Chapter Six
Chet and Marco stepped off the elevator and saw Johnny sitting alone in the waiting room, flipping through a magazine.
"Hey, Johnny," Chet said. He watched Marco sit down then sat down himself.
"Hey there, guys. How ya feeling, Marco?"
"I'm sore but doing pretty well, thanks, Johnny. How is Cap?"
"He's sleeping right now but seems to be doing well. Dr. Early told us that he has a little more sight in one eye."
"Wow, that's fantastic. I have a good feeling about this. Cap will see again."
Johnny smiled. "Funny, that's pretty much what the doc said. But he isn't making any promises. Chet, did you get hold of Emily?"
"I spoke to Cap's mother-in-law. Emily and the girls were out for the day. She was really upset over what happened and promised to let them know. I'm not sure if I'll hear back from them or if they will just show up."
"It is getting late now. Maybe they'll come tomorrow."
"Maybe," Chet replied.
"Marco, you haven't seen Cap yet today. Why don't you go on in."
"I don't want to wake him," Marco said, worriedly looking over at the ICU doors.
"Oh, you won't have to. The nurses do that on a regular basis."
"Poor Cap. I've been in the hospital a few times and you just can't get any good sleep despite them telling you you need to." Chet shook his head.
Johnny laughed lightly. "I hear ya, Chet. Go on in Marco. Second door on the right."
"Come on, Marco. I'll go in with you."
"Okay. Thanks, Chet."
"Hey, I think I'll head home for the night," Johnny said to both men. "Tell Cap I will see him tomorrow. I feel bad that we are all going to be on duty after that and he'll be alone.
"Me too," Marco said. "But I bet his family will be here with him. And don't forget, I have to skip a shift so I'll be around too."
"Aw, that's right. I'm glad. I wonder who we'll get as a temporary Captain. That's going to be weird."
"Oh man, I hope it isn't Hookrader," Chet whined. "But since Cap will be out for quite a while, we may end up with someone we don't even know."
"That's true. Okay, goodnight, guys." Johnny waved as Chet opened the ICU door for Marco. He smiled as Marco complained.
"Would you stop it, Chet. I can open the door myself."
"Hey, just don't want you to bump that sore shoulder, that's all, Pal."
Marco walked cautiously to the second door and peeked in. Beth, the nurse, was reading aloud to Hank.
"From then on he led a dual existence at the school." Beth stopped reading when she noticed Marco and Chet. "Well, hello boys." Beth smiled sweetly at the new arrival. "Let me guess, you must be Marco."
"That's right, how did you know?"
"Well, Hank here has told me all about his crew and I knew there was one more that I hadn't met. Ah, two mustached macho men now. Very nice."
Marco glanced uncomfortably over at Chet who avoided his gaze.
"Marco, this is Beth, one of my nurses. She has been sweet enough to stay over on her own time to read to me."
"Well, Hank, it seems you are in good hands so I'll say goodnight. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow. Unless we get a new patient overnight, it will be quiet and I can read more to you. Goodnight." Beth patted Hank's hand and as before with Johnny, pushed her way passed Marco for no apparent reason.
Marco took a step back and glanced over at Chet again. When Beth left the room, he moved closer to his captain. "Hi, Cap. How are you feeling?"
"A little better all the time. My head is still sore but not as bad. Dr. Early thinks I am too healthy to be here so I may get moved to a regular room in a day or two."
"That's great news. And then you can go home and actually get some rest." Marco suddenly felt bad about mentioning going home to Hank since he wasn't sure how he would manage on his own but Hank didn't seem to notice and chuckled.
"You are right about that, Pal."
"I'm here too, Cap. I brought Marco since he won't be able to drive for a while."
"Hi, Chet," Hank said giving a wave in his direction.
"I can too drive, Chet. I don't have a stick shift and my shoulder isn't broken, just sore."
Chet ignored Marco and picked up the book Beth had been reading from the bedside table. "Fail Safe. I saw a movie on the late-late show called that."
"Yeah, it is based on that novel. I read it when it came out years ago and really liked it. It is very nice of Beth to read to me like that – and on her own time."
Chet put the book down and caught Marco's eye. They exchanged a smile.
"So, Marco, are you sure you are all right? How long are you out for?"
"Oh probably just one shift. Dr. Morton will see me again tomorrow and let me know. I'll be sure to come up and see you after."
"I appreciate that. I really am thankful for all you guys."
"Hey, we're family," Chet said and Hank nodded in reply.
"Do you want us to sit and read some to you, Cap?"
"I appreciate that but if I'm not mistaken, visiting hours are almost over. I can listen to the television when you guys leave."
"Hey, Cap, I wanted to tell you that I called Emily's mother's house," Chet said.
Hank's smile faded. "Oh?"
"She and the girls were out but I told Emily's mother about what happened. She said to give you her love."
"Really? Huh. I wouldn't have expected that," Hank said rubbing his chin.
"Oh yeah, she was all upset. Anyway, she said she would tell Emily when they got back tonight."
"Chet, I really want to say thank you for talking some sense into me earlier," Hank said, his cheeks pinking.
"Don't mention it."
There was a knock on the door and a nurse poked her head in. "Sorry, gentlemen, but visiting hours for the ICU have ended. Mr. Stanley really needs his rest so we can't let you stay."
"That's okay, we'll be going in a minute," Chet said.
"I'm sorry we couldn't get here sooner, Cap. Those pills really knock me out."
"I've taken them before; I know how they can do that. You really didn't have to come in all this way for me. Go home and rest up yourself."
"I just had to see you, Cap." Marco put an awkward hand over Hank's. Hank turned his hand over and gave Marco's a squeeze.
"Thanks, Pal. And thank you too, Chet. For everything."
"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow sometime. Take care, Cap."
Marco and Chet turned to leave but Hank stopped them. "Hey, guys…I think it is time you call me 'Hank.'"
"What?" Marco asked, turning back.
"Well, I'm not your captain anymore."
Marco and Chet exchanged an angry look. Chet spoke up. "Don't say that, Cap. You will be back at 51s soon, you'll see."
"I'm not so sure about that, Chet. We all have to face reality here."
"Cap, it has only been a day," Marco said. "Don't give up. I have faith. And my mama has been at church praying."
Hank's blushed again. "Tell her thank you for me."
"Everyone is rooting for you, Cap." Chet said. "Heck, even if you became chief, I don't think I could ever stop calling you 'Cap.'"
Marco smiled over at Chet and nodded in agreement.
"Well, okay then. But I just want you to know it's okay to call me by my name. If I get back to the station…"
"When," both Marco and Chet said.
"When I get back to the station, you can call me Cap there."
"Sounds too confusing," Chet said and Hank chortled.
"Well, Mike can handle it so I'm sure you can too."
Chet glanced at Marco with a surprised expression then shrugged. "Well, goodnight. See you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Cap," Marco said and followed Chet out.
"Goodnight, guys."
~ E ~
Early the next morning, Mike came into Hank's room. "Hi there, Hank."
"Michael, you are here early." Hank picked up the remote and shut off the morning news.
"I slept like a rock so I woke up really early."
"I'm glad you got some rest. I heard you were here all night that first night."
Mike blushed and was glad Hank couldn't see it. He wondered who ratted him out but he changed the subject.
"I brought you a pair of pajamas. I figured you wouldn't want to stay in that johnny if you didn't have to."
"Well, that is so nice of you, Pal. Thank you. Can you find a place to put them?"
Mike looked around the sparse room. "You know what, I'll give them to a nurse to hold onto for you."
"Thanks, Mike. I hope I can use them soon. This thing is drafty." Hank pulled at the material on his chest and Mike chuckled.
"Yeah and I think they knew our Johnny would be in one half the time so they named them after him."
"Ha, or maybe his parents had a suspicion and that is why they named him that."
Laughing, Mike added, "He probably tripped out of the womb."
Hank enjoyed the laugh but then said, "Heck, I shouldn't talk. Leave it to me to get beaned like that."
Mike nodded, "You don't get hurt often but when you do, you do it with style." Mike sat down in the chair near the bed and placed the bag with the pajamas on the floor next to him.
"Oh don't remind me. When I got electrocuted that time…oh man, that was awful." Hank grimaced but continued to smile.
"That was pretty scary."
"But you stepped up and ran the show like a full-fledge captain. Do you know every one of the guys came to me and told me how impressed they were with you?"
"No kidding?" Mike asked, truly touched.
"No kidding, Mike. You are going to be an amazing captain yourself. Hell, you could be leading 51s soon."
Mike's smile faded. "Hank, you'll be back."
"Maybe. I sure hope so."
"Well, I've been thinking about that. And not that I even believe for a minute that it could happen but if it did…"
"Get to the point, would ya, Michael?"
"If things don't work out with you and Emily…and if you get your sight back but not enough to go back to work…"
"Even your worse situation has me seeing. I like it."
"Well, I'd like to be there for you."
"I know that."
"No, Hank, really there for you. At first I thought you could move in with me but then you know your house better and it has more room and doesn't have stairs. So, I thought…I could move in with you."
"Move in with me?"
"Yeah and on the days I'm at work, the other guys could be there to help."
"But…"
"I know what you're going to say, they'd be at work too but not if I change shifts. I've already looked into it and Station 8's engineer, Riley on B shift, has taken the captain's exam and placed high. They'll need an engineer in a month or so. And I know Stoney would put in a good word for me." Mike stopped talking and looked up from the spot on the floor that he had been staring at as he rambled on. Hank was looking toward him and he had tears in his eyes.
"Hank, you okay?" Mike got up and came to his friend's side.
"Well, of course I'm okay, you twit. I'm just so touched you put so much thought into this and are willing to leave our family and change your life – for me." Hand sniffled and wiped the corner of his eye. It was quiet in the room "Mike? Still here, Pal?"
"I'm smiling at you, Hank."
"I'm crying like an idiot and you find it funny?" Hank smirked and wiped another tear away.
"No, I'm not smiling at you. I'm smiling for you."
"Huh?"
"You called it 'our family.'"
Hank grinned. "I sure did. That's what it is, don't you think?"
"Yup. And I'm glad you still feel like you are part of that family. You know, Hank, even when everyone moves up and onward, our A-shift at Station 51 will always be 'our family.' I believe that."
"I do too," Hank choked out. "Aw, you're getting me all misty again, Mikey."
Mike laughed and put a hand on Hank's leg. "Sorry about that." Mike's voice gave away the fact that he too was fighting tears. Hank reached and patted the hand on his leg.
"Ahem, excuse me, gentlemen." Mike turned to see a nurse's aide in the doorway. I have Captain Stanley's breakfast here then we are going to wash you up and change your dressings.
"Hey, Hank, I'm going to take off but I'll come back again later since I'm on shift tomorrow. Oh and, Miss," Mike picked up the bag next to his chair. "I brought these pajamas for him, if that's okay."
"Well, wasn't that nice." The aide took the bag from Mike and stepped aside.
"See you later today, Hank."
"Take care, Mike."
Mike headed out of the unit and passed Early coming in. "Good morning, Doc."
"Good morning, Mike. You're already leaving? I must be running behind."
Mike laughed. "I'll be back later, he is having breakfast." Mike made a face at what he was calling 'breakfast.'
"I'm going to see him and hopefully get him something a little better than that."
"I'm sure he'll be happy to see you then. Take care."
"Take care, Mike."
~ E ~
Joanne found a sitter for the kids and went to the hospital with Roy. They were waiting for the elevator when Emily and Hank's daughters came up behind them.
"Oh, hello, Emily," Joanne said trying hard not to let her voice sound too icy.
"Hello, Joanne, Roy."
"Hello girls," Roy said with a smile to the teenaged twins. Joanne felt a bit proud at how Roy managed to ignore Emily Stanley. "We were going up to see your Dad." Roy saw the girls' apprehension. "He really is doing well, don't be nervous. He is awake and talking. Not too many tubes or wires, don't worry." The girls relaxed a bit and smiled.
The group got off the elevator and stepped into the waiting room. "Girls, I want you to wait here. I think the staff will let you see your father but I'll go see him first, okay?"
"Yes, Mom," the girls said in tandem.
"You go ahead, Emily. We'll stay with the girls." Joanne didn't want to be gracious but after all, Emily was still his wife.
"Uh, would you mind coming along? I…I don't know where the room is."
"Second door on the right," Roy said and Joanne wanted to stomp on his toe. She was enjoying the fact that Emily was nervous going in to see Hank.
"We don't mind at all do we, Roy?" Joanne looked deep into her own husband's blue eyes. She saw confusion but Roy started to nod.
"Sure, we can go in with you," Roy said and relaxed when he saw Joanne smile at him.
The trio went into the ICU. Roy led the way then stepped aside so Emily could go in first. Beth was sitting reading to Hank. She stopped and said something quietly to him and they both laughed. Joanne watched Emily staring at Beth intensely.
"Hello, Hank."
Hank stopped laughing and his gaze went to the doorway. "Em."
"How…how are you feeling?"
"Doing fairly well, thank you."
Joanne followed Emily into the room. Beth stood up and placed the book down. "I'll let you have your visit, Hank. I'll be back in to see you soon." She gave her customary pat on his hand. Emily's eyes watch the strange nurse's hand as it slowly slid off her husband's. Beth smiled sweetly at Emily and walked out. If Joanne could choose a word to describe her walk, it would have to be 'sashayed.' She bit her cheek to keep from smiling as Emily's eyes followed the nurse.
"Hello there, Roy." Beth said as she passed Roy in the doorway. Joanne's back went up and her forming smile faded. Roy looked nervously at Joanne then glanced away.
"Roy's here too?"
"And Joanne. I brought Joanne," Roy stammered.
"Hello, Hank," Joanne said and went to his side. She bent down and kissed him on the forehead, his wife forgotten as she studied her ailing friend.
Hank reached up and Joanne took his hand. "Aw, Joanne, thank you for coming."
"I've been so worried about you, Hank. But Roy is right, you do look good."
"Thanks," Hank said putting his hand up to his forehead. "They took the crazy hat off this morning. Actually brushed my hair for the first time in forever and got rid of that godforsaken johnny. Mike brought me some real pajamas."
"That was nice," Joanne said stepping away as she remembered Emily.
"Yeah, starting to feel human again." Hank's voice lowered. "Except for the damn sight."
"Any more progress, Cap?" Roy asked from across the room.
"Not sure. Sometimes I think I see flashes but I may just be imagining it." Hank paused. "Still here, Em?"
"Yes, Hank," Emily said softly.
"How are the girls?"
"They are fine. They are in the waiting room. I wanted to find out if they could come in first."
"Check with Beth," Hank said and Joanne saw Emily bristle. "I'm sure it will be fine since they are older. I'd love to see them. I've missed them something terrible."
Roy took a step inside toward Emily who now stood at the end of Hank's bed. "Want me to ask her?"
"Uh, no. Thank you, Roy. I'll ask in a minute."
"We won't stay long so they can come in and visit their father," Joanne said, "I just had to see you, though, Hank. I feel better now that I have."
"Why thank you, Joanne. I hope the next time you come I'll be out of the ICU and in a regular room."
Joanne glanced at Emily who smiled slightly and glanced behind her at Beth who was at the desk on the other side of the hall. It was obvious Emily wanted Hank away from the friendly nurse.
"That's good news," Joanne said.
"It is a step in the right direction," Hank said happily.
Beth came bounding back into the room with a food tray in her hands. "Good news, Hanky. Dr. Early is finally letting you have something better than broth and mush. I brought you a western omelet since I know those are your favorite. And you are being moved to a regular room right after this."
Joanne moved aside to let the bubbly nurse get to the tray table. She glanced over at Roy who mouthed 'Hanky?' at her then fluttered his lashes. She choked back a giggle. Emily, in the meantime was scowling at the woman who was tucking a napkin into her husband's shirt collar.
Beth reached for the fork but Emily went to stop her. "Uh, I'll take care of that." She gave the nurse a cold stare but Beth was nonplussed.
"Well certainly, here you go." She handed over the fork.
"Hey, I have a better idea," Hank chimed in. "Emily, can you cut it up and then I'll attempt to eat it myself?"
"Are you sure, Hank?" Emily seemed disappointed.
"Gotta start sometime."
Joanne tapped Roy on the arm. As much as she enjoyed the show, she felt they should leave and give Hank some privacy. Roy nodded. "Cap, we are going but I'll see you soon."
"Okay thanks, Roy. Thank you too, Joanne."
"Goodbye, Hank. I'll be back tomorrow since the guys are on shift."
"Sounds good."
Joanne and Roy left the room.
Emily picked up a butter knife and cut the omelet into bite-sized pieces. She stabbed one piece and then handed Hank the fork. "Here you go. I got you started."
"Thank you," Hank said as he took hold of the utensil. He put the bite in his mouth and smiled for the sake of the ladies. Truth be told, he felt very self-conscious.
"One down," Beth said happily.
Hank used his free hand to locate the pieces on the plate and get one onto the fork. It fell onto his napkin just before it reached his mouth. "Damn," he mumbled.
"Let me get that," Beth said and reached out.
"I'll get it, Miss. He is my husband," Emily glared at the intruding woman.
"From what I have heard, you haven't been much of a wife," Beth snapped and Emily reared back her head in disbelief.
"What did you say?" Emily grabbed a napkin and reached for the piece of egg sitting on Hank's chest.
"I'm his nurse and I will take care of it."
"And I told you to back off!"
Both women's intense glare was quickly extinguished when they heard the clatter of Hank's fork hit the plate. "What the hell is going on here? Emily, you are way out of line."
"I'm out of line? This pushy broad is out of line. I am going to speak to Dr. Brackett and the head of the hospital." Emily spat out.
"This is an ICU and I suggest you keep your voice down," Beth retorted with a sneer.
Mike, who had just arrived in the doorway, stood stunned by what he was hearing. Some of the other staff were starting to come toward the room to see what was going on. He noticed an astonished look on Hank's face but it seemed to be more than just amazement at the ruckus going on around him.
"Hank, are you okay?"
Hank looked up in amazement at his friend then glanced at the feuding women on either side of him. "I can see."
"Oh my God, Hank," Emily said, stunned.
"That's great!" Mike said coming to the foot of Hank's bed and placing a hand on his captain's leg.
Hank laughed heartily. "Oh man, you are a sight for sore eyes, Michael."
Emily's head swiveled from Hank to Mike then at Beth who was smiling smugly at her. Emily was stung by Hank's comment to his engineer. She hung her head, realizing that she didn't deserve to be the first person he spoke to anymore.
Hank looked over at Beth. "Well, nice to meet you – completely – Beth."
Beth beamed. "Nice to meet you too, Hank." Beth looked over at Mike with an expression of self-satisfaction.
Mike ignored her.
Hank then looked over at Emily. His voice softened. "And hello to my beautiful wife."
Emily looked up as tears sprang to her eyes. She threw her arms around Hank's neck. "Oh Hank, I'm so sorry. She started to cry."
Hank patted her on the back. "Now, now, don't go getting me all wet." Hank took a napkin from his tray and handed it to her.
Emily let go and took the offering, dabbing at her eyes and nose. "Oh, sorry."
Mike came around to the side of the bed where Beth stood. He moved right up into her personal space, but not in the way that she liked to do. He lowered his voice to a growl. "I suggest you do your job and go get Dr. Early."
Beth stepped back, stunned. "Oh…oh, of course. I was just on my way to do that."
"Sure you were," Mike muttered.
Hank looked over at him. "Well, it looks like you don't have to adopt me after all, Pal."
"I am glad but you know I wouldn't have minded."
Hank pushed the tray and the forgotten omelet away and reached to shake Mike's hand. "I know and I love you for it."
Mike's cheeks flushed red and both Mike and Emily grinned at him.
"I'm going to go and give you some time alone. Congratulations, Cap."
"Thank you for everything, Mike," Emily said.
"Any time."
As Mike left he heard Emily apologizing again to Hank. "Even my mother said I was wrong."
"No kidding?" Hank replied. Mike smiled as he went back out into the waiting room.
Roy and Joanne were still there speaking to Johnny and Hank's daughters. Chet and Marco stepped off the elevator.
"Hey, Mike," Chet waved over at him. Mike didn't reply. Instead he walked over to Elizabeth and Erin Stanley. He took each by the hand.
"Come with me, girls."
The girls smiled at the handsome fireman that led them to the ICU doors. He whispered in their ears as everyone watched. He then put his finger to his lips to tell them not to say anything. He opened the door and pointed down the hall to their father's door. Once they went through, he shut the door and came to the group in the waiting room. Everyone was staring at him with confused expressions. Johnny's mouth hung open in typical Johnny fashion.
"What's up, Mikey?" Johnny said after managing to close his mouth.
Mike stood there grinning, letting the tension build. Then not being able to contain himself any longer, he blurted out the news.
"He can see!"
Everyone burst forth with their own version of relief and excitement. Mike accepted a hug from Joanne DeSoto and everyone was patting each other on the back as if they had just won a championship.
"This is the best news ever!" Marco exclaimed.
"How exactly did it happen?" Joanne asked.
"Oh boy, do I have a story for you all," Mike said with a gleam in his eye. Come on and sit down and I'll tell you.
The End