Chapter 22

Mike arrived early for his shift and noticed Henry waddling out of the dorm toward the day room. Apparently the C shift captain had talked to Captain Stanley about the Newby fireman that was having trouble sleeping after a particularly horrid Auto fatality.

Hopefully Henry did as much good for that guy as he had done for him on the few nights he needed a teddy bear. He hadn't needed him for several weeks now his life was back to where he needed it to be.

It had been nearly a month since Laura was whisked out of the hospital by her friend with the prosthetic hand and the Doctor whose leg she'd saved. Mike felt bad that he hadn't had a chance to say good-bye but Cap had explained that the guy taking all the pictures that day was her publicist who was making plans for her during her recovery.

She had literally been kidnapped to protect her from him.

Even though she was gone her influence was still felt at the station. Mike had managed to read all three of her books and marveled at the words of wisdom and advice packed in them. The rest of the guys were quick to agree. The big dismay was that Chet was now pulling jokes on everyone but Johnny. This was just as good as pulling them on Johnny because he was so sure the jokes were coming his way he was making a fool of himself to keep from getting got.

Mike moved on to the day room and started the coffee before he sat down to read the paper while he was waiting for the rest of the crew to come in.

When everyone assembled for roll call all was routine, Announcements were read, assignments were handed out and then—

"We received a letter last shift from a Miss Laura Elmer addressed to all of us. Do I have any volunteers to read it out loud?"

"Mike will," Johnny and Chet spoke at the same time, While Roy and Marco just pointed at him.

Cap just smiled and pulled the opened envelope from his clip board and handed it to Roy who passed it down to Mike. Mike pulled the pages from the envelope and unfolded them before clearing his voice.

To Captain Stanley and the Firemen of Station 51

Sorry I didn't say a better good bye but that wasn't my idea. After all that you have invested in me I thought it only fare that I drop you a line and let you know that I'm still hanging in there.

After being bounced around to the homes of several of my co workers I am now staying and working as a nurse in a youth camp here in upstate Washington. My new specialties are recognizing all the symptoms of homesickness, spider bits and poison ivy with a few sprained ankles and scrapped knees thrown in for variety. It's as boring as hell but that's just what I need right now. Although I did have an allergic reaction to a bee sting last week that had me hopping for a while and a kid that got sprayed by a skunk just to add a little excitement to my life.

My shoulder is healed now and I'm able to do some jogging, swimming and mountain climbing which is making sleeping a lot more possible. I can now say that I'm sleeping at least as many nights as I can't, so that's real progress. The Shrink I'm seeing once a week says I have a classic case of the new catch all diagnosis. Something called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD, I'm sure I'll be able to set him straight by the time he's through with me.

I'm planning on writing another book; it's worked for me in the past so why not try it again. This job is only going to last another three months and I don't know what I'll do after that but for now I'm just taking life one day at a time.

I want to thank you all for your friendship I don't think you have any idea how much I needed it when I was in LA.

If you happen up this way feel free to drop in and say hi and if I find my way back in your neck of the woods I'll be sure to ask for an escort to station 51 again so I can say hi.

Keep up the good work and making a difference in the live of those you meet.

Your friend and Associate

Laura Elmer.

THE END