The Jenkins Girl
by Rosalind B
Chapter 17 - Cafe con Leche
Last time: CJ celebrated her birthday for the first time in a long time-with Chet.
CJ was back in her studio/apartment. She missed her place. While she loved Chet's neatness, his place was still a "guy's" place. Her apartment had frills, lace, paint and nice china. Nevermind that CJ owned just three dresses and only flannel pajamas. That was her dichotomy: tomboy due to the roughness of the last few years, but needing to let the "girly" out as part of her artistic side. She set up a fresh canvas and moved her easel onto the porch. The willow tree in the neighbor's back yard turned a radiant white/yellow. She began a light sketch to capture the shape, when the phone rang.
"Jenkins Photography."
"Hello, my name is James McElroy, assistant administrator at Rampart General Hospital."
"Do I owe a bill?" she asked.
McElroy laughed, "No not at all. The editor of the Local Press suggested you for a photo assignment. It's last minute I'm afraid. We're sponsoring a tour for some students, and our regular PR photographer is out sick. Would you be willing to come by and take some photos for the hospital newsletter? The tour is about an hour long. We just need some group shots and a few action ones."
CJ responded, "I'd love to. The staff has been wonderful to me. What time should I be there?"
"The tour starts at 1:30. If you could be here by 1, I can introduce you to the guide and let you know what areas we don't allow photos of."
"I'll be there with bells on Mr. McElroy."
"Thank you so much!"
CJ moved her easel back inside, put on a clean blouse and jeans, grabbed her mother's camera, extra film, and headed to Rampart.
...
Chet had a second session with Dr. Westin. He discovered that he was a visual learner.
"A who?" he asked the doctor.
"A visual learner is someone who learns through seeing things. For example, if you and another person were assigned to build a model airplane, you would simply look at the parts to find how they fit. The other person would read the instructions. For you reading the instructions would frustrate you."
Chet pondered the doctor's words.
"So that's why I could learn to operate machinery in the Army on the job. I was shown what to do. If I had to look at the manual it'd never work."
"Exactly."
Chet thought about the time he and Johnny tried to put the motorbike together. The manual drove him crazy.
"So Doc, how do I prepare for the engineer's test? If I learn visually I'll never pass."
"There are several methods you can use to prepare Chet. For instance, any diagrams you can find will help. Label the parts so you can associate the words with the picture. Color code key phrases in the study guide. The colors will help you retain what you need. At the test you will have to recall images and work from that. But you've been around fire engines enough that it shouldn't be difficult."
Back at the station, Chet watched Mike polish Big Red. He stood off to the side with a sketch pad, trying to draw the dials and levers. Mike sensed someone behind him and turned to see Chet attempting to sketch.
"Hope you're not sketching me Kelly. I'm no model," Mike grinned.
"Oh no, I was uh, sketching Big Red."
Mike's curiosity grew. He walked over to Chet and looked at the pad. On the pad was a big rectangle, with circles, semi-circles, and lines. Then two large circles at the bottom of the rectangle-wheels.
"The doc said I'm a visual learner. I need to see stuff to understand it better. I can't just use the manual-I'll never remember what's in it."
"So am I," Mike replied. He took Chet's rudimentary sketch and began adding details.
"Really? How did you pass the exam?"
"I envisioned the scenarios. I saw the gauges in my head. Plus I went to the training center and played around with some of the old engines. When recruits show up for their training, I got to run the engine as part of it. Gave me a chance to practice. Not everyone is allowed to do it, you have to request it and get it approved. But you've got enough time in, it should be fine. Ask Cap to help."
Mike finished his detailed sketch of Big Red. "Come here. Let's get this labeled."
He pointed to a gauge, "What's this?"
Chet answered, "Suction gauge"
Mike pointed to another, "This?"
"Um, compound pressure?"
Mike looked at his student. "You sure? You can't say 'um' at the oral exam."
"I'm sure," Chet's confidence grew.
Mike continued to test Chet's current knowledge and label the sketch.
"Okay, here's Big Red's map," he handed the sketch back to Chet. "Study that first. Next shift make sure you know what they all are called. Then I'll explain in more detail what they do and why. By the way, there's usually a course for boots called "Orientation for Valves and Gauges". See if you can get a copy of that study guide. Has a lot of diagrams in it."
Chet grinned at Mike. It was the first time he felt he had a chance at passing.
"Thanks Stoker! Really I appreciate it."
"Don't thank me till you pass the test. You may hate me as a tutor." Mike grinned back.
Neither noticed Hank leaning on the squad until he cleared his throat.
"Kelly aren't you cooking today?" Chet scampered into the kitchen. Hank turned to his trusted engineer.
"Real good of you to offer your help Mike."
Stoker shrugged. "He wants it bad Cap. I know how it feels. And I think it's not just for him."
Hank looked confused. Stoker continued.
"CJ. I think things are getting serious pretty fast. Probably wants to be less in the line of fire if they're going to be together."
"Mike, now I understand why you're so quiet. That's how you get the scoop on everyone." Hank patted his engineer on the back and headed to the kitchen.
"Gage, Desoto, it's time for the tour at Rampart. I'm taking you out of service for 2 hours."
"Got it Cap, thanks!" The two medics headed out.
...
CJ stopped at the base station. Her favorite doctor, Joe Early was chatting with Dixie.
"Hello there!" she greeted them with a big smile.
"Why hello stranger," Dr. Early gave her a hug, followed by Dixie. "What's happening? There's a rumor you're going to court?"
"Wow, news travels fast in these parts," CJ said "Yes, I do. My trust fund is in limbo. Long story."
"Well I hope it all works out for you," Dixie said. "You deserve that fund. But what are you doing here?"
CJ explained about the phone call and the request. Just as she finished, a man in a suit stepped off the elevator. He spotted the camera.
"Miss Jenkins?"
"Please call me CJ," they shook hands."Happy to be here and help out."
"Thanks again CJ. There are only a few restricted areas: ICU-for obvious reasons, Emergency treatment rooms, and the hospice area. If an Operating room is empty, then photos may be taken."
Johnny and Roy walked up just as McElroy finished his sentence.
"Ah, here's our tour guide-John Gage, Cynthia-"
"Jenkins! Hi CJ!" Johnny hugged his friend. CJ hugged Roy next.
"Well, you two know each other?" McElroy asked.
"Yep! CJ is my co-worker's fiance." CJ nearly dropped her camera, but held her composure when John winked at her. Roy rolled his eyes.
"Oh I see. The children will be here shortly. John you know what's off limits. I just told CJ about them. CJ, we'll need a group shot of John and the students, then a few of them interacting along the tour. After the tour, you can drop the film at my office. I'll have a check for a replacement and of course your time. I'll leave you to it." He shook CJ's hand again and left the three in the waiting area.
"Fiance?" CJ whispered.
"He was checking you out. Girlfriend wasn't strong enough." Johnny shrugged.
"I'll be in the cafeteria when the kids are done with you Junior," Roy laughed and headed out.
"Have you given tours before?" CJ asked.
"Oh yeah, it's easy, just show them a few rooms, get them some ice cream, say hello to a nurse or two."
Johnny had no idea the students were from the Los Angeles Renaissance School for the Gifted. Their first request was to witness heart surgery. The second was ICU, which fortunately for John was deemed off limits. They were allowed into the rehab department and grilled one of the physical therapists about recovery times. Dr. Morton was next to be questioned about his expertise, education and credentials. Fortunately he loved their interest and proved to be a good speaker. CJ got some photos of the students with the therapist, and Morton. They also grilled John about the paramedic program.
A slightly flustered John Gage suggested a quick snack before the students left. Once at the table, he dashed over to order the ice cream. CJ talked with the students about what their favorite subjects were. One young man studied CJ but didn't speak until he looked at her camera.
"Excuse me. Is that a CanonFlex?"
"Yes, it is." she replied.
"Are you a professional photographer?" a young girl asked.
"Yes I am."
The first boy opened up. "I like photography too. How long have you been a photographer? Did you go to school?" The other students joined in with questions. CJ answered them all, even after John returned with the ice cream.
Another student asked CJ a completely off topic question.
"Are you and Mr. Gage cousins?"
"No we're not sweetheart."
The student pondered for a moment.
"But you almost have the same color. What are you?" It was pointed yet innocent question.
"My mother was black, my father was Irish."
"So what is that called?"
Johnny's spoon stopped in mid scoop. CJ thought for a moment.
"Cafe con Leche."
Finally, the pair were rescued by the teacher and chaperone.
"Thank you Mr. Gage! Thank you CJ!" They waved and headed back to the lobby.
Johnny and CJ finished their ice cream. Roy joined them with his own lunch.
"So Johnny, what are you? I'm half black half Irish."
"Mom was American Indian, Dad was white. But I didn't know him well."
CJ nodded.
"Do you get stared at?" Johnny asked.
"When I was little, Mom and I would get the stares. Some of Dad's shift mates were thrown for a loop when they finally saw photos. Mom told me once they met me, it didn't matter. Word was Jenkins has a cute kid, and a hot mama wife." She laughed.
"Mom and Dad had a hard time when they first married, even here in California. They didn't dare travel to Mom's family in North Carolina. Interracial marriages are still illegal there.
Lately, I get stares in certain places, like the hair salon, or an upscale boutique. Now that I'm doing the LaFrance shoe ads, people call me 'exotic'."
"Like some kinda parakeet," John laughed.
"Yep." she smiled. "What about you? Do you get a hard time?"
Johnny took a breath. A lot of bad memories of his first few years in the department flooded him.
"Yeah," he finally said. "Especially my first year. I was the resident 'redskin'. Didn't' make for an easy probation. Lotta people whispering 'half-breed' behind my back. Still don't trust people easily."
Roy sat still. He was upset.
"I can't believe people who are supposed to save others can be that stupid and cruel," he said.
"Roy, they're still people, with prejudices and attitudes. Not everyone in the department has good intentions, some just want a stable job. You should know that."
Roy finally nodded his head. "Yeah I guess you're right Junior. You know how I am."
Johnny laughed, "Yeah Pally, you're a complete optimist. That's why I'm glad you're my partner."
Roy looked at his watch. "Speaking of, we better go back in service. CJ, see you soon." They all hugged, and the two partners headed back to work. CJ turned in her film, and headed back the the studio.
Michael Renault hung up the phone. "No need to worry dear. We got Judge Harrison. Those attorneys have no chance. Cynthia will have to sign and then she will have no choice than to allow us into her life."
Elmira nodded, but didn't answer.
Her husband put his hand on her shoulder. "It's for her own good dear. You said yourself she's been without proper guidance for too long."
"Yes dear you're right. I made a terrible mistake all those years ago. I have to make it right. I'm going to lay down for a nap."
She closed her eyes, sleep came, but only for a little while.
He was in his dress uniform, sitting on a bench.
"Charlie? Charlie is that you?"
His head turned to her voice.
"Why?" he said.
"Charlie I'm trying. I'm reaching out to her."
He shook his head, stood up and walked away into the mist.
"Charlie!" Elmira woke up with a start.