeah.” John’s voice was strained.
Roy walked over to his partner, concerned. “Johnny, are you alright?”
John tried to sound reassuring. “I’m fine Roy. I’m just really tired.”
He gingerly got up out of the bed.
“Look, Johnny…if you’re not up to coming over for dinner tomorrow night, I’d
understand…Joanne would too. You look like you’d be better off spending
some time relaxing in bed.”
“No, it’s okay Roy…I’ll be there. I’ll get some rest and be as good as
new.”
He smiled at Roy and patted him on the back, and said, “Did I ever tell you
Roy, you worry way too much.” He headed out to the kitchen to join the rest
of his shift-mates.
“Hi pal. How you doin’?”
Too tired to talk, Johnny gave short answers to the questions that were
asked him.
“Fine Cap.”
Hank looked at his young paramedic closely, and said, “You sure? You look
exhausted.”
“Positive.”
After an hour, B-Shift arrived, and the rest of the guys were changing to go
home.
Johnny smiled at his partner, and said, “Roy, I’ll see ya at 5:30 tomorrow.”
“Sure thing Johnny. Get some rest, okay?”
"I will." He turned and slowly walked out.
A few minutes later, Mike came up to Roy, and said, “Roy, Cap wants to see
you in his office.”
“Okay, thanks Mike.”
Roy finished changing and headed to his Captain’s office.
“Cap, you wanted to see me?”
“Yeah. Come on in…have a seat.”
Roy went in and sat down as Hank closed the door behind him.
“Everything okay?”
“Well, that’s what I’d like to know Roy.”
Not sure what his Captain was talking about, Roy asked, “What do you mean?”
“I mean between you and John?”
Roy was confused as he asked, “Yeah…why?”
“You guys seem a little distant. You two are the strength of this Station
and…”
Quickly stopping his Captain, Roy said, “Whoa Cap, I assure you that
everything’s okay between us. Johnny’s been tired lately and I guess things
seem a little awkward because I’m doing all the talking.”
“Is he okay?”
“He says he is. Don’t worry Cap…I’m keeping an eye on him.”
Roy didn’t want to alarm his Captain more, by expressing his own concerns
about Johnny. He decided to keep them to himself for the time being.
“Anything else?”
“No. Enjoy your days off.”
“Yeah. You too Cap.”
When Johnny arrived home, he got right into bed, and he promptly fell
asleep. Arriving home, Roy missed the kids as they left to catch their bus.
“Hi honey.”
“Hi Jo.” Roy said, kissing his wife.
“Is Johnny coming for dinner tomorrow night?”
“Yeah, he’ll be here.”
“Good, I’m glad. Hungry…I can fix you some breakfast?”
Roy was worn out from the combination of a busy shift and the constant
worrying about his partner.
“That’s okay Jo, I’m more tired than hungry. I’m going to go take a nap.”
Joanne sensed her husband’s weariness, and asked, “Is everything okay…I
mean, is there something you’re not telling me Roy?”
Roy managed a small smile for his wife, as he said, “No, everything’s okay.”
**I hope**
******
Johnny had managed to sleep straight through the day and into the night.
Despite all the sleep he got, he woke up on Saturday morning feeling like he
had the world’s worst hangover.
Getting out of bed, he dragged himself to the bathroom and into the shower.
He stood under the showerhead with the water as hot as he could stand it.
He was in the middle of shampooing his hair, when he was hit by a sudden wave
of dizziness and nausea. He braced himself against the wall until it
passed.
Once he was rinsed off and cleaned, he carefully stepped out of the
shower…he was still feeling a little unsteady on his feet. Grabbing his
towel, he dried off and slowly made his way back to the bedroom. He got
dressed and combed his hair and after brushing his teeth, he decided to try
to eat a light breakfast.
It was now 10 in the morning and he decided he’d go out and buy a gift for
Joanne, and maybe some flowers too. He grabbed his jacket, as he was
feeling a little chilled, and his keys and headed out the door. Sitting in
his car, he took a deep breath before putting the key in the ignition. He
willed himself to keep it together…at least until he came back home from Roy
and Joanne’s later that evening.
He decided to go to the jewelry store. Joanne, although she liked jewelry,
never bought herself anything. All the money she and Roy had, was spent on
the kids and on the house. He’d buy her something nice…kind of a thank you
to her for making him feel like a part of the family.
Stepping inside the store, he was immediately drawn to a bracelet. The
bracelet was silver and turquoise and it reminded him of a bracelet his
mother wore when he was a child. Satisfied with his choice of gift, he paid
for it and had it gift-wrapped. He walked down the street to the florist
and got a bouquet of Joanne’s favorite flowers…roses, carnations, and
daisies.
Arriving home after shopping, he was exhausted. He put the flowers in a
vase with water and the gift on the kitchen table. Kicking off his shoes,
he collapsed on the couch and fell asleep.
He was woken up by a knocking on the door, but he was in such a haze, that he
barely heard it. He debated with himself as to whether or not he should
answer it but his conscience won out, and as he dragged himself to the door,
he was greeted by one of his neighbors.
Mrs. Johnson was an elderly widow next door and not having any family close
by, she adopted Johnny as a grandson.
He tried to give her a smile, as he said, “Hello Mrs. Johnson.”
She looked at him closely, and said, “Hello Johnny. Are you okay dear?”
“I’m fine, I guess I dozed off. What time is it?”
“I believe it is almost 4:30. I’m sorry I woke you up…I know how hard you
work and you must be exhausted.”
“That’s okay, I should be up anyway. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to know if you’d like to come over for a home cooked meal this
evening?”
Johnny smiled at the kindly woman, and replied, “Well, since you’re such a
great cook, normally I’d say yes, but I have plans tonight. My partner Roy,
it’s his wife’s birthday and we’re having a dinner for her.”
“How wonderful. I’m sure you’ll have fun, he’s such a nice man.”
“Can I take a rain check?”
Gently touching Johnny on his arm, she said, “Of course Johnny, you tell me
when.”
“I will.” He smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek.
“Johnny…please get some rest…and eat…you’re getting much too thin.”
Johnny had to chuckle. He was even getting it from his 75-year old
neighbor.
“Okay Mrs. Johnson, I will.”
After she left, Johnny got ready to head over to Roy’s. He changed into
something a little dressier, grabbed the flowers and gift, and headed out.
Arriving at Roy’s house he was greeted warmly by the whole family.
“Hi partner, glad ya made it.” Roy smiled at his friend and shook his hand.
**Yeah, I barely made it**
Johnny smiled genuinely. “I couldn’t pass up seeing my two best girls.”
He hugged Joanne, and as he handed her the flowers and gift, he said, “Happy
Birthday Jo.”
“Johnny, you shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to Jo. You can open up the gift later.”
“Thanks Johnny. The flowers are beautiful…all my favorites.” She kissed
him on the cheek.
Jennifer waited patiently to see her favorite Uncle.
“Uncle Johnny, I’m glad you came.” she said, as she hugged him.
“Me too Jelly Belly…me too.”
Chris hugged his Uncle and gave him a high-five. “Uncle Johnny, guess
what?”
“I couldn’t imagine Chris. What?”
“My friend Pete and I are gonna be on TV. We were picked out of our entire
school to be interviewed on “The Dave McCarthy Show’.”
“Really…what’s the topic?”
“Kids who have parents in public service…Pete’s Dad is a cop. Isn’t that
cool?”
“Very cool Chris.” Johnny looked over at Roy and grinned. “You know, your
Dad and I were on TV, once…’The Tom Jensen Show’. We did a fire
demonstration and one of the stagehands got electrocuted during the
broadcast and we helped him…it was all caught on TV.”
Of course, John left out the details about how they were tanking on the show
until the guy went down.
Now eating, the conversation was lively. Sitting there, Roy thought to
himself.
**This is the Johnny I’m more used to…talkative and smiling**
“How is everything Johnny?”
“Joanne, it’s fabulous. I assume *you* made dinner.”
Roy smiled at his partner, and replied, “You assume wrong Junior…*I* made
dinner.”
“You?” Johnny was very surprised.
“Hey…my cooking skills aren’t *that* bad.”
“Roy, how come you don’t cook like *this* at the Station?”
Roy smiled mischievously, as he replied, “Because…then they’ll expect it
everytime.”
After thinking for a moment, Johnny said, “You’re right, they would. Good
point.”
After dinner was finished, the kids helped Roy clear the table.
As John started to get up, Roy said, “I got this partner, you keep the
birthday girl company.”
Johnny sat back down, as he asked, “So, how did you spend your day Jo?”
Joanne smiled, and said, “The kids made me breakfast in bed…Roy set up a
bubble bath for me, while he took the kids out for a few hours. When they
returned we had a leisurely lunch and spent the afternoon looking at some
old photographs. Wait till you see some of the pictures we found.”
Johnny smiled his classic crooked smile, and said, “Sounds like you had a
great day.”
“I did. I’m glad you came Johnny, it’s been awhile since we’ve seen you.
Everything alright with you?”
“Yeah…fine.”
When Roy and the kids returned, they were carrying Joanne’s birthday
cake—strawberry shortcake. They all sang Happy Birthday and she blew out
the candles.
She opened up her gifts. Chris gave her a wooden jewelry box that he had
made in woodshop class, Jennifer made her a ceramic vase and Roy bought her
a new dress, with the help of Hank’s wife Suzanne.
“Guys, these are beautiful gifts…thank you so much.”
“Mom, you forgot Uncle Johnny’s gift.”
Looking, but not seeing the gift, Joanne said, “I did, didn’t I Jen?”
Johnny’s mind was somewhere else, he hadn’t even noticed that his gift
wasn’t at the table. Chris had gone and brought back the missing gift.
After Joanne opened the box, she was flabbergasted. “Johnny, this bracelet
is so beautiful.”
Johnny regained his focus and smiled, as he replied, “I’m glad you like it
Jo, it reminds me of a bracelet my Mom had when I was little. Anyway, I
thought it was beautiful and would look great around your wrist. Happy
Birthday!”
After eating cake, the kids went to the den to watch TV while the three
adults retired to the living room.
“What are your plans for tomorrow Junior?”
“I don’t know. I was thinking I’d spend some time with my neighbor Mrs.
Johnson. She wanted to make me dinner tonight, but I told her I had plans,
she’s probably lonely. I think her husband died around this time a few
years back.”
“Yeah, then you can tell Chet that you spent the day with a great gal.”
The two paramedics laughed.
“That’s very sweet Johnny.”
Johnny sighed, and replied,