It's All Relative

Chapter 5

"Doc, what happened?"

"What do you remember, Johnny?" Brackett's concern was evident as he stood staring down at his young friend.

Johnny didn't answer right away. His mind was a blur of images – a fire, an old west town, horses, a stagecoach, an explosion. He shut his eyes to concentrate on figuring out which images were real.

Brackett reached for Johnny's wrist to check his pulse. He was becoming alarmed at his silence.

"Johnny – what's going on?"

Johnny started a little at the sound of Brackett's voice.

"S-s-sorry, Doc; just trying to find the answer to your question." He paused for a moment and then went on. "I remember a fire – at a lumber yard. There was an explosion…" He suddenly remembered and attempted to sit up. He grabbed his head and inhaled sharply against the pain.

"Roy… Chet... Marco… Doc are… are they OK?" Johnny's heart began to race as the memory of the explosion came flooding back.

"Easy, Johnny." Brackett grabbed Johnny by his shoulders and gently lowered him back down on the bed. "You've got a moderate concussion and two broken ribs. You really don't want to be making any sudden moves right now."

Johnny looked at him with a strange expression on his face. 'Where have I heard that before?'

He relaxed into the pillow as the pain slowly subsided. Brackett raised the head of the bed. "Is that better, Johnny?"

"Yeah, thanks."

"To answer your question - Roy, Chet and Marco are all fine. Roy had a concussion and a severely bruised shoulder. Chet also suffered a concussion, some cracked ribs and some very sore back muscles from landing on his air tank. Marco broke his wrist and sprained his knee. They went home yesterday after spending about 24 hours at Hotel Rampart."

"Yesterday? I've been out that long?"

"Yeah, I thought you would have regained consciousness by yesterday but you were being your usual stubborn self," he added with a smile. "I'm sure they'll be glad to get the news that you finally decided to join us. Your captain has been worried sick. I don't think he liked the idea of having to deal with so many replacement crew members all at once. I'll make some calls and let everyone know you're awake. Do you think you'll feel up to some visitors later today?"

"Yeah, Doc, that would be great. Could you ask Roy to bring the book I was reading at the station the other morning? He'll know the one I mean."

"Be glad to, Johnny. You just rest now. The nurse will be in shortly to remove your IV and bring you some breakfast – or maybe by now it'll be lunch."

"Just no green jell-o, Doc," Johnny added with a grimace.

Brackett laughed. "I'll see what I can do." He left the room to make the promised phone calls. He knew the crew would all be relieved at the good new he had to share.

The nurse came as promised to remove the IV and do another vitals check. Johnny lay there trying to sort out all the images and thoughts that kept coming to mind. All the events and people he remembered seemed so real. Were they only a dream? Was he going crazy? He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't realize when the door opened again. Dixie stood there for a moment hold a food tray observing her young friend. 'He seems to be troubled about something…I thought Kel told him everyone was fine. Is there something we missed?'

Dixie put a smile on her lovely face as she opened the door wider.

"Hey, handsome, are you ready for some of our finest delicacies? Brought this especially for you – no green jell-o."

Johnny jumped slightly at the sound of Dixie's voice. He face lit up with a big smile for her; his troubling thoughts forgotten for the moment.

"Thanks Dix," his stomach also answered with a low rumble.

Dixie placed the tray on the table and lifted the covers to reveal soup, a sandwich, two glasses of milk and some vanilla ice cream.

"Better eat the ice cream first – before it melts," she teased.

She watched silently as Johnny began eating, making her own assessment of his condition. She was sure something was bothering him, but couldn't quite figure it out.

"Johnny," she began tentatively, "you want to tell me what's bothering you?"

Johnny looked up and gave her a small smile. "Nothing really. It's just that… I mean…well…" Johnny sighed in frustration.

Dixie took his hand in hers. She could feel his pulse racing under her fingertips. "What is it Johnny?

He took a deep breath and looked up at Dixie with a slightly haunted look in his eyes.

"Promise you won't think I'm nuts or something?"

"I promise," she replied with all sincerity.

"Dix, have you ever had a dream so real that you can remember every detail – the places, the people? You can remember the sights, the sounds, the smells, even the tastes. Everything – like it happened yesterday."

Dixie relaxed a little as she realized that his problem wasn't as serious as she originally thought.

"Don't think I've ever had a dream like that, Johnny. What was your dream about?"

"I think it has to do with a picture I received the other day – a family picture. Roy's bringing it over later this afternoon when the guys come to visit. Why don't you and Dr. Brackett stop by, too? I think he would find it interesting."

"I'll make sure we're both here. Why don't you get some rest before Roy and everyone get here?"

Johnny settled back with a sigh. "OK Dix."

She brushed some stray hairs off his forehead and smiled. "Rest easy, tiger," she added softly.

Picking up the tray Dixie quietly left the room.

E!E!E!E!E!

Dr. Brackett made the promised phone calls asking the guys to wait till around 6 PM before coming to visit. He also relayed Johnny's request to Roy.

Cap was the first to arrive at Johnny's room that evening. "Evening John. It's good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

"Still feeling some aches and pains and still fighting a headache, but feeling better than I did this morning," Johnny replied with honesty. He knew Cap could see through any fib he would try to tell.

"Good, good. You had us worried there for awhile."

"Sorry, Cap, didn't mean to.

Just then the door opened to admit Mike, Chet, and Marco. Mike was pushing Marco in a wheelchair.

"Hey, guys, how 'ya doin'?"

"Doin' good, Gage," Chet answered. "You finally get enough beauty sleep?"

"Ha! Very funny Chet. Marco, how's the knee?"

"Still a little swollen and sore, but I get to start some PT in a couple of days. Should only be out a couple of weeks."

"That's good to hear," Mike interjected, "'cause I was getin' worried about Cap here and wondering if I was going to have to remind him of the names of all the replacements we'll be getting starting tomorrow."

"Michael," Cap huffed, "Are you saying I'm forgetful?"

"No, Cap. It's just as a person gets closer to a certain age their mind doesn't retain things as easily; they don't do well with changes to routine either."

Cap opened his mouth to say something but was stopped when they all broke out in laughter. He figured why fight them – and joined in. Roy, Dixie, and Dr. Brackett chose that moment to enter the room.

"Well, I guess this is where the party is," announced Dixie.

"Hi, guys - 'n Dixie," Johnny greeted them. "Roy, did you bring what I asked?"

"Right here, Johnny. By the way, your neighbor, Phil called me this afternoon and told me you had received a package that he signed for, so I brought that along, too. Figured it might be important."

Johnny set the package on his lap and then took the picture from the back of the diary and stared at it.

"Johnny," Kel began, "you wanted to tell us all something?"

"Sorry, Doc." He looked at Cap. "Cap, what do you know about Captain Van Orden?"

Cap was slightly surprised by the question and had to think before answering.

"Well, I know he retired last year because of an injury. Think I heard he moved to somewhere in Montana… no, Wyoming. There's a ranch there that's been in his family for years. Why do you ask?"

Johnny didn't reply to Cap's question; just stared at the picture.

"Doc, do you have any relatives by the name of Harper?"

Kel stared at Johnny in surprise. "Yes, Johnny. My mother's maiden name is Harper."

"Did she ever speak of a relative named Jess Harper?"

Brackett stared at Johnny; his face twitched slightly. "She did mention the name. I got the impression that her family thought of him as sort of the 'black sheep' of the family. Why?"

"Doc, I don't know if it was from the concussion or if I reacted to something you gave me, but while I was unconscious I experienced something – a dream maybe, maybe not. Anyway, I remember waking up in a…."

Johnny proceeded to tell them his experiences in Laramie, giving all the details.

"…flash powder went off and I woke up here with Doc checking my eyes with his penlight."

"Oh, come on, Gage," Chet quipped. Do you expect us to believe that was more than just a dream? Man, you're still loopy from the pain meds or something."

Johnny did not respond to Chet – he just handed the picture to Kel. He stared at it in disbelief and passed it on. While everyone was looking at and talking about the picture Johnny opened the package Roy had brought him. It was from his aunt. Inside was a short note from his aunt and a wooden box with a piece of paper glued to the lid.

Dear John,

This was found at the very bottom of the trunk under a blanket. For some reason it looks like it has your name on it.

Love,

Aunt Rose

Johnny looked at the box. Sure enough, written on the paper in handwriting similar to his great-great grandfather's in the diary, was "Johnny" and "Los Angles".

He slowly lifted the lid. Inside was an envelope addressed to "Johnny" and something wrapped in a piece of soft tanned leather. Underneath that was something flat wrapped in cloth. Johnny noticed that everyone had stopped talking. He looked up to find all of them looking with interest at the box he had just opened.

"What is it, John," Cap asked.

"Johnny, are you all right?" Kel looked at Johnny with concern. He noted the paleness of his face.

"This box is from my great-great grandfather, J. Rodney Gage, MD, and it's addressed to me."

They all stared at Johnny not knowing how to respond to that statement.

Johnny opened the letter from Doc Gage and began to read out loud.

August 28, 1897

Dear Johnny,

I hope this actually finds you and that you are doing well. I feel strange writing this but needed to get my thoughts on paper. I don't know how many times I've read the letter you left me, but finally must agree that you were here from another time. There is no other logical explanation.

The item you left for me worked for a short while like you said. It was an amazing gadget. When it quit I wrapped it in a piece of leather and placed it in this box. You'll find it still there.

Johnny stopped reading and removed the object from the box and placed it on the bed for all to see. It was his penlight. The batteries had corroded and acid had oozed out, but it was still identifiable. No one made a sound. Roy finally carefully picked it up and passed it around for all to examine. Johnny continued reading.

You'll be happy to know I have a son, James Frederick, and he has followed in my footsteps by becoming a doctor. His son Frederick was born just last year. You're probably wondering what happened to everyone back in Laramie so here goes.

Mike Williams grew up into a fine young man. He went off to Colorado School of Mines to become a mining engineer, but his heart was in fire fighting. You planted that seed. He is now a Captain in the Denver Fire Department and doing well.

Daisy Cooper passed on around 1882, 10 years after you met her. She stayed on with Silm after he married the new school teacher that came to town in 1875. He's built that ranch of his into one of the finest in the area; raising the finest cattle and horses for miles around. They have a son and a daughter.

When Mort Corey decided to retire you'll never guess who the town voted in as the new sheriff. That's right, Jess Harper! He's lived up to Mort's expectations and more. Jess finally got married to a nurse that Dr. Peter's had hired to help him in his office. They have a wonderful family of two boys and two girls. Probably good that his wife's a nurse because he still can get into more trouble that anyone I know.

Well, enough about that. The other thing you'll find in this box is the picture that was taken on the day I left Laramie. I've never shown it to anyone except my wife, Amanda. I've told her your story and she feels the same as I do.

I'm proud to have met you and hope that you can say the same of me. Give my regards to all our relatives and also to those fellows you work with, especially Roy.

God speed,

J. Rodney Gage, MD (your great-great grandfather)

When Johnny finished reading you could have heard the proverbial pin drop in that room. He slowly unwrapped the picture. He gazed at it with fondness and ran his finger lightly over the surface pausing as he came to each face. A smile began to form on his lips. He wasn't crazy. It wasn't just a dream. Mike, Daisy, Mort, Slim, Jess, and Doc were real. And there with his arms around the shoulders of Doc and Jess was John Gage.

"Well, Gage, ya' gonna show it or what," demanded Chet.

Johnny looked up and with a big smile and flipped the picture to land on the foot of his bed. They all stared at it in silent wonder.

Yes sir, the picture said it all!

Author's Note: Thanks again for all taking the time to read this story. It has been fun to write and I hope you had fun reading it.
I'll need to take a little break from my writing - we're packing up and heading back to the US from Japan. I've got some ideas for more stories (maybe even a sequel or two), but will need to get settled and reconnected with family first.
Thanks for all your wonderful and encouraging reviews. :D