Chapter 10

David and Jennifer arrived at the ice cream parlor at the same time. He pulled in next to her. He was slowly making his way to her door, but knew that she would have it open before he could open it for her. She had difficulty accepting chivalry. He was a little shocked when he made it to her door and she was slumped over the steering wheel, her body shaking. He knocked on the door, which startled her. She looked at him quickly and then turned away. Her hands went to her eyes and face trying to wipe away any evidence of the crying she had done for the past twenty minutes.

He opened the door. "Jennifer, what happened?" His voice barely above a whisper. He held out his hand to help her out of the vehicle. She wiped her hands on her pants and gave him her hand. "They know." It was less of a question and more of a statement. She could only nod, worried about what would come out if she attempted to speak. "Can you make it to my place?" She nodded. She drove to the ice cream parlor, she was sure she could drive another ten minutes. He played with his key ring and got his apartment key off the hook. He stuck it in her hand. "Go to my place and make yourself at home. I'll stay here and tell Linda we had to cancel." She put the key in her pocket and got back into her car. He watched as she moved slowly to start the car and start driving. It pained him to see her in this state. He didn't think she could ever get this upset because of her can do and optimistic attitude that he saw daily at the academy.

He started to cross the parking lot when he heard a horn beep. He knew instantly who it was. "Whatcha got cookin' good lookin'?" Linda yelled out of her car window. He solemnly walked to her window.

"Hey, we got to take a raincheck for tonight. Sorry for the last minute change." Normally, Linda would've joked around with him, but the look on his face told her that something serious was going on.

"What's going on?" her tone switched to seriousness. She put her car in park with no care for others that may be driving through.

David leaned down and against the window. "I think Jenn's parents know and things didn't turn out well. She came here crying. She's over at my place now." He ran his hand through his hair as he stood upwards.

"Do you want me to come over?" He shook his head. "Tell her to call me if she needs me, even if it's to kick someone's ass." He chuckled and nodded. "Take care of my girl."

"I will."

"I know you will. Call me tonight and let me know how she is. See ya tomorrow." She put her car in drive and drove off leaving David waving goodbye to her.

#####(Roy's)######

Roy heard the door slam about an hour and a half later. He perked up. He was sure his baby girl had taken a drive around the neighborhood to blow off some steam and when she realized she didn't have anywhere to go, she came back. She was going to apologize and declare that she was going to be dropping out of the academy. He was sure of it.

He came out of his den with a smug look on his face. He was sure he won the battle until it was not Jenny that he saw, but his wife Joanne. His face fell when he saw her.

"Well, hello to you too she said as she struggled to carry in all the groceries." She knew something was wrong when Roy wasn't helping her carry bags and nagging her about the goodies she bought and what she was going to cook. She set the bags down in the entryway. "What's wrong? Is Jennifer and Christopher alright?" Her heart was beating faster with concern.

"It's Jennifer. Did you know she was going to the fire academy and not nursing classes?" He stood leaning his body on the stair railing.

Joanne bent down and picked up the groceries trying to avoid eye contact. She turned her back on him as she walked to the kitchen.

"How did you know? Why didn't you tell me? How could you let your daughter do something that is going to get herself killed?" He followed behind her. Joanne set the bags on the kitchen island and faced him.

"MY DAUGHTER! IT'S OUR DAUGHTER!" she quieted down a bit. "I had a feeling. I figured it out at the picnic when Chris and Johnny were covering for Hank's slip up about the firefighter named Jennifer. I didn't tell you because I had a feeling this is how you would react. I know that it's dangerous work. I've seen you do it for twenty five years. I've lived with that fear every day that I would lose someone I love. That I would see Hank pull up in the chief's car and tell me you were dead. Or I'd get a phone call to meet you at Rampart. Do I hate the fact that I have two people to worry about every time they leave the house for work? Absolutely. But would I ever ask you to quit a job that you love, that you live for? Absolutely not. Now tell me, where is our daughter?"

He couldn't look at his wife. It never occurred to him that his wife has had this feeling for the majority of their marriage. For the entirety of their relationship. He had this feeling for one day and it tore him to shreds. "I think I kicked her out of the house."

"You think you kicked her out of the house? You think?" She braced herself using the island for support.

"I told her that she had to chose family or firefighting. She didn't make the choice I wanted."

"You were so afraid of losing her. Guess what Roy. You did lose her. But I won't stand around here. I'm not going to lose my daughter because of her career choice." She didn't bother with the groceries. She had another errand that she needed to run. She remembered that Jennifer was in Johnny's group and maybe he could help her find Jennifer. She left the house with Roy more alone than he's ever been in his life.

He went back to the den with no regards to the food that needed put away. He sat down at his desk. His wife was right. He had lost a daughter and a brother because of firefighting. No, because of his stupidity. But he had no clue how to fix the damage that was done. He had still held on to a hope that Jenny would come back and say she was done with the academy and would in fact be a nurse.

#####(Johnny's)#####

Johnny wasn't much of a drinker, but the whiskey felt good as it burned down his throat. He betrayed his best friend, ruined a friendship, and destroyed a family. He got up from the recliner and poured himself another drink. Before he could put the top on the decanter, he heard pounding come from the door. He walked to the door, his heart beating faster, half-expecting for Roy to come back for round two. He was surprised to see that it was Joanne on the other side.

He opened the door and gestured for her to come in and take a seat. "Can I get you something to drink?" He shut the door and made his way to his glass of whiskey.

"I'll have what you're having." Johnny didn't bother asking her if she was sure. She wasn't much of a drinker. An occasional beer during a picnic was it. He poured her a drink and brought it to her. "Johnny, I can't find Jenny. Her and Roy got into it while I was at the grocery store about that damn academy. I need to tell her that everything is ok. Hell, I'd kick Roy out before I kick her out. He's being a jackass." Johnny mouth dropped. She had never seen Joanne, Saint Joanne, show this much anger. But if her family was threatened she'd fight to save it.

"It's my fault, Joanne. I had to tell him. He thought she was sick because of the weight loss. But you lose weight at the academy. He was so worried about her, I had to tell her. I'm sorry Joanne, I'm really sorry." He downed his drink in one big gulp while Joanne sipped hers letting the whiskey burn her throat on the way down.

"Johnny, there's plenty of blame to go around. I just want her to know that I support her. She can come back home. I just don't want her to stay in some pay by the hour motel with God knows what going on outside. I need to know that she's safe. I have to find her. Do you have any idea where she might be?"

He shook his head. She had only known her to stay at home. Then he thought about it. "Hang on, let me get some of my files." He went to his kitchen table and pulled out a manilla folder with telephone listing for the recruits. He looked up Linda Popp and David Dixon. He debated on who to call first. He knew and trusted David in handling this situation quietly. So, he dialed his number.

After three rings David picked up. "David Dixon."

Johnny cleared his throat. "David, this is Captain John Gage. I, uh..." he started to stammer. He wasn't sure how to form his question, lucky for him David knew exactly what was going on.

"She's ok right now. She sleeping on my couch right now. I take it you know about her dad kicking her out of the house?"

"I didn't know exactly what happened. I did know she left. Her mom is really worried about her. Mrs. Desoto is at my house right now."

"Captain, I don't want to wake her up. But please do give Mrs. Desoto my phone number and address. Tell her she can call or stop by at any time. I know that Jennifer could use all the support she can get."

"Thanks David. If there's anything I can do to help you two out, please let me know. Take care of her please, she's family."

"I will Cap. See you tomorrow sir."

"Good bye." Johnny hung up the phone and turned to Joanne. "Everything is fine. Let me write down this name, number, and address for you." He jotted down the information and handed it to Joanne. "David is a great guy. She'll take care of Jennifer. He said to call or come over anytime.

"Thank you Johnny." She gave him a hug. At least there was one Desoto who still liked him. He was curious as to the reception he was going to get from Jennifer tomorrow. She didn't finish her drink before she left. As he was cleaning up, he downed what was left of Joanne's and had another glass before taking a shower and heading to bed.