The Jenkins Girl
by RosalindB
Chapter 12 - Uncle Mickey's Visit
Last time: Chet & CJ's first date was a doozy.
After lunch they decided to slow things down. CJ told Chet about Chief McConnike's misgivings. Chet wanted to just "catch his breath".
"I want to be sure this isn't some fling," he said. "I don't believe it is, but I-" he lost his words.
"You've never fallen so fast before?" CJ finished the thought.
Chet nodded his head.
"Makes sense," she said. "We should take it slow."
...
The next week they went to CJ's friend's gallery opening. CJ picked up Chet at his place.
"Come on in!" Chet buzzed his "girl" in from the lobby.
CJ walked into a surprisingly neat apartment. She looked around.
"Wow. You have quite a few psych books here. And what's this? 'You are Your Dinner'."
Chet poked his head into the living room, shaving cream on his face.
"Yep. I love reading that stuff. Healthy eating is a good thing especially in our business." He returned to the bathroom, continuing his explanation.
"The psych stuff helps with suicide attempts. Sometimes we have to keep the person talking until the professionals arrive." He finished shaving.
"I see," came the reply. She looked around the rest of the apartment. Items on a shelf near the window drew her. Curious, she reached up to one of them.
"Be careful," he said from behind. "Stuff might be old, but it's still pretty sharp."
"Barbed wire?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Um, yeah. I started collecting in the Army." He shrugged.
"A friend of mine is a metal-smith. If he's at the opening you should meet." She smiled. "It doesn't scare me."
She walked over to her half dressed date. She ran a hand on his chest, noticed the blush, then kissed him.
He wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss.
"Hey," he came up for air, "If we keep this up we'll miss the opening."
"I suppose we should go," she murmured. "But we can be fashionably late." Her hands slid to his butt, giving them a squeeze.
"I thought we were going slow?" he whispered into her ear.
"This is slow. If we really had our way, you would have gotten me out of this dress already."
"Fashionably late it is then."
...
Marco found his friend whistling while he changed into his uniform. He watched Chet hop into his pants, pop on his socks, then lace his work shoes, whistling the entire time.
Just as Marco was about to ask what tune Chet was whistling, Chet beat him to it by badly singing.
"Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! Oh what a wonderful feeling, everything's goin' my way!"
The next note was Henry the mascot baying at the unfamiliar sound.
"Relax Henry! Chet, you're scarin' the dog!" Roy called out from the bay.
"Sorry!" Chet laughed.
Marco laughed along. "So, how's things? How did the hospital surprise go?"
Chet stopped dressing. "Oh man! I forgot you were off. Shoulda called you. It went fine. The crazy aunt showed up trying to pick her up, but I got there just in time. Lunch was-perfect."
Marco caught the blush, but decided not to pry.
"We went to a gallery opening last week. Thia paints too ya know. And she's done some modeling. Said she's not keen on that, rather be behind the camera, but man she's beautiful."
"Thia? I'm confused. Isn't CJ her nickname?"
Chet hesitated. He didn't want to get into details.
"Well, I heard someone else call her that, and I kinda liked it better. We decided I'll be the only one to use it-besides the Roselli's."
Johnny crashed into the locker room-almost late for roll call.
"I gotta get dressed! Oh man the alarm didn't go off, Chet' how's CJ, how many minutes to roll call?" Johnny threw clothes on and off, talking non stop.
"CJ's fine, 5 minutes," Chet and Marco shook their heads as they left the locker room. "See you out there."
The A shift lined up by Big Red. Mike near the front as usual, Marco next, Chet, Roy...then Johnny sliding into his spot just as Cap began announcements.
"John you're here, but not quite on time-latrine. Mike, Chet, hose swap, B shift had a late call and didn't get to it. Marco you're cooking today, but help Mike and Chet out if they need it first. Roy-dorm then help Marco if he needs it after you and John do equipment check. Oh, and rumor has it Chief McConnike is coming by, so let's make sure were really spot on. Questions?"
"Nope."
"We're good Cap."
"I better get the mop." Everyone laughed at Johnny's bad luck.
Fortunately the shift was quiet. Mike Chet and Marco were able to make quick work of the hoses. Roy and Johnny ran an efficient equipment check. Not needing a supply run, Johnny went to clean the latrine, while Roy spruced up the dorm, then helped Marco prep lunch. Cap was catching up on the log and announcements from headquarters when he saw the car.
The Chief's car.
Paul McConnike stepped out and a few long strides later met Cap at the door.
"Mornin' Hank! How are you doing?" They shook hands.
"Great Chief! Just great." Hank's hands began to sweat.
"No worries Hank, this isn't an official inspection." Cap noticed his superior looking over Big Red, the hose tower, and the bay in general. It may not be official, but he's still inspecting.
"I'm here just to check on everyone. Haven't made a call here in a while. My niece reminded me of that a few weeks ago."
Stanley looked confused. "Your niece?"
"Yes, Cynthia Jenkins-CJ we call her. She met you when you guys helped her off the 37th Street Bridge."
Stanley blushed at the memory of being referred to as a "legend".
"Don't worry. I gave her a straight talking to about that belt. So how does it feel to be called a legend?" McConnike laughed and slapped Hank on the back.
"Well I'm not really," Hank began.
"You are in her book." McConnike laughed again. "Where is everyone?"
"Hey fellas!" Hank called out, "Chief is here."
The men stopped their respective chores and entered the bay.
"Good Mornin' Chief."
"Morning sir."
The chief stepped up and shook their hands. He asked each one how things were, if they needed anything, if they had any questions.
He turned to the paramedics.
"Thanks for taking care of Cynthia the other day. Heard you and Squad 36 were a good team. Good job."
Both men blushed.
"Just doin' our job sir."
"It was our pleasure. Glad we were there."
"I'm cooking tacos today Chief. You're welcome to stay," Marco volunteered.
McConnike shook his head. "Wish I could, but I promised 127 I'd stop in and eat with them. Next time for sure." He took another look around. "Seems like things are on point here Hank. I'd better get a move on." He started to leave, then stopped in front of Chet.
"Kelly, a word with you please." He and Chet walked out of the bay toward the chief's car. The crew watched the two speak, on fire to know what was discussed.
"Kelly, I know you're dating CJ. My wife said you asked permission to pick her up at the hospital."
"Yes sir."
"I don't know if she's told you, but I'm not keen on her dating someone in the department. Wanted her to date a desk jockey. Don't want her becoming a widow. She's already lost too many people she loved."
"Yes sir. We talked about that."
The older man sized up the younger.
"Well, my wife, who is a lot wiser than me in the romance department, said she's never seen our girl smile so much in ages. CJ was with us for dinner and smiled while washing the dishes. The missus said I should leave you two alone and let things work out. If it doesn't last, so be it. If it does-" he paused, waiting to see if Chet blinked.
Chet didn't.
"If it does, and she's still this happy, we'll welcome you into the family." He slapped Chet's shoulder. "Good luck son."
The chief hopped into his car and headed to his next stop.
Mike approached first after the chief left.
"So?"
"So what Stoker?" Chet grinned.
"He approved didn't he?"
Chet laughed, "Yeah, he did."
Mike turned to the others and gave a thumbs up sign.
The two walked back into the bay to applause from the rest of the gang.
Marco pulled Chet aside.
"Amigo, I haven't seen you his happy and calm in a long time. I'm hoping she's the one."