It was another hot day for the picnic at John's place. The smell of hamburgers and hot dogs wafted in the air. People mingled around holding beer bottles and talking about recent bad calls or talking about important news about other stations. The original crew, except for Marco, all hung around the grill where John was trying to be an expert chef.
"That one's a little black buddy. No one's going to want it. You should have the master cook." Chet stuck out his chest while he pointed to a black and crusty hot dog.
John stared at the hot dog, trying to think of a comeback. "I liked darker dogs. And the master is cooking."
"Looks like the master already cooked." Mike quipped as he pointed to Mama Lopez carrying a tray of enchiladas. Marco walked next to her carrying another tray.
"Now I don't have to eat your burnt meat." Chet said as he ran over to Mama Lopez and taking the tray out of her hands and then he carefully took it over to the picnic table, where a wide array of food was already set out. Everyone but John went over and gave her a hug. Captain Stanley was the first one back.
"Jen still hasn't talked to Roy. She came over yesterday to talk. I've got to admit, I can see why she doesn't want to tell him. He was a wreck after Roger's death. This will serve as an everyday reminder," John whispered. He looked over he shoulder relieved to see Roy was still over talking to Mama Lopez and the rest of the group.
"Roy is going to find out eventually. And it's going to be turned around against us." Hank finally said what everyone had been thinking.
John stared at the next burning hot dog lost in thought. "I know he's going to be upset. But it's Jen's responsibility to tell him. I just want to be cadre and not overstepping my boundaries."
"I wish it was that easy. But it goes beyond just teaching her techniques and rules. Roy is family and deserves to know."
"Mama Lopez's enchiladas smell great. I can't wait to eat!" Roy said. Besides his breakfast, he hadn't eaten a thing except for sneaking in a few pieces of fruit from the fruit salad until Joanne yelled at him. John looked at his food and realized he had lost his appetite.
Roy helped take over the tray of meat after John put all the hot dogs and hamburgers on it. He put it on the table and took a seat next to his wife and across from his kids. Marco, Mike, and Chet sat at the other picnic table with a few guys that were retired from Station 10, John's first station. The current guys from 51s A and B shift were spread out with their families on blankets placed all over the backyard.
"So, how's the academy life? Are the girls any good? Did they even stick it out?" Roy asked. His only experience was with Karen, the part time paramedic trainee who saved his life and then quickly washed out of the program. She ended up becoming an emergency room nurse in San Jose.
Jen became wide-eyed staring at Johnny. Her face started to get red. She closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing.
"Jen's doing a great job. She'll make a great paramedic." Hank said. Everyone turned to Hank. Roy looked at his daughter.
Chris cleared his throat. "That's cool she's got the same name as you," Chris said trying to keep his sister's secret. She kept looking away trying to not meet his gaze.
"She's been getting A's on most of her tests. She really wants to be a great paramedic. Knows all about the history of the program and looks up to you. Told me she wants to be half the paramedic as you were." John quickly cut in. Hank gave him a stern look to show his dissatisfaction of the lies they were making.
"With a teacher like you she will be a great fire fighter/paramedic, junior." Roy gave a chuckle. "I almost thought they were talking about you Jenny. I'm so proud of you getting a head start on your nursing classes."
Jen forced a laugh. "What a coincidence about the name! So, how are all the other recruits doing? Does it seem to be a good class?" She wanted to take them away from the topic of the women in the class, especially herself. She couldn't believe that it was Hank she'd have to watch out for and not John.
Jen put her hands under the table picking her cuticles. It was her nervous habit. Hank could only stare at her and John. John decided to take over speaking. "The class is pretty good. There's a few recruits on academic probation. But my squad is awesome. Jen's in my squad. She works harder than most men in the academy."
"I just hope she doesn't over do it like Karen did. Always trying hard because she was a woman and carrying that chip around on her shoulder," Roy added.
"Linda reminds me of Karen. But Jen, she's doing it for the right reasons." John said giving Jen a wink.
It was then that Mama Lopez stopped by the table on her way to the desert spread. "Oh my. Jenny you are getting muy pequeno. Eat, eat. You are starting to look like Johnny, all bones!" Mama Lopez took off and came back with a plate full of a slice of apple pie, cookies, pudding, and fruit salad. She placed it in front of Jen. "Here eat this and get some more enchiladas. You need some meat on your bones!" Mama Lopez then went back over to the table.
Jen felt awkward about the incident but was relieved for the change of subject. "Johnny, you should probably have a couple of more helpings of enchiladas before Mama Lopez makes up a plate." Joanne said. He grabbed the spoon and added more enchilada to his plate. His pushed the disgusting burnt hot dog of to the side.
Roy then told John and Hank about the recent fires that had taken place during Station 51's A and B shifts. Roy would take the occasional glances at his daughter. She was loosing weight rapidly. He hated himself for not noticing sooner. It was true that he had been a shell of himself recently with taking on another shift but the overtime would go a long way in paying for Jen and Chris's tuition. But he realized that maybe he hadn't been paying too much attention to Jen's health. And that was more important than money.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them.