The Jenkins Girl
by RosalindB
Chapter 22 - A Lateral Move
Thank you all for following along! Here's the wind up.
CJ rushed home from her appointment with Dr. Westin. She had begun to wind down her therapy to twice a month instead of every week. Once she and Elmira began to talk, her anxiety and stutter eased away. Plus, CJ began volunteering at the newly renovated Charles Jenkins Wellness Center. With Elmira's blessing, half the trust went to the center. The other half, with the survivor's benefit was put in savings and some investments.
CJ's latest photo project won a spot in a new up and coming gallery. Several of the photos sold. People have a thing for firemen and action photos, she discovered. One of them was a portrait Johnny Gage took of her and Chet. She'd visited the station a few weeks before Chet's exam. As usual Chet escorted her back to her car. As they entered the bay, Chet gave her a hug next to Big Red. Johnny grabbed CJ's camera.
"Hold it! That's a sweet pose. Right there, put your head on his shoulder CJ."
Click.
With Chet's permission, she included the shot in the display. Naturally Johnny received full credit. Several offers came for the print, but that particular shot was not for sale. Several requests came in for Johnny to take portraits of his fellow firefighters and their families; a sweet bonus for the camera happy medic.
But today the Engineer Exam results were due. Chet was on duty.
Just as well, CJ mused. He should hear the answer in person from Captain Stanley, not over the phone.
She paced by the phone. Should have come in this morning, what's taking so long?
CJ didn't know the boys were busy. Several runs kept them out of the station most of the morning. She also didn't know Chief McConnike was waiting for the crew. He'd decided to deliver the news with Stanley. Finally, the crew returned to quarters from a difficult MVA.
They all hesitated upon seeing the chief.
"Go clean up gentlemen, I'm in no hurry. Looks pretty bad from the blood on your gear. I'll stand you down for a bit. It's almost lunch time, I promised Lopez I'd eat with you all today." He called into dispatch and stood the station down for 2 hours.
Chet spied the envelope. His stomach went into knots while he jumped into the shower. The others kept quiet, secretly hoping it was good news for their crew-mate.
As they headed back to the kitchen, Marco patted Chet on the back, still silent. Johnny and Roy crossed their fingers and nodded.
It was Mike who spoke.
"Good luck, you busted your ass for this one."
Hank and the chief spoke briefly, then called out, "Kelly, come on in."
Chet stepped into his captain's office.
"Close the door pal. Have a seat."
Chet did his best to look confident, but his mustache began to twitch. He bit his lip to hold himself together.
"Well I have the results," Cap began. "I want to say I know you worked your butt off for this test. Stoker said you really showed you wanted to pass this time. All of us are proud of your effort." He took a breath, and set the score sheet in front of Chet.
"Unfortunately son, you just missed it. Five points."
Chet couldn't speak. He wanted to crawl into the hose bed, but couldn't. Finally he croaked out, "I see."
Stanley did his best to comfort his lineman.
"Look Chet." The crestfallen student looked at the score. "Last time you ranked 74 out of 78. This time you're 35 out of 80. That's a HUGE improvement. Only 5 guys ahead of you at the end of the promotion list. This is nothing to be ashamed of."
Chief McConnike chimed in.
"Captain's right. This is-as my niece would say-awesome. I've heard about the tutoring from Stoker, and your work at the training center. Richardson, the instructor you're assisting, is very impressed. The recruits are soaking up everything you say. I'm confident that the next round, you'll make it. Just keep up with the practicing. Even if by some weird chance you don't, Richardson could use another instructor. We have some recruits who need help. They can work the tools, but have trouble with the manuals. Since Stoker's been teaching you with the ah-what is it called again?-"
"Visual method," Chet filled in.
"Yes! We need someone that can teach that way. It would be a lateral move, if you find you're interested."
Marco timidly knocked.
"Excuse me sirs, but the tacos are almost ready." He looked to Chet, but couldn't see his friend's face.
"We'll be right there Marco, thanks," Stanley said.
"I'm going to grab a seat fellas," Chief McConnike said. He patted Chet's shoulder. "You did well Kelly. Believe me your hard work is noticed and appreciated. And by the way, it took me three tries before I passed." He headed to the kitchen, leaving Stanley a moment alone with Chet.
Chet remained silent.
"Talk to me pal," Stanley said. "I can see it's killin' you."
"Don't get me wrong Cap. I'm happy that people realize I can be serious and work for what I want. And yes, the score wasn't that bad-"
"But?"
"But it still smarts. I really wanted to be able to propose with something to offer."
Stanley's eyebrows went up.
"Propose?"
"Yeah, I wanted to ask CJ to marry me, but if I'm still just a lineman, what have I to offer her? She's outta my league as it is."
Hank sat back in his chair, thinking.
"I was a lineman when I proposed you know. My wife is college educated too. She writes. Articles, book reviews stuff like that-under another name. When we met, she was out of my league so to speak. I didn't go to college, Army, some college classes when I got out, but no degree. Came straight to the fire service. Didn't know what she saw in me. When I finally told her how I felt, you know what she said?"
Chet shook his head.
"She was pissed off! Said 'Henry Stanley! I will decide who is good enough for me. Understood? I said yes ma'am. She said fine, we'll pick out the ring next week. That was 10 years ago."
Chet couldn't help but laugh. Someone putting Captain Stanley in his place. Stanley laughed along.
"Chet, don't wait until you think you're worthy. In our line of work, well, heaven forbid something happens before you have the chance. Life is way too precious." He stood up and stretched. "Come on, let's get those tacos before Chief McNinny finishes them."
"Be careful Cap, don't slip in front of him."
...
CJ waited for Chet to speak. He finally called her with the news, but she could tell he was hurt. He was so close, it stung. When he arrived at her place after shift, he tried to put on a brave face. CJ decided to take a page from Dr. Westin's book, and just listen.
"Man, I was so close. When Cap told me five points I wanted to crawl under the hose bed. Facing the guys was tough. Especially Stoker-heck he was my tutor. I felt I let him down."
"So what did they say?"she asked.
"They were cool. Said sorry, wow you were so close, you're a shoe-in next time. Stuff like that. Stoker said he took the test three times too. And the Chief."
He looked at his beloved sitting on the other end of the couch, just listening.
"Thia I'm glad you're listening to me, but I could really use a hug." he laughed. She jumped to his side of the couch and snuggled against him.
"Thought you'd never ask," she smiled. "So when do you retake the exam?"
Chet sighed. "I'm not rushing. I think I know how I missed so there are just a few things to concentrate on. Also the training center is looking for another instructor. They can take me on even if I don't pass, then eventually I'll be promoted via experience and job title. It's a lateral move, but at least it's an option. You can finally say your husband is something other than a regular fireman."
CJ until that last sentence, was stroking Chet's arm. She froze.
"Beg pardon?"
"I said you can finally say-"
"Hold on Chester B. Kelly! You were stressing yourself to pass this test so you could be 'worthy' of me? Are you kidding?"
"Wait! The main reason I took the test was for ME. I'm tired of being just average. It hurts ME. However, you are the most important person in my life now. I want you to be proud too."
CJ took a breath.
"Okay, I get that you did this for yourself. That's how it should be. However, Chester B Kelly, I will decide who's worthy of me-understood?"
Chet froze. "Are all firemen's fiances like this? That's what Cap's wife said."
CJ had to laugh, "Sounds like a very wise woman. So when do we pick out rings?"
...
CJ and the other wives waited at the back of the hall. The Department Chief spoke about duty, valor, how the men before him had a right to be proud of their achievement. Her Uncle Mickey then stood with the Engineer's pins for the newly promoted. One by one, the thirty men stepped up, accepted their pin, shook the chiefs' hands then sat back down. Next to CJ sat Marco Lopez and his new wife. Marco decided to invest in a new restaurant after his last injury damaged his knee. The Roselli brothers were his partners.
"Does it feel weird being in civilian gear?" CJ whispered.
"Nope." he took his wife's hand with a smile.
Behind her sat Arson Investigator Michael Stoker, and John Gage, (who CJ finally told to "just be together already!"), Roy & Joanne Desoto, Elmira Renault, and Hank Stanley with his wife.
Finally the name she waited for.
"Chester B. Kelly-new Firefighter Instructor. Welcome."
"Whooooo! That's my husband!" Cynthia Jenkins-Kelly yelled, to the laughs of the entire room, and slight mortification of her husband. Chief McConnike shook his head.
"You're in for a wild ride Kelly."
"Yes sir. Never a dull moment."