Chapter 7
[Author's note: the dream sequence is just that, a dream. I have pulled elements from different Native American animal totems. It should be noted that most EMT's in North Dakota are volunteer and in parts of the state, they may be the only medical care that is available in an emergency situation. A lot of rural hospitals were starting to close at the time of the story and it only accelerated in the 1980s and 90s.]
The evening of card-playing and friendship at Station 1 wound down as Engines and equipment started to return to the Fargo stations from the Georgetown elevator fire. The men of Crew A were removed from stand-by a little after 11:00 p.m. and dismissed from duty. The elevator was a total loss, but at least the town of Georgetown was saved.
Slowly, the members of Crew A drifted back to their homes for a few hours of sleep before their shifts began in the morning. Captain Ericsson, Johnny, and Roy tiptoed into the house in an effort not to wake anyone from their slumbers. Their efforts were busted when Captain Ericsson stubbed his toe on the door. The noise startled Delora, who was napping on the couch.
"Roland? Is that you?" Delora asked sleepily as she got up from the couch and rubbed the sleep from her face.
"Yeah ... I just stubbed my toe, didn't mean to wake you." Ericsson grimaced as pain shot through is toe.
Johnny and Roy helped him to a chair and slipped into paramedic mode. Johnny checked the captain's foot and found that nothing was broken.
"Nothing broken, but it'll be sore for a couple of days," Johnny intoned as a smile spread across his face. "Just put ice on it."
"Uh, next time, just turn the light on," Delora snorted in playful disgust as she put together a small icepack and gave it to Roland.
"Thanks guys," Captain laughed as his face turned red from embarrassment. "By the way, Johnny, that was a great hand you had in the last game. It was fun to play cards with ya all tonight. Night, gentlemen. I'll see ya in the morning."
Johnny and Roy smiled and nodded their good nights as they headed off to bed.
Despite the showdown with Lehmann, it turned out to be a good evening. Roy yawned as he started to get ready for bed. He rubbed the weariness from his face as he watched his friend from the corner of his eye.
"You.. okay, Johnny?" Roy asked as he started to shed his layers and reached for his LACoFD t-shirt in the suitcase.
Johnny shrugged his shoulders at Roy's question, but Roy knew better by the look on Johnny's face and his unusually tense demeanor. He was not his usual, sassy self that often drove him and others crazy. In an effort to get Johnny to engage in small talk, he changed tactics to get his friend to open up. At the moment, he would even settle for a rant against Chet or bad drivers.
"Great job on the interview tonight, I was impressed. You handled it well."
"Thanks, Roy." Johnny's demeanor became increasingly distant as he started getting ready for bed. "I appreciate it."
Roy knew how Johnny operated on some level and his use of evasion tactics when it centered around a conversation or an issue that was bothering him. Johnny seemed distant and lost to a point where he was shutting down to others. He hated to see Johnny hurting, but he was at a loss on how to help him. He was kicking himself because he was able to help.
Roy glared hard at him. "What's up, Johnny?" Deep down he knew Johnny was hurting and he really wanted him to find some peace. "I'm willing to listen if you want to talk."
"Roy, I know you're being a friend. I appreciate it, but I... I just can't talk about it." Johnny became defensive as he pulled a t-shirt on over his head.
Releasing out a heavy sigh to calm himself, he ran his hands through his thick dark hair as he tried to find some peace amid tumultuous sea in his soul. Deep down, he knew he needed to escape, but he did not know how. He felt uneasy from the pain that he knew only as a child. Realizing that Roy was only trying to help, he was fearful about allowing him to get close because he did not want to be judged and burned.
Searching his mind for a way to escape, Johnny looked for a way to get Roy off his back. In a last ditch effort, he changed the subject to deflect the Roy's question.
"So what did you think of the Captain's niece?"
Roy realized he reached an impasse with Johnny and to save the peace of the sleeping house, he went along with Johnny's game. Roy watched carefully from the corner of his eye, as Johnny battled with his inner self. Sensing that Johnny was about to crash emotionally, he steeled himself for a possible rough night ahead, but he knew he had to be there for him.
"She's a lovely young woman. You two seemed to hit it off."
"Yeah... she's a neat gal," Johnny recalled his conversations with Alessandra with smile at the corner of his mouth. "I really enjoyed chatting with her. It was nice to chat with a woman who actually enjoyed being in my company."
Roy nodded in agreement as he got ready for bed. "She seems to be a very nice girl."
Johnny grinned again as he continued to think about his conversation with Alessandra as he finished getting ready for bed. Roy knew it was a ruse and he prepared himself mentally.
Roy pulled the covers back on the bed and crawled in. "Nite Johnny."
"Nite Roy," Johnny said distantly, as he laid in bed, with his arm across his face.
The concept of peaceful sleep did not come easy for Johnny. His mind raced at breakneck speed as ancient voices screamed out for attention. The voices needled the psyche and probed the spirit for entrance to the front of his mind. Faces, words, and actions danced in his collective memory. Good versus the bad were in a battle for the control of his soul. The faces of his family, Roy, and those he trusted intermingled with those faces related to cruelty from his school days, people who disliked Indians, Chet's interpretation of the sacred pipe, and the hatred he experienced on the way to Fargo. As the battle in his mind waned, it slowly quieted into a fitful slumber and he slipped into a dream.
His dream revealed a frightened little boy standing in a sea of arrows. The small boy looked up sadly as words flew and hands from strangers landed near his head. The red, brown, and black arrows flew freely around him. Johnny walked in the midst of flying arrows and misty fog towards the sounds of the sobbing child. Drumbeats echoed in the wind as words and images tried to block his path from giving the child help and comfort.
Turning around, Johnny looked up at the trees and heard an owl call out in the howling wind. Whistling back at the owl's call, he received no response and proceeded forward in the misty fog. He kept wondering what the owl was trying to tell him. It was a message, but it was one he did not understand. The owl provided a window to the past with hidden pains carefully concealed behind a curtain as he struggled to reach the child, the arrows continued to fly. The owl blinked and exposed the pain of the past.
A large gray wolf suddenly appeared near the child, quiet and non-threatening. He laid on the blanket-covered ground with his tail curled around the small boy protecting him. The child looked up at Johnny from his resting place next to the wolf and blinked away his tears. Johnny reached down and picked up the child in his arms, gently hugging and soothing him. The child's sobs slowed as he felt safe in Johnny's arms. Johnny's own soul tried to take away the child's pain so he could laugh and smile again.
Words of hatred were still flying from the outside world like arrows around them but continued to miss them both. As he comforted the child, he struggled with his own emotions regarding hatred that was directed towards him, along with the teasing, and putdowns. Criticism of his intelligence were based on the color of his skin and the premise that he was nothing more than a guinea pig for anthropologists. To some people, he was not worthy of being something greater.
At Johnny's feet, the wolf laid an arrow with two eagle feathers attached to a long piece of willow. The arrow head was different from any he had seen before. It was shaped like a typical arrow, however, it had a warmth that was unfamiliar to him. The arrow was a different color from other arrows he had seen, it was the color of crystallized agate and the stained blue streaks of tears. The wolf sat on his haunches and looked sternly at Johnny and then back at the small boy.
Ancestor voices could be heard amid the growing drumbeats, "Don't fear the evil that fills their hearts and their bad arrows. The eagle will guide you, be strong and trust your guides. Accept the good of those who understand for they will help build a path. Trust the guidance of the wolf."
The voice reminded Johnny of his grandfather and he spun around to see if he could find out where the voice was coming from. The wolf pawed at him, signaling him to take the arrow for guidance. Kneeling down, Johnny looked intently at the wolf, brown eyes met amber eyes, and they seemed to understand one another. His heart pounded to the rhythm of the drum and they spoke to him. Carefully touching the blanket, he picked up the arrow and held it to the sky. He then took the small boy's hand and gently squeezed it. The small boy looked up at him with soft brown eyes and a crooked smile.
"He is you and you are him. Together you will find the strength for healing the parts of your soul that have been wounded. You need to heal the past, to grow in the now. Accept the help of those you trust, choose wisely. You have a very loyal ally who is not of our people, trust him and your spirit animals."
Just as the voice appeared, it disappeared quickly before he could ask questions.
"Grandfather? Is that you?" Johnny called out. "Grandfather?"
Roy was startled from his slumbers when he heard Johnny thrashing wildly in bed and calling out for his grandfather. Leaping from his bed, he flew over to Johnny's side in the darkened room.
"Johnny!" Roy whispered loudly as he tried to shake him awake from his dream state. He hoped that Johnny's mumbling and thrashing would not wake anyone. In his struggles to get Johnny to come around, he began shaking uncontrollably and Roy was not sure what to do.
"Johnny! It's me, Roy!" He whispered loudly as he grabbed Johnny's face in his hands.
He placed his face literally into Johnny's and tried to bring him back to reality. Thinking to himself, he wondered if this is why Johnny needed to go off and clear his mind. Panic started to creep into his soul as he tried to figure out how to bring Johnny out of the mindset he was in.
"It's okay Johnny, you're safe. Nothing's going to hurt you."
Roy's hand remained on Johnny's shoulder as his ragged breathing began to slow to a more calm rhythm. Johnny continued to shake and softly weep. It was one of few times Roy had ever seen his friend openly cry. It was hard for him to watch, but deep down he knew it was something Johnny had to do.
"Let the pain out Johnny, let it out. I'm here by your side, my friend... you need to do it." Roy pulled the blanket back up around Johnny's shoulder and watched as he laid eerily silent. His face had an expression he had never seen before. It was a mixture of loss and torment.
"Just lay there and rest." Roy whispered as his hand rested Johnny's shoulder. "I'll sit beside you. You know, when I first met you, I really liked your enthusiasm and drive. Over time, I've grown to think of you as my pesky little brother. I've seen you struggle, shine, and hurt."
Roy paused and reached over to check on Johnny. He pulled up the covers that had slipped down, back up over him and placed his arm over his eyes. He watched his friend rest for a bit before continuing his thoughts.
Johnny could hear Roy whispering but he did not know how to respond. He was thankful he was there, but his soul and spirit were too fragile to reach out.
"I've never pressured you about your past, as it was your place to share. You've made me challenge my own assumptions about Native Americans. You... know... Joanne and the kids even admire native culture." Roy stifled a yawn as he continued his monologue. "Chris recently got in trouble for defending one of his classmates who's Native. He didn't like others teasing his friend. I was awfully darn proud of him."
Roy crawled back to his own bed and kept a watchful eye on Johnny. He knew that Johnny was still hurting and knew it would take time for him to heal. "Find the strength you need to heal, my friend. I'm here here for you. I just wish I knew how to help you."
For the remainder of the night, sleep was a fleeting concept as Johnny struggled with a variety of emotions. He was thankful that Roy was there as a friend but frightened to let anyone close to his inner being. Feeling restless, he slipped from the bedroom and tip-toed quietly to the kitchen. Realizing he was not in his own apartment or Roy's house, he resisted the urge to make a pot of coffee. Taking a glass from the dishes rack, he poured himself a glass of milk and sat down at the table. Sitting quietly at the table, his mind battled with his emotions as he examined the message that was in his dream. Deep down he knew it was his grandfather guiding him to heal, but parts of the dream were still a puzzle.
The attacks on his heritage ripped open long buried memories of the past. His parents could never protect him completely from the hatred he experienced in school and away from home. As a young child, he had a hard time understanding why some people hated him. He didn't do anything wrong or caused any trouble, but was looked down because of the color of his skin and his background. He swilled the milk around in the glass as his mind wandered through the memories, good and bad.
"Good morning, John," Delora said softly as not to startle him. "John?"
Johnny jumped when he heard his name called and quickly relaxed when he realized who it was. "Mornin'," Johnny said as he recovered his senses. "I didn't mean to wake anyone."
"You didn't. I often get up early. It gives me time to think and relax before the day gets going. I've always been a light sleeper, because of night shifts when Roland's at the station."
"I see...hmmm, I woke up and felt restless." Johnny looked at Delora as he swilled the last of the milk around in the glass. "Sometimes, when I'm at the station, I'll get up a bit before the morning klaxons. It's a nice time to think with a cup of coffee."
"I noted you dreamed last night. I heard you call out for grandfather," Delora said softly. Watching Johnny's reaction, she saw a mixture of remorse and discomfort spread across his face. She placed her hand on his shoulder to calm him. "John, relax... It's nothing to be ashamed of... I know when a person has a vision. My grandfather was a medicine man and a teacher. I wanted to learn our ways, and he was willing to teach me."
She watched Johnny for several moments before going to the stove to turn it on to heat the tea kettle. Reaching up into the cupboard, she removed for a small pouch that had herbs. Taking the herbs from the pouch, she carefully crushed and placed them into two metal tea balls. She continued to watch Johnny from the corner of her eye as she prepared two cups of herbal tea.
Johnny was surprised by Delora's admission and looked at her quietly. "I'm not following."
She placed the cups on the table. The steaming concoction had a hint of mint as he raised it to his lips. "This will help you settle a bit. My grandfather was a keeper of traditions and medicines. He tried to teach me some of those traditions so they wouldn't die out. Because of that, I tend to be more observant of things around me. He was a very wise man."
Johnny sipped his tea and reflected on Delora's words as he tried to put things in perspective. "I guess, I'm trying to understand the dream I had during the night."
"I'm willing to listen if you want to share who visited you."
"Grandfather Wolf gave me an arrow. I was helping a child and I thought I heard my grandfather's voice."
"You did..., Were you close to him?"
"Yeah... he was my hero." Johnny grew misty-eyed at the memory of his grandfather as a took a sip of tea. "I always felt safe when I visited him as a child."
"His spirit is with you, trust it." Delora gently encouraged him to continue.
"There was an arrow on a branch with two eagle feathers and it was presented to me by the wolf. The arrow appeared to be filled with tears. He sat and stared at me, then pawed at me to take it. There was an owl that hooted and I whistled back and I got no response, yet he showed me the past." Johnny recalled distantly as he paused briefly before continuing.
"The voice said not to fear the poison and referred to the child as he is you and you are him. Accept the help of those I trust, choose wisely. An ally also is one who is not of our world," he recounted.
Delora looked at him thoughtfully and carefully weighed what he recounted about his dream. Sitting quietly she examined the information in her mind that Johnny gave her as it was a piece of a greater puzzle. Her concentration was disturbed by people stirring upstairs. The growing din from upstairs was beginning to distract her from helping Johnny.
"Johnny, I promise we will talk later," as she laid her hand on his shoulder. "Trust your spirit animals to guide you. You do have allies who support you and your grandfather's right, choose wisely."
Johnny nodded quietly and looked at her distantly. "Can we talk later?"
"Yes, I'll tell Roland to take the kids out along with Roy." Delora assured him as the noise upstairs continued to grow louder.
"I better get breakfast made and you need to get ready also," Delora stated as she started to pull pans out of the cupboard and food from the fridge. "Also, you and Roy better hurry if you want Indian tacos."
A wide grin spread across Johnny's face when he heard about the tacos. "Be back in a few shakes of a lamb's tail."
Delora was amused by Johnny's response to the tacos. Deep down she hoped she would be able to help him. She sensed that he had a spirit that was rich and giving, but wounded.
Johnny slipped into the room and hoped that Roy was still sleeping or in the shower. He was surprised to see him sitting on the bed fully clothed and ready for the day.
"Good morning, partner," he said happily while masking the turmoil raging in his soul.
"Johnny, you okay?" Roy questioned as he became concerned by his friend's seemingly good mood. "You really scared me last night."
"Yeah... on some level, I feel better." Johnny was saddened that he upset Roy. "Sorry... I ... I didn't mean to upset you."
"I'm here if you want to talk. I won't hurt you."
"Thanks." Johnny grabbed a towel, his shaving kit, and headed to the bathroom to escape Roy's questions.
Roy watched in frustration as Johnny made his escape to the shower. Wiping his face in frustration, he let out a long sigh as he collected his thoughts. He felt powerless in what he should do. Thinking to himself, it would be better to remain quiet and seek a time to encourage him to talk. The events from early morning were still echoing in his own mind as he tried to figure out why Johnny was calling out for his grandfather. Roy pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as he finished gathering the things he would need for the rest of the day.
Johnny soon came out of the bathroom whistling as he toweled off his thick black hair. Johnny's whistling and good humor puzzled Roy even further as tried to figure what was going on with him.
"Hey partner, hurry up!" Johnny quickly pulled on several layers of clothes. "Indian tacos for breakfast!"
"Indian tacos? What are they?" Roy questioned as he tried to get a grip on Johnny's strange behavior.
He could tell his friend was hiding his pain behind a wall. He wondered how long it would be until the next emotional crash. Roy watched Johnny get dressed and grew increasingly concerned by his seemingly good mood. He seemed almost like a different person than he was a few hours earlier.
"Uh, Indian tacos ... they use fry bread for their base instead of the crunchy taco shells and tortillas like Marco uses. You can put anything in a taco. They're good."
Both men headed to the kitchen and the aroma of bacon, sausage, lettuce, scrambled eggs, and fry bread teased the taste buds. Johnny smiled as he approached the kitchen. Both men laid their winter gear nearby as they sat down at the table.
"Good Morning, smells wonderful!" Johnny's seemingly good mood caught Delora's attention. She quickly recognized it as a defense mechanism and quietly registered it in the back of her mind. Looking over at Roy, she noticed the same level of puzzlement on his face regarding Johnny's behavior.
Johnny struck up small talk with Jessie, Shane, Karen, and Kelly at the breakfast table. He was pleasantly surprised when Alessandra came into the dining room and offered her a warm smile. "Good Morning."
"Good morning, Johnny," Alessandra smiled as she laid a black book bag in the hall near the dining room.
"What are you doing here?" Johnny questioned. He smiled as she sat down across from him and watched as she pulled a piece of frybread from the platter.
"Staying here this week to help my aunt and uncle out," she replied with a wink. "Keeping an eye on the kids while they entertain. Besides, it's a nice break from living in the dorms."
"Dorms?" Johnny asked as he chewed a piece of his breakfast taco.
"I'm a biology and pre-med student at Concordia," she stated. "Dorm life gets old REALLY fast. Too much drama, sometimes."
Roy observed the conversation from the corner of his eye while finishing his breakfast. In the back of his mind, he was beginning to wonder what color Johnny would reveal next in his myriad of moods since his dream. Johnny was shifting his moods almost as fast as a chameleon changes colors in a rainforest. Delora was also baffled by his behavior.
Ericsson looked at his watch, "Guys, we need to head out," gesturing to Johnny and Roy to come. The guys grabbed their winter gear and headed for the garage. "Sandi, you need to move your car!"
"Comin' uncle," as she grabbed her keys, coat, and book bag. "Later Tante!"
Delora watched them all leave from the kitchen window and tried to settle her troubled mind. Something was wrong, but she could not put her finger on it. Deep down she had an idea of what Johnny was doing and wondered if could she reach him before it was too late to help.
Roy watched Johnny from the corner of his eye. His eyes had a wounded look as he struggled to cover his emotions. He suspected the reason that the department sent them both from the same station was he knew how Johnny operated on some level and they knew he would be there for his friend. He began to wonder if the department knew of the issues and problems in Fargo. He tossed the idea around in his mind as they drove on the icy streets to the station.
The men soon arrived at the station and were greeted by Sid and Red Wolf as they wandered into the station.
"Mornin' Captain, John, Roy," Sid said warmly. "Ready for the road trip?"
"Sure am," Johnny chirped.
Red Wolf watched Roy for a few moments as his face registered concern. He picked up on the change in Johnny's demeanor and it left several questions in his mind. He noted the wounded, haunted look in his eyes and it alluded to the fact that something happened during the night. Red Wolf suspected that Johnny was covering up something that he did not want to talk about and made a mental note to ask Roy later.
Halldorsson and Ackerman wandered over to say hello to Roy before the morning briefing and they were soon joined by Red Wolf and Tad.
"Hey, had a great time playing cards with you guys last night," Halldorsson quipped.
"Yeah, it was fun," Ackerman added. "I must be losing my touch. I got royally skunked. Roy, I hate to say this, but Johnny was in rare form."
"Uh, Does he usually win when you play at your station?" Tad asked.
"Not typically," Roy reflected. "It's usually Mike or Marco. The guys at the station are never going to believe this."
"Ummm... Roy, we could sign an affidavit for you," Ackerman quipped as a grin spread across his face.
"I just might need that," Roy mused. "Otherwise they will believe it as a tall tale."
"Well there's still some opportunity this week for me to get my M&M's back from him," Tad surmised with look of mischief.
Johnny grinned at Tad's remark "Some days you got it and some days you don't."
"Just wait Johnny, I'll get my M&M's back," Tad teased.
"Really Tad," Johnny teased as he shook his head and gave him a playful punch in the shoulder.
They broke up their conversation when the Captain Ericsson called for them to assemble in the front for a briefing.
"Gentlemen, today we have inspections to do and hydrants to dig out of the snow piles. John and Roy will be going with the ambulance crew on a road trip and perhaps a run or two."
"Umm, If you guys end up at Fankhanel's on your trip, bring back some treats for the rest of us," Wes pleaded, while giving Sid his best innocent look.
"How the hell did you know we were going to Hillsboro?" Sid asked in complete astonishment. He shook his head in utter amazement at the young firefighter standing before him. "Some days Spook, I really wonder about you. I really do."
"Spook knows all, my good man. He knows all," Wes stated triumphantly. "And he tells me many, many things."
Murmurs were heard from the crew in support of Wes' statement.
"Jake and Sid, have a good trip and stay safe," Ericsson said. "See ya guys, later."
Johnny elbowed Roy, "Just be glad that Wes and Chester B., don't know each other. It wouldn't be pretty."
Roy gave Johnny a sideways glace and nodded affirmatively. Considering Johnny's mood shifts, he figured it was safer to play along. "Then again, it could be rather entertaining to see which one really does know all."
The briefing broke up as the men were dismissed to start their assigned tasks. Red Wolf grabbed Roy's shoulder and Roy turned and faced him. "Everything alright?"
"Why do ask?" Roy questioned cautiously.
"His eyes hold the truth," said Red Wolf. "I'll keep you both in my thoughts and in the back of my mind. Feel free to talk, if you want. I'm a good listener."
"Thanks," Roy did not know how to respond to Red Wolf's offer. "I'll keep it in mind."
Deep down he realized that the tall man speaking to him was right. Johnny's eyes did hold the truth. He pushed his thoughts and concerns deep into the back of his mind. He knew Johnny was still a mess and his ruse was to cover himself up from the rest of the world and protect his fragile spirit. Roy sensed that something in Johnny's dream, shook him to his very core and he was struggling to deal with it.
Sid started the engine on the ambulance to let it warm up. "John.. Roy.. we do a check on the rig before we head out on a run or get supplies. We make sure we have air and oxygen tanks ready, medical supplies stocked, and equipment calibrated with the correct radio base."
Sid paused briefly before continuing, "We also have additional compartments for blankets, oxygen tanks and gear we can take out of the squad if we need it. All the rigs are equipped with cleats and other safety items also, as needed."
Johnny and Roy opened the compartments on the side and helped check the tanks and supplies in the outside compartments. "You also carry sand?" Roy asked.
"Yeah, for traction at the scene and sometimes it provides additional weight if we're driving on ice." Jake offered as he pulled out the backup first aid box to check the supplies there.
Jake paused briefly from checking the first aid box, "I should advise you, we don't always come back to the station after a run as we will sometimes go on patrol, and be available in the event of a run. In the summer, it's crucial to be out due to heat-related injuries and severe weather. Also, you don't want the rig or a fire truck in a brick building if a tornado hits."
"Do you guys have to work sporting events and stuff like that?" Johnny asked as he placed the extra tank in the side compartment.
"Yes, we do, but not at every sporting or public event. Everyone in the paramedic and EMT groups takes turns working them," Sid replied. "For example, both Jake and I will be working the regional high school basketball tournaments at the end of February. Another pair will work at a NDSU Bison basketball game."
"It's fun to get to watch the games, when there's not a lot of emergency situations," Jake replied. "The best incidents are those patients we don't have to take to the hospital."
Sid nodded in agreement to Jake's comment. Johnny and Roy carefully observed the interactions of the two men and filed away the information they shared.
"I'm not a fan of working NDSU football games at all." Jake commented. "Too many drunk students!"
Jake reflected for a few moments before continuing, "Field injuries are one thing and I expect those, but seeing 18 and 19-year-old kids completely plastered for the fun of it, due to peer pressure, and sheer stupidity is tough. I'd rather haul an injured football player or a cardiac patient to the hospital from a game, than a kid poisoned by alcohol. The alcohol poisoning is hard to see. To top it off, the university turns a blind eye to it."
"Sounds like some of the intoxicated jerks we've come across on different runs and the sad part is that some drunks rarely get a scratch." Johnny reflected on what Jake shared. "Most of our runs involving drunks are motor vehicle accidents, domestic abuse situations, and kids wantonly getting drunk."
"Drunk driving accidents... those really bother me, especially when innocent, little children are involved." Jake clenched his fist against the ambulance squad. Johnny placed his hand on Jake's shoulder as a show of solidarity. He understood where Jake was coming from as he had also seen more than his own fair share of broken bodies of young children mowed down by drunk drivers.
"I hear ya...," Johnny commented distantly as his hand rested on Jake's shoulder. "I wish there was a way to keep the jerks off the road."
Jake acknowledged Johnny's show of solidarity and nodded. "If you come up with something, patent it!"
The guys climbed into the back of the ambulance and Sid showed them additional compartments for drug, cardiac equipment, shock suits, OB kit, suture, and needle aspiration kits. Roy and Johnny noted the arrangement of the equipment and materials needed to care for their patients.
Roy noted three radios on the dashboard. "I like that you are in direct communication with the base doctors. But, why three?"
"Yep, the three radios that we carry is due to the nature of the area we serve. There is one each for dispatch, hospital, and rural outfits that aren't on the 911 system," Jake replied.
Jake paused briefly before continuing, "We also have EMT's with different specialty levels. There are some who can only do only a few things and higher grade EMT's and paramedics who can administer drugs and execute different procedures sometimes without a doc's consent."
"Why's that?" Johnny asked. "We're still restricted on some procedures."
"In the case of North Dakota, there are a number of reasons. The fact that North Dakota is very rural state poses a huge problem and the weather can sometimes play havoc, in reaching a patient," Sid stated as he started to shift to the front of the vehicle.
"In some instances, an EMT may be the only person available to render any assistance in the more rural areas of the state. Radio reception is dodgy in parts of the state. You may be as much as 50 to 75 miles from the nearest hospital and helicopters can only fly so fast," Sid stated. "The Life Flight helicopters will typically carry a flight doctor or a registered nurse on board."
"The guy who helped develop the Life Flight program here in Fargo flew med-vacs in 'Nam," Jake interjected. "Good guy and he can read the weather better than most weather guys. They presently have four helicopters in their fleet and one at the Air National Guard, here in town, if they need it."
Jake paused a few moments before continuing, "You probably have a much higher rate of survival for your patients than we do in parts of North Dakota. The time and distance between the first responder and the hospital is a killer here. We just can't get to them fast enough."
Roy nodded thoughtfully as he listened to the exchange. "So distance makes things far more challenging in regards to patient care." Roy watched both men nod at his comment.
Roy let out a soft sigh before continuing, "It'll be interesting to hear the insights from Reynolds and Brice when we return to Los Angeles. They're two fellow paramedics who were sent to Bismarck and Minot."
"The issues concerning distance is even worse further west," Jake replied as he climbed into the passenger's seat. "In addition to gravel roads and narrow county highways, you have the rolling hills of the Missouri River country. Those can be very challenging to drive on if it's icy out. Sometimes, the roads aren't even plowed."
"If you guys want to get settled in, we need to head to St. Luke's and pick up supplies," Sid smirked.
Roy and Johnny settled on the seats behind Sid. Jake offered Sid a thumbs up that they were ready to go. Sid signaled Tad that they were ready to leave.
Tad opened one of the bay doors and the ambulance entered the white misty haze from the cold air meeting the warmth of the apparatus bay. The ambulance drove a few blocks from the station over to the hospital emergency entrance and maneuvered into the parking bay. The foursome made their way into the hospital through the emergency entrance.
"Hey Trudy, are the supplies ready?" Jake asked as the foursome walked in.
"Yeah, almost!" Trudy smirked back. "Gee, you guys gettin' lazy or what... I see that you had to draft people to help you with it?"
"Now, now Trudy," Sid playfully admonished the red-headed nurse. "Is that any way to treat our guests?"
Trudy shook her head at Sid's admonishment. Sid cleared his voice and gestured to Trudy. "Let me introduce you to Roy DeSoto and John Gage. They're observers from Los Angeles County Fire Department, said Sid. The two Angelenos leaned forward and shook her hand.
"Hey Jake! Sid!" A male voice could he heard calling out to them as it approached them and Trudy. "What brings you guys here?"
"Hey Andy! What's up?" Sid asked as he waited for Trudy to finish checking the supplies that needed to be loaded into the bay of the ambulance for the trip north.
"Andy, nice to see you again," Jake said warmly at the sight of his old friend. "Let me introduce you to John Gage and Roy DeSoto, they're visiting the Fargo Fire Department from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They're both firefighter-paramedics. Gentlemen, this is Andy Jagloe, one of the pilots here."
"Nice to meet you Andy," Roy said warmly as they both men extended their hands to shake.
"Do you guys fly to areas where patients are too critical to transport by ambulance?" Johnny asked as he continued to process all the information he heard from Jake and Sid.
"Yep... and sometimes patients from here to hospitals down in the Twin Cities or Rochester for more advanced medical care. We average about five or six flights a day and sometimes more," Andy commented. "I'll see about taking one of you guys on a run."
"If that's possible, I'd like to do that," Roy affirmed as a smile spread across his face.
"I'll see what I can do," Andy stated. "I'll let Sid or Captain Ericsson know later today. I see you guys are about ready to go. Trudy has that look."
"She has nothing on Dixie," Johnny teased. "She was an army medic nurse in Korea. The docs at Rampart even walk the straight and narrow with her."
"A toughie?" Andy asked.
"Depends," Roy added thoughtfully. "She adores her paramedics but don't cross her. She is a toughie with a tender heart."
Andy mused at Roy's comment as he remembered a few army nurses he crossed paths with in Vietnam.
"Guys, let's head out!" Sid yelled as he waved them over to the ambulance.
Andy watched as the guys headed off towards the loaded ambulance. It was a signal to the Fargo crew that they were ready to head north. Sid radioed ahead to the Hillsboro hospital, where the northern rigs were based in Traill County, and alerted them that they were on their way with supplies.
"Well guys, you're about to see some pancake country and then Hillsboro," Jake announced as the ambulance pulled out of the parking bay and onto Broadway. "It's about a 40 minute drive."
The ambulance made its way through the city to the interstate exit ramp. The vehicle's radio prattled on as the guys rode quietly through the city of Fargo making their way to I-29.
"This is KFGO, the mighty 790, and now for the News, Gary Carley reporting.
"Supporters of Peltier have criticized the US States Attorney for denying the defense the right to use several witnesses ...," Sid clicked the radio off in mid-sentence.
"Sorry about that." Sid stated solemnly. "I'm not really in the mood to listen to it. I grew up near the Fort Totten reservation and some of Peltier's relatives are still living up there and at Turtle Mountain. Sadly, some of them are being punished solely because of their last name."
"I hear ya, Sid," Jake commented. "It's heartbreaking to hear that people are being treated as a criminal because they have the same last name. It's not right."
The vehicle remained quiet for several miles before anyone spoke as they took in the cold, barren landscape. Roy watched Johnny out of the corner of his eye to see how he was doing.
"There are no trees and lots of white snow with bumps." Roy mused as tried to come up with a description.
"Depending on the amount of moisture in the snow, the wind can move it around just like a sand dune." Jake commented as he took in the stark whiteness of the landscape. "I've seen some very interesting drifts over the years."
"It's so flat...," Johnny commented as he watched the snow snake across the highway as it aimed for the other side. The wheels on the vehicles ahead of them broke up the snow arrows into white puffs and fog.
The ambulance continued north and passed several small towns tucked off to the side of the interstate. Roy questioned as he tried visualize the town they were going to as he watched the snow blow across the open country. "How big is Hillsboro?"
"Hillsboro has about 1500 people. It's the county seat of Traill county," Sid stated from the driver's side of the ambulance. "It does live up to its motto for the most part: Hospitality is a cup of coffee away."
"That it does," Jake said warmly. "Wonder if we'll have time to go to Fankhanel's?"
"Don't know Jake," Sid replied. "It'll depend on if the Mayville ambulance makes it Hillsboro before we do."
"I'll bite... What's Fankhanel's?" Roy asked as he tried to wrap his mind around this mysterious name.
"Ahhhh... Fankhanel's is a sugar lover's delight set in an old-fashioned drug store," Jake mused thoughtfully.
The men chuckled at Jake's description of Fankhanel's.
"So it's a good place NOT to take the kids," Johnny teased as he looked over at Roy.
"Yep..," Jake mused, "and I learned that the hard way."
"Ahhhh, Johnny... keep in mind I do have to pay the dental bills," Roy quipped.
"Now, now, partner... their uncle has to spoil them or they might feel neglected," Johnny said gleefully. "Wonder if we should take some back for the guys at 51s?"
"That's an idea," Roy said as he contemplated the thought.
The radio crackled alive as they approached Hillsboro. Sid grabbed the green mic from its cradle and responded to the call from the Hillsboro base.
"Ambulance 60, 10-4," Sid responded.
"Mayville has a breakdown and they'll be here in about 90 minutes."
"Copy, we'll wait after we deliver the supplies. 10-4," Sid replied.
"Hillsboro Base, 10-4"
"Well Jake, I guess you have your answer about Fankhanel's," Sid chuckled as a smile broke out across his face. "I would still like to know how the hell Spook knew we were going to Hillsboro."
"My guess is Tad," Jake mused. "Those two are quite a pair, but I'm not completely sure which one is actually Spook."
"I thought it was Wes after I watched him pitch the snowballs in the apparatus bay yesterday," Johnny interjected a bit mystified.
"That's possible but never, never rule out Tad." Jake mused as a broad smile spread across his face. "He's a sly one. However, that being said, I would trust him in an emergency situation with my life. Both are good guys."
Sid nodded in agreement to Jake's assessment of Tad and Wes as he angled the ambulance onto the exit lane for Hillsboro. The rig passed a long line of farm implements standing near the exit ramp. The farm implements were sitting out in front of a dealership in a mock battle of green John Deere versus the mixed line of red International Harvesters and Massey-Fergusons. The scene was even more humorous with a line of snowmen in the middle standing in front of a lime-green Steiger tractor.
"Nice to see someone has a sense humor in the winter," Johnny mused at the impeccable lines.
"Sometimes ... you need it to keep your sanity," Jake smirked. "The lime-green Steigers are actually made in Fargo."
"Really?" Johnny asked. "I have never knew that. My cousin had one years ago."
"Yeah, they do... We've had a few runs to the plant there," Jake stated, "Actually, safely ran compared to some places."
"Referring to the beet plants," Sid stated sarcastically.
"Yep," Jake responded. "And God help a person in the springtime... you can smell it for miles after the frost goes off the waste ponds."
The ambulance soon backed into the parking bay at the Hillsboro hospital. Sid went in through the emergency room doors and grabbed a gurney to load the supplies on from the ambulance. Roy and Johnny helped hand boxes to Jake to load on the gurney as Sid checked it off the list.
"Inga, we brought you a present," Jake smirked as he tried to get the stoic nurse to crack a smile.
Inga glared back at the red-headed paramedic and was less than enthusiastic about Jake's attempted, lighthearted joke.
"Inga, where would you like us to place the supplies for the rigs?" Sid asked as he rolled the gurney in followed by Johnny and Roy carrying the last of the supplies. "Everything that was requested on the list is here."
"In the room to your right," Inga replied coldly. Sid was surprised by Inga's reaction and he followed her gaze towards Johnny. Sid gestured to Johnny and Jake to take the gurney to the ambulance supply room and unload it. Inga's icy glare was not missed by Roy and deep down, he hoped Johnny had not seen it.
"Inga, knock it off," Sid whispered sternly. "He's a very nice person and I'm glad to call him a friend. He's a firefighter-paramedic who's visiting the Fargo Fire Department from Los Angeles."
"You brought an Indian in here." she whispered fiercely.
"So what Inga, he's a human being deserving of respect just like anyone else," Sid grumbled, "There are some of us who judge a person for their character and not their color." He handed her the invoice for a signature to acknowledge delivery.
Roy caught the exchange and glared back as anger began to well up inside of him. "I don't know you ma'am, but I really don't understand the hatred that this area has for Indians. The man you deride is a very dear friend to me and my family. I would trust him with my life based on his character alone."
Taking the invoice from Sid's hand, she glared at both men and stormed off. Two younger nurses nearby watched the exchange and shook their heads. They had a sense of empathy for the men who came in Sid and the heated exchange that just transpired. The exchange between Sid, Roy, and Inga broke up their own discussion about the handsome, slender, dark-haired guy that came with them.
Sid turned and headed towards the supply room, biting his tongue in anger. Looking towards the ceiling, Roy closed his eyes, took a deep breath and held it for several moments. He slowly exhaled as he tried to get his own emotions under control. He wanted to be strong for Johnny and if it meant taking a few hits for his friend, he would. The animosity towards Native Americans bothered him, they were people who also had feelings.
Sid knocked on the door of the supply room and stuck his head in, "Let's head to Dumas cafe for a bite before the Mayville ambulance gets here. It'll be an hour or so." Sid suggested as he shoved his emotions down. He was still steaming from his exchange with Inga.
Jake picked up on Sid's demeanor but chose not to say anything. He had a pretty good idea about what had just transpired at the desk. Jake signaled to Johnny that they were ready to head out for a bite to eat. As they exited the supply room, the two young nurses giggled nervously at Johnny and they hoped he would smile at them. Johnny looked over at them and flashed them a smile as he headed out and they smiled back.
The four guys climbed into the ambulance and headed to the cafe. Johnny sensed that something was amiss and noted that Roy and Sid were both unusually tense. Sid started the rig and pulled out from the hospital parking bay and headed towards the cafe. Pulling up to the cafe, he pulled the second set of keys from his pocket in order to leave the rig running in the cold, as they went in to eat.
"Hey Vivian!" Jake called out. "Four coffees, love!"
"Right with ya," She called back, as the silver-haired woman grabbed four menus, cups and the coffee pot. She made her way to the table and smiled at them warmly. "Who are your friends, Sid?"
"Hey Viv, They're visiting from Los Angeles, John Gage and Roy DeSoto. Can we get some cheeseburgers and fries?"
Vivian looked over and smiled warmly at both men before responding, "Nice to meet you both. Cheeseburgers comin' up!"
"John, Roy...a piece of advice," Vivian giggled with smiling eyes pointing in the direction of Sid and Jake. "These are two guys, you need to watch out for. They're natural born characters!"
"Now, now Vivian," Jake teased. "We're sweet and lovable."
Vivian laughed out loud at the red-headed paramedic's comment and headed to the kitchen with their order.
The clang of dishes and the bang of pans could be heard from the back as conversations and music mingled in the old diner. The smell of sizzling grease and cooking permeated the atmosphere and assaulted the nose with a variety of aromas. Pictures of Hillsboro's past mixed with flyers of community events and school activities as it adorned the walls. The four men continued to talk for a bit before Vivian returned with their plates heaped with food.
"Enjoy gentlemen!" Vivian said warmly, "I've also added a piece of pie for the visitors. Would you guys like apple, lemon meringue, or cherry?"
"Apple," Johnny responded with a wide grin. "Thanks!"
"Apple, for me also," Roy responded grinning. "Thanks!"
"And you know what Sid and I like," Jake responded with a smile.
"With ice cream?" she asked warmly.
The four men nodded in unison at the question. "John, Roy... you're in for a treat... Vivian's pies are legendary."
"With that being said guys, we better eat up if we want to make Fankhanel's before the Mayville ambulance arrives at the hospital," Sid stated as he munched on his cheeseburger.
Sid grinned as Vivian returned with four large pieces of pie with ice cream for the guys. They quickly ate and engaged in small talk. "Vivian, can we get a our check, love?" Sid called out. "We need to roll out."
"Right with ya!" She called back as grabbed their check from the till and headed to their table. "John and Roy, I hope you enjoy your visit and Sid, I heard you have to bring back candy for the station again."
"Let me guess, Spook called ahead," Jake guessed.
"You know how he operates," Vivian replied warmly.
"Is this correct?" Sid asked a bit mystified as he looked at the bill as it appeared to be short. "Jake, why don't you guys head over and I will be with you shortly."
Jake gestured to Johnny and Roy to follow him, "Guys, we can't leave without getting candy."
Vivian looked at the receipt and smiled. "Yep, the pie's on the house."
The three guys slipped into Fankhanel's and the bell at the top of the wooden door alerted the store owner to their arrival. An older woman walked up to the front counter from the back and greeted Jake with a warm smile.
"Joyce!" Jake grinned when he saw a familiar face. "I've kidnapped friends from a far-away city to bring to your fair establishment."
The woman shook her head laughing at Jake's comment. "You never learn do you, Jake. I was alerted to your possible presence by a person who called and identified himself only as Spook."
Johnny started chuckling at the idea of Spook being one step ahead of Jake and Sid. "He truly is all knowing, isn't he."
Johnny looked around taking in the images and smells of the old drug store. The warm brown wood along the wall and on the counters gave a warmth to the old building. The counters had wear marks on the top, worn down from years of people purchasing treats and medicine. He could only imagine the stories that the walls could tell. The stories would be as varied as the people who bought candy and old fashioned sodas. He carefully noted the jars of penny candy and counted 40 different jars that held lemon drops, Necco wafers, smarties, M&M's, root beer barrels, chocolate coins, lollipops, gumdrops, jawbreakers, mints, and peppermint sticks in a variety of flavors.
Roy and Johnny stepped forward and placed their orders with Joyce to get candy to take back to Fargo to nibble on and also to take back to Los Angeles for the guys at Station 51. Roy gave Johnny with a sideways glance as he laid in a supply for his kids. He shook his head in amusement as Johnny made sure he had enough of each flavor of peppermint sticks for Roy's and Captain Ericsson's kids, along with root beer barrels for himself.
"Ah... Johnny... you're taking the kids to the dentist next time," Roy smirked with a wide grin spreading across his face.
"At least they can say their uncle spoils them." Johnny laughed as he carefully picked up the sugar filed treats.
Sid walked up behind them and smiled at the three guys procuring their sugary treasures. "Sid, Spook has alerted Joyce to our possible arrival and an order was made for us to pick up," Jake smirked.
"Man, nothing gets past him, does it," Sid responded incredulously as he shook his head laughing. "He is a wonder."
Joyce slipped into the back and brought out the purchase that Spook had made for them to pick up. "Here ya go and it's already paid for."
Johnny's eyes widened at the two cases of root beer barrels and other assorted penny candies to be taken back to Fargo.
"That was going to be my next question. Wonder who paid for it?" Sid queried as he looked at the two small boxes laden with sugary treats. "I can only imagine the mischief that Spook is concocting once he is fully loaded on sugar."
Jake shook his head laughing, "God help us all!"
"Glad I live in L.A.," Johnny retorted.
"Just because you're visitors don't think you're exempt." Sid stated warmly. "You're a brother and he'll see that you experience his prowess at least once."
"John, he'll probably get you first for taking his M&M's," Jake grinned folding his arms on his chest.
Johnny winked at him and laughed. "I'll be ready."
Sid looked down at his handie-talkie as it started chirping from the base station at the Hillsboro hospital. "Looks like they're playin' our song," Sid stated as the foursome started to make their way out to the ambulance with their hands and arms full of candy.
They quickly organized the candy in the front part of the ambulance and headed back to the hospital to pick up their patient. The Fargo ambulance pulled in just ahead of the Mayville one. Jake and Johnny jumped out from the rig and opened the doors, while Roy and Sid got the information and the patient records from the Mayville crew.
"Roy, you and Jake can ride with the patient and Johnny can ride shotgun up in the front with me," Sid stated while the patient was loaded into the ambulance headed to Fargo.
Deep down, Jake knew why Sid had Johnny riding up front and he didn't like it. He understood why he did it, as they tried to avoid any ugly incidents, yet he felt bad for Johnny. Jake shook the thoughts from his head as he made sure their elderly female patient was comfortable. As the rig made its way back to Fargo, they checked her vitals several times and they remained stable. The patient drifted in and out of consciousness as they made the way to Fargo.
A few miles outside of Fargo, the radio from the Fargo base started to crackle with calls.
"Ambulance 60, what is your ETA?"
Sid grabbed the mic, "8 minutes. We are nearing the 12th Avenue north exit. 10-4"
"Have DeSoto report to Andy Jagloe when you arrive. He's been cleared by Captain Roland Ericsson and the doctors to fly as an observer.
"10-4, Ambulance 60 out," Sid replied.
"Roy, we'll part company with you at the hospital. Jake and I will kidnap your friend for the rest of the day," Sid said warmly. "You'll be in good hands with Andy."
"Hey Partner," chirped Johnny, "Take lots of notes."
"And the same with you, Johnny," Roy smirked back. "Do you want to keep the candy with you?"
"Sure thing," Johnny replied, "I'll take it back to Ericsson's house later and keep it hidden from the kids. I did buy them each a peppermint stick."
Roy hid his concerns about leaving Johnny due to recent events, but he also knew he had a job to do and that was to learn about the operations in North Dakota. Deep down, he could trust the guys to look out for Johnny, especially Sid and Red Wolf.
