CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

SETTLING IN

Within twenty minutes, Chet was back in room 2114, but instead of feeling glad to be back in a familiar environment, he was angry and depressed.

While the nurse's aide was assisting him to change into a Johnny coat, he kept thinking to himself, "Man, now I know what they all really think of me. I'm nothing but a fat little fireman who is a LOSER!" And he sighed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Kelly, did I hurt you?"

"No, I'm ok, just guess this is my reserved room, huh?" He attempted to joke with the young man, but Chet was obviously forcing it.

Once settled in the Circulatron bed, Chet requested to see his family.

Within minutes, the door opened, but instead of Jeanette and Timmy, Dr. Brackett and Early walked in, smiling at their patient.

"Well, Chet, how's it feel to be back 'home?"

Attempting to laugh, Chet answered, "Well, Dr. Early, I guess you guys are going to start charging me rent. Or are you going to be charging an admission fee for everyone to see me, THE FREAK?"
Quite unintentionally, Chet's anger and depression had revealed itself in a most alarming way. Dr. Brackett and Dr. Early both realized just what being here meant to Chet, NOW. But what could they do?

"Chet?" asked a worried Dr. Brackett, "Do you want a different room? We chose this because it is private and we made it almost as sterile as the burn unit. But if you prefer, we can transfer you to the burn unit with other people? Maybe you will feel less depressed with others to talk and socialize with?"

"I don't know, doc. Does this mean Jeanette and other visitors have to practice isolation techniques?"

"No, Chet, that is why we thought this room would be better. And we would have to advise Jeanette to not visit as often to prevent damaging the baby, and there would be NO way that we could possibly permit Tim to visit you there.

"So what do you say, son?"

Chet turned his bed toward the window and thought about this for a few minutes. He knew seeing Tim and Jeanette would definitely help him strive to get better as fast as he possibly could. He realized the doctors had made the correct and only choice feasible.

Turning his bed back to the two doctors, he smiled involuntarily and said, "No, you are both right. I need to be able to see them as often as possible. They are my guiding forces. I also need to be able to see my mom and other family and friends. I will, won't I?"

Relieved to hear Chet talking like this, both doctors smiled and Dr. Early said, "Definitely, Chet, just like before, we won't be putting on restrictions on your visitors ok? But I want you to promise me one thing."

"Yes, Dr. Early?"

"That you don't tire yourself or that wife of yours out, ok?"

Still smiling, Chet nodded and said, "Sure thing, Doc. Jeanette only has about 3 months left, you know.

"Do you suppose I might be home by then? I don't think I'd be as good as possible by then, would I? I would love to be able to hold my new baby!"

"Well, Chet, I'm sure you wouldn't want me to lie, but I still don't agree with Mark Craig. I have, personally, seen what the human spirit is capable of. And YOU, my young friend, are what I mean. I honestly did not think you were ever going to leave the ER last year, much less get as far as you have gotten.

"And believe me when I say this, you ARE not hurt as bad as that.

"Yes, your burns are extensive, BUT...I don't think you will have many disabilities. We have been experimenting with new burn healing techniques here in Los Angeles for 3 years now and have been more than 75% successful, and you are a perfect candidate. So keep the faith and think positively. I want you to think about all we've discussed and then talk to Jeanette about it and get her opinion. I know she is aware of the technique and can help you to understand it. Who knows maybe three months from now, you will be back at work. What do you say to that?"

Overwhelmed by all that he had just heard, Chet was at a loss for words.

Just then, Jeanette, Tim and Mary Kelly entered the room. At first, all three thought something had happened. Chet looked shocked and the doctors looked serious.

Suddenly Chet smiled and said, "HI everyone. Come here, Tim. Daddy really missed you a lot, pal!"

Relieved, Timmy ran over and jumped right into his father's arms, saying, "OH, daddy! I was so scared. But I bet you were a real hero huh? Mommy says you put the fire out all by yourself and saved a lot of people from dying!! I'm so proud of you. I want to be a fireman just like you when I get big."

Chet, holding his son in a hug, stared at Jeanette and tried not to cry. She told her son all good stuff and not any of the stupid things he did. He now realized if only he had called for an engine and calmly got the people away from the area, he would not be where he is now.

"She did, huh? Well, I think mommy exaggerated a little bit. There really were only one or two people around and they moved away as soon as I told them to.

"But I do want to tell you a few more things about what happened and how to avoid getting hurt. But we will do that another time ok?"

"Ok, daddy. I still think you are the bravest, best fireman in the whole wide world. And if Uncle Johnny doesn't stop being mean to you, I'm gonna stop talking to him, AND I MEAN IT! I don't like him cause he always is mean to you."

Chet was shocked, he had no idea he had given Tim such a bad impression of Gage, he must either have misunderstood what Chet talked about or Chet said it in a way to make Johnny look bad. He'd have to discuss this with Jeanette alone.

Jeanette, realizing Chet's discomfiture, said, "Timmy? Wherever did you get the idea that Uncle Johnny doesn't like daddy and is mean to him?"

"I heard daddy say one day how Uncle Johnny had gotten him with a pair of scissors and cut his moustache a little and then he turned daddy blue."

Chet was laughing so hard, he almost dropped his son. "Oh, my..."

"What daddy? Am I hurting you?"

"No, Timmy, baby, you are fine. You just have it all wrong. I was the one who cut Uncle Johnny's moustache-he had grown one on a vacation-and constantly teased me that mine was cheesy compared to his. The rest of the guys agreed with me that his was awful and I, volunteered, to cut it off while he was sleeping. Then I put a blue dye in the shower and when he took his shower, he was the one who turned blue, not me.

"You have to understand, Tim, this is a game Uncle Johnny and I have been playing ever since we have known each other. It is all done in fun and he calls me the Phantom while I call him my Pigeon. OK?"

"I guess so, but why do you do it? Does he ever play jokes on you?"

Laughing at some of the memories, Chet said, "He sure has. That is what makes it so much fun. We try to see who can do the best gag. Although I always seem to. Johnny is very easy to trick, believe me. And he never stays mad."

Timmy, finally understanding, got down and said, "Ok, I see. But if he ever does anything to hurt you, I mean it...." and he made two little fists.

At the same time, Johnny and Roy, having a few free minutes, stepped into the room.

"Whoa, there, little buddy. Who are you gonna fight?" Johnny innocently asked.

With all the adults trying to hide their laughter, Timmy, very seriously said, "YOU Uncle Johnny!"

"ME? Why? What have you been telling your son, Kelly?"

"BECAUSE.....because if you ever do anything to hurt my daddy, I am gonna beat you up, that's why. But daddy told me you and him like to do jokes with each other, but you better never hurt him and I MEAN IT!"

"OK, OK, Tim. I promise I will never do anything to hurt your daddy. Didn't he tell you we are really good friends?" And he glared over at Chet.

"Of course, I did, ya twit. He is just giving you fair warning, right Tim?"

Relaxing his stance and walking over to his grandmother, Tim said, "Yup, that's right, just giving you fair warning." And he continued looking, suspiciously, at Johnny, making him feel very self-confident.

Suddenly the tones sounded, and the paramedics left.

As they were leaving the hospital, Johnny ranted, "Man, only Chester B. Kelly could turn his kid on me. Man, he even bugs me when he's sick."

Roy just laughed and said, "Yeah, Junior, I know. But just remember, he has had two very narrow escapes in less than a year. I know you are glad the Phantom is alive. Hopefully he will be able to come back to work. I know he can be a pain in the butt, but he is really one of the best we have. Chester B. Kelly is someone we know we can always depend on and YOU KNOW IT."

"Yeah, I know, pally, but I just gotta rant you know that too."

And both paramedics laughed on their way to the rescue.