Authors Note:
First deleted "scene"; this was one cut for time from the Fanfiction version for being deemed unneccesary. This was due to my attempt, at the time, to complete the story by Christmas.
Well, here we go, never before released. More coming up.
Chapter 28
The school day had come and gone rather quickly. The students of Peach Creek High had rushed home at a much faster pace than usual, as the temperature was expected to fall as the afternoon progressed. While the temperature throughout the day was in the teens, the weather report called for temperatures to drop even further into the single digits during the twilight hours.
While most of the residents of the cul-de-sac had escaped the bitter chill by taking refuge within their family dwellings, Double Dee and Marie had decided to spend their evening away from the monotony of the cul-de-sac.
In the last few months, the Kanker-Lonergan family had decided to began attending church together once again. In an effort to rekindle old friendships, Tabby and Rod sought out their old priest, Father Archie Sevino, who had baptized, and delivered first communion to all three of the Kanker girls. Luckily, they were able to locate their good friend, and had discovered that he had relocated to a new church within their old neighborhood in the city, just 20 minutes from their house in Peach Creek. Since discovering the whereabouts of Father Sevino, the family had been attending his church every Sunday morning for mass, as well as all religious holidays. In addition, the church served as the location for Tabby and Rods long overdue wedding.
Earlier in the day, Marie had invited Double Dee to attend five o' clock mass at her church, allowing her to introduce him to Father Sevino. To make matters even more exciting, due to being in the general vicinity, Rod had invited Marie and Double Dee over to his firehouse to enjoy a large dinner with he and his crew. Roast beef, mashed potatoes, and green beans were on the menu; of course, Rod's lieutenant would also be making a pot of his famous firehouse chili.
The two teenagers had exited the church around 10 minutes ago, and were currently making their way down the sidewalk of the street leading to Rods firehouse. The street was a major city through way, four lanes wide facilitating the large amount of expected vehicle traffic, and lined with many restaurant establishments, including famous competing fast food chains and a 1950s themed diner.
As the two teenagers walked side by side, holding hands all along the way, Double Dee decided to initiate a conversation.
"I must say, it was very much a pleasure to be introduced to Father Sevino." said Double Dee, "I've heard so much about him through the stories you've told me, and he most certainly is the amiable, witty character you have portrayed him to be."
"I'm glad you liked him," said Marie, "He's really chill, and I can tell he really liked you too. He's not like the other uptight priests I used to know back in the city. He has a way of giving great advice through the word of God, and entertaining you with a good joke at the same time."
"As you know by now, I was not raised with religion," said Double Dee, "But even though I am not part of your church or the Catholic faith, I felt as though I was part of your extended family when speaking to Father Sevino, a testament to his great character."
Marie smiled at Double Dee's words, at which point the couple reached the busy intersection on which Rods firehouse was located. Marie promptly pointed across the street.
"Well sweetie, there it is!" said Marie as she pressed the "push to walk" button on the traffic signal mounting pole, "My Dads home away from home!"
A few seconds passed, at which time the pedestrian traffic signal extinguished it's "Don't Walk" graphic, and illuminated it's "Walk" graphic, providing the two teenagers the opportunity to cross the street. Rods firehouse was a large two story building that appeared to have been built at some point in the late 1800s, situated on the corner of the wide street and it's much smaller intersecting street. The building was constructed of masonry and brown in color; the front facade consisted of a single large red garage door, used as an access/egress point for the two fire trucks stationed inside. Above the door, the words "Engine 6 - Ladder 16" were spelled out in silver letters. Even further up on the facade were two large windows, surrounded by ornate masonry pointing, acting as viewports for the upstairs recreation room. At the top of the building, an elaborate cornice made of concrete spanned across the roof, wrapping around to the side of the building, which extended around 70 feet down the side street, providing ample space for the storage of the fire apparatus.
"My word," said Double Dee as the couple approached the building, "What a marvelous example of classical revival architecture!"
"Pretty cool huh?" said Marie, "There's cool buildings like this all over the city, I'll have to take you for a grand tour of the neighborhood at some point."
The couple made their way down the sidewalk towards the side door of the building, the main pedestrian access/egress into the building as they continued their conversation.
"But for now, let's get some grub!" said Marie, "I'm starving."
At that point, Marie lifted her hand upward with the intent of delivering a small knock to the steel door; however, just as she was about to make contact with the door, the brief, yet piercing sound of an air horn filled the air. The couple, surprised by the unprecedented noise turned around in an attempt to locate the source.
To their surprise, the pinging sound of a large diesel engine filled the air as Rod's fire truck passed them, on the way to the front of the building. The ladder truck was quite long, and of the "tiller" style, consisting of a four door tractor section and a long 60' foot trailer section, on top of which was a telescopic 100' foot aerial ladder. Behind the ladder was a small cage in which an unidentified fire fighter sat, his hands on a second steering wheel controlling the rear wheels of the trailer; a feature that allowed the large truck to navigate the many narrow streets of the city.
As the truck passed, the entirety of Rods crew delivered waves from the windows; this included Rod himself, who had the duties of driving the truck on this particular shift. The crew had just returned from a medical call to assist an elderly man who was believing he was having a heart attack, an action often taken by the firemen when the ambulances were tied up with priority calls.
"Perfect timing!" said Marie as she grabbed Double Dee's hand, "C'mon let's go meet the crew!"
Without hesitation, Marie took hold of Double Dee's hand and began leading him back toward the front of the building. The two took their place adjacent to the garage door, at which point all of the firemen, with the exception of Rod, exited the cab. The four men made their way out into the middle of the street, blocking traffic, allowing Rod to position the truck for backing in.
The couple watched as Rod activated the red LED lights lining the top of the truck, which proceeded to flicker in alternating patterns as he brought the truck into alignment with the garage door. He then proceeded to lean out the driver's side window to gain an adequate rear view as the truck slowly crawled into the apparatus bay, emitting a repetitive beep as many large vehicles did when placed in reverse.
After around the thirty seconds, the truck had found its way into the building, taking it's place next to it's companion, "Engine 6", a much smaller engine truck. Rod activated the air brakes, deactivated the lights and engine, and jumped down from the driver's seat to greet his guests.
"Hey Smelly," said Rod playfully, (Smelly being Rods affectionate fatherly nickname for Marie), "Glad to see you made it on time!"
"Excuse me," said Marie, "You're the one that was almost late!"
"Hey!" said Rod in a stern, yet playful manner as he began making his way towards the kitchen signaling Double Dee and Marie to follow him, "I'm on call, it's my civic duty to protect and serve this community...lifesaving doesn't wait for dinner."
"Alright Superman," said Marie, "You got me there!"
The two shared a giggle, at which point Rod opened the door to the kitchen, allowing Marie and Double Dee to pass through before him.
"Make yourselves at home," said Rod, "Give me a minute to wash up, and then I'll heat up the roast. It shouldn't take too long."
As Marie made her way into the kitchen, Rod leaned down towards Double Dee with a smile.
"Hopefully, for all of our sakes," said Rod, "I'm sure you're well aware of Annemarie's 'hanger' problem, a trait she gets from her mother. Don't worry, I'll send her home full. A hungry Annemarie is worse than any fire I've ever seen, and I wouldn't put any other man through that living nightmare!"
Rod playfully punched Double Dee in the arm, at which point he turned and began making his way into the kitchen while chuckling. Double Dee however, did not seem to find the joke amusing; in lieu of following Rod into the kitchen, Double Dee continued staring towards the front of the station with a blank melancholy stare, as if he were in a trance.
A few seconds passed, at which point Rod took notice of Double Dee's lack of response to his joke. He proceeded to reopen the kitchen door, leaning his head out in an attempt to re-engage the boy with a smile.
"You alright pal?" asked Rod with an expression of concern, "Come on in, we don't bite!"
At the sound of Rods voice, Double Dee was broken from his thoughts. The ski-hatted boy slowly turned towards Rod, an expression of distress adorning his round face as he opened his mouth to attempt a response.
However, just as Double Dee was about to enunciate his first word, a long drawn out high pitched beeping sound filled the air, emanating from the stations PA system. At the sound of the beep, all of the firemen in the station instantly froze, giving their attention to the voice of the dispatcher that followed:
Box 7857 Cumber and Dolphin Streets
Fire Reported at 5555 Lombard Street, 2 story family dwelling. Respond on South Fire Band.
Engine 6, Engine 2, Engine 25, Engine 14, Ladder 16, Ladder 3. Immediate Response!
What followed the announcement could best be described as organized chaos. Upon completion of the announcement, the loud piercing sound of the station fire bell rang out; a sound that seemed to induce panic in the normally calm Double Dee. At that time, the loud booming militaristic voice of the captain rang out from the vicinity of the front of the station.
FIRST IN ENGINE AND LADDER! LET'S MOVE!
Double Dee was bumped to the side as the door to the kitchen flung open with force. In what seemed like an instant, Rod and and the remainder of the fire fighters rushed out of the kitchen into the apparatus bay, swarming around the trucks. Double Dee continued to watch in a dazed manner as the fireman donned their bunker gear, jumping into the boots, lifting their suspenders, and grabbing their helmets and coats as they jumped into the trucks.
Within seconds, the garage door was open. Engine 6 was first out, it's red flashing lights and Q2B siren blaring loudly as it sped out of the station. Shortly after, Rod jumped into the driver's seat of Ladder 16 igniting the diesel engine and activated the flashing lights. Five seconds was all it took for the tiller man to finish donning his gear, climb into the tiller cage, and pull the door closed.
Double Dee observed as the large ladder truck, piloted by Rod, exited the station with speed, turning into the large street as the tiller man followed Rods lead, guiding the trailer into the turn. As the truck made it's exit, the much more nasal sound of the EQ2B Siren began to wail up and and down, decaying in volume as the truck disappeared away into the night, on it's way to save property and lives.
Within moments, the hustle and bustle characteristic of a full fire station had vanished; the apparatus floor was virtually silent with the exception of the sound of the garage door closing and ultimately latching shut.
As Double Dee continued to stare forward, the door to the kitchen opened. Marie slowly made her way towards Double Dee's position, leaning her head on his shoulder as she stared at the empty apparatus floor.
"Well, looks like we need a new dinner plan," said Marie as she made the sign of the cross on her chest, in an effort to pray for her fathers safety. She then turned towards her boyfriend with a smile.
"So what are ya in the mood for dreamboat?" asked Marie.
Double Dee remained motionless, continuing to stare forward as if he were saw a ghost. Marie took notice of her boyfriends unusual demeanor, and decided to inquire with concern.
"Hey, what's wrong sweetie?" asked Marie, "Are you okay!?"
Double Dee sighed.
"I dearly apologize Marie," said Double Dee as he gazed into Marie's exposed eye. The boys eyes were quite watery, as if he were attempting to quell tears, "It may sound absurd, but it is still quite difficult for me to be exposed to the red lights and sirens typically associated with fire apparatus. Those sounds elicit terrible memories of that night, the last time I ever saw James alive. That coupled with the upcoming Christmas holiday, and the fact that I once again will not be able to spend it with him seems to have triggered an emotional response within my psyche."
"Double Dee do not apologize!" said Marie in a stern manner, "What you said is absolutely not absurd. I should be the one apologizing for accepting this dinner plan, I totally forgot and I am truly sorry."
Double Dee sighed.
"The nature of life is unpredictable, and quite cruel at times" said Double Dee, "But it is the joy of the holiday season, time spent with family and friends, and time spent with you that allows me to push through."
Double Dee turned towards Marie, and placed his hand on her face.
"Nothing will ever fill the hole that was created when James left this world," said Double Dee, "But words cannot express how thankful I am to spend this holiday season with you, Annemarie Kanker."
Marie stared at Double Dee for a few seconds, a small tear forming in her right eye as she displayed a slight heartfelt smile. Marie slowly touched her lips to her boyfriends, after which she squeezed him with a loving embrace.
"As for our dinner plans," said Double Dee, attempting to bring light to the conversation, "That diner we passed on the way to the firehouse appeared promising!"
"The Roundabout!?" asked Marie, "That place is the bomb, we go there all the time after church! Leave it to my Dreamboat to come up with a good backup plan!"
Marie pulled away from Double Dee, making her way towards a small, closet-like room on the other side of the apparatus floor.
"I'll be right out," said Marie, "I just have to stop in the little ladies room, then we'll head over k'?"
"I would like nothing more Marie," said Double Dee with a smile as Marie closed the wooden door to the restroom.
Within the confines of the small restroom, Marie had completed relieving herself and proceeded to wash her hands at the sink. As she dried her hands, she turned to towards her reflection, running her fingers through her side swept bangs as she did so. A few seconds passed, at which point she tossed the paper towels into the trash can, and gazed towards the ceiling, uttering a few words to herself.
"Lord," said Marie, "Please let my plan to make Double Dee happy come to fruition this Christmas."
