Phase 2 of the paramedic program was more challenging than Jennifer could have imagined. She was seeing people at their worst days but helping others get better. She also had many headaches of trying to understand all the medical techniques, protocols, and EKG readings Monday through Thursday. She was excited about Fridays and her first taste of being a paramedic in the field when she would do a rotational schedule of riding with different paramedic squads. However, she also witnessed her first death in the ER. She watched silently as the paramedics from 36 aided in chest compressions until she was called to take a turn with chest compressions. Within a few minutes, she could feel the sweat trickle down from her eyebrow. With each thrust, she let out a grunt, trying with all her might to keep the man going, unntil Dr. Brackett called the time of death. It amazed her of all the effort the group had spent for almost twenty minutes, but it still did not change the outcome. For a brief moment, she wondered if the man, only five years older than her own father, had children. She shook her head trying not to focus on those thoughts. She willed herself to remain objective.
On Thursday, she was given her first shadowing placement. Her hours would be from 9-5 the following day at 36s. She was much impressed the work she witnessed from them two days ago with the cardiac case and she was excited to learn from those two.
The excitement of her first shift at 36s quickly faded as she opened her locker though. Taped to the door of her locker was a note on a white sheet of paper. It read "LACoFD's new uniform." She peered into the locker and was met with red fabric hanging from a hook. She lifted the fabric off the hook and held it up. In her right hand, was a red lace bra with flames printed on the cups. In her left hand was a red laced thong. She placed the bra in her left hand as her right hand struggled to open up her duffle. She threw the items in the duffle while mumbling curse words under her breath. Then her hand went to the note and ripped it off. All of her anger was used to ball up the note. She took several deep breaths to calm herself while her hands went to picking at her cuticles, her nervous habit. I'm not letting them see me like this, she repeated. She quickly put on the department issued dark blue pants and light blue shirt. She pinned her badge. If I can get through the academy, I can do this, she willed herself to put on a determined face.
She came out of the office and to the kitchen. "Morning guys." One person from the crew who sat at the table acknowledged with a grumble, the rest remained silent. She made herself to the coffee pot to pour herself a mug of coffee. "Got any sugar?"
"Ain't you sweet enough?" The youngest lineman stated as he said licking his lips. She rolled her eyes but decided to play along.
"I need some sugar to keep my sweetness up," she replied. He got up and showed her the cabinet in which the sugar could be found in. "Thanks."
"No problem, babe." He slapped her ass as he made his way back to the seat at the table with the rest of the crew and was welcomed with aggitated faces that showed that they were angry at him for helping the enemy. He shrugged and whispered "maybe I'll get lucky." He gave them a smile and a wink. Since there was an ulterior motive, everything was forgiven. All Jenny could do was stand at the counter, taking a moment to try to process the exchange, but she couldn't. She didn't want to. It never happened, she wanted to believe.
Unfortunately, things didn't improve. The guys didn't trust her to carry anything except when trying to play jokes on her. The crew rolled up on a vehicle accident where the driver hit a pole and had a small cut over his left eye, most likely from hitting the steering wheel. The two paramedics quickly evaluated and determined that the man had a minor concussion and a lot of luck. However, they didn't need Jennifer to know that. They had her bring an air cast, then the g suit. She realized that they were playing her when they asked for the OB/GYN kit. When she brought up the fact that the OB/GYN wasn't needed, they quickly countered, "just in case we got to use it on you." Then the two began to laugh as she carried all the equipment back to the squad. The sad part was, this was the best call out of the five that she had rode on with 36s.
Jennifer always thought that she would enjoy being a part of the firefighting brotherhood, but she realized she would never have that. Her soul was crashed when making that realiziation on the drive back to the apartment. She was glad she was coming home to someone who provided much support that she desperately needed and wanted. When she walked in, she was greeted to the smile of garlic in the air. There sat two plates with spaghetti and meatballs and a candle lit in the center of the small circular table. She was ready to burst out in tears after realizing just how lucky she was.
She placed her duffle bag on the ground. "How was your day?" David asked as he carried a bowl of salad to the table. After he set it down, he finally had a chance to look at her. He could see the defeat in her eyes. What he wouldn't have given to hug her and make everything okay. He was going to use the dinner as a way to show her how much her cared for her. More than friends, but the look on her face showed that today might not be the best day. He didn't want to add to the complication that she currently had in her life at the moment with going to different stations and training to be a paramedic.
She attempted to hid her defeat with a quick smile and her sense of humor. "The guys got me a present." She rummaged through the duffle on the ground and held up the bikini. "Could you just imagine me rolling up on a call in this skimpy thing. I might cause a heart attack. And if I'm supposed to fight fires, I won't have a chance! I'm going to have to talk to the chief about this!" She gave a quick chuckle as threw the lingerie back in the bag. Despite the forced smile, it had not reached her eyes.
David's hands went to his crouch to try to hid the excitement that he felt when imagining her wearing the outfit. "You should talk to him. You shouldn't have to deal with the harassment."
She made her way to the table and David pulled out a chair. He took the seat across from her. "Not about that. I mean there is no protection and it can be distracting." She smiled as she noticed his cheeks reddened. "Maybe 95's will be better." Jenny quickly turned the conversation towards David's fire fighting as she was tired of talking about her day. Her goal was to block it out.