Chapter 25 Surprises and Shocks

Elaine called JJ one morning a few days before Nova's birthday. "JJ, you aren't gonna believe this! The publisher really wants to start a West Coast office and they just asked if I would be interested in heading it up. They were looking at several cities, Los Angeles included. I'd continue as your editor for now, but after the office was up and running, you'd transition to a new editor. JJ, we'd be in the same city again!"

JJ was floored. "Move here? But, but I thought you liked New York. What about your boyfriend? Your apartment?"

Elaine laughed, "I broke up with him a long time ago. I can sublet the apartment easily. I miss you and I'll always have reasons to fly to New York on occasion for meetings to get my fix. Besides the cold is wearing thin and I think you're right about the guys on the coast."

JJ's radar went up. "Guys? What guys? Are you holding out on me 'Laine?"

Elaine replied smugly, "Umm, that's for me to know and for you to wait a bit longer to find out. When I come for Nova's birthday, it will also be for me to find a place. My stuff will be packed and on its way in the moving van."

"Oh Elaine! I am so excited you're moving here," JJ squealed. "Plus, you'll have to dish on the guy or guys?" she teased. "Come on, give me a hint. Do I know him…them?"

"Them? You think I have a harem of guys in LA?" After a few more minutes of torturing her, Elaine finally admitted, "Yes, you know him, JJ. But that is all I'm telling you for now. Give us some space. It's fairly new and there isn't much to tell yet. Plus, I am tired of the cold and the crazy pace here."

Not long after that, JJ heard Nova crying and had to hang up. She'd pinched a finger in the door of her play oven. After a band aid and a kiss, Nova was back to her normal sassy self. JJ could hardly wait to tell Johnny that Elaine was moving West.

The rest of the day, JJ spent trying to work on her novel. She was about 75% done, making some progress, but not as much as she had hoped to achieve. She set it aside and opted for housework. The sheets needed changing and the hall bathroom was a wreck.

Johnny was covering a shift for a fellow captain at his station instead of enjoying his third day off. His co-worker had to travel due to a serious family illness. Working with an unfamiliar crew was always a bit awkward, but at least it was at his station. He assigned duties that morning and went back to the never ending pile of paperwork on his desk. There was a briefing on a few new businesses in the area to conduct later that morning as well. However, he had already presented the information to his shift, so he didn't need much preparation for that. This group had been so busy, the briefing had had to be postponed. The klaxon sounded about an hour after roll call and the engine rolled out on a brush fire. Arriving on scene, the crew found a campfire had embers blow to nearby brush and kindled a small blaze. With shovels to dig fire breaks and lots of water, station 110 and another responding station put out the blaze. Johnny and crew stayed to watch for flare ups and left about two hours later. They were grimy, sooty and sweaty from the efforts. Before arriving back at the station, they were called out to an automobile wreck with a smoldering car.

Roy was out running errands and pulled up to the Gage home. He'd promised Johnny he'd drop by and check on JJ. Upon ringing the door bell, he was faced with a rubber gloved JJ. "Roy! Come in and join the party. I was cleaning the bathroom," she said with a grin. She gestured for him to let himself in not wanting to touch the door. Stripping off the heavy gloves, they headed to the living room. JJ took a couple steps and tossed the gloves onto the bathroom floor. She returned wiping her hands on a clean rag she'd snagged from the cleaning caddy.

"I don't mean to intrude," Roy began as an apology. JJ hugged him warmly.

"Oh, please, intrude," JJ answered. "Little boys and bathrooms can be a bad mix." She lifted one eyebrow mischievously.

"Try a station of men," Roy countered with a dry laugh. JJ puckered her face.

"Ee-ish, yeah that would be really ugly," she joked.

Roy was relieved to see JJ more like her old self. "I was in the area and thought I'd stop by. When I get home, I am moving furniture around in the living room. Thought I'd give my back one last chance to relax," he kidded.

She knew he may have stopped by because John asked him to. If it helped John focus at work, she didn't mind, well not much. Plus, honestly it felt good to know she had family to check on her. JJ chuckled. "I'll keep your secret. Just thinking about moving that sectional you guys have makes me sweat. However, I bet Joanne will make it look so fabulous, you'll forget your aches."

Roy just smiled and said nothing.

"Diplomatic as always," JJ noted letting it drop with a short chuckle. "Oh, we got the spring pictures from school. I need to give you some. We had pictures of both kids taken. It is so nice they take pictures of younger siblings as well." As JJ got up, Nova made her entrance.

"Uncle Roy!" she trilled as she hurled herself onto his lap. Nova patted his cheeks. "You came to play?" she asked hopefully.

"I sure wish I could. I can't stay too long this time," he answered.

"I'll get those pictures," JJ remarked as she headed off to get them.

"I can do it!" Nova insisted. She slipped off Roy's lap and skittered away down the hallway.

"Does she ever hold still?" Roy remarked.

"Um, about as much as Johnny does," JJ answered.

"So… never," Roy clowned and they laughed.

Nova went into her parent's room and got her mother's billfold from her purse. She pulled out the plastic insert with the sleeves to slip pictures into. Her mommy had put several extras in each little pocket to give out as she saw people. Nova had seen her give a few out at church Sunday. Shaking her little fist, she ran back into the living room. "Here they are Mommy," Nova announced as she fluttered it in front of her mother's face. JJ turned to see what Nova had and her face went blank. She slowly took the insert. Robotically she said, "Thanks Nova." Nova didn't see the look on her mother's face. Roy did.

"I'm a good helper, huh Mama?" Nova prodded proudly unaware of JJ's stupor.

Roy scooped her up making her giggle, "You are getting so grown up, Tinkerbell. That was a big, big help. Nova, I am really needing a new picture to put up in my office at work. Could you make me one?" he asked hoping to get her to leave the room.

"Sure! I make it for you," she answered and skipped off down the hallway towards her room.

Roy noted the ragged breathing. "JJ," he prodded as he moved to sit by her. JJ's face was covered by a curtain of hair. He could hear her mumbling. "JaneLee, look at me," Roy coaxed.

"Oh God, oh God," she whispered. JJ looked up with tears streaming down her ashen face. "I remember."