Life began to take on a sense of normalcy for Johnny Gage. Since the day he made the decision for the electrode surgery he had worked twice as hard during his regular therapy to prepare for the implants. He had a special recumbent bicycle routine three times a week along with grueling pool exercises, physical therapy and his continued life skills counseling. It was six weeks of this intense schedule to build Johnny's strength and muscle tone for the surgery. The surgery came and was uneventful and Johnny responded well to the physical stress.
The turnaround in Johnny's recovery allowed for the rest of his friends to visit regularly. In fact, once Johnny came to grips with his situation, he found it easier to let go of his old hopes of walking and learned to relax more with his friends while learning about his new capabilities.
Marco would bring food weekly for him to enjoy. Mike would come every few days to play board games with him and catch him up on the latest in the department. Hank would come and just sit and talk. It was a nice way to see the personal side of his Captain and Johnny felt pangs of regret and jealousy when some of the rescue stories he told were intense. But, he would always remind himself that these men, his brothers, were keeping him in the loop in order to keep him focused on his new goals. Even Chet participated in Johnny's recovery. He actually began an aluminum can recycling drive with the Chief's okay to use the local fire stations as drop off points for the cans. Despite Chet's resistance to begin recycling efforts six months ago per Johnny's suggestion, it seemed now that Johnny's new life inspired Chet to do something that would be meaningful for Johnny. In fact, during one of Roy's many visits, Johnny learned that the cans could be turned in to a local metal manufacturing plant in exchange for money and that Chet had started a benefit fund for Johnny's medical bills. It left Johnny filled with gratitude and shame that he actually was serious about ending his life.
After the surgery, Johnny was back at the Rehab Center with a new shift in his routine. Not only was he back to his regular schedule, but the staff were now teaching him how to use the innovative electrodes. Because the surgery was a new procedure, many visits and reports were made to document his progress from the doctors who conducted the new surgery to the Rehab center doctors who were much closer to this patient and wanted to see him succeed. He was taught how to begin using the electrical impulses and the process was intense and slow. It would take weeks before his muscle tone was strong enough for the first impulses to actually move his arm.
Johnny was reflecting back on all this when he noticed the time. It was almost noon and this was a big day for Johnny. Today, Roy was bringing the family. He hadn't seen Jenny, Chris or Joanne since leaving Rampart now over eight months ago. While he kept in touch with notes, pictures and Roy's updates, he found he missed the connections with the kids and he certainly wanted to see Joanne who was like a sister to him. He waited in his newer electric wheelchair which he acquired a couple of months ago. He was able to use the small joystick control with his strengthened fingers that were still functioning since that joyful morning of discovery. He watched out the large paned window from the lobby of the Rehab Center knowing that Jenny, especially, wanted to see him immediately.
Roy and Joanne had spent weeks with the children to prepare them for their "Uncle" Johnny's appearance. Due to the immobility, pneumonia and surgery, Johnny was thinner, more haggard looking and certainly weaker. However, his deep brown eyes conveyed his newest confidence in moving forward in his journey. Johnny's entire shift in attitude made his arduous therapy more tolerable. Not to say that he didn't have some bad days. While depression was always at bay, he knew he couldn't let it take over his soul ever again. Because of the support of Roy and his family and his friends, he knew he would adjust and the transition to the world of paralysis would get easier in time. He now realized just how capable and strong he was and he wanted to keep that in the forefront of his thoughts especially with the prospects of using his arms.
He saw Roy's car pull up to the front and park. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he watched Jenny jump out clutching her favorite bear. Chris piled out next and then Joanne. He was so proud that he could call them family. It was a moment of peace that surrounded him when they walked up to the front double doors.
Roy knew where Johnny would be waiting and with just a nod of his head, Jenny saw her Uncle Johnny and bounded over to him.
"Oh, Uncle Johnny, Uncle Johnny!" she squealed. Her smile was wide and toothy and she immediately stopped right at Johnny's wheelchair.
"Hey, my pretty princess! How is my girl?" He gushed.
She couldn't stand still. She was so anxious to hug her favorite uncle.
Roy knew what she wanted. "Johnny?" he smiled as he asked politely.
"Hurry up!"
Roy picked up his daughter and placed her in Johnny's lap. His daughter gingerly hugged her Uncle and Johnny buried his face into her bubble bath scented hair encouraging her to hug tighter. This was a feeling he would treasure. Although he couldn't wrap his own arms around her, he let his spirit wrap around her and surround her with an unconditional love that was truly their own special bond. Roy and Joanne were always moved by their daughter' s special relationship with Johnny which made it even more important that Johnny continue to be a part of their family.
Johnny's tears came freely now as he said, "Oh, Jenny, I've missed you. I'm so sorry."
"Don't be sad, Uncle Johnny. Mommy and Daddy 'splained everything to me. It's okay. I missed you too!" She sighed with contentment as she pulled back to see her Uncle Johnny's face. She stroked his thin cheeks and traced his tearful smile with her small finger.
Johnny turned to look up at Joanne who leaned down and kissed him on the cheek with a quick brush across his brow to move the unruly hair. She was also misty-eyed and simply said, "Finally, Johnny—I'm so glad this day came."
"Me, too, Joanne, me too-you look great!"
"Oh stop, now—flirting will get you in trouble!" She winked a green eye at him and Roy couldn't wipe the silly grin off his face. His best friend was happy. Something he hadn't seen in a long time.
Chris stood off to the side of Jenny and his mom while they exchanged words and hugs with Johnny. He examined the different parts of Johnny's power wheelchair; the large back wheels, the black leather against Johnny's paler skin. He remembered Johnny's dark tan and noticed that today he just looked sickly. This was not the vibrant, healthy and strong Uncle Johnny Chris remembered. He was now looking at a man who was thin, small and beaten down. Despite the disturbing physical appearance of Johnny, Chris couldn't ignore that Johnny's attitude seemed upbeat. He was glad because he really did miss his Uncle Johnny.
Johnny peered over Jenny's shoulder and looked directly at Chris. Again, Chris seemed to shy away from Johnny's gaze and his gaunt face. Johnny smiled and once the crooked slant of his grin took hold of the thin cheeks, Chris smiled back. He walked over to the side of Johnny's wheelchair as Joanne stepped back. The gnawing fear in Chris's stomach began to ease as Johnny spoke.
"Hi ya, sport!" he said cheerfully and softly.
Chris put his arm up on Johnny's shoulder and awkwardly patted him. "Hi, Uncle Johnny," he stuttered trying to shake the initial shock of seeing Johnny's appearance.
"It's okay, Chris—I know I don't look too good right, now. Just wait till these arms start working again. Things will be different . . . and better," Johnny said confidently.
Chris leaned in and laid his head on Johnny's shoulder. Johnny once again couldn't hold back the tears of joy of seeing this part of his family again. It had been too long and he needed this reconnection to make him more motivated to keep up with the rigorous therapy.
Roy continued to savor the scene in front of him. It had been too long for him as well. Ever since the initial shooting, he never felt the same. Both of their lives had been changed so much and despite the outward appearances that Roy put forth, he struggled to balance the needs of his family, Johnny and himself. But, watching this unfold in front of him, made him feel complete and full of awe. The wonder of family, the power of healing and how the simple act of touch could bring so much to a man who needed it so badly.
Unbeknown to the reunited family in the lobby of the Santa Clara Rehab Center, Dr. Gordon and Jean looked on and both silently took in the scene of healing and marveled at how medicine and science was only part of the resolution for Johnny's new life.
Coming Next . . . Part IV: Restoration
Note: Thanks so much for your encouragement—this story has been brewing for a few years now and I'm so thankful that Johnny is speaking to me again to get the rest of his story out for the fans but the emotions are strong!—thanks for waiting and for your support! Robin W.