Chapter 2
Hank arrived early as usual to get a jump on his paperwork when he drove into the back lot he was surprised to see Chet's van. After making a quick check to see if anyone was in the van Cap hurried into the locker room and looked around. He quickly changed into his uniform as he mentally prepared himself to be firm with Chet until he got some answers. As he buttoned his shirt and tucked it in he swept the dorm area incase Chet was hiding out there. From there he entered the bay area meeting up with Ron Tollins the preceding shift's Captain.
"One of yours is in the office," Ron greeted him, "And it looks like he needs to talk."
"It's about time," Hank responded with a guarded feeling of relief as he moved with haste to his office. "Thanks Ron."
Standing in the doorway to his office Hank could see Chet standing in full uniform with his back to the door looking out the window.
"You have the entire crew worried sick about you after that stunt you pulled last shift," Hank bellowed, "Are you ready to tell me just what is going on here."
Chet didn't say a word he just turned to his Captain and handed him the folded piece of paper he had been holding in his hand.
Ron had heard the outburst from the next shift's captain and thought it best to give them some privacy and was just pulling the door closed when he heard the sickening gasp from his colleague "Cancer?"
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The rest of A-shift filtered in, each one slightly relieved to see Chet's van in the lot but each still worried about their coworker.
"Where do you think he is?" Marko asked as he pulled his uniform on.
"I'm sure Cap already has him in the office," John answered.
"He is," Mike answered coming through the door. "I saw them in there when I came in and it looks like he's really pouring his heart out."
Everyone in the locker room let out a sigh of relief and proceeded to change in to their uniforms.
"Maybe we can get to the bottom of this now," Roy said to no one in particular.
As each man filed out of the locker room they were met by the captain from the preceding shift who was quick to usher them into the common room with the promise of a fresh pot of coffee and they each noticed the previous crew huddled in the far corner of the bay with confused looks on their faces.
They really felt a rock in the pit of their stomachs when Captain Tollins pulled the door to the common room shut with only the four of them in there.
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Ron quietly knocked on the door to the office and entered at the quiet, "Come in."
The scene inside was solemn with both men sitting facing each other one still in total shock the other showing some resolve, both in tears.
"The rest of your crew are gathered in the common room," Ron spoke softly, "My men will hang around for a while and cover what ever comes in, give you a chance—"He stopped. He had only heard the one word but that was enough to know the team would need some time to regroup when the word was given out with what ever other information went along with it. "I have the replacement with me; do you think an hour will be enough?"
"Thanks Ron," Hank managed to croak out, "I really appreciate this."
"I guess I better go say good-bye," Chet stood and proceeded to compose himself to the best of his ability. Hank wanted to chew his underling out for even thinking of such a word but there were no words in him.
Ron stepped back out into the bay and waited until Hank and his man were able to leave the office at which point he offered his hand to Chet. "If there is anything I can do for you, just ask." He said and watched as they proceeded to the closed door to the common room and paused to take in several deep breaths before entering.
"What's going on here?" Roy asked as soon as Chet and the captain walked through the door together, Captain Stanley's hand on Chet's shoulder as they walked. It was easy to tell by the look on both of their faces that their fears were well founded.
"Let's all have a seat here, and a, yeah, let's start by all taking a seat." Captain Stanley managed to get out as he pulled a chair out and guided Chet into it before taking one himself. John, Roy and Mike quickly followed suit, Marco was already seated.
"Chet, Chet here has something to tell us," Captain Stanley spoke again and then you could hear a pin drop as Chet took a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"I've been diagnosed with cancer," he said matter of factly looking straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with everyone, "It involves the pancreas, lungs and the liver," Every mouth in the room fell open and every face began to blanch. "They can't tell where it started with out more testing but at this point it doesn't really matter. The Doctor says I have between three months and a year."
Slowly Chet pulled to his feet and faced his totally devastated friends. "My replacement is already here waiting for you guys to be ready to go to work, I just wanted to say good-bye, and," Chet's eyes over flowed with tears as he slid his tongue to the teeth in the back of his mouth and took a couple of deep breaths. "And tell you all that it's been a great honor and privilege to serve with each one of you."
Chet silently turned and started walking toward the door, "Chet!" Cap stopped him and then fought with his emotions. "Buddy, don't go. Don't leave like this. Give, give us all a minute to catch our breath."
"How long, how long have you known?" Johnny was first to find his voice.
"I've been feeling a little off my game and having some chest pains for a while, my physical was inconclusive so they sent me to a specialist, I spent my vacation having some tests run, the Doctor told me the results two days before I came back." Chet slowly moved back to his chair and sat down, "And then yesterday I went to another Doctor to get a second opinion."
"So that's where you went when you left here." Roy finally found a voice but the news was clearly still registering with him.
"And you've been living with this all by yourself." Johnny's face was starting to show understanding in his friend's behavior during last shift
"Man, why didn't you tell us." Marco exclaimed still stunned himself.
'You should have told us," Mike added. He was going to add that he could have been putting himself and the team in danger by not informing them but he didn't want to say anything against the man right now.
"I tried once, but I just couldn't get it out." Chet answered, "I needed time to deal with it myself, I kept hoping the second doctor was going to say it was all some big mistake."
Chet looked down at his trembling hands clasped together on the table. "I knew that wasn't going to happen when I had all those attacks last shift, I just wasn't ready to talk about it so I couldn't let you guys work on me. I saw John, Marco and Cap at my apartment and heard all the phone messages, I didn't mean to worry ya, I just, I just had to have some time."
A call came in requesting station 51's attendance at a rubbish fire and four men got up from their chairs in response before Captain Stanley motioned for them to sit back down. "Ron, Captain Tollins said he'd cover us for a while and give us a chance to regroup."
Hank stood and turned his back on his men as he watched with great appreciation the previous shift racing into action once again through the window of the still closed door, mouthing a thank you again to his colleague as he trotted off to the engine.
As they listened to the sirens start up and then fade into the distance the men in the room could finally understand their friend's actions but they also ached for him for so needlessly suffering alone.
"So what happens next?" Roy asked as the bay doors closed behind the engine and squad that mercifully left without them.
"After last shift it's clear I can't work anymore. I have an appointment this afternoon to discuss treatment options," Chet answered, "I don't want to die," he sobbed and chewed on his tongue, "But I don't want to spend a year puking up my toenails and watching my hair fall out either."
Tearfully Chet looked at each one of his crew mates, his friends through think and thin, his brothers.
"I'm Scared," he finally admitted and broke down sobbing as John Gage was the first one to scoop him into his arms and hold on tight as the other four men in the station moved in to grab a shoulder or place a hand on his head or back in a show of comfort and support.
When Johnny was able to control his emotions enough to speak he stepped back and held Chet's head in both of his hands forcing the young fireman to look at him.
"Chet, you listen to me, this is not good-bye, not yet, what ever you and your doctor decide today you're not going to go through this alone." John took a deep breath and swallowed hard, "I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say we're going to be there with you to the end."
"That's right Chet," Mike spoke next, "We're here for you."
"And me too man," Marco added.
"All of us," Roy spoke up.
"What ever we can do for you buddy," Hank added while gently grabbing a hand full of hair in his hand.
As emotions were lost again John pulled the little Irishmen back into his chest and wrapped his arms around him and the A-shift of station 51 stood in the common room in one emotional heap.
They heard on the in station radio that the rubbish fire was out and knew by the time requested for clean up that the last shift would be returning in a few minutes. Knowing they couldn't keep those men around to cover for them all day Hank was able to encourage his men to go to the locker room and wash their faces a little in hopes of pulling themselves together.
"Have you told your family yet?" Captain Stanley spoke from the bench in the locker room as his men took turns washing their faces and blowing their nose. Chet sat next to him slumped and solemn but somewhat composed still noticeably guarding his right side.
"No, No not yet," Chet stammered as he thought about what he was saying. "My, my mom's birthday is in a couple, a, in a, two and a half weeks and I think I want to wait till after that to tell her." "I just don't want to ruin the last birthday we'll have together."
Chet sat next to his Captain and surrounded by his crewmates and he felt strength in numbers, borrowed strength but strength none the less, strength he needed to take into his next appointment.
"I was kinda thinking of doing some fishing, for a couple of days and get out in the fresh air. Depending on what the Doctor says this afternoon." Chet continued to ramble feeling uncomfortable with the silence of his still stunned crewmates.
"That sound's like a great idea," Johnny smiled. "After next shift we'll have four days off. I could take you up to that place you really liked, that place with all the good fishing."
"Could, I come with?" Marco asked also wanting to spend some time with his friend before his health got any worse. "I'd agree to do the cooking."
"Yeah, I'd like to go," Mike added.
"Wad a ya say we all go," Roy suggested.
"That sounds like a great idea. Let's get Chet to come back here after his appointment and then if the doctor approves we can plan a camping trip." Captain Stanley solidified a plan as he heard the bay doors opening to admit the returning crew.
"Are you guys ready to let last shift go home?" Hank asked as he eyed each of his men.
"Yeah cap," came the call from everyone and Mike suggested that they move into the dorm while the last shift change into their street clothes.
Captain Stanley gave Chet's shoulder another good squeeze before heading for the bay.
