Looking Back

Johnny Gage was running late again. This time he had a good excuse. First his alarm didn’t go off, and then he didn’t have any hot water in his shower and had to go down the hall to Sharon’s apartment to get ready. If that wasn’t bad enough, Sharon had a fight with her boyfriend the night before and needed Johnny’s shoulder for a good cry. When he was finally able to get away from Sharon, he went out to leave, and his battery was dead, and he had to get someone to jump off his Rover. It wasn’t going to be a good day. He knew it. On days like this, he should stay in bed.

He was singing that familiar tune to Roy when Chet walked in. “Johnny, I can’t believe those lame excuses you were giving Cap. I mean come on. All that couldn’t happen in the same morning.”

“Chet,” Johnny said.

“Yea, Johnny,” Chet said.

“Shut up.”

Just then the klaxon sounded.

SQUAD 51. Man Unconscious at the Fast Mart. 1551 West Hillside One Five Five One West Hillside Cross Street Vernon. Time Out 8:36

Squad 51 KMG 365

***********************

Roy and Johnny grabbed their equipment and elbowed their way through the group of people who were encircled around the fallen man.

“Excuse us, please,” Roy asked politely.

Johnny wasn’t quite so nice. “Could you give us some room? This man needs immediate attention, and you are getting in our way.”

Just then a policeman showed up and moved the crowd back so Johnny and Roy could get to work.

Quickly they took the man’s pulse, blood pressure and respiration. Then they contacted Rampart to give them the vitals.

“Rampart, this is Squad 51. How do you read?”

“We read you loud and clear 51. Go ahead,” Dixie said just as Dr. Brackett walked in.

“We have a male approximately 35 years old. He is unconscious at this time. His vitals are BP 140 over 90. Respiration 12. Pulse 100. Pupils equal and reactive. He has no apparent injuries.

“51, can you send me some EKG?”

“EKG coming up Doc. This will be lead 2,” Johnny said.

“51, the EKG is normal. Have you asked anyone there what happened?”

“Not yet Doc. But I can get Johnny to ask around while we are waiting for the ambulance

to arrive.”

Dr. Brackett said, “Okay, 51. Keep me informed.”

Johnny walked over to the man behind the counter. “Did you see anything out of the ordinary?”

“Well, he came in and went to the back of the store toward the bread aisle. He’s always complaining about the bread not being fresh enough. He’s always accusing us of putting the stale bread up front, and the good bread in the back. So he gets down on his hands and knees and starts removing all the bread in the front to get to the bread in the back. Well, I couldn’t leave the cash register to watch him act like a fool. I mean can you believe this guy? I forgot about him and customers have been few and far between today. It must have been close to 30 minutes before I went back there, and he was on the floor just like he is now. That’s when I called for some help.”

“So he was reaching back behind the bread the last time you saw him?” Johnny asked.

“Yeah.”

“I wonder…….,” Johnny thought.

“Hey Roy. Did you check him for bites?”

“Bites. What do you mean?” Roy looked puzzled. “Did you find out something from the cashier?”

“He said the guy was down digging for fresh bread. That means putting his hand back in the dark space behind the bread. Could be a spider bite? It’s worth taking a look.”

Just as Johnny said this a huge spider crawled away from the bread that was lying close to the man’s hand. “That’s a black widow, Roy.” Johnny said just before Roy stomped it with his foot.

“Rampart, this is squad 51. The patient has been bitten by a black widow spider.” As Roy was talking to Rampart, the victim started having trouble breathing. “Rampart the patient is having trouble breathing. We are administering O2 six liters.”

“Squad 51, can you transport him?”

“Affirmative Rampart. Ambulance just arrived.”

“Make it fast,” Dr. Brackett said.

“10-4 Rampart”

Johnny and Roy helped the attendants load the patient into the ambulance, and Roy climbed in beside him.

*****************

“Take him into 4,” Dixie said.

Dr. Brackett was already in Exam 4 waiting with the anti-venom. He had to be quick, and he had to hope he was in time. He inserted the needle and looked at the paramedics. “All we can do now is wait,” he said.

“Let’s get some supplies, Johnny.”

“Okay.”

They were just loading up on some supplies when Dr. Brackett came out of the room.

“How’s he doing, Doc?” Johnny asked.

“He’s doing good. I think he’s going to make it. He wouldn’t have though if you two hadn’t found out what was wrong so quickly. How did you do it?”

“It was Johnny, Doc. He just asked a few questions and came back with the answer. A regular Sherlock Holmes.”

Johnny grinned and said, “It was nothing, my dear Watson.”

“Well that guy was just lucky that you two were helping him.” Dr. Brackett observed.

“Yeah Doc. I thought this day was going to be horrible, but it has turned out to be pretty good .” Those last words were barely heard as Johnny was walking away from the two of them down the hall toward a new nurse he had just spotted. “And it might be getting better and better.” Johnny called over his shoulder.

*************************

Back at the station, Johnny was in a much better mood. “Hi ya Chet. Old Buddy.”

Chet looked at him with suspicion. “What’s up with Johnny, Roy? He’s acting very weird. I mean more than usual.”

“I think it has something to do with our first run this morning. He woke up thinking this was going to be a terrible day and now realizes the day isn’t going to be so bad after all.”

“I hope he doesn’t let his guard down for long. I hear the Phantom is back in business.” Chet said with an evil grin in his eyes.

As he said this, Roy heard Johnny yell “CHET!”

Roy walked into the kitchen and there was Johnny -a very wet Johnny. Chet couldn’t stop laughing.

“Chet, I’m going to get you for this.”

“The Phantom isn’t scared of hollow threats.” Chet yelled over his shoulder as Johnny chased him out into the bay. Just then the dispatcher came over the intercom.

Station 51 Station 8 Engine 136 structure fire at a construction zone. 2213 West 67^th Two Two One Three West 67^th Cross Street Lincoln Time out 10:45.

Station 51 KMG 365

********************

When Station 51 arrived on the scene, the third story was fully involved.

Captain Stanley got off the engine and was greeted by a frantic man. “Hey, I still have two people in the building. I couldn’t get them out. The fire started so quickly and spread throughout the third floor before I could do anything to help them.”

“Johnny, Roy, we’ve got people inside. Two on the third floor.” Captain Stanley said. “Go on and take a look.”

“Right Cap,” Johnny answered.

Johnny and Roy sprinted toward the building. They got into the ladder truck that would take them to the third floor. They climbed inside the building. The smoke was so thick they could hardly see. They split up and searched. They found the victims in a back closet, both barely conscious. Roy and Johnny each picked up one of the men and headed for the window. Roy handed his victim out the window to another fireman and then climbed out. He turned around and took Johnny’s victim from him and was just about to help Johnny into the ladder truck, when an explosion rocked the building. The third floor collapsed with Johnny still inside.

“NO JOHNNY!” Roy shouted.

The ladder started going down. Roy felt like it took forever. He jumped out of the ladder truck and thankfully saw another squad. Station 8’s paramedics rushed over.

“Guys can you take a look at these two for me. I’ve got to go back in. Johnny is missing.”

“Sure thing Roy.”

Captain Stanley rushed over. “Roy, where’s Johnny?”

“The floor collapsed. I think we are going to have to dig him out.”

“Okay the fire is about out. Chet, Marco, come over and help Roy. Johnny’s missing.”

Chet and Marco ran over to assist. They saw the explosion, and the building fall. They felt in their hearts no one could survive that.

“Where do you want to start Roy?” Chet asked.

“I think we should start directly under where Johnny was standing on the third floor. I saw where he was last so maybe we can find him quickly.”

The men went through the doors on the first floor and were astonished at what they saw. The pile was head high. They were going to have some major work to do.

***********************

Johnny knew the floor was going. He felt it. That was one of the reasons he let Roy go first. At least he knew that Roy and the two victims would make it out alive. He couldn’t bear the thought of Roy not being there for Joanne, Jennifer, and Chris, and although Johnny was sure he would be missed, he knew he made the right decision. Now he felt tired and disoriented. He just wanted to sleep. He couldn’t move anyway. The weight of the third floor was bearing down hard. “See Roy. I told you it was going to be a bad day,” he thought.

************************

Chet, Marco, and Roy were working as fast as they could. It was a slow process. Some of the wood they could move themselves, but some of it had to be moved by using the K-12. Every time they used it to saw through the wood, he knew Johnny was probably feeling the pressure too. The paramedic in him kept thinking: There’s not enough oxygen. He’s probably bleeding inside. His lungs are filling with fluid.

“Come on Johnny. Hold on,” Roy said aloud.

Chet and Marco thought Roy was beginning to lose it. Chet wondered what would happen if they found Johnny dead. “Roy maybe you’d better take a rest. Some of the other fireman can come in and work a while What do you say?”

“No, Chet. I’m fine. I have to find Johnny.” Roy pleaded. “What would my kids do if I didn’t find their Uncle Johnny?”

***********************

Johnny could feel a little of the weight slowly being lifted from him. Even though, he was finding it harder and harder to breathe. Broken leg, broken ribs, internal bleeding, probable concussion. He knew he was a goner. It was only a matter of time. He thought back to the day he first decided to become a paramedic. He really didn’t want to do it, but after not being able to save that man that got electrocuted just because he didn’t have a defibrillator, he decided to give it a shot. He and Roy hit it off immediately. They were totally different in some ways-Roy was a family man, and I’m still chasing nurses, and Roy is quiet, and sometimes I wonder how he can put up with me talking non-stop. It worked out though. I was glad when he asked me to pair up with him at 51. It was a long battle getting the necessary legislation passed before we could use our skills and equipment, but it was worth it. We worked together from the start like we had been working together for years. We know what the other is thinking before we even say it.

He continued thinking about Roy and his life as a paramedic. Man, he did love Roy’s family. His own family was so far away. They made him feel like he was welcome any time. Sometimes he felt like an intruder, and he told Roy one day, but Roy just said, “Johnny, we like having you around. Jennifer and Chris would be so upset if you didn’t come by and see them at least once a week. I mean come on Johnny have you been in Jennifer’s room lately? She has your picture neatly framed and on the night stand by her bed. Every night, after she says her prayers, and Joanne and I kiss her good-night, she leans over and says Now Mama, I can’t forget Uncle Johnny and gives you a big kiss. Life wouldn’t be the same without you Junior.”

“Roy, I’m sorry. You’ve been like a brother to me. I wish I’d told you just how much your friendship means to me. I hope one day you’ll understand.” Johnny said out loud.

Johnny was growing very weak and sleepy. He knew the end was near. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and let the sleep come.

***********************

Roy was certain this is the spot Johnny would be. It had been over five hours. He knew if he had to dig somewhere else, the chances of finding Johnny alive would be close to zero. He lifted up another long piece of wood and then he saw it--a turnout coat. He frantically called for help and began working feverishly to get to his friend. Finally, he had all the wood off him. He reached down hesitantly and checked for a pulse. He felt one- very weak, but it was there.

“Chet, he’s alive. Get the stokes. FAST!”

Chet ran to the squad and got the stokes. Roy immediately began to assess Johnny’s condition. His leg was at an awkward angle. “Johnny,” he thought. “A broken leg again?” He felt his abdomen. It was rigid. There are some internal injuries. A concussion and a dislocated shoulder. Johnny stirred a little. “Johnny, it’s Roy. We’ve got you out. You’re going to be fine.”

Chet arrived with the stokes, and they lifted Johnny up and into it. Once outside, Roy asked for the equipment. He got on the phone to Rampart. “Rampart, this is squad 51. How do you read?”

No answer. “Come on! Come on! Rampart, this is rescue five one. How do you read?”

“We read you loud and clear 51. Go ahead,” Dr. Brackett answered.

“Rampart, we have a male victim 28 years old. He was the victim of a building collapse. He was trapped for about 5 hours. Stand by for vitals.”

Dr. Brackett looked at Dixie with concern. A building collapse, 28 years old, and the fact that Roy sounded very upset led them to believe it was Johnny.

“Rampart, vitals are BP 100 over 80 Pulse is 120 and Respiration is 20. The right pupil is slightly dialated” Roy hooked up the EKG and was about to send a strip when he saw what he feared most. Johnny had gone into V-Fib. “V-Fib Rampart. I’m going to defibrillate.”

Roy charged the machine to 400 and put the paddles on Johnny’s chest. “Clear” He looked at the monitor. “Sinus rhythm Rampart.”

“Affirmative 51. Start an IV with D5W. Keep monitoring vitals and send me another strip when you get him into the ambulance.”

“10-4 Rampart.”

The attendants and Roy got Johnny into the ambulance. Roy sent the EKG and another set of vitals to Rampart. Johnny’s breathing was becoming more and more labored. Brackett ordered an esophageal airway. This seemed to help some. The ride to the hospital seemed like the longest ride Roy had ever taken. When they finally pulled up to the ER, Dr. Brackett, Dr. Early, and Dixie were all waiting. It seemed to Roy they knew who he was bringing in and that there was no time to waste.

***********************

Roy was shooed out of the exam room by Dixie. He wondered down the hall to the waiting area. Chet, Marco, Mike, and Captain Stanley showed up about 30 minutes later. Captain Stanley had called Joanne, and she was on her way. Now all they could do was wait and hope and pray.

Joanne arrived and walked over to her husband. He looked at her, and at that moment he knew he couldn’t hold it in any longer. He started to cry. The other guys left Roy and Joanne alone.

“Roy, Johnny is going to be okay.”

“I don’t know Joanne. He was pinned under that stuff for over 5 hours. I’m not even sure how he lasted long enough for us to get him to the hospital.” Roy could barely talk.

“Johnny’s tough. You know he wouldn’t miss Jen’s birthday party next month. He’s been talking about the great present he got for her. He’s going to pull through-just like the other times. You’ve never counted Johnny out before so don’t start counting him out now.” Joanne said sternly.

Dixie entered the waiting area. She hated to be the one who had to tell Roy, but it couldn’t wait. “Roy, Johnny’s up in surgery now. You were right about all his injuries, but the internal injuries were very severe. His liver has been lacerated, and he is experiencing extreme internal bleeding, which as you know Roy, is very hard to stop. The doctors are doing everything they can.”

“He’s probably not going to make it is he Dix?” Roy asked.

“The doctor’s are giving him a 30 -70 chance.” she said.

“Meaning, Dix a 30 percent chance he’s going to live.”

“Yes. He’ll be in surgery quite a while. Why don’t you go home, and we’ll let you know.”

“I can’t Dix. I have to be here……you know in case….”

“I know Roy. I know.”

********************

“Well Junior looks like you were right about this day after all,” Roy thought as he looked through the window at Johnny in ICU. “I was so annoyed at your constant chatter about the bad morning you had and how the rest of the day was going to be just as bad, but now I would love to hear you say anything.”

Dr. Brackett had just talked to Roy about Johnny’s condition. He told Roy that they did get the bleeding stopped and the next 48 hours would be crucial. He said Johnny was in a coma and that there was the very real possibility that Johnny would not wake up. Roy refused to accept what the doctor was telling him. He knew Johnny was strong and that he would wake up. He had so much more life to live. Roy had so many things to tell Johnny. The Desoto family was going to have to be there for him. Johnny’s aunt was not well enough to make the trip, but made Roy promise to keep her informed. The waiting had begun again.

*********************

It had been two days since the accident, and Johnny was still not awake. Roy knew that maybe he could get through to Johnny, but he just couldn’t make himself say the things he needed to say. He would start and then wouldn’t be able to finish. It made him feel like he was letting Johnny down.

Joanne walked up to her husband who was again staring through the window at Johnny. “Roy, you haven’t been home in two days. Please go home and take a shower and get some sleep—just for a little while. I’ll stay with Johnny,” she begged.

“Okay Joanne. Promise you’ll call if anything …you know… happens.”

“Of course I will.” She hugged him and watched as he looked back at Johnny and then left through the door of the ICU area.

Joanne walked into the room. She knew visiting hours were almost up. She looked down at Johnny who was sleeping so peacefully. She reached out and took his hand in hers. “Johnny, I hope you can hear me. We are all praying for you. We want you to come back to us. Roy is going crazy. I just now got him to go home for a while. Jennifer and Chris are begging me to let them come to see you. Do you know how heart breaking it is to tell them they can’t come see their favorite uncle? We all love you so much Johnny. I can’t even remember our life without you. You’ve brightened our lives in ways you’ll never know. So many times we go through life without telling others what they mean to us. Well, Johnny you mean the world to me and my family. Come back to us Johnny.” The last words came out in a whisper. Joanne was tired. She didn’t know how Roy would cope if Johnny didn’t make it. Just then a nurse came in to tell her it was time to go. Joanne nodded, got up, leaned down, and kissed Johnny on the forehead.

**********************

Roy was able to get some sleep. He was just about to head back to the hospital when Jennifer walked into his room. Joanne had called a baby sitter to stay with the children. She thought it might be better having them stay at home in a familiar setting. Jennifer walked over to Roy and gave him a piece of paper. Roy looked at it and smiled. “Jen-What do we have here?”

“It’s a picture of the family Dad. See there’s you and mom, me and Chris, and Uncle Johnny.” Jen said. Then she looked up at her dad with tears in her eyes and asked, “Will we ever see Uncle Johnny again?”

Roy was stunned at the question. He looked down at his daughter and then lifted her up and gave her a big hug. “Jen-I do think we’ll see him again, but there’s one place he’ll always be and that’s right here.” Roy said this while pointing to her heart. “Uncle Johnny will always have a special place in our hearts.”

Jennifer seemed to be comforted by this. She walked out of the room. She yelled back over her shoulder, “Tell Uncle Johnny HI! for me and that I’ll always keep him in my heart.”

Roy said, “Sure honey. I’ll tell him.” Then he added to himself, “Along with a number of other things that Johnny needs to hear.”

*******************

“What do you mean I have to wait another 4 hours to see him?” Roy was very angry. Joanne was trying to calm him down.

“Roy you know the rules,” the nurse said.

“Can’t you bend them just this once? I really need to talk to Johnny.”

Dr. Brackett was just coming out of the ICU area when he overheard what Roy was saying. He knew that Roy was having difficulty even staying in the same room with Johnny. He thought this must be really important.

“Nurse, let him have 10 minutes with him,” Dr. Brackett ordered.

“10 minutes Roy,” the doctor said.

“Right Doc,” and Roy walked toward Johnny’s room.

He took a seat beside Johnny. He had so many things he wanted to say. The thoughts were all swirling around in his head. He took a deep breath and began.

“Hi Johnny. It’s Roy. I’m sorry I haven’t been in to talk to you much. It’s just been overwhelming. I even started to give up on you making it, but Joanne wouldn’t let me. She knows how tough you are, and I do too. I started thinking about something Johnny while I was sitting in the waiting room. You were way ahead of me when we were taking those victims out, and you stopped and waited for me and then let me go first. I know why you did it Johnny, and I’m thankful, but Johnny I also know what you were thinking. You were thinking you don’t have anyone that would care one way or the other if you didn’t make it. I mean yes I know your aunt would care, but she’s miles and miles away, and you hardly ever see her. It’s just that you think you don’t have a family, but let me tell you something. You do have one. It’s the Desoto clan. We’re your family along with the guys at 51. We care about you Johnny. I know I’m not a big talker, and we haven’t told each other how we feel. Johnny, you are like a brother to me. You know me so well. Jennifer gave me this picture before I left,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out the picture his daughter had made. “It’s a picture of our family. It’s got me, Joanne, Jennifer, Chris, and you in it Johnny. Yes you. You are a part of the family whether you want to be or not and sometimes when Joanne is nagging and the kids are fighting you might not want to be, but you are. Johnny our family wouldn’t be complete without you. You’ve just got to wake up. You’ve slept long enough Junior. It’s time to come back to the people who love you----who need you.” Roy sat back with tears in his eyes. He felt emotionally drained. He didn’t think he’d ever talked so much at one time in his life. He wiped his eyes and got up to leave. That’s when he saw it. Johnny’s hand was moving ever so slightly. Roy reached down and took it. Johnny squeezed his hand.

“Welcome Back Junior,” Roy said.

With as much effort as Johnny had ever used, he slowly and carefully said, “Thanks Pally.”

**********************

Four Months Later

Johnny was sitting out on Roy’s deck watching Jennifer and Chris play. All of his injuries were just about healed, and he would start back to work tomorrow. He couldn’t wait. He was getting restless.

Roy couldn’t wait either. He had been stuck with Brice half the time, but Captain Stanley saved his life by partnering him with someone else for the last two months. Roy looked over at Johnny. He had been wondering something for a while now. Did Johnny hear what he said to him? It had been a hectic four months. Johnny had to have a lot of physical therapy, and they hadn’t had much time to talk. “Johnny, I was just wondering about something.”

“About what Roy?” Johnny asked.

“I said some things to you while you were still in a coma. Did you hear any of it?”

“I heard you Roy. I think that’s what brought me back. I had been in this daze for a couple of days and was wondering where you were. Then you started talking, and I started to feel like I was waking up from the fog I was in. I just didn’t say anything about it because I thought maybe you’d be embarrassed or something,” Johnny said with a grin on his face.

“Embarrassed. Why?” Roy asked.

“I don’t know. You had just never told me those things before. I mean I think deep down I knew it was all true, but I’d just never heard it. You know what I mean?”

“Sure I do. I just want you to know you’re right Johnny. I do mean all those things. I’ll tell you again. You mean so much to my family and to me.”

“Roy the same goes for me too. I just hope I don’t have to spill my guts while you’re lying in a coma. I might just write you a letter or something.”

“You do that Junior. In the mean time why don’t we get something to eat?”

“Sounds great,” Johnny said.

“Hey Uncle Johnny, after we eat will you play hide and seek with us?” Chris asked.

“Only if you don’t cheat, and I get to hide first,” Johnny said.

Joanne was heading out to the deck with the hamburgers and was laughing at what she’d just overheard. “Roy,” she said. “It looks like everything is back to normal.”

Roy looked over at Johnny and smiled. “You’re right—just like it should be.”

THE END

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