The Coin Chapter 3 A Christmas Visit
It was two days after Veterans day. Having been reunited with his military family at the air show earlier in the year, Roy stayed in touch with them.
0300 at Station 51
Roy woke up from a sound sleep and a dream about his military squadron. As silently as he could Roy slipped into his bunker pants and left the dorm room thinking, "Paper I need paper."
A now more awake Roy walked into the dayroom. Not thirsty he grabbed a few blank pieces of paper and a pen. Supplies in hand, he walked over to the table and sits down.
As soon as the paper was on the table, Roy started to draw. Not even thinking he drew a perfect replica of what he had in mind. Twenty minutes after he had started, Roy stopped drawing.
He picked up the two sheets that have two different pictures on them and smiles. He thought, "Perfect. Now all I need to do is get a copy of the order of the coin, write the notes, call home for permission and get the frames for the papers." He grinned and thought, "This is going to be the perfect Christmas present for the guys."
Hank had heard Roy get up. Switching to a light sleep, Hank listened for his senior paramedic to return. Ten minutes went by and no Roy, concerned Hank decided to go check on him. Hank slipped into his bunkers and left the dorm.
The sound of Hank walking into the dayroom, brought Roy out of his thoughts. "Sorry I woke you Cap."
Hank's voice was filled with concern, "It's okay Pal. Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm good Cap. Just woke up thinking about the service."
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"Nah Cap. Can I use your phone though to call the Major? I have a question for him."
"Sure."
"Thanks Cap."
Hank grew sleepy once again, "I'm going to head back in."
"Okay Cap. I'll be in in a bit."
"Okay pal good night."
"Night Cap."
Roy headed for the office wide awake. Three-quarters asleep, Hank headed back to bed.
Roy walked into the office and closed the door. He turned on the fax machine and took out a fax cover page.
0330
Roy picked up the phone and dialed the Major's phone number. While he waited for the Major to answer, Roy filled out the fax cover page.
Just as Roy finished the Major picked up. "Good morning 635th warehouse."
"Good morning sir."
The Major smiled as he immediately recognized the voice. "Good morning Roy. How are you?"
"Doing good sir. You?"
"Hanging in, getting better the more I wake up."
"Good. Listen I called with two favors to ask of you."
"Shoot."
"I rolled over about a half hour ago with an idea for the perfect gift for shift mates. I would like to fax two drawings to you."
"Send 'em on over. How many pages?"
"Including the cover page, three."
"Okay."
Roy sent the fax.
"Just so I have an idea, what is your idea?"
"With your blessing I'd like to start my own order of the coin. You guys will always be my family but…"
"You have the same bond with your shift mates."
"To be honest with you sir, yes."
"You have my blessing Roy. God knows you guys see your own hell every time you're on duty. I know what we will always mean to you and what you will always mean to us. I also know what your shift mates mean to you."
"Thank you sir."
"You're welcome Roy. In fact once the design is settled on, I'll take care of getting them made for you."
"Thank you sir. How much will I owe you?"
"You're welcome Roy. You won't owe me a penny."
Roy was surprised, "Thank you sir."
"You're welcome Roy."
The major received Roy's fax. He looked at both pictures and smiled. "Roy, don't change a thing."
Roy smiled at the Major's comment. "Thank you sir. The only thing that would change are the numbers."
"How many do you need?"
"Six."
"You got it. Listen go back to bed. I'll get the ball rolling on these and call you with updates."
"Thank you sir. Stay safe and tell the boys hi."
"Will do. Tell the boys hi and you guys be careful."
"Will do. Good night."
"Good night."
0400
Roy hung up with the Major. Smiling Roy headed back to the dorm.
A shift had some particularly hairy shifts the next few weeks. With every shift Roy realized more and more how much A shift truly was a family.
Three weeks after Roy had first called the Major about the A shift coins. The guys were once again on duty.
The guys were just coming back from an exhausting structure fire. Roy and Johnny were even more exhausted, having had to help with the fire and two rescues. The phone rang in the dayroom as the exhausted crew walked in. It was met by groans from one and all.
By default since he was the last one in the door, Roy picked up the phone. "LA County fire station 51, fireman/paramedic Desoto speaking."
The Major said, "Hi Roy."
Roy recognized the Major's voice and tried to hide his exhaustion, "Oh hi sir. Sorry about my voice."
The Major became concerned, "It's okay Roy. Everything okay?"
"Yes sir. We just got back from a four hour battle with the beast."
"Everybody come home in one piece?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. Listen I just wanted to let you know they're done."
Roy smiled, "Sweet."
"I'm going to have them sent to your house."
"Perfect thank you."
"You're welcome. I've got to get to a staff meeting so I'm going to let you go. Go get cleaned up, relax, and tell the boys I said hi."
"Will do sir. Talk to ya soon."
"Sounds good."
Roy and the Major hung up.
Mike asked concerned, "Everybody okay?"
Roy smiled, "Yeah. The Major just called to say hi before he had to go to a staff meeting."
"Okay."
The next few hours were quiet and the boys headed to bed. Roy stayed back.
Johnny asked, "You coming Pally?"
"In a few Junior."
"Okay Pally. You know where to find me if you need an ear."
"I know Junior. I'm good just still a little bit too awake for sleep."
"Okay. Good night Pally."
"Night Junior."
Johnny walked out of the dayroom.
Roy waited for a few minutes and then snuck into the locker room. He grabbed his writing pad and pen and headed back to the dayroom. Swallowing back his emotions, Roy opened the notepad. Roy let his true emotions show as he put pen to paper.
He decided the first letter would go to Hank.
Dear Cap,
How do you tell your commanding officer how much you respect him? Our shift is one big family and you're definitely the dad. You put up with so much it's insane. Yet when those tones go off we all know you're the one in control. I have always carried my military squadron coin with me to remind me of that family. Now I want you to carry our coin for our family. Welcome to the Station 51 A Shift Family Order of the Coin. Being as you are our Captain and the dad of the shift you get coin number 1. Thanks for everything Cap. Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Roy Desoto
FF/PM Station 51 A Shift
December 1975
Roy put down his pen and reread the letter. Satisfied and still in the mood to write he set aside Hank's letter.
Roy decided to write Mike's next. Roy picks up his pen and settles in.
Dear Mike,
As the second in command you're like the oldest brother in the A shift family. The quiet one, you know how to get our attention when you want to. We know big red is in good hands when you have her. When those tones go off we know we're working with the best engineer in the department. A great engineer and great friend. Thanks for being the oldest brother for the shift. I have always carried my military squadron coin with me to remind me of that family. Now I want you to carry our coin for our family. Welcome to the Station 51 A Shift Family Order of the Coin. Since you are Cap's right hand you get coin number 2. Thanks for everything Mike. Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Roy Desoto
FF/PM Station 51 A Shift
December 1975
Roy read his letter to Mike and smiled. As the day caught up to him, Roy decided to stop there for the night. Roy took his stuff to the locker room and headed for the dorm. The night is mercifully quiet for A shift. The next morning the guys were off.
Over the next week Roy worked feverishly on the frames for the gifts. He also wrote two more of the letters. The next night he was on duty he worked on Chet and Marco's letters.
Marco's read:
Dear Marco,
You are truly one of the more sane brothers in the A shift family. You have the patience of a saint to work with the Phantom. You have a huge heart and the cooking skills to rival any pro. Thank you! As laid back as you are at the station when those tones go off I know you'll be right there for all of us with the hose. Thank you for everything brother! I have always carried my military squadron coin with me to remind me of that family. Now I want you to carry our coin for our family. Welcome to the Station 51 A Shift Family Order of the Coin. Since you were the first one I met after Cap and Mike you get coin 3. Thanks for everything Marco. Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Roy Desoto
FF/PM Station 51 A Shift
December 1975
The same night that Roy had written Marco's letter he had also written Chet's letter. It had been a particularly rough shift for the engine crew with almost non-stop calls. They had turned in early and Johnny was catching up on paperwork for the squad when Roy sat down to write Marco's letter. Knowing how difficult it was going to be to write Johnny's letter, Roy is determined to get Chet's letter done now.
Once again putting pen to paper Roy started to write Chet's letter.
Dear Chet,
What can I say Phantom you are definitely the brother that keeps the A shift on our toes. I thank you for making sure the station stays loose at the times it really needs it. As crazy as you and the Phantom can be, I know when those tones go off you're all business. Thank you! I know you know the significance of the squadron coins and what they mean to their holders. Now I want you to carry our coin for our family. Welcome to the Station 51 A Shift Family Order of the Coin. Since you are the last member of the engine crew I met you get coin number 4. Thanks for everything Chet. Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Roy Desoto
FF/PM Station 51 A Shift
December 1975
Roy put the letters and a copy of the Station 51 A Shift Order of the Coin in each man's frame as he finished them. Each frame has a small plaque on them that Roy had made. Each plaque has the guy's name Station 51 A Shift Order of the Coin and their coin number on it.
Three days before Christmas and the day that the coins had arrived, Roy knew it was time to finally write Johnny's letter. The guys had just gotten off of a rough shift for the squad.
Roy and Johnny are sitting on Roy's deck, beers in hand, trying to relax. Johnny spoke first, "Partner…I…how…"
"I know partner trust me I'm thinking the same thing."
"Sometimes this job just isn't fair."
"I know Junior I know."
Johnny said sadly, "Aw man I have to go shopping."
"It might be good today Junior. After a shift like this one, smiles are a wonderful thing to see."
"Very true."
"Besides if shopping doesn't help you know our door is always open."
"I know Pally and I thank you."
"You're welcome Junior."
Johnny and Roy finished their beers. Ten minutes later Johnny leaves to do some shopping.
Roy turned to Joanne. "Honey, I am going to go back out to the deck."
Joanne was concerned knowing the shift the boys had, "You okay honey?"
"Yeah I'm fine. It's just time to write Johnny's letter."
"Oh okay."
Roy gave Joanne a kiss. He grabbed his writing pad and a pen and headed back out to the deck. Joanne smiled a tight smile, knowing on one hand Johnny's letter was going to be extremely hard for Roy to write. On the other hand though, the plaques and coins were going to mean a lot to the guys.
Roy walked out to the deck and sat in the chair he had sat in when he and Johnny had been out there. He took a deep breath before putting pen to paper.
Dear Johnny,
Junior what can I say? You truly are the little brother I've never had. You're my best friend and Uncle Johnny to the kids. Yes, I worry about you, but how can I not you're Junior and I'm Pally. As goofy as you can be I know that when those tones go off you are all business. You have a huge heart and the patience of a saint bro. I know no matter the situation you always have my back. Partner thank you does not seem to be enough but since the words escape me right now thank you will have to do.
Roy takes a deep breath before finishing the letter.
As you know I have always carried my military squadron coin with me to remind me of that family. Now I want you to carry our coin for our family. Welcome to the Station 51 A Shift Family Order of the Coin. Since I've known you the longest and we've worked together since the beginning of the program you get coin number 5. I'll have coin six. Thanks for everything Junior. Merry Christmas.
Sincerely,
Roy "Pally" Desoto
FF/PM Station 51 A Shift
December 1975
Roy put the pen and paper down. He took another deep breath before reading the letter. Satisfied with it, Roy gathered his things and headed for the garage. He had been keeping all of the plaques in the closet in his workshop.
He took them out and carefully put the final touch on Johnny's frame, inserting the letter. With care he usually used on newborns Roy wrapped and tagged each of the frames. After one final polish of the newly cut coins, Roy boxed, wrapped and tagged each one individually.
After he was done he thought, "You guys are in for a serious surprise."
Roy smiled and carried everything back into the house. He laid them in a corner where he knows they won't be broken as Joanne joined him. "When do you want the guys to get them?"
"I was thinking at breakfast Christmas eve morning. We get off that morning so if you don't mind I was going to have everybody stop here before we go our separate ways."
"Just the guys or the families too?"
"Just the guys."
"It'll be on the table. I figure you'll want to eat before presents."
"Definitely. Thank you sweetheart."
"You're welcome honey. If the guys ask tell them just bring themselves."
"Will do."
The next day started A shift's last shift before Christmas. Roy decided to spring his invite on everybody at the end of roll call.
Hank asked, "Does anybody else have anything to add?"
Roy spoke up, "I do Cap."
"Floor's yours pal."
"Thanks Cap. Just real quick, since we get off Christmas eve morning I was thinking we could do our gift exchange then. Everybody is invited to my house for breakfast as soon as we get off."
The guys smiled at the invitation. Hank spoke first, "Sounds good."
Mike replied, "Sure."
Marco asked, "Can I bring something?"
Chet added, "I'll be there."
Johnny grinned, "You got it."
Roy grinned, "Alright guys great! To answer your question Marco, you don't have to bring anything. As Joanne said just bring yourself."
"Okay."
The shift was a bit of a mixed bag for the guys. It ended mercifully with the guys getting a good night's sleep. Having told their families of their breakfast plans the night before, the guys were free to leave right at the end of the shift.
They met up in the parking lot of 51. Hank asked, "Should we just follow you home, Roy?"
"Yeah Cap that sounds good."
"Alright pal. We'll see ya at the house."
"Sounds good Cap."
The guys got in their cars. Roy lead the caravan outta the parking lot. In order behind Roy were Johnny, Cap, Mike and Marco who was driving Chet.
Roy looked in his rear view mirror and smiled. He thought to himself, "You guys are going to kill me. This is going to be so much fun."
Minutes after they left the station the A shift caravan pulled into Roy's driveway.
The guys piled out, gifts in hand. Joanne met them at the door since the kids were at a friend's house. Slowly the group made their way to the door.
Joanne smiled, "Good morning guys."
Roy smiled broadly, "Good morning sweetheart."
Johnny's lopsided grin appeared, "Morning Jo."
Hank smiled, "Morning Joanne. Thanks for the invite."
Mike smiled, "Hi Joanne."
Marco smiled, "Morning Joanne."
Chet smiled, "Morning Jo, thanks for the invite."
As the guys said good morning everybody, but Roy, gave Joanne a kiss on the cheek. Roy had kissed her on the lips and gave her a hug.
Joanne smiled, "You're welcome guys. I hope you brought your appetites."
Chet grinned devilishly, "Johnny's the one you have to worry about."
"Nah I'm used to him coming over."
The guys all laughed as Joanne put Chet in his place as they put their presents down in front of the tree. As they walked into the dining room everybody's jaws dropped. Marco and Hank let out a low whistle. Mike and Chet's jaws dropped. Roy, Joanne and Johnny smiled. The table was covered in plates of eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, French toast, and pancakes. There was also a huge pot of coffee waiting for the guys.
Joanne smiled proudly, "Dig in boys."
The guys quickly down to eat and Joanne joined them.
"Is it safe for me to stay for gifts?"
Hank smiled, "Of course."
The emotions of the coin choked Roy up for a minute. He swallowed hard before saying anything. "Jo, would you mind stepping out when it's my turn?"
"Sure sweetheart."
The guys were surprised and concerned and curious as to what Roy's present was
"Thanks honey."
"You're welcome."
The guys finished breakfast.
Mike asked, "Joanne, can we help with the dishes?"
"Nah that's okay, Mike. I'll do them when Roy is passing out his presents. Thanks for the offer though."
"You're welcome."
Chet smiled broadly, "Time for presents boys!"
Hank grinned, "I'm pulling rank and giving out my presents first."
The group laughed and headed for the living room. After forty-five minutes of fun and laughs it was finally time for Roy to give his presents out. Joanne slipped out of the room silently.
Having noticed Roy's earlier emotions over the presents the guys gathered closer around Roy. Concerned Johnny asked, "You okay Pally?"
Roy swallowed back some emotion, "Yeah Junior. I'm good. These are just a bit emotional."
Marco spoke calmly, "Take your time pal."
"These are the reason for my calls back to the squadron and all the strange nights of staying up a bit later at the station. Open the bigger one first but don't read it until you open the smaller one."
Hank spoke for everybody, "Okay."
Roy handed the guys their presents, sat back and smiled as the guys unwrapped their presents. He reached behind him and pulls out his set, which was already unwrapped. The initial reaction from all of the guys was stunned amazement. Eyes filled with tears as the guys read their personal letters from Roy.
Roy smiled proudly, "Merry Christmas guys. Welcome to the order of the coin."
Roy pulled out his new shift coin. Hank was the first one to be able to swallow the lump in his throat. "Roy, I don't know what to say. This is amazing."
Mike added quietly, "It's an honor to have number two."
Marco simply said, "Thank you."
Chet spoke with tears in his eyes, "Sergeant, thank you. You're right I know what these coins mean, family."
Roy smiled, "Exactly."
Johnny walked over and bear hugged Roy. The engine crew gathered their own emotions as they backed up to give the medics a minute.
Johnny whispered, "Thank you so much Pally."
Roy said softly, "You're welcome Junior."
Johnny let go of Roy. After a few minutes emotions settled down and were replaced by ear to ear grins.
Roy smiled, "Cap, since you're the dad why don't you read our new Order of the Coin?"
Hank grinned broadly, "I'd be honored to Roy." Hank picked up his plaque and smiled, "The holder will carry their Station 51 A shift coin with them at all times. Exception challenges will not be made on scene or during visits from the Chief! When a coin check is demanded the holder will produce their coin from their person within 10 seconds on a hard surface. If checked and unable to produce the coin within 10 seconds the holder agrees to buy, for all coin holders present, a beverage of their choice. Non-alcoholic beverages only during normal duty hours. If the coin holder calls for a coin check and all coin holders present are able to produce their coin within 10 seconds, the caller agrees to buy the round. If a debate occurs, the junior ranking person in attendance will determine the outcome."
The guys smiled as Hank read the order. Roy spoke after Hank finished. "Merry Christmas guys."
Marco smiled, "Merry Christmas Pal."
Chet grinned wickedly, "I wonder…"
Roy threw his coin followed by the rest of the guys. Chet laughed, "How these sound when they hit the floor."
Everybody laughed. Hank grinned, "I'll give you guys that one for free."
The guys spent about ten more minutes together before they decided to split. Joanne reappeared to say good-bye.
Roy smiled, "Thanks for everything guys."
Mike smiled, "No Roy."
The guys all spoke at once, "Thank you."
Roy smiled proudly, "You're welcome guys. Merry Christmas."
With arms full of presents the guys left. Johnny hung back an extra minute. The look on his face had Joanne leave the duo alone.
Johnny spoke softly, "Pally, thank you so much. That letter really means a lot because I know it's true."
"You're welcome Junior. You're right it's true. Your letter was the letter was the hardest to write."
Johnny bear hugs Roy, "Merry Christmas Partner."
"Merry Christmas Partner. Are you coming back for dinner and the tree?"
Johnny smiled, "You bet I'll be here."
Roy smiled, "Good."
Johnny backed away from Roy and gave Joanne a hug good-bye. Roy watched as Johnny left. Roy thought out loud, "Definitely family now and forever."
Roy waved as Johnny left then turned back and smiled at Joanne.
AN: If you want to see a picture of the coin from this section email me and I will send it to you.
