As discussed the previous day, when Mike arrived with Chris and Jenny after lunch, the three of them met up with Roy, Joanne and Dr. Druthers in one of the NSU family rooms.
"I figured while John is taking his after lunch nap, we should discuss some things and make sure we're ready for any questions he may have for us," Karl began. "I'm hoping that with you two kids here, he'll feel as though he can open up more."
Nodding, they both smiled nervously.
"What do you want us to do anyway?" Chris wondered.
"Nothing too hard," Doctor Druthers smiled reassuringly. "Mainly just be yourself and let him know who you are, things you like doing, stuff about your family. Ask Johnny about himself if you think he is up for it. If things don't go well, don't worry, I'm not expecting miracles or anything. Today is just a simple 'hi, this is who I am' introduction type of deal."
"I think I can do that," Chris said with a bit of uncertainty coloring his voice.
"What if he asks us things we don't know how to answer?" Jenny asked.
"Like what?"
"Like…I don't know," she shrugged. "I know mom and dad have tried to tell him that our family does want him, so what if he wants us to tell him why Chris and me want him around? Or what if he wants to know how we know him when he doesn't?"
"Those are very good questions," Karl admitted. "As far as why you want him around, just speak from your heart and Johnny should at least able start to see that your family honestly does care about him."
"Can I try to explain the second part?" Mike interjected.
"Go ahead," Druthers said, grateful for the help.
"Well, the way I see it, we should be honest as possible," Mike began explaining. "Someone can just tell him that although he believes it is what? October? November? It is actually near the end of May. It may cause Johnny to panic, but by letting him know he doesn't remember about six months, it will help explain why we know him, yet he doesn't know us."
"Go on," Roy encouraged, thinking he knew where his friend was headed.
"Well, we can also tell Johnny that just about the time his memory stops is when he came to live with you and Joanne. I believe by saying that with his aunt is in poor health and unable to care for him, she chose your family since she knows you through a mutual friend or something like that," Mike finished up with a blush creeping across his face. "If John wonders why he never sees her, we can just say that she had to move to a different state for health reasons."
"That is a great idea and is close enough to the truth. If or when Johnny gets better, dealing with what happened will be easier for him knowing he wasn't lied to," Karl praised. "I think if no one minds, that is what we should do if that question comes up."
Seeing all five people in the room nod their head to indicate they had no problem, Doctor Druthers smiled.
"I do have one concern, though," he said. "I'm not sure if Johnny knows what year it is. Some kids are more aware of dates than others and if he is one of them, we need to figure out what to do if that issue comes up. My worry is that hearing that he is no longer living in the 1950's could cause him emotional trouble, as well as trust issues, if he realizes there are years missing in his memory."
Sighing heavily, Roy quietly said, "I never even thought of that. What are we supposed to do though? Lie and say he was hearing the wrong date for seven years of his life?"
"Maybe this is something we shouldn't worry about unless or until it comes up," Jo pointed out. "I say let's not borrow trouble."
"That is usually how I handle things with my sister," Mike acknowledged. "Besides which, from what it sounds, it seems like there is enough to worry about today. We'll try to see if Johnny can tell us the date, but otherwise, if you don't mind me saying so, it just seems better to let it go for now."
"Mike, don't be silly," Jo chastened him. "You are part of the family and part of the reason we wanted you to be the first to be involved is the experience you have with special needs people. Don't ever be afraid to speak up, got it?"
"Got it," Mike grinned back, knowing better than to contradict her.
Smiling himself, Karl stood up and said, "Well, I think for the most part we have a good plan in place and Johnny should be waking up soon, so why don't we head for his room. I'll be staying outside as discussed. After Mike, Chris and Jenny are introduced to John, I'd like you and Roy to step back, so they can take the lead."
"Sure, no problem," Jo agreed after glancing over at Roy.
"You can step in if there is a problem, of course," Karl said as he led the way to John's cubicle. "If needed, a nurse or will be there quickly to intervene in any way necessary. For the most part, however, I'd like them to be on their own at first before you join in again."
Reaching the door, Roy and Joanne each gave him a tight smile and walked into the room. Noticing Johnny was attempting to wake up, Roy went to reassure him while Joanne stayed by the end of the bed with the kids, pointing out the few remaining tubes and explaining what they were for again.
"We know mom," Chris rolled his eyes. "You explained this already."
Moving her head slightly towards Jenny, Jo gave her oldest a look. Reading it correctly, Chris grimaced, sorry that he had interrupted the explanation that was being done mostly for his sister's sake. Reaching over to take her hand, Chris led Jenny over to the bed when their dad waved them over.
"Johnny, I'd like you to meet my two kids," Roy said gently. "This is Christopher, Chris for short, and he is thirteen years old. His sister here just turned ten recently. Her name is Jennifer, or Jenny as we like to call her. The tall guy standing by your Aunt Jo is someone I've worked with for about ten years at the fire station. My kids called him Uncle Mike."
Feeling that was his cue, Mike came closer to the bed and said, "Hi, Johnny. I know you don't remember me, but I'm glad to see you again and that you're starting to feel better."
Nodding slowly, curiosity gripped John.
"Work as what at station?" he asked while Roy moved away to the end of the bed unnoticed.
"I am the engineer, so I get to make sure the water comes out of the fire truck," Mike told him. "I also get to drive the big fire truck."
"Cool," Johnny's eyes grew wide. "Wish I could when old."
"You could be a fireman," Mike assured him.
"Reds no 'llowed," John said
"Everyone is allowed here," Mike fiercely said.
"Yeah," Chris spoke up. "You should see our dad's station."
"Uncle Marco is Mexican," Jenny confined. "Uncle Kelly is Irish. So, see not just one color is allowed. You just need to be brave, strong and want to help others. Least that's what dad says."
"Really?" John looked from Mike to Roy.
Both of them nodded and confirmed it was the truth which brought a huge smile to Johnny's face.
"Is there anything you want to know?" Mike wondered.
Seeing him hesitate, Mike promised, "You can ask anything. We won't get upset."
That is when Johnny finally asked the one question that everyone in the room knew had to have been on his mind: why did they know him even though he didn't know them? No one knew who was more thankful that they came ready with a thought out answer ahead of time. Since Joanne and Roy wanted John to begin trusting Mike more, they let him explain how his memory had been affected by the head injury and subsequent surgery. Although it seemed to comfort John that his aunt had hand-picked out the family to care for him since she wasn't able to, he still admitted to feeling off when asked.
"What do you mean by 'off'?" Jo asked worriedly.
"Body not feeling like me. Big…long…heavy…floppy like," he struggled to explain. "Mine, not mine, all at the same time."
Looking at Roy and then Mike, Joanne felt at a loss for how to answer.
"I don't know what to say, sweetie," she told him sympathetically. "We'll bring it up to Doctor Early later today and hopefully, he can help us out, okay?"
"'K," came the simple reply.
"Is there anything else feeling off?" Roy inquired.
"Head hurt, back itch, foot itch, sore," Johnny listed.
It feels like everything hurts and nothing feels like it is part of mmy body, John thought to himself as he tried not to show how badly he was hurting. Showing I hurt is not good, it can be used to hurt me.
"Does your head hurt worse than it did yesterday?" Roy asked, panicking slightly, knowing that a worsening headache could mean the brain was starting to swell again, more clots could be forming, or any number of other issues might be developing.
"Don't be afraid to tell us exactly how you feel," Jo lectured gently after spotting the worry in Johnny's eye. "All of us would rather have the truth."
"Littl' less," came the thought out answer.
"That's good," Roy heaved a sigh of relief. "I know a headache is no fun, but it will take a bit to go away. Just let me, Aunt Jo, Uncle Mike or someone know how you feel, alright? It's important."
"Ok," Johnny promised, a bit puzzled why he should do so.
Seeing the look, Mike explained, "By knowing how you feel, we will know how to help you feel better. The faster you feel better, the less we worry."
"Worry why?"
"Because we care," Jo told him.
"We've known you long enough that you're part of our family," Jenny announced to him. "I want you to come back home with us if you can."
"Real?"
"Yep," Chris confirmed, not wanting to be left out. "Jenny and I have summer activities and stuff, but when we can, we'd like to teach you how to play board games and do some other fun things."
"Have to earn keep," John said, confused as to how and when he would do so.
"What do you mean by keep?" Jo asked.
"Stuff I wear, food, bills for taking care of me is a lot," he explained. "Gotta pay it by work."
"Oh, no," Roy said in sync Joanne.
"In our house, kids don't earn their keep. Yes, once you are doing better and the doctor gives us the okay, Aunt Joanne will have you do chores just like Chris and Jenny. But you can ask them, even though they may not always like doing the chores given to them, they aren't too bad," Roy promised Johnny. "Chores are things like making your bed, keeping your room cleaning, helping set the table or clean up after dinner, things like that."
Eyeing him suspiciously, Johnny looked towards Chris and Jenny, "True?"
"Yes," Chris told him, surprised that it was so difficult to believe. "When your parents were alive, didn't they have you do chores like that?"
Trying hard to remember, John slowly nodded then confessed, "Hard 'remember. 'Member ranch."
Not that I spent long on Ranch. Glad as it was nightmare place. Scary and t took away my happy times, he thought as a shudder ran through his body.
"Was it a bad place?" Jenny asked softly.
"Much," John stated sadly, eyes downcasted.
Seeking approval from her parents, Jenny asked why it was so horrible.
"Lotta rules, mean people," Johnny told her.
"What kind of rules?" Chris prodded gently.
Ticking them off, John began reciting them slowly and haltingly as if he was a robot, "7 days work 'less church. No chores, no shower, eat, inside, bad punish. No talk 'less adult talk to you or need for work. No compl…can't say bad about anything. English speak or no eat for days. Friend making means all punish. In box for weekend if up after bedtime. 10 rules of church and charge obey or hitted. Box of stuff lock 'till 16 when you leave. Food, box, hitted, other punishes, hurt a lot no reason."
All five people in the room looked at Johnny open mouth and wide eyed in horror at the thought of what went on 'The Ranch', a supposedly Christian orphanage type of place. It was no wonder other memories before this time were scattered. Even if in his mind he had only been there for a short time, it still was long enough to begin causing issues.
I wonder why Johnny never told me. Maybe he blocked it out somehow. Whatever the case may be, I have a feeling even if he doesn't actively remember his entire time there, it could still be there in his subconscious. That is not just something someone, especially a young child, can get over easily, Roy thought, sick to his stomach. It could be why he is terrified of certain adults, especially those dressed in rancher like clothes. Man! Dr. Brackett has been wearing cowboy boots a lot when he's been around Johnny, I wonder if that is what is spooking Johnny. Can't hurt to say something, besides, I got to report this, if Dr. Druthers isn't already writing down what he heard so he can do something about it.
Now I understand why he never wanted to get close to anyone, Jo realized. Well, whether he likes it or not, we are going to be here for him and help him through this, no matter how long it takes.
Mike was thinking along the same lines as Joanne and was amazed at the strength the young man had to overcome such abuse.
I don't know if I ever could have endured what he has and still turned out so caring and compassionate, someone who is able to see the bright side of life and the good within people. I just hope that maybe this injury gives him a second chance somehow to heal, Mike prayed.
Turning to the kids, Roy asked quietly, "Are you two okay?"
"No," Jenny said furiously. "Johnny never should have been treated like that! No one should! It's mean and cruel and pointless! I mean, what do they think they were doing?"
Hearing Jenny, John answered, "Think we heathens. Need learn good ways."
"What's that?" she asked, her brow wrinkling up.
"Someone without religion, more or less someone who doesn't believe in God," Roy explained.
"Well, did they ask you if you believed? Or even give you a chance to see if you didn't behave?" Jenny wondered.
"No," Johnny admitted. "Dad teach me about the white man God, mom teach me her spirits. Most of it same, so both in believe. Also taught me be respect, kind, nice and I try to be that."
"So, you believe in your people's religion and your dad's religion and you find them to be teaching the same thing?" Jenny asked, amazed.
"Yea," John cautiously said, not sure where this was going.
"And you believe in both," she continued.
"Yeah," he repeated.
"Yet, those people never bothered to ask. Neither did they give you a chance to show them that you were just like every other kid. Well, to me, it seems they are the heathens, as they are not following the Bible or the teachings," Jenny concluded. "Can I ask though why you repeated their rules like you did?"
Shrugging, John admitted, "We were dumb Indians, felt they had to be slow and such so we get what they say."
None of them in the room wanted to rehash what they had just gone over with Johnny, but all resolved to find some way to enforce that what he had experienced was wrong and incorrect.
Remembering that Dr. Druthers and her parents wanted to see if Johnny knew the year, she quickly added in, "I just wonder what year those people think this is, you know? Do you have any idea, Unc…uh, Johnny?"
"Year?" Johnny asked, panic-stricken. "No, don't know. Too hard."
"That's okay," Jenny patted his arm. "I forget dates a lot of time too. Just take things one by one and you will be fine."
Smiling at their daughter, both Roy and Joanne shook their heads as her words of wisdom, not knowing where she got them.
"I gotta agree with you there," Jo said. "Johnny, what you went through shouldn't have happened. All of us here promise to treat you well. Clothe you, feed you, take care of you and most important love you, without expecting anything in return. Yes, we will eventually ask you to do chores, but that is what family does in our eyes, they help each other out. All of us have been going to see Dr. Druthers so we know how best to help you.
"We also made a promise as a family after talking it over with each other that we would do what we can to help you in any other way, not just figuring out how to heal from this injury. As much as we love and care about you, however, if you don't feel like being a part of our family is best for you, we can find a different place for you. We don't want to force ourselves on you and have you be unhappy or scared. I do want you to think about it for a while, talk it over with Dr. Druthers, alright?"
Although Joanne spoke slowly and carefully, it still took a while for Johnny to process what she said. When it finally clicked, a surprised look crossed his face.
"You take time to help me?" he asked, needing confirmation.
"Yes, they have," Mike told him. "So have the people Uncle Roy works with because we all care. We know it will take a long time for you to get better and so those of us that work with Uncle Roy and Aunt Jo will be helping them out. That way they will have time for themselves once in a while. It's why I am meeting you today and will be getting to know you. I wanted to be another person you could talk to, who can help you out, or just be there for you. Other people are already helping out in other ways too, like bringing food to the house, making sure Chris and Jenny have rides to their activities and stuff. Our fire station is just like a big family, although you and this family are closer than that."
Nodding, Johnny began yawning.
"Looks like you're getting tired," Roy said. "Did we tire you out?"
Shrugging, Johnny just said, "Worth it, fun."
"So, you would like the kids and Uncle Mike to come back sometime?"
"Yeah," Johnny breathed out as his lids grew heavier and heavier.
"Alright, sweetie, we'll do that. Just sleep now," Jo whispered as she helped lower Johnny in bed with Roy's help and tucked him in. "Sweet dreams."
As Johnny began dozing the five of them carefully and quietly left the room, pausing at the doorway to ensure Johnny was comfortable. Once outside the room, Karl took them back to a family room to discuss how everyone thought things went. Except for what they had heard about the living conditions on the ranch, everyone felt it went better than expected.
"I just can't believe how horrid the adults could treat the kids," Jo said. "I don't know if I even want to know what Johnny meant by the box. I mean, it was obviously a punishment, but…"
Squeezing her hand, Roy tried unsuccessfully to suppress a shudder, "I don't get it either. It might explain the reason Johnny negatively reacts whenever Doctor Brackett comes around him. The cowboy boots he wears could remind him too much of where he lived before."
"I don't think I could have survived living like that," Chris said, still amazed and shocked at what he heard. "I don't know how he lived through that."
"Me either," Jenny said. "It's scary to think places like that are around. I just wish he didn't need to think he was living through that again."
"You two don't ever have to worry about places like that," Joanne told them. "First of all, if for some reason, something happened to your dad and I and Johnny wasn't able to take you in, one of the other guys from the station has offered to take you both in. Even Marco and Chet's family have offered to help out."
"Secondly," Roy continued. "We were going to wait until tonight to let you know about this, but after a lot of discussion, I've decided to accept Dr. Brackett's offer of joining the Paramedic Training Program."
"Really?" Jenny was hopeful over this.
"Really," Roy smiled at her, knowing how worried she could get some days when he was on duty. "After this happened, well, I have to admit I got a bit scared about what could happen. I love being a paramedic, yet with everything being the way it is, I needed a raise so your mom could continue staying at home. This will allow me to have the promotion and raise, while still allowing me to do what I love.
"Even better, for the most part, my job will be from eight to five, except in summers. Summer time will be more flexible since that will be when information on the program, applications are reviewed, policies are looked over and adjusted, and anything else. I'll have a lot more time to take off for family vacations or do things around here. I will have some days where I will be gone for a shift like I do now," Roy warned his kids as he explained what the job would entail. "But thankfully, I won't usually be in the thick of things unless an extra pair of hands are needed since I will be there to evaluate the paramedics. I will also have some days where I will have to be either on shift or spend a twelve hour shift at the hospital to keep up on my paramedic license though. Despite this, I will be around a lot more and have much more of a stable schedule. I just haven't told anyone else yet, so please, just keep quiet for a few days until I can let Dr. Brackett and Captain Stanley know."
"Got it," Mike said, not surprised at all, certain no one else would be either what with Roy having fought so hard at the beginning of the paramedic program to get the law passed.
"I think that will be a great fit for you," Karl said, shaking Roy's hand. "Congratulations ahead of time."
"Thanks," Roy blushed slightly.
A half-grin on his face, Druthers decided to move forward, "Is there anything anyone can think of they'd like to talk about?"
Each person looked at one another in question. When no one spoke up and the last person shook their head no, Karl stood up.
"Alright, thanks everyone for coming and doing so well," he praised. "Since Roy let me on his little secret, I'll let you in on mine. My recommendation is going to be for Johnny to go home with you. I hope you don't mind."
Chris and Jenny both let out whoops and cheers as leaped out of the chairs.
"What do you think?" Jo laughed at the exuberance.
"I didn't think they'd mind," he admitted. "Of course, we have to wait for Dr. Early's permission and recommendation, along with each therapists and possibly Doctor Brackett's. I have a feeling once Joe and more than likely Kel will have no problem with letting John go home once he is physically ready after hearing my report. I know Doctor Early is already leaning towards it."
"That's great, thanks doc," Roy gratefully said, a smile plastered on his face.
"You're welcome," Karl said and left the group to celebrate the victory.