Chapter 17
Chet watched as his captain stepped out of the room and pulled the door closed behind him. He was alone, alone with a book he had been denied on several occasions. Chet looked at the closed door for some time and when his captain returned he was still sitting with the unopened book in his hands looking at the closed door.
Captain Stanley placed the plate filled with food on the desk in front of his man before sitting in another chair with his own plate of food.
"Do you need some help finding the chapter?" Hank asked noticing the book still closed in Chet's hand.
"No, I can do it." Chet responded to his Captain's verbal nudging and opened up the book flipping through the pages with his thumb in search of the chapter number 23. The first page was nearly completely colored in pink high lighter with several sections under lined in black pen. The title of the chapter in large print across the top of the page read, Every Balanced Team Needs a Court Jester, and in pen the name Chester was written above the word Jester.
Chet paused in his reading and looked up at his captain in confusion. Hank responded by reaching out and placing a fork in Chet's hand and closing his fingers around it. "I know you can eat and read at the same time because I've seen you do it before."
Chet took a bit of his cooling dinner and turned his attention to the first paragraph on the page.
If you don't have at least one team member who is obnoxious, annoying, irritating, and incites homicidal tendencies in the other team members on occasion, then find one, quickly. Because there will be times that such a person, if they display proper self control and understanding of their crafts, (the part between the comas was not only highlighted but underlined in pen, twice.) will be the most valued member of your team and the only one capable of helping the other team members to keep their wits about them and create the break from the trials that are pushing them to the edge of their ability to move on.
After reading that paragraph Chet looked up at his captain with tears in his eyes and no ability to speak.
"Remember you promised me you'd read both chapters," Hank nudged his man forward.
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At the hospital Dr. Bracket walks into the treatment room studying lab results. When he enters he finds the room dark and a sleeping Laura Elmer with the head of the bed raised slightly, the nurse checking vital signs again.
"Her pulse is down to 60, BP is 90 over 48, they do come up when she's awake and I have been able to wake her up with verbal stimuli," The nurse reported.
"She's been fighting with an extreme case of exhaustion for some time. But those numbers still concern me and so do these," Bracket motioned toward the lab results. "Let's get her a room upstairs, she's going to be with us for a few days."
Bracket was sitting under the light in the corner writing orders when Dixie walked in. After pulling the blanket up around Laura better and looking at her for a moment she walked over to Dr. Bracket and spoke quietly. "There's a worried fireman outside who would very much like to know how Miss Elmer is doing."
"You wouldn't be talking about Mike would you," Laura rolled her head and revealed that she was much more aware of what was going on around her than anyone had before realized before opening her eyes.
"The very same," Dixie smiled and made her way back to Laura's side. "You frightened him when he couldn't wake you up for the dinner he had prepared for you."
"Yeah, sorry about that," Laura let out a breath and took in the different medications and bags hung over her head, "What time is it?"
"It's a little after ten," Dix answered.
"I guess I better see him so he can go home and get some sleep." Laura moved to adjust her position and Dixie helped her to fluff up her pillow a little.
"We can let him visit for a moment once we've gotten you settled into your room." Bracket suggested.
"No, it would be better if he saw me here," Laura challenged, "I may need your help untying the life line he's attached to me."
"I think he just likes you and wants to help you out." Dixie defended Mike.
"It's better for him if he doesn't; we both have our own emotional healing to do before either of us are ready for any kind of a relationship."
When Mike entered the treatment room, having been explained that Laura was stable but would need to spend a few days in the hospital, he was alarmed by the number of IV bags hanging over her head. Even with his limited knowledge of medicine he knew what some of the different drugs were for and recognized the plasma, and platelets hanging.
"Hi there," Laura opened her eyes and turned her head toward the open door. "How are you doing?"
"How am I doing? I'm not the one being admitted to the hospital," Mike questioned.
"Yea, I guess that last antibiotic didn't agree with me," Laura played down what had happened. "I'm going to be alright now though and Doc here is going to make sure I get plenty of rest. Aren't you Doc?"
"That's my plan," Bracket responded trying to understand what was going on between his patient and her visitor.
"Are you going to have to operate?" Mike asked his concern showing.
"Not yet at least, I'm still hoping things will take care of themselves if we can keep her down and quiet. We'll know more in a couple of days."
"Hey, don't worry about me, I've been in worse predicaments than this and made it through alright," Laura reached up and swatted Mike's arm. Then the orderlies came in with a gurney to transport Laura to her room. Mike helped them move her across to the gurney and watched with concern as they rolled her away.
"She's going to be alright," Dr. Bracket comforted, "her biggest problem is that she's way over due for some serious rest and relaxation."
Mike nod his head and studied the doctor over. "If she needs anything,"
"We'll give you a call." Dr. Bracket finished his sentence. "You best go on home and get some rest yourself."
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Back at the fire station Chet was still in the Captain's office. The dinner plates had been taken back to the kitchen and a well read book was now being closed and thoughtfully placed on the desk as one Chester B. Kelly was in deep thought about what he had read.
Hank sat quietly across the office quietly reading his own book and looked up just as Chet leaned back in his chair. Seeing that his man was deep in thought he chose to fold his arms across his chest and wait for Chet to break the silence.
"The reason no one wanted me to read this is because they're afraid I would go crazy on the practical jokes isn't it?" Chet finally spoke still distracted by his own thoughts.
"That would be the reason," Hank answered then waited for Chet to reveal his next thoughts.
"I never thought of my pranks as being anything more than just fun and games." Chet was still distracted in deep thought. "Does the next book go into more details?"
"I can't answer that yet, I still haven't finished it." Hank gestured with the paperback copy of 'Never too Strong to Crumble', "This book is a lot darker than the one you've been reading. I've had to read it in small sections at a time. It still has a lot of really good information in it but I'm not even half way through it yet."
There was another long moment of silence in the office as the rest of the crew could be heard laughing at a television show they were watching in the common room.
"I feel like I've been paid a great compliment Cap, and I want to thank you," Chet broke the silence again now more focused on the person he was talking to and not so much on his own thoughts. "But it's also a lot of responsibility and I'm not sure I understand all the rules."
"Did you understand the levels classifications on jokes?" Hank started to quiz.
"I think so, but I'd sure like it if she went in to greater detail."
"Maybe you could make a request for her next book," Hank joked.
"I don't know, Mike might get jealous," Chet joked back.
"I want you to understand a few things." Hank leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. "I will not tolerate any pranks over a level three here at the station."
"Cap I'd never do anything if I thought there was any chance of anyone getting hurt."
"I still reserve the right to assign you Latrine duty or any other discipline I feel appropriate if I think you're getting out of hand."
"Understood," Chet sighed, "I do tend to be a bit of a joking bully sometimes don't I?"
"At times you do carry on too far." Hank agreed. "Try picking on someone other than Gage once in a while."
"I'll do that sir."
"One more thing," Hank sat up straight and looked very serious. "Chief Jenner will be here next shift to present Mike's father's commendation to Mike, his Mom and his sisters. Absolutely none and I mean zero, zilch, nada jokes until after the chief and all of our guests have left."
"Yes sir, no jokes next shift. I think I need to buy me a copy of that book and study up a little more so I know better when and when not to pull a prank."
"That might be a good idea," Hank responded and then a smile grew on his face. "In fact one prank I will permit next shift is for you to report for duty reading that book in front of your crew mates."
Chet smirked at the Captain's suggestion. "I won't need to play any jokes once they see me reading that book they'll be so sure I'm going to that will be a joke in its self."
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After a few short hours of sleep on the sofa in his office Dr. Bracket made his hospital rounds. Hoping for the rest of the lab results he had ordered the night before he made the room of Laura Elmer his first stop.
Gathering up her chart at the nurse's station Dr. Bracket started reading the newest test results as he walked the short distance to his patient's room pausing at the door as he finished reading. Pushing the door open a few inches Bracket could hear a voice coming from the room. Listening carefully he heard the unmistakable cadence of someone doing CPR. In an instant panic Bracket shoved the door open quickly and raced in only to find Laura tossing and turning in her sleep.
"NO, no don't stop," Laura was breathing very fast and tears were falling down the side of her face and she squirmed in her bed. "No, let me go, we can't quit, he's my brother, let me go. We got to save him. Can't let him die, let me go."
"Miss Elmer, Laura," Bracket called as soothingly as he could manage as he took hold of Laura's good shoulder and gave a gentle shake.
"NO!" Laura sat up straight and her eyes saw Bracket and she realized she had been talking in her sleep. She also remembered what she had been dreaming about.
Laying back against her pillow she turned away from the Dr. to regain her composure. Dr. Bracket sat at the foot of her bed and waited for her to be ready to turn back toward him.
"That was some night mare," Dr. Bracket commented when Laura was finally able to wipe her eyes and turn to face him. "From what I over heard it has something to do with your brother."
Laura nod her head and sniffled a little. "The last attempt at suicide he injected himself with an over dose of something, if they ever figured out what it was they never told me. I thought he was taking a bath. After an hour and a half of CPR and counter shocks and appropriate drugs the local doctor called it, but I couldn't just walk away, I, a, I kinda lost it. It took four of their largest orderlies to pull me away from my brother's body and then they sedated me."
Dr. Bracket reached out and rests his hand on Laura's arm.
"When I finally woke up enough to figure out where I was I was in restraints." Laura ended her story. "They claim I attempted suicide myself but I don't remember anything about it."
Bracket remained silent hoping Laura would talk more.
"So what do the lab results say this morning?"
"Well your white count is down and your platelet count is up. Several of the other results are floating around the low normal. I think we're on the right track as far as your physical health goes."
"But you're going to give me a second opinion on my mental health and you agree with my diagnosis that I'm a mess?"
"We do still have a magnificent Psychiatrics department."
"You mean they haven't up and moved away since the last time I was in the hospital?" Laura joked. "Sure I'll talk with someone it just might help."
Later that day, Mike walked in to the emergency department and up to Dixie McCall and waited for her to finish giving instructions to one of her nurses before she turned her attention to him.
"What can I do for you Mike Stoker?" she noticed that he had a duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
"I was bringing Laura her bag, it was left in my truck but they are telling me that she's not allowed any visitors." Mike explained to Dixie. "I thought that maybe you could see to it that it got to her. I did her laundry while I was doing mine."
"That's sweet of you. Hold on a second. " Dixie then asked one of her nurses to cover the front desk while she checked on a patient before turning to Mike and saying, "Come with me."
While they were in the elevator Dixie explained. "The Dr. wants her to get as much sleep as she can so if she's sleeping we'll just have to let her be but if she's awake I can let you visit with her for a few minutes."
"Thanks Dix." Mike smiled.
When they approached Laura's room Dixie held up one finger to Mike as she opened the door a crack to peak in.
"Are you up for a visitor?" Dixie asked when she saw Laura was awake.
"As long as it's not another autograph hound," Laura answered before she pushed the control button on her bed to raise the head a little higher.
Dixie opened the door a little wider and motioned for Mike to enter. "Now I'll leave you two alone as long as you promise not to stay too long."
"I will," Mike answered and carried Laura's bag through the door and then stood in the middle of the room as Dixie pulled the door shut behind her.
"Haven't you had enough of me yet?" Laura joked when Mike turned around to face her.
Mike shook his head and smiled. "You're looking better."
"The lab work agrees with you," Laura commented. "So when is the big day?"
"The big day?"
"When they're going to present your Dad's commendation," Laura clarified.
"Oh that, a day after tomorrow around eleven hundred hours, depending on weather or not we get a call."
"Make the most of it, Remember your Dad and that he loved you," Laura counseled.
"I will, I'm looking forward to showing my Mom around the station." Mike moved into the room and sat on the foot of Laura's bed.
"Make sure she gets the chance to hear the hat," Laura gave him a warm smile.
"I will," Mike smiled back.
"Don't forget you have a lot of friends at the station that will be more than happy to listen to you."
"Yeah, but none of them read my mind like you can."
"You'll be surprised," Laura challenged.
Mike kept his promise to not stay long and made another attempt to see her the next day only to find that she was sleeping so he only tiptoed in and sat the vase of flowers next to her bed then left again.
The next morning he arrived for work nearly an hour early and sat in his truck listening to his radio and smiled as he waited for Captain Stanley to pull in.