The Boot
Chapter Thirty Four
By GCS
DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.
Drew ran to the next door neighbor's home and banged on the door. "Hello! Call the fire department!" He called through the screen door. A frightened middle aged woman peeked out from the kitchen. "Ma'am, I'm an off duty Los Angeles Police officer." He flashed his badge through the screen. "Your neighbor's home is on fire. Please could you call the fire department? Then you need to come outside of your house in case the fire spreads. Okay?" The woman nodded her understanding and went to make the call.
Drew sprinted across the lawn of the burning house and to the house on the other side to make sure those people got out of their home as well. Then he turned back to the burning house. Smoke had begun pouring out of the front door and flames licked at the curtains on the big window on the front of the house. He didn't know what he was supposed to do next. He had secured the scene. He looked from window to window trying to see Johnny. 'Where are you Johnny?' Sirens blared at the end of the street as the fire engine and squad turned the corner and sped toward him.
Once inside Johnny immediately recognized the crackle of fire in the direction of what he suspected had to be the kitchen. "Hello!" His muffled yell got no response. He lowered himself closer to the floor and moved toward the stairs. He needed to get upstairs to where he'd seen someone through the window.
The thick and dark smoke painted eerie shadows on the walls as it circled the overhead light.
Unbidden tears leaked from his burning eyes and slid down his cheeks.
A shrill squeak filtered through the room when Johnny stumbled over a mislaid toy. He quickly withdrew his foot afraid he'd stepped on a child only to find a naked baby doll smiling and staring glassy eyed up at him. He stepped over the doll, to the base of the stairs and looked upward to check for fire in his path. Not seeing any he stepped up onto the first step.
It always fascinated him how dark a burning building could be once it filled with smoke. The yellow orange glow from the hungry flames added little light…or at least little useable light when it came to finding your way around inside a darkened room. Once he found the stairs he would keep his hand on the wall to anchor himself to the correct path upward.
He jumped when he heard the crash of glass bursting from the heat in the kitchen. He could feel the heat building as the flames grew stronger. He wiped his forehead with the back of his arm never realizing how his SCBA mask kept the sweat from his eyes as well as the smoke from his lungs. How he wished he had his gear. He pressed the damp shirt more firmly against his mouth and nose.
"Hello! Is anyone up here?" He called to the empty hallway. He pulled the shirt away from his face and called again. "Hello! Is anyone up here?" The only response he got was his own harsh coughing. He quickly replaced the shirt and continued down the hall to what he thought was the room where he saw someone; as he drew near he could hear the cries of a baby.
The faint odor of burning paint seeped through the damp shirt reaching his nose causing his adrenalin to soar.
He raced down the smoke filled hall to the door he supposed to be the one that held the prize.
Quickly running his hand across the door out of practiced training even though he didn't think the flames had reached that part of the house and feeling the cool wood beneath his palm, Johnny reached for the door knob and pushed the door open. Glancing back over his shoulder as he crossed the threshold he could see the fire had followed him up the stairs.
Movement on the other side of the room caught his attention and he saw a petite woman trying desperately to calm her screaming baby. Johnny slammed the door shut and grabbed a blanket from the changing table shoving it beneath the bottom of the door to keep some of the smoke out of the room. He pulled the shirt away from his face to speak to the woman. As soon as he did the normally pleasant smell of baby powder mixed with the acrid smoke making him cough. "My name is Johnny; I'm a fireman. We have to get out of here. Your house is on fire."
The woman moved behind the crib and looked at him with wide untrusting eyes. "What do you want?"
"I'm here to help you." Johnny took a step around the full sized bed and she backed away.
"No! Stay away. You're not a fireman. You aren't dressed like a fireman."
Johnny glanced down at his once white t-shirt and now soot covered jeans. "No ma'am. I'm not dressed like a fireman, because I am not working today." He looked up into her eyes. "I promise you. I am here to get you and your baby to safety." He held out his hand.
She saw deep into the kind eyes and took his hand. "Please help my baby."
"Okay. Now I need you to move over in that corner and face the wall. I'm going to get this window open." As soon as he saw she was safely away from the window he grabbed the wooden rocking chair and heaved it at the window breaking it out. Then he pried the last wooden obstruction away from the frame. Next he turned and grabbed the sheets off of the bed. He tied one to the other jerking on the two sides to make sure the knot would hold; then he fashioned a sling on one end similar to the ones he'd seen the women wearing on the reservation when he was younger to carry their babies in while they worked the land. He tied the other end to the bed post and again yanked on it several times to test its strength. When he turned around the woman was watching him. "I'm going to lower your baby to my friend below; then we are going to get you out."
The woman moved over to him and helped him secure her baby in the wrap. Then her attention moved toward the door. The roar of the fire had grown very loud outside the room, and smoke seeped in on the sides.
Drew heard the glass break before he saw it raining down on the grass below. His momentary indecision about what to do next disappeared into the impulse to run across the lawn and position himself under the window. When he looked up he could see Johnny hanging out the window with something tied in a bundle. "I'm gonna lower her to you." He coughed out.
Drew winced at the hoarseness of his voice, and waiting to catch the bundle; as it came closer to him he raised his arms. "I've got her." As soon as he had his hands on the bundle he could hear the hoarse cries of a tiny baby. He pulled her from the blanket. "She's free." He cradled her to his chest like he would his own daughter and watched the sheet as it was hoisted back up and through the window. When he turned around and moved away from the house he was met by two firemen. "I think she needs some oxygen." He handed her to one of the firemen who immediately turned around and hurried over to the squad.
"Who else is in there?" The other man with a white stripe on his helmet which from experience Drew knew to be the Captain asked.
"John Gage, an off duty fireman and one adult, but I'm not sure if it's a male or female or how old."
Drew's explanation was interrupted by Johnny who had seen the fire apparatus arrive and now leaned out the window calling for assistance. "Hey! Up here! I need some help up here!"
Two linemen grabbed the ladder from the side of the engine and secured it against the window sill. Johnny waited until one of the linemen was in position to help the woman down and then he assisted her as she climbed out onto the ladder. She looked up at him as she began her descent. "Thank you."
He simply smiled back at her. No words could explain how he felt at that moment. He had simply done what felt natural. After she had cleared the bottom of the ladder he climbed out and easily climbed down.
"Well if it isn't Johnny Gage." Charlie Dwyer slapped him on the back and ruffled the hair on the back of his head.
"Stop it Charlie." Johnny protested.
"And I wouldn't be a good rescue man if I didn't recognize a voice laced with smoke. Get over here and sit down." Charlie started pushing him toward the squad.
"Huh?" Johnny's eyes got wide. "What are you doing?" He shifted his shoulder and tried to escape Charlie's hand.
"You my friend are going to come over here and take some oxygen. Then if you aren't better in a few minutes we're taking a ride to Rampart to visit Dixie."
"No way man, I used a wet shirt. I'm okay. My throat's just a little sore."
Charlie continued to prod him. "Gage, you just entered a burning structure with no gear. You're covered in soot and ash and you ARE going to sit down, drink some water, let me wash out your eyes and breathe some fresh, clean, pure air."
Drew smiled and leaned against the squad crossing his arms. "Better do what he says Johnny or that steak dinner will have to wait."
Johnny gave in to his friends, sat on the rear bumper of the squad and allowed Charlie to slip the oxygen mask over his face. He felt the adrenalin rush that had kept him going earlier slip away leaving him feeling extremely tired. "How's the baby?" He asked softly.
"The baby and the mother are fine. They are right over there getting some oxygen. I don't even think they'll need to go in." Charlie finished rinsing Johnny's eyes and handed Johnny a canteen of water. "Here you need to drink some of this."
Johnny took the canteen, pulled the mask from his face and smiled. "How's a guy supposed to get enough clean, pure air when he has to stop to take a drink?" He tipped the canteen to his lips and took a long swig of the cool liquid.
"Just drink, Gage." Charlie swatted his shoulder. "And then breathe." He took the canteen away after Johnny had a few drinks. Johnny put the mask back over his nose and mouth and took several deep cleansing breaths.
Squealing tires pierced the air. A car raced down the street and came to an abrupt stop in front of the burnt house. The driver's side door flew open and a man jumped out and began running toward the house. "Where's my wife and daughter?" He screamed as he ran. Two firemen blocked his path and held him back. He sunk to his knees and stared in horror at what had once been his home. "Oh God!"
"Hey buddy, relax. Your wife and daughter are right over there. They're all right." A tall thin fireman spoke softly to the distraught man and then helped him to his feet and walked him over to his family. On the way back to his post at the engine he stopped to see how Johnny was. "How's our hero?" He asked Charlie.
"I think he'll live." Charlie smiled up at the blue eyed man who didn't say anything else, but smiled, nodded and walked away.
Johnny pulled off the mask and asked, "Who's that guy?"
"That's our new engineer, Mike Stoker." Charlie started packing away the oxygen. "You were finished with this weren't ya?"
"Yeah, I'm good." Johnny stood and rolled his shoulders. Then he noticed how dirty he was. "Uh…I guess that steak will have to wait for another time."
"Why?" Drew looked at him with worry on his face. He thought maybe Johnny was hurt after all.
"I'm filthy." Johnny held his arms out showing his friend how dirty he was.
"So…" Drew wrapped his arm over Johnny's shoulders. "My house may be small, but we do have a shower ya know." They started walking over to Drew's car.
"Thanks Charlie!" Johnny called back. "See ya next week on bowling night."
"No problem Gage, Later!"
"Hey Drew?" Johnny stopped in his tracks. "Is your wife gonna mind if I shower at your place?"
"Nope, come on." Drew rounded the car to the driver's side and looked at Johnny over the top of the car.
"What am I gonna put on after I shower? Look at my clothes." Johnny was still unsure of the plan.
"You can borrow some of my sweats. They'll be a little big on you, but you'll be decent. Now come on. Pam's probably freaking out wondering where we are." He climbed into the car and cranked the engine. Johnny climbed in and shut the door. In a few short minutes they were pulling up in front of a small brick house; an attractive woman emerged onto the front porch. Drew got out, crossed the yard wrapping his arms around her, lifted her off the porch and spun her around causing her long hair to fan out in the wind before setting her back down on her feet and kissing her.
"Drew!" Pam slapped him playfully on the shoulder and brushed her hair away from her face tucking it behind her ear. "Not in front of company!" Her voice faded on the last words when she saw the filthy man climb out of the car.
"You should've seen him babe. He just ran into that burning house like it was nothin'." Drew started explaining before introducing his wife and his new friend. "I didn't even know what to do at first. He was just gone…I mean he disappeared into the smoke like some TV show. Then I was running to the neighbor's house to call for help. He got a woman and her baby out. It was amazing!"
Pam walked up to Johnny and stretched out her hand. "You must be John." He rubbed his hand on his sooty jeans and looked at how dirty it still was. She smiled and dropped her hand. "You must feel awful with all that soot on you." She wrinkled her nose. "Come on in. I'll get you some of Drew's sweats and some towels. You can use the guest bath. Drew can get the grill started while you clean up and we'll have dinner in no time." She turned and walked back to the house.
Johnny looked at Drew who stood in the yard smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Isn't she wonderful? I told you she wouldn't mind. Now come on in." He also turned to the house.
Not knowing what else to do Johnny just followed them inside. It felt good to be accepted even covered in soot.
By the time Johnny got out of the shower Drew had the steaks on the grill. Dinner was on the table in no time; that's when Johnny got to meet their daughter. Pam came into the kitchen carrying a beautiful miniature of herself. "John this is Rebecca. We call her Becky. Becky this is daddy's friend John."
"My friends call me Johnny." He smiled at the pretty little girl. "Hey princess." The little girl smiled back at him. "My goodness you are a pretty thing. You look just like your momma."
"Watch out Pam, I think he's flirting with our little girl." Drew teased from the doorway as he brought the steaks in.
Johnny's face suddenly showed alarm. "No…no I wouldn't…" His hand splayed on his chest.
"Hey Johnny, take it easy. I was just kidding."
Johnny calmed down, but said nothing more to the little girl, though he did smile over at her several times during the meal. Drew regaled them with the story of Johnny's heroics; he blushed accordingly.
After dinner Drew, Johnny and Becky were shooed from the kitchen so Pam could clean up. Drew kicked back in his recliner and Johnny sat on the sofa. Becky came over to him and lifted her arms to him. As though it was the most natural thing in the world Johnny bent down and scooped her up setting her in his lap. She snuggled back against him and stuck her thumb in her mouth.
"Will you look at that!" Drew smiled at Johnny. "I think she likes you."
Johnny smiled genuinely. "Yeah." He leaned back against the couch and relaxed.
Drew set the TV on a ballgame. In a few minutes both men and Becky were all asleep. Johnny had slid down sideways onto the arm of the sofa and Becky had curled up beside him. Pam came into the room and grinned at the men. She pulled some blankets out of the hall closet and covered first Drew and then Johnny. Before turning out the light she lifted her daughter from Johnny's grasp. As she pulled her away he reflexively tightened his grip and whispered. "It's okay. I've got ya." But he let her go and put his arm over his eyes and let out a sigh.
Pam let them sleep for a little while and then brought desert and coffee to the table. She woke Drew first. "Honey, if you don't wake up now you won't sleep tonight."
Drew stirred and sat up rubbing his eyes. "Sorry, I fell asleep."
"You weren't the only one." She pointed to Johnny. "Why don't you wake him up while I get the sugar and cream for the coffee."
"You better get him some apple pie or something. He's allergic to chocolate."
She stopped and put her hands on her hips. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked in a huff.
"Didn't know myself until this afternoon." Drew reached over and shook Johnny's shoulder. "Hey Johnny. It's time for desert." Johnny stirred and mumbled something incoherent.
Pam picked up the extra plate of chocolate cake and disappeared back into the kitchen. When she returned with the apple pie Johnny was sitting up rubbing his eyes. "Here you go Johnny. Drew tells me you love apple pie."
Johnny looked at the generous piece of pie covered in vanilla ice cream. He sat forward and took the plate shoveling a large bite into his mouth. "Wow that's really great!" He said with his mouth still half full. "I haven't had pie like this since my mom…" He didn't finish the sentence. Instead he took another huge bite.
Pam giggled at the way he devoured the pie. "There's more if you want it."
"No thank you, but it sure was delicious." He picked up his coffee cup and took a drink. "I guess I had better call a cab. Mind if I use your phone?"
"You don't have to do that. I'll drive you back to your place." Drew lowered the foot rest on his recliner and grabbed his coffee taking a drink. "Just let me finish this coffee."
"That's okay. I can just call a cab. You've already done a lot." Johnny got up and took his dishes to the kitchen. "Thank you for inviting me to your home. Dinner was fantastic."
"How about you come back this weekend?" Pam suggested. "I'm making fried chicken."
Johnny's eyes lit up and a crooked grin spread across his face. He liked Drew's wife. He felt comfortable in their home, and had enjoyed getting to know Pam and Becky. "I'd like that."
"I'd like that too Johnny. Drew and I don't have that many friends and our family is out of town." Pam pulled him into a hug. There was something about John Gage. She just knew they would all be good friends for years to come. "Becky will like it too. I've never seen her take to anyone like she did to you."