The Fire Talks
Chapter 28
by GCS and Hotshow
DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.
Roy joined the others back in the living room. "He'll be right out."
"Isn't he dressed yet, Roy? It's been at least thirty minutes since he went to get ready." Joanne was not the least bit impressed with Johnny keeping their guests waiting.
"He fell asleep." Roy shrugged.
"Oh, poor thing is just so tired since the accident." Feeling bad about her impatience, Joanne made excuses for her house guest.
"It's no problem Joanne. We're here to visit with you and Roy as well. Thank you for inviting us to breakfast." Dixie tried to put Joanne at ease.
"So, Roy, before he gets in here, why don't you fill us in on what happened last night when he fell?" Dr. Early sat forward and requested softly. Kel and Dixie also leaned forward conspiratorially.
Roy mimicked their posture as did Joanne. "Well he seemed okay most of the day. You know he moved slowly, but managed. When we were over at Cap's he got a headache. He said his head was really swimming. The guys helped him to the car. He fell asleep as soon as he sat down." He chuckled. "I even had to buckle him in like I do with the kids." He looked up at the medical professionals and smiled. "He slept all the way home. Joanne and I helped him to bed, but he didn't stay there long. He woke up dizzy again, but I didn't know how dizzy until I heard him hit the floor in the hall." He paused and sighed deeply. "We didn't see him fall, but by the sound of it, he fell hard and fast."
"It wasn't your fault." Dixie reached over and patted Roy's arm. "You know that right?" She knew Roy always blamed himself when Johnny was injured or sick. Johnny did the same thing when it came to Roy.
Roy looked at Dixie and smiled. "Yeah. Anyway, we helped him up and back to bed. His vitals were elevated, but he said he didn't hit his head again. That's when I called you guys."
"Well, it certainly sounds like he said…" Dr. Early started, but Johnny entered the room before he could finish his statement.
"It is exactly like I said." Johnny stood behind Roy with his arms folded. "What is this a secret pow wow? I'm fine. I just got a little dizzy and there wasn't anything to hold on to. That's all. Simple as that." He waved his hand in the air. "Now if I remember correctly, Pally, you and Joanne invited these people over for breakfast, and I'm hungry." He patted his flat tummy.
Everyone laughed at Johnny's silliness. "Of course you are sweetheart." Joanne hooked her hand into the bend of his arm and led him to the table. "Now you just sit right here and I'll get things right out."
Dixie stood and followed Joanne into the kitchen, "Let me help you Jo."
Everyone found a seat around the dining room table as the women brought out the food. Plates were filled and a relaxed discussion about the many cases seen in the ER the past night.
As all the plates were cleared and more coffee poured, Johnny cleared his throat and began. "I uh…I'm glad you all came to breakfast. There are some things I wanted to tell you."
Dixie, Kel and Joe exchanged worried glances. "Look Johnny, I know this head injury has been much worse than any you've had in the past, but that is no reason to give up on a career we all know you love." Kel broke in before Johnny could continue.
Johnny's eyes widened and he quickly cleared that up. "Oh no…I'm not quitting. I…well…" He hesitated, not sure of how to proceed. He looked at Roy and Joanne for courage.
Roy smiled at him and nodded his head. Joanne winked at him and smiled.
Johnny cleared his throat again. "Remember that novel everyone has been reading?"
"Yes," they all responded together.
"Well the author, Chris J. Bean, that's me." He smiled broadly and waited before continuing to give that time to sink in.
Dixie's eyes lit up and she smiled, "I knew it!"
Kel and Joe looked at her incredulously. "How did you know that?" Kel leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I just know my favorite paramedics. The stories in the book about the fires were some of the many stories these two have shared with me after bringing in patients. I just knew one of them, or both of them had to have had something to do with that book." She looked at Roy to see if he had been involved. He nodded his head no and shifted his eyes in Johnny's direction as he tilted his head that way.
"Roy?" Joe verbalized the question.
"No, I didn't even know he wrote it until this week myself. It's pretty incredible isn't it?" Roy was beaming with pride for his partner.
Kel, who had been against the paramedic program in the beginning was suddenly worried that he might be about to lose one of his best. He spoke up with concern in his voice. "So you say you're not quitting. What exactly are your plans?"
"Well, I…I don't really know. Maybe another book someday, but that's part of what I wanted to talk to you about." Johnny started again, but was interrupted by Dixie's excitement about his being the author of a bestselling novel.
"You must have made so much money! You did get a good deal on it didn't you? Oh Johnny this is wonderful. You need to invest your money. I know a good financial advisor. He's a good friend of mine. I'll get you his number." She sounded like Johnny when he was on a rant, talking so fast she barely took a breath between comments.
"Whoa, Dixie, slow down." Johnny held up his hand. "I got a good deal and the financial details are already handled. That's what I wanted to tell you."
The occupants of the Desoto dining room leaned forward and placed their elbows on the table and listened intently to the next part of his story.
"I have divided the earnings among several accounts. I've already told the guys about theirs. Now I wanted to tell you guys about what I want to give the hospital." He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out an envelope addressed to Dr. Brackett and slid it across the table to him. "I think this will explain things." Dixie and Joe looked to Kel as he opened the envelope and flipped through the papers.
Kel's eyes stopped at the number on the bank statement. "Johnny this is extremely generous of you." He slid the statement toward Joe who in turn held it out to Dixie.
"Oh Johnny." Dixie's eyes suddenly became watery. She dabbed at the corner's with her napkin.
"I don't know what to say, except Thank you." Dr. Brackett stood and walked over beside Johnny with his hand outstretched. "You have no idea how much benefit will come from these donations. The equipment we can purchase for the various departments you have designated. This is amazing. Thank you!" In a gesture so unlike the normally stoic doctor, he pulled Johnny into a quick hug and then pulled back placing both hands on his shoulders, giving them a squeeze. "Thank you."
Johnny's crooked grin spread across his face. "Well I do have some idea. I'm glad I could do it."
Dixie, always the voice of reason, suddenly realized that Johnny had said something about the guys. "So did you keep anything for yourself?"
"Yeah, I'm going to invest in some property, a ranch and some horses." Johnny sat back down. All the excitement had his head spinning again.
"And my kids now have a college fund." Roy stated through his smile. "And Joanne and I have a little nest egg to fall back on when needed. All the guys have one too."
"Johnny has taken care of all of us." Joanne sniffled through tears of joy, dabbing her own eyes with her napkin.
Johnny dipped his head in shy embarrassment. "Well if it hadn't been for all of you and the job, I wouldn't have had a story to tell." He raised his hand and rubbed his temple.
"Are you okay, Junior?" Roy noticed the slight tension around Johnny's eyes.
"Yeah, I'm just a little dizzy."
Joe was the first to stand. "I think we need to do that exam we came over here to do. How about we move over here to the couch or to your bedroom and let you lie down."
